Supercheap GPS unit.

It might be like the dick smith branded radar detector of 30 years ago, It was called Dick Tracer $79.. all it did was give you enough time to get your licence out of you wallet!!!! This might be similar, When it cant work out where it is, a light flashes to let you know that you are lost!!!!

Peter - Like most things, it depends on your needs/wants.
We do outback trips, and bought a basic unit. We needed the GPS to show where we are on a MAP.
The GPS units with full mapping are too expensive, so we bought the basic (Garmain 72) and it plugs into the laptop (or desktop), with Oziexplorer software.
With a cradle in the car, the GPS _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx power from the cig lighter socket.
Most of the time it is in the car. The unit has rechargable batteries, but only needs them on the few times it is out of the 4be.
As long as it connects to a computer, you can plan a trip at home, and upload the waypoints to the GPS. This becomes your tour guide - keeps you on track.
On return, you can download the trackpoints to your computer, and see where you went. Our unit also drops 'breadcrumbs' as you go. You can backtrack using these, if lost.

Having never had an expensive unit, possibly I don't know what I am missing.
Our basic GPS does all we want it to - and the Laptop holds all the maps.
They definately provide some mental stimulation - it was a whole new world for me to learn about..... and still learning.
So - does the Supercheap unit plug into your computer?
If yes - do you need to buy cables? (normally yes). Cost ?
Does the unit plug into your car cig lighter socket? If yes - cost of cable.
nb1 - you will need software for a GPS to work with a computer. Ozi Exlorer is a widely used GPS maping software in Australia.
nb2 - You also need maps for the GPS/Oziexplorer. NATMAP 250k Raster Mosaic is the most widely used digital maping - covers all of Aust.
Not sure what we paid, but I think around $100 each for Oziexplorer and NATMAP. I think a GPS would be of limited use without these, but the dollars do add up.
A new world................have fun................Keith.

Can i come in on your thread? We know little about GPS but are interested. Someone is selling a Magellan Gold GPS Unit with Discover Aus software and data cable, vehicle mount with power cable. It is 12 months old. He says it has own display, but could be hooked up to a laptop. Worth considering? Motherhen

I bought one of those supercheap jobs. It did the basics (and looked pretty basic too). Stopped working after about 1 week (only limited use in that time too). They gave me a replacement and that one gave up after 2 hours. Got my money back (luckily they had run out of stock).

The old saying.....you get what you pay for. There are places selling the E-Trex for only a little more. I think that would be a better entry point

Hello - my opinion - forget about it no matter how cheap - get a Magellan or Garmin and you will have no worries - I have no idea of your budget but seriously consider getting one that (as others have suggested) connects to PC and has external power facility for car (some dont). Having PC connectivity will give you a few more options in the future when/if you get a bit more interested in using a GPS for the activities you undertake. Magellan and Garmin are the most popular brands and people on this forum (and elsewhere) will be able to advise you on every facet of their use.
Cheers
Greg
Magellan Sportrack Pro + Ipaq 2210/Holux CF GPS + OziExplorerCE + a few hundred maps

How about a long ball of string,that should get you back home. and a wet finger out the window should tell you which way the wind is blowing.. buggar supercheap!!!

Hi techo2oz

welcome to the wonderful confusing world of trying to figure out what to buy. it seems there are more choices of gear than tracks to go on.

I recently went down the path (excuse the pun) of looking for a unit to use with my PDA. I ended up buying a Haicom GPS unit, Y cable and a portable mount. this plugs into a PC and also the PDA. For software I bought a small program called GPS Dash - provides a good functional display of course, speed, distance, elevation and time. Can also use with maps. Displays position in Lat/Lon or UTM and can backtrack though haven't had it long enough to work out how yet.

I wanted a basic unit to tell me position - and this is perfect. Am thinking I will go to the oziexplorer eventually but need to be convinced the screen size of the PDA is going to work in the vehicle when travelling. Looks like it will. I do not do any foot slogging yet that will require a GPS. The unit I have charges from the cigar lighter but is definitely not portable to take out of the car (without a battery).

Make sure you get one from a reputable dealer who can help if you have problems. I could not get mine working at all until dealer (JA) suggested looking at the infrared beam settings - he was right this was blocking use of the port on the PDA.

PDA is an I-mate with phone and I think same size screen as the Ipaq. Wife has an Ipaq so must try and see if it works on hers as well.

Good Luck - keep posting or send message if you want specifics.

Gazza

Hi Techo2oz,
I think you have come to the right conclusion.
Just save up a couple more $ and get a name brand GPS.
What I have found is that if you purchase one of these no name brand products it is nearly impossible to get extras for them, eg, cables maps etc.
At least if you get a Garmin or whatever everything is easy to get hold of at a reasonable price.
I recently bought a Garmin Etrex, and bits and pieces are easy to find and it works with the software and everything.

Cheers

Hi Peter. Have just seen add in paper for Supercheap GPS. Dont get it for the
price they were selling it for add another $50 and get a Garmin e-trex. I have seen those
going for $200 the yellow model. I have one which I only use the way you say you
want to use. That is enter my car as a waypoint so when I wander off into the
bush if I cannot find my way back out comes the gps to find the car( I have been
lost a couple of times once quite worried). I think you can get data cables for
them. Cheers Brian

Hi techno2oz

For a simple unit I bought Gecko 201( Garmin) - its small,light,tough,waterproof and can be plugged into computer. Cst is about $250.

Cheers

Kevin

DONT DO IT . . . . please please please , save your money . . .

They are the BIGGEST heaps of crap you could lay your hands on. Even the Sales staff are embarrased about carrying them.

I tried one when they first came out. I had a base magellan (310) as well.

On a slightly cloudy day , my Magellan could pick up 12 Sats , from INSIDE my house , the Supercrap , couldn't even pick up ONE , OUTSIDE . . .

You can buy Base model Magellans , or Garmins , for not a lot more then these things.

Even the new Explore 100 Magellan (not 100% of exact name) , would be a 1000% better then these Supercrap GPS.

And just to finish , I'm normally a big supporter of Supercheap , NOT for their GPS though . . .

Wow, some mixed reactions here - I purchased one and have had no problems. Bought the USB/cigarette lighter adaptor cable and data sync cable (also available from Supercheap) and have successfully interfaced into laptop (get latest drivers off website). It is a bit cheap and flimsy when compared to my Garmin, but cabling/adaptors/cradles etc are common PC fittings and not like the specialist (very expensive !!) Garmin cables. These GPS's are commonly used in the USA and most buy the bluetooth version and link to PDA - heaps of info about them on the net. If it breaks, I will get my money back.

It isn't waterproof like Garmin, but will do as an on dash GPS and if it gets flogged, I only lose a cheap item.

No problems picking up satellites or accuracy when compared against waypoints in Garmin. Heaps of freeware out there to handle NMEA input/outputs for real time mapping. Cigarette lighter adaptor only cuts in when battery life expired.