TRACKRANGER!!!! is it worth it?

what happens if the GPS/Laptop dies? And yes, it has happened to us out on a Walhalla weekend..

You will always need paper maps as well..

Jayse

I cant coment on trackranger, however Ive been using OziExplorer for a few years through the emergency services and more recently 4wding and have no problems at all. With Ozi, it has the facility to change GPS types, so perhaps trackranger may be the same. I would recomend do plenty of research before purchasing software, even do a search on previous posts and look at different forum sites (try some of the geocaching sites) as there will be plenty of arguments for and against the different software and info on what each will support.

good luck

Trackranger is just as good as Oziexplorer. I have used both and have been equally impressed.

You don't require the trackranger GPS. Any GPS which exports data will do the job. A standard GPS has a sreen and functions stand alone without any computer software. The trackranger GPS and there are others like it are USB GPS modules that get the singals send the data to the computer and are powered by the computer through the USB but they can not be used without the computer and software as they have no screen (just matchbox with a USB lead)

I currently use Oziexplorer because it has a smaller version to run on PDAs and I use this as the PDA setup is solid state with no spinning hard drives to get shaken on roads but the screen is much smaller. If you hunt around, you will find others who go 50/50. They have a laptop or car computer under the seat running the software with a small extension screen (7" or 8" lilliput) for a display which enables the driver to glance at the screen and you don't have the hassle of hanging onto the laptop.

As stated before it is paramount that you still carry maps and know how to use them. The mapping software is nice but it is an optional extra that can easily stop working.

JB,

Have a read of the Navigation articles. We use OziExplorer having used most of the others on the market, it seems to suit our purposes ie: 4WD'ing using either laptop or PDA. By the way you can get it right here on ExplorOz with all the digital maps you may be interested in. Have a look in the Shop - in the locator in the RHS margin check out the Navigation Packs, Digital Maps on CD & GPS Mapping Software categories.

Also check out the OziExplorer compatible maps that we produce live in PlotSwap. Most of our treknotes also have OziExplorer compatible plot and waypoint files.

Having said all this I want to produce TrackRanger files however I have not yet tried. Can someone send me a Trackranger track/plot and waypoint file?

I know someone that purchased Track Ranger and never used it. If you are interested he may want to sell it.

Leroy

thanks for all the help guys!

I agree will use both the maps and digital!

i must admit i just love my boys toys ;-)

cheers

JB

regarding Cape York, what map do people recomend?