GPS Options - Advice Appreciated

If you want to have a look at my setup email me at robertbeatty@hotmial.com. I have a garmin 2+ hooked up to a pda. have you done an archive search as there is a lot of discussion on the forum of this subject. if you have a laptop or pda already this will reduce the cost as al you need is maps , gps & ozi explorer all of which can be purchased from this site.Regards Bob
Where to next

TG (if I may call you that), theres a great book available online at this site called "GPS vehicle navigation in Australia" and it lists what you need to have for a basic setup and so on. I have Garmin GPS76 and a PDA but I would probably now get a GPS-V or GPS 76Map as both these have mapping built into the GPS, small screen tho. Both these are Garmin units but Magellan have good units too with mapping etc and Magellan have some arrangement with Hema I think for magellan based Hema maps, sounds schmick to me. The thing with a PDA is that the maps available are endless and I had one already, you can also get software that "talks" you thru the streets etc, even download the location of all fixed speed cameras in NSW, quite handy I believe.

The other thing would be a notebook PC instead of a PDA, should be able to score one good enough to run OziExplorer for $500 ish, bigger screen, harder to mount, bigger incentive to others to knock off, so pro's and con's for that too. Mad Dog has this setup and I have seen it used and its pretty good.

They still dont do away with maps for my liking, just make it easier to see exactly where you are on a road or track, so you can take the right turnoff

If you hold your heart and focus,
you will end up holding your dream

I am a strong believer in mapping within the GPSR as this is the most useable.

Many will tell you about the superior maps available for laptop and PDA use and this is correct. They will not tell you about the difficulty of mounting a laptop, the visibility of a PDA in sunlight or using either while underway.

Garmin has Mapsource Metroguide Australia mapping CD and Magellan has DiscoverAus CD. Both are about $240 and both have excellent metropolitain area mapping and good rural area mapping. Neither are perfect. Both are recommended.

Garmins Mapsource City Navigator Australia has 'turn by turn' auto-routing which may attract you. Unfortunately this mapset has very poor rural area coverage and I would not recommend it for 4WDing.

When considering a unit also consider how you will mount it and the mount cost.
Ideally you want the display near the top of the dash without blocking too much of the windscreen. Mounting below the top of the dash is less than useful.
Also consider than the best viewing position may not be the best satellite reception position. This tends to be a suck it and see exercise. Try it before purchasing a remote antenna (approx $90).
RAM mounts are available ($90-$110) for non-standard or difficult mounting problems.

Whichever unit you select; review the mapping (on the GPSR) in 2 or 3 rural areas that you regularly go to (to check rural coverage) and try the unit in your car (how will you mount it and will it be viewable in sunlight and also can the brightness be turned right down for night use)

Hi All,

Thanks for the info and assistance.

I have placed an order for the gps guide book, and look forward to its arrival.

Thanks to all

TG065