4x4 GPS Navigation 2013

The shop has a GPS receiver that connects to a USB port which is OK for a PC.
GlobalSat BU-353S4 Mouse

A tablet however does not have any input ports and the best solution is to buy one with a built-in GPS.

In either case, you will then need to purchase and install navigation software and digital maps. There are several options including OziExplorer (an Android OS version is available) and the EOTopo maps are a good choice.

Hema also put out a tracking application and of course their own maps.

Alternatively, you can purchase a Hema Navigator 6 which has both off-road (OziExplorer and Hema Maps) and a voice guided street navigation application. (iGo)
This is a great all round product and there is no installation required. It's ready to go out of the box.

Other folk may offer different solutions as there is a few other alternatives (eg TrackRanger) , but I have no personal experience with these.

OziExplorer in all it's guises is a very good navigation application with the ability to record tracks and waypoint data for features and locations you might like to save for future reference.

"A tablet however does not have any input ports and the best solution is to buy one with a built-in GPS." - Huh?? most android tablets have a mini (or micro) USB input port.
You may have been seduced into thinking that iThings are the ONLY tablet around, but that's so very far from the reality that it almost defies belief.

Ozi is available for Microshaft as well as Android platforms, and works wel on my Android "nameless" 7inch tablet (which, as it happens, has GPS sensor built in, but also has a microUSB connection (to say nothing of the HDMI output - wonderful for watching downloaded TV programs when out of reception areas!)

The signal advantage of the Android tablet model is that the device can be used for a heap of other things when not needed for navigation. I use mine for playing mahjong, controlling the camera remotely, checking emails, checking the ski resort trail maps worldwide - etc!

PM if you want more details.
John

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Sextant.jpg

Hand held and reliable. Perhaps not what you are after?

Sorry :)

Skull

Mark,
A simple to use but comprehensive app is the Hema app. I paid about $130 for it. You can run it on a tablet and a smart phone. I use it on my iPhone and ipad Air, although you could use an iPad Mini if you preferred that screen size. You should het the cellular version of the iPad. Unless you want to run an external blue tooth GPS.
Bob

We have a double din VMS unit installed in the car's dash. Fully integrated with the stereo, rear view camera, blue tooth, DVD etc etc and damned hard to steal.

I hate clutter and stuff stuck on the windscreen or mounted on frames or ram mounts (good or bad) in the cabin. It won't fly off and hit you in the face if you have a prang. And you won't hit it with your arms or legs in same accident.

But you can't pick it up and go for a walk. We use a compass and map for that.

It has both street (turn by turn) navigation and comes with Memory Map offroad navigation. I ditched the Memory Map and installed Oziexplorer CE version and have the full Oziexplorer PC version at home for planning etc.

And then we have paper maps and a compass. Remember them.

In my opinion the best for safety and security is in the dash.

Phil