The perfect GPS/In Car Navigation???

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:36
ThreadID: 19560 Views:2522 Replies:5 FollowUps:7
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Hi guys, I am wondering if there is such a thing as what i would consider the perfect GPS/In Car Navigation system without using my laptop...this is what i am after.

1. Turn by Turn navigation with voice prompts.
2. Street maps of all Oz Cities and country towns.
3. Upgradable to be able to also use Desert maps, Marine maps etc (ok i might be pushing the marine part)
4. Dash mounting
5. Cannot break the bank account.

Am I dreaming or is this feasable? I know the Navman ICN630 can do the turn by turn voice prompts with the city/country maps but i have been told it is not upgradable.

Thanks in advance.
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Reply By: Member - Tim - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:43

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:43
Hi Melly,

Have a look at the Garmin GPS276C. It depends on your definition of what will break the bank though :). One of the most expensive parts of any of them is the maps and charts and they can easily cost more than the device itself as a set of marine charts for only one region may set you back more than $200 and to get the navy charts for the whole of the Australian coastline would cost thousands. Good maps of the land parts of Australia are also quite expensive but not as bad as the marine ones.

Each of the devices available seem to have different strengths but the 276C will do the street navigation and also will run marine charts. The problem always is the quality of the charts you can get for each device and the fact that they will usually only accept charts that are specific to the manufacturer. If you want more you can always connect it to a PC with maps loaded into something like Oziexplorer but that takes up a lot more space if you are travelling.

Tim.
AnswerID: 93757

Follow Up By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:54

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:54
You can also use oziexplorer with a pocket PC - works quite well too. Mount the Pocket PC on the dash, GPS under the seat (connected to external antennae) and Bob's your uncle (or auntie depending on your persuasion)
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FollowupID: 352733

Follow Up By: Member - Tim - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 13:16

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 13:16
The problem with the Ipaq (or any other pocket PC or laptop for that matter) is the marine part. I would not take them out on a boat whereas the 276C is waterproof enough that I have it mounted on top of the side console on my boat and it quite often gets spray on it. I was looking at buying two seperate devices to handle the boat and the 4wding and ended up with one device that is very capable instead. The screen is big enough and clear enough to be useful whereas I didn't think the hand held GPSs from Garmin or Meridian had a big enough screen. However I didn't already own an Ipaq and that may have changed the equation.
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FollowupID: 352740

Follow Up By: GUPatrol - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 17:24

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 17:24
The most cost effective "today" (technology changes daily) is the Current Navman PIN, it is Pocket PC based so it can run OziexplorerCE, it comes with navigation software with voiceprompts SmartST V3, it has a built in GPS and you can use it for the office as well.
It also comes with all the fittings to set it up on the dash.

Cost is $850 (or thereabouts) for the Navman PIN with all Aussie maps
Add OziexplorerCE around $100??
$150 for a 1gig SD card (from Ebay) or $250 from elsewhere...
$100 for the NATMAP topo maps for all of Australia.

With this setup you get the best of both worlds because it can also be used for bush walking.
Don't know if I would use it for boating...
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FollowupID: 352780

Reply By: Peter McGuckian (Member) - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:48

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:48
I have recently bought the navman ICN510. This uses the same software as the 630 but is half the price. We tested it recently in the hills around Dargo and it had all tracks. Works as a "find the position" GPS as well. Comes with a veyr effective dash mount.

Peter
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AnswerID: 93758

Reply By: Member - Spook (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:59

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 12:59
Melly

I know where you are coming from as I have just done the same.

My setup:
Ipaq 2210
Holux CF GPS with external aerial
Navman Turn by Turn Software
Oziexplorer CE running Natmap and Hema maps

This setup gives me the best of both worlds plus you can view photo's and if you connect it to your phone you can have email and web.

You can purchase a Navman haldheld PC for about $900 which runs Pocket PC 2003 and will run Oziexplorer CE and all maps, you will just need a larger SD Card to store the maps, 1GB cards are going for about $100 on ebay.
AnswerID: 93760

Reply By: BurnieM - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 13:46

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 13:46
The Garmin GPSmap 276C

GPSmap 276C at GPSOZ
AnswerID: 93767

Follow Up By: rolande- Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:21

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:21
Would the $500 Australia wide mapping CD load to this and give Aust' wide coverage?
Rolande
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FollowupID: 352754

Follow Up By: BurnieM - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:26

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:26
Which mapping CD ?

You can only load Garmins mapping to Garmin GPS receivers.

MapSource City Navigator Australia is $350
- turn by turn' autorouting for all of Australia

MapSource MetroGuide Australia is $180
- better rural coverage but no autorouting

MapSource BlueChart Pacific is $300
- per region (about 400 miles of coastline) same as paper marine charts including depths and tides
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FollowupID: 352757

Follow Up By: rolande- Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:37

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 16:37
Bernie,
Was looking at the E-Trex Legend C yesterday and thought I saw an Aust' wide mapping with direction assistance, it must have been the City Navigator you have mentioned. Is the cost of this added to the GPSmap 276C or an added cost? Have you used htis model? How do you find it?
Any help appreciated
Rolande
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FollowupID: 352764

Follow Up By: BurnieM - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 19:10

Tuesday, Jan 18, 2005 at 19:10
The GPSmap 276C is available either on its own or as a package with maps and mounts (see GPSOZ link above).

Yes, I own a GPSmap 276C. I have all 3 mapping products (above)

The 276C has the sharpest sunlight readable screen that I have seen on any GPS.
It has a wide variety of navigation features including 'turn by turn' autorouting.

I have only briefly looked at the eTrex Legend C
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FollowupID: 352803

Reply By: Melly - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 at 15:44

Wednesday, Jan 19, 2005 at 15:44
Thanks for everyone's help...least now i have some food for thought. I have seen a Navman ICN630 misadvertised for $799, if could get it for that price I would be stoked, if not ill be looking at all the other options. Cheers
AnswerID: 93944

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