Sat.nav. - Navman, PDA ???
Submitted: Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 09:14
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Chris O (VIC)
Does anyone have any clues on the best portable sat.nav. solution ?
I don't want to use my laptop in the car as I feel it is too cumbersome.
I was looking for something portable that can be transfered between vehicles.
Turn by turn voice guidance would be a bonus. I have done some reading on the Navman but was wondering what the extent of the maps are like once you get away from the major ciities. Any first hand experience/comments would be appreciated.
Reply By: baza - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 11:42
Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 11:42
I have a navman 4410 and Ipaq 4450. The smartst software that comes with it is good for Cities and towns, it is basically UDB's maps. The voice guidance and back on track are great. Offroad I use oziexplorer and whatever map I want- or can get. Combo works
well, 4410 lasts more than 30 hours on battery - just put it in your pocket if you go for a walk, it still picks up the signal
well.
I have a PDA holder that attaches to the windscreen (suction cup thing) and works
well.
Downside - no where near as rugged as a magellan meridan etc. Just need to remember this.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Groove - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 11:50
Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 11:50
Comparing Oziexplorer to turn by turn nav software is not really a fair comparison, they are really very different applications.
Oziexplorer is great when you are off the beaten track, the range of maps available to suite is really limitless.
As for turn by turn software, I have been using Destinator 3, and have found it great. It works on Windows CE and there is a version for PC. The maps are accurate (for
Sydney anyway) and the routing is not to bad.
I have used it on a PDA but definately prefer a laptop because of the larger screen, and I think PDAs are over priced for what they are.
I agree that laptops in cars are cumbersom which is why I use this touch screen with the laptop under the
seat and its easily removable if I want to use it elsewhere.
I cant comment on others as this is the only one I have used.
Cheers Patrol
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82521
Reply By: Member - Andrew O - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 12:01
Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 12:01
Navman maps come from the same source as whereis.com.au (UBD). I personally have a PDA/GPS/Ozi CE & Destinator combo, but go out with my brother who has a Navman. We were west of Nambucca last November and ended up on a track that was not on my map - but clearly marked on his Navman - so we just got it to tell us the easiest way back to
camp (which meant proceeding further with the "unmarked" track) and got back safely.
The real problem for me is that I was using the Auslig 1:250K maps, so got the result I deserved - but also out in some fairly obscure country, the Navman came through.
At the end of the day, they are good for different reasons - why not get the both - the gps with navman navigation built in, then add the PDA/Ozi later if you feel like it? Or get the ipaq with the sleeve for the navman add on, and Ozi later. Lots of ways of skinning this cat now, but as has been mentioned, they both offer different things - I'll certainly never drop Ozi - its great for trip planning (using routes) and Destinator good around town.
Cheers
Andrew
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Reply By: Mark - Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 16:15
Wednesday, Nov 03, 2004 at 16:15
I also have a Navman Pin & so far have only found a couple of roads not listed. I also downloaded a program called Navigator 11 from vito tech, no maps but it gives me all the features that my Magellan 315 had that was lacking in the Navman software, altimeter, waypoints, speedo, breadcrumb trail, heading & compass. Once you have the main program you can download extra's for free, you can even plot acceleration rate etc.
Cheers
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