GPS Units, Navigators & SatNav

Generally, the term SatNav or Satellite Navigation, refers to an in-car device, which incorporates software, maps, and a GPS receiver to provide detailed navigational information to the user, such as current position, travelling speed, and instructions to reach a particular destination via voice guided navigation and/or instructions on the map screen. SatNav devices were initially seen in the automotive market as an inbuilt option with a vehicle purchase, however increasing popularity led to the development of aftermarket devices (either fully installed or portable).

Sat Nav devices are also often referred to as "in-car GPS units", which references the satellite network itself. It also differentiates them from "handheld gps units". The most well known brands of SatNav Devices for Street Navigation currently on the market are, Tom Tom, Garmin, Navman and Uniden.

Limitations to the mapping provided on traditional SatNav devices presented a challenge to those requiring off-road, regional and remote mapping and navigation.

The use of external and inbuilt GPS Receivers for PDAs and Notebooks, combined with Mapping Software and Digital Mapping, created a customised digital navigation solution for Touring and Off-Road adopted by many. The ability to use these with a Laptop, Tablet or Smartphone (which have replaced PDAs in the market) still provide travellers with a viable (and less-expensive) digital navigation option, however there are now also “combined” SatNav products on the market offering an all in one navigation solution.

The most well known brands to produce all in one Navigators are Hema and VMS, here we will detail the specifications of their currently available models and how they work:

Hema Navigator 6 (HN6)

Hema Maps Australia is a well established mapping publisher with a huge range of regional mapping throughout Australia. The HN6 is the fourth and latest model of Hema Navigator to be brought to market. It is a portable GPS unit with a 6” screen - hence the name. It combines premium street navigation software called iGo Primo (utilising Navteq mapping) with off road navigation software EziOzi. EziOzi is a customised version of OziExplorer, which has been specifically designed for use on a GPS. EziOzi is used to display Hema regional mapping, which is covers almost all regions throughout Australia. Where Hema mapping is not available, a base 1:1 million topographic map is displayed. Follow this link to the ExplorOz shop for further information on Hema Navigator 6.

VMS Touring 700HDs On & Off Road

VMS is an established provider of inbuilt SatNav devices for Off Road and Touring purposes. They have used their expertise in this field to develop the VMS 700HD, which is a portable unit with a 7” screen. This unit combines street navigation utilising Navteq mapping, and VMS Off Road software. VMS off road software is a simple and easy to use program, which is used to display iTOPO mapping (Australia wide at 250k scale) as well as over 40 Gregory’s/UBD touring maps.

Follow this link to the ExplorOz shop for further information on the VMS Touring 700HDS.

Handheld GPS units are used to interpret information from the Global Positioning system for navigational and recording purposes. These are traditionally used for navigation while hiking or bushwalking as well as other outdoor activities (such as hunting), and are built as such (devices are small, are ruggedly built and as well as have a long battery life). Some of the larger handheld units can also be used for in-car navigation; however they are not specifically built for this purpose. Handheld GPS units can be divided into two basic categories, Basic (non map based) and Map-based

Basic Units

These are usually used in conjunction with print mapping to allow you to access basic information provided by the GPS network such as current position (available in several formats), altitude, compass heading, and time as well as provide calculations such as the total distance travelled/total distance to next waypoint/route destination.

They will also usually have functionality such as record a path as a set of waypoints, navigation of routes and step retracing.

Map Based Units

These units combine the functionality of a Basic Unit with a mapping display. The vector mapping display allows you “see” where you are, and where you are headed, however these units are usually limited to proprietary mapping created by the manufacturer. This means that if you require additional mapping outside of what is included with the unit, you will need to purchase mapping direct from the manufacturer.

The most common brands of Handheld GPS units are, Garmin, Magellan and Uniden.