buying a gps for 4wd navigation
Submitted: Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
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Adam
I wish to purchase a gps to link to my laptop and use for 4wd trips. I am wondering what people recommend considering I wish to stay within a rather tight budget. I have no need for a GPS with detailed LCD mapping; simple direcvtional arrows and marks are all that i need . What do people recommend?
thanks
adam
Reply By: Greg Harewood - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Hello Adam
A Garmin Etrex would be my suggestion. Cheap and has required facilities for connection to computer.
Cheers
Greg
AnswerID:
10212
Reply By: Truckster - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
So on your laptop your using Oziexplorer and maps?
We went out with the trip to the High Country setup on a mates laptop, then while out in the bush, the battery died, and it wouldnt go, thankfully I had paper maps with us to keep our weekend alive...
Go with a good GPS to start with with all the bells and whistles, if you dont use them now, you might later on.
AnswerID:
10226
Reply By: Member - Chris - Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Friday, Dec 27, 2002 at 01:00
Adam,
I bought a Garmin E-map from the US at the web site
http://www.mall24-7.com
It took 2 weeks to arrive and was cheaper than the Oz price anywhere. I didn't pay customs duty and this interfaces to the OziExplorer package.
Can't complain and I'll take plenty of batteries!!!!!
chris
AnswerID:
10229
Follow Up By: Mick N Sal - Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00
Saturday, Dec 28, 2002 at 01:00
Chris,
How did you find the internal mapping in the US unit? The Oceania units supposedly have much better Australian mapping in them.
FollowupID:
5346
Follow Up By: Member - Chris - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Mick, Excellent question and
well asked - I have no comparison. The unit I got came without a memory card and, I believe, the US data on board. Once I get the PC interface cable, card and use it I suppose I'll find out.
FollowupID:
5400
Follow Up By: Truckster - Thursday, Jan 02, 2003 at 01:00
Thursday, Jan 02, 2003 at 01:00
Thats where I got the magellan platinum from mall24-7.com... same less than 2 weeks it was here in my hand
saved $4-500(around half!) on aussie price and the magellan basemaps can be changed at
home by your self......
FollowupID:
5508
Follow Up By: Lyds - Friday, Jan 03, 2003 at 01:00
Friday, Jan 03, 2003 at 01:00
what was the postage from the US?
FollowupID:
5523
Reply By: Phil G - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Just a warning about the Etrex. It runs off 5 volts, so you'll need a voltage adaptor to run it in the car (Costs a lot). Seconndly, you cannot fit an external aerial. Thirdly, I'm not absolutely sure, but some models don't do altitude.
Most people I know go with the Garmin GPS 11+ . Its got most of the good features and complements the laptop/oziexplorer nicely.
AnswerID:
10268
Follow Up By: Greg Harewood - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Phil - Etrex power/pc adaptor can be had for about $60 - GPS II+ ones are about $40 - so you are right the are more expensive for Etrex but I wouldn't say they cost a lot!. The the GPS II+ will set you back about $540 - the Etrex ~$300 - I would be tempted to say that the GPS II+ costs a lot compared to Etrex. If you have a real need, re-raidiating external aerials are available and will work with any model GPS and are cheaper than Garmin made items. I still recommend an etrex as the cheapest, best GPS for the required purpose mentioned in original post. Most people I know dont own a GPS:)
Cheers Greg
FollowupID:
5372
Follow Up By: Greg Harewood - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Having said all that - there are a couple of GPS II+'s for sale on ebay at the moment - if you can get them for ~$300 your laughing:) :)
Cheers
Greg
FollowupID:
5373
Follow Up By: Phil G - Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Sunday, Dec 29, 2002 at 01:00
Hi Greg,
Also forgot to mention that the mounting bracket for the Etrex costs a fair bit too. The 11+ mounts horizontally with a strip of velcro on the centre console. The power lead comes with the computer cable. All up when I priced it two years ago, the GPS 11+ was the best value for my needs.
Cheers
Phil
FollowupID:
5399
Reply By: Adam - Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00
Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00
thanks for all your advice; I think Ill get an etrex...there is a websire that tells one slightly computrer minded how to make tyour own data cable for about $3; this can be used as a power cable too! so you run your etrex from your laptop and the SAME xcable also communicates with oziexplorere
check it out....
http://www.lexicon.net/firstwaypoint/gps/datacable.htm
AnswerID:
10306
Follow Up By: Member - Bob - Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00
Monday, Dec 30, 2002 at 01:00
Magellan provides the same info on its website. Or you can buy the 12v external power/data cable with serial plug for about $100. Its worth considering an inverter for running the laptop. These cost about $200, but are useful for charging other gear such as cameras, videos etc. I have been using a Magellan 315 for a few years, and Oziexplorer more recently. As pointed out above you should have paper maps for backup, but it would be hard to go back to paper after the convenience and utility of computerised mapping.
FollowupID:
5407
Reply By: Member - Howard- Thursday, Jan 02, 2003 at 01:00
Thursday, Jan 02, 2003 at 01:00
Adam,
Have you considered the MLR Sp24
these come with cable for power supply(Cig lighter)/laptop patch lead and mounting bracket for vehicle.(you will need to solder on whatever connector you want to use).
I paid about $425 for mine 12 months ago & have been most impressed with performance .
regards
Howard
AnswerID:
10446