GPS Mouse + Laptop

It depends on if you want "real maps" or limited maps like that provided by garmin and Magellan. The advantage of using Oziexplorer is that there are far greater choices in maps, especially for outback. Garmin Mapsource products must have a serial numbered (internal) like a mapping unit or as you mentioned the GPS18 whilst C-Map is not GPS product specific. I don't see the sense in trying to run C-map in anything as it has its own GUI (Graphic User Interface) and is not just a map. For versatility oziexplorer, for more money, less coverage but less work (map importing) go for Garmin and Magellan. I would also consider either Destinator or Traveroute for street navigation as unike Garmin and Magellan your not locked into their products, you have a greater choice by avoiding Garmin and Magellan. The maps for Destinator, Travroute, Navman and Garmin come from the same source; Sensis.

Well I would say from the way you have written your question that you are using your boat and already have charts of the areas where you go boating. All you need to do is use a scanner to get this info into Oziexplore. If you do not have a scanner just ask around a lot of people have them or try your local library.

The DPI (WA) have recently release OziExplorer compatible Hydrographical Maps (scans (?) of ones currently available in paper form) on CD - Not sure of the exact coverage but I know it extends northwards from about Mandurah. They appear to be good value at less than ~$70 (I think - dont have a copy). Try Perth Map Centre, Hay Street for a copy.

The Federal Govt Hydrographic office sell digital copies of hydro maps compatible with OziExplorer..but the price is ridiculous..see here

Hydro Maps

Cheers
Greg

For onland you have lots of options. For marine use you are going to be stuck with something prorietary and not cheap.

You can use Garmins MapSource Bluechart Pacific ($299 for a region) with a Garmin GPS 18 (about $200) on your laptop.
You can then use the GPS 18 with OziExplorer and land based maps from a variety of sources.

You cannot use a generic GPS mouse with Garmins Bluecharts as they are a 'locked' mapping product and need to be unlocked to a GPS with an internal serial number.

Having said this, I do not believe that a laptop is robust enough for a boat and also a laptop is not particuarly user friendly in a 4WD.

I have a variety of equipment available to me and I use a Garmin GPSmap 276C with Bluechart, CIty Navigator and Metroguide mapping for boating, 4WDing and onroad motorcycling.

Hi Maurice
One point to note.
GPS mouses work fine are accurate, cheap and easy to run, however they are only of any use if your computer is running. Other stand alone GPSs can be used with PC working or not.

I personally opted for a GPS that would work as a stand alone unit to give me some redunacny should the PC die in the bush.

Also a stand alone GPS can be thrown in a pocket if you plan to do a hike etc.

Just a thought
Cheers