PDA & GPS

what about a Magellan are they any good?

Hey Nigel - Mate I currently run an ipaq 2210 ? model PDA. ($500 12 months ago). Have a 1 gig sd memory card. Use a haicom compact flash gps, use oziexplorer, with many and varied maps, (mostly Vic). I actually just bought a genuine HP Bluetooth GPS the other week for only $159. the Haicom was nearly 300 from memory. I also use "DestinAtor" as a route guidance system, I have researched tom tom, co-pilot, destinAtor and a couple of others, and DestinAtor Sh1ts on them all. ( in my opinion of course.) Destinator has heaps more detail than any other data base, ( however it takes up 170Mb ) but this is every single track/raod path in the Country - including places of interest and heaps of other stuff. As

As for 4x4 ing, oziexplorerCE is the go here. Raster mapsof any area you want to go dont take up too much room.

In my opinion, the only downside with oziexplorer - if at all, is that you canonly see a small section of the mao you are on. there is a good zoom facility, but if your talking about working out a fairly long route, its hard to see the entire thing.?

But when your in the desert, and not sure where you are - mate it is the thing to have.

I also use my ipaq/gps in the planes that i fly. I use an application calle WinPilot Pro, it has all airfield info, Airspace info, Digital navigation assistance, plus heaps of other stuff.

Ipaq gets used heaps, - even camping - use a little program that tunes my accoustic Guitar!!

I also have a laptop, and do all the above with it to, but if you travel the state/country/world, just take the ipaq/gps, hire cars and destinator takes to your location. - sound like a bit of an add for Destinator! well it isnt. Just good software.

Hope this helps some, happy to answer any other Q's

Jarrod.

Magellan & Garmin are two of the better known brands of GPS on the market.
Both are good with Oziexplorer.

Have a look at: GPSOZ for further reference.

To whoes concerned, I use a NAVMAN and it never gets me lost, particularly in the CITY, and you know what, no more arguments with the navigator wife. Happy touring ahead.Love IT

I have used OziExplorer on a laptop with a Magellan 315 for several years, both in Oz and more recently in UK. Great software, and the API means I can write other stuff to go with it. The downside was where to put the laptop. Allright in the LC in Oz, but a pain in the little Rover in UK.

Recently bought a HP4700 and with OziCE it is great. A few cables to connect to the Magellan, but one day I will get a BT GPS and solve that.

Bruce

A GPS & PDA can be a great navigation aid (I have this combination with Oziexplorer). Oziexplorer is made here on Oz, and has a good international support group.

However it will not compete with a GPS & laptop with Oziexplorer for fucntionality and usability. Where this combination has problems is keeping the screen visbble to the driver and out of the passengers way. My navigator is adimnet she does NOT want the laptop on her lap!

For simplicity in connection of GPS & PDA ensure both have serial connections. USB can be problematic.

Which GPS is best will depend on your requirements, eg do you need basic GPS functionality (location/speed/heading) or turn by turn navigation thru the metro area? If you need turn by turn navigation ensure you get a GPS with AUSTRLIAN maps builtin.

For quality advice and service (both pre and post sales) see Brian at GPSOZ in Sydney. I'm a multiple purchase happy customer :-) I believe somebody has posted a link.

Dave