MAPS IN A GPS ( not a laptop )

Peter ,
I thought about this option with my Palm , but I would need to put my glasses on to peer at it then take them off again to drive .
I think what I need is a GPS with a big screen .
Thanks for your help ,
Willie

I used to use a laptop but found it cumbersome and hard to use while mobile.
I have an older 3600 series Ipaq now which is much easier to use and with a few CF cards can store enough maps for most trips.
I use it in the bus I drive during the day with the street directory loaded and running, works a treat.
I have to wear glasses and can see it quite clearly, sounds like maybe you should be wearing them constantly too ;-))
The GPS (Garmin 12xl) and Ipaq run off the cig plug with the one cord connecting them both and the fag plug which also charges the Ipaq.
I just mount the Ipaq to the dash in whichever vehicle with velcro, the gps can be in the console if you have an external aerial for it.
Only takes a minute to put it all away out of sight when stopping and it fires right back up where you were when it is time to get going again.
As has been recommended speak to Brian at GPSOZ as he sells everything you could think of in this field and also knows how to use it.

Peter ,
There is no way I could read an Ipaq without putting on my glasses . I have perfect long sight so then I cannot see where I am going with the glasses on .
It's a giant pain in the butt putting them on and off all the time . If I can't get a big screen GPS that does the job I mighjt forget about the whole deal and stick to paper maps and way points .
Thanks ,
Willie.

Willie, i used to think my long sight was ok too till I got a set of multi focals, I was horrified!
Never take them off now, part of getting older I guess.

3LB ,
I agree with yoiu that getting a computer without a hard drive is a good option if you need to rely on it in the never never .
As I said to Peter , I am an old fart and my eyesight is not good enough for a Ipaq / Palm style screen .
Thanks foer your help ,
Willie .

I haven't had any problems with hard drives over several years and some pretty severe tracks. From previous discussions on this subject I haven't heard of anyone having hard drive trouble.

Bob ,
I have had two hard drives call it quits in a much kinder environment than a bouncing, dusty car .
Willie .

Willie...like you i am old fart....have had 3 pairs progressive glasses over 3 yrs and readers only but could never never get used to the progressive so used only when out for dinner ...(so i could read the label on the red of course)....used readers all other times , that was untill i misplaced the readers for 4 or 5 weeks, and had to use the progressive for every day use...read the paper,computer, paper-work and mechanical work etc etc... i now wear them almost continusously and it is good to be able to read the radio buttons and speedo etc and then look up to still be able to see the road...i can even read the hand held garmin GPS screen while driving when its in position on the dash.

so i reckon progressive glasses might be the go for you

Rick ..just thought Id let you know..latest version of OziCE now lets you use ecw image files as well - they update a bit slower than ozf format (still recommended) but its still handy.
Cheers
Greg

Bob ,
so is the advice is that nobody makes a GPS that will take decent maps ???????????
Thanks ,
Willie

No Willie Bob is correct the Magellan series of GPS units can take uploads from your home PC via the respective data cable.

You need Magellan's Discoveroz Streets and Tracks CD which has a complete coverage of all Aussie streets and tracks.

This CD was produced from every available commercial and government issue map available at the time of production.
So if the street or track your on is not shown then it did not exist at the time of production on any commercially available map.

Ozi Explorer requires you to purchase or steal the respective map you want and either scan it and upload it to your computer or upload the CD in the case of products like Hema's Desert map series.
Ozi Explorer is only able to be used with a lap top, its software cannot be uploaded into any GPS that I am aware of.
Garmin have no ability to upload any available mapping software.
Screen size will be your issue, the smaller Magellan units are a bit hard on the eye when your driving down the road, hence most go to larger screens of one sort or another.

Have a look at Magellan's web site for further info.

Willie,
That's right. The mapping quality is street directory-like. There are no topographic features. I found the DiscoverAus maps very inadequate out in the sticks, but very good once you reach town. As an example have a look for Pipalyatjara in the top left hand corner of SA on the DiscoverAus map - 'taint there! Nor is the road its on. Furthermore, the DiscoverAus map CD costs about $245, the Hema GDT CD for Magellan is the same price. I am guessing that Garmin maps aren't a lot better if at all.

When using OziExplorer on PDA or laptop the Auslig Natmap ratser 1:250,000 CDs of the whole country cost about $90. The HEMA GDT CD is even less.
Mate, at 50 I'm in the old fart category and definitely need glasses to see the GPS screen (and find the GPS first). A decent size screen is essential for me. That's why I say try before you buy.

Willie,
I gave you a bum steer there (relying on a failing memory). Pipalyatjara is marked, the road before and after isn't. Check my second photo for how the remote screen looks. That is a 15" monitor. It is bigger than I need but I had a spare. It doesn't encroach on vision or controls at all.

Bob ,

I had a look at the photo and I agree that it is an excellent presentation on a laptop - great view and the best maps .
Looks like the GPS idea is a dud although I will ring that GPS company mentioned to make sure .
I am surprised that people only seem to mention Garmin and Magellan . There are heaps more good companies making GPS units such as Lowrance , Founo and Koden just to name a couple .

Thanks to everyone for their help and if I here of anything new I will make a post .

Willie .

Bob you certainly do need glasses, I just checked and all the roads / tracks leading from the Gunbarrel Hwy into and out of Pipalyatjara are indeed marked clearly on DiscoverAus Streets and Tracks.

Maybe you need to zoom in to the 2 km and less scale as they appear at the 2 km scale.

You have to remember that this product came from the Rasters and other commercial maps produced at the time, the producers also spent considerable time with each respective state gaining as up to date info as possible at that time.

In my personal experience to date that I have never yet not found a road or track marked on a respective paper map that has not been on the software.
Although I'm sure I will one day.

Main thing that the product lacks is contour lines and that is being updated in the version currently being prepared and expected to be released early next year.

Or as an after thought are you using to old Map Send Product ?

"I am surprised that people only seem to mention Garmin and Magellan . There are heaps more good companies making GPS units such as Lowrance , Fuoruno and Koden just to name a couple"

Willie this is because most of these brands have been left way behind in the GPS market and they do not make small user friendly versions, most of there stuff is very large marine based stuff without the ability to integrate land based moving maps and very expensive.

John,
there is a section of the road (red) visible down to the 5 km scale. It disappears altogether as you zoom to 2 km, then even the missing bit comes back (as dotted black lines) when you zoom to 1 km.
Bit of a trap unless you know that the zooming is unpredictable and various bits appear and disappear depending on zoom level.

Angelo,
I will ring these guys tomorrow .
Thanks for your help ,
Willie .