What GPS do I buy?

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 16:07
ThreadID: 33094 Views:3341 Replies:9 FollowUps:2
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I am in the market for a gps. Want it for boating (dinghy work to find crab pots and way home after taking tributaries etc), bushwalking - finding my way home, in car navigation - particularly in remote areas and to find coordinates given. I'm not particularly phased about colour and don't need base maps as will connect to laptop.
I like the Garmin GPSMAP 60.
Does Magellan have something similar?
What do you think?
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Reply By: flappa - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 16:13

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 16:13
Yeah they do.

You can still get hold of an older Magellan 310 if all you want to do is connect to a Laptop.

I dont think the base Explorists have lappy connections. I think its the 600 or something . . . $500 - $600 I think.

My 310 still goes good , even in VERY basic form.
AnswerID: 168096

Reply By: phantom - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 16:15

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 16:15
Hi sampsong,
I have a Lowrance GPS which I originally purchased for my boat. I now use it in my Cruiser and the original mount kit fits perfectly on my passenger handgrip with the antenna clear through the front screen. It hooks up to my laptop as I run Oziexplorer but has the functionality of being hand held if needed.
Lowrance are very reputable GPS manufacturers and have a good selection of models on their website.
Good luck!
AnswerID: 168098

Reply By: Ross - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:05

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:05
look at gpsoz web site.
That aside, if you want to connect to a laptop then the cable availability is important. Make sure it suits your laptop--usb or serial. If you can connect power supply through cig lghtr then it is a plus whilst data cable is in place.

Garmin and Magellan are both ok.

AnswerID: 168108

Reply By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:25

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:25
Garmin Etrex is what I used before updating to a MAP 60C. The Etrex connects to a laptop via serial whereas the 60 utilises USB. The Etrex perfermed faultlessly with my laptop for many years, went bushwaling everywhere with us and was never bothered by water, etc. Oh yeah, and they're cheap.

Regrads.
AnswerID: 168114

Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:55

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 17:55
You dont need a 60 to do what you want, a simple Garmin 76 will do that and more and be a lot cheaper than a 60, I sold mine for $200 secondhand when I upgraded to a 60CS.

IMHO Garmin are more intuitive than Magellan but hey...I like chocolate too!
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AnswerID: 168122

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 18:10

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 18:10
Depends on what you wish to achieve.

Any GPS will provide you with the majority of what you have listed, but if you want Marine Charting capabilities, you can buy software such as Mapsend Bluenav CD Oceania which contains all Australias local charts for downloading to The Magellan series of GPS's, such as Meridian Marine, Platinum & Gold, as well as the Sportrak Pro & Color GPS units.
Bill


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AnswerID: 168125

Follow Up By: Joe King - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 20:49

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 20:49
The magellan meridian marine floats too
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 22:24

Thursday, Apr 20, 2006 at 22:24
so do all the Garmin 76 and 60 units ...and the Aussie dollar
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Reply By: bucky - Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 04:28

Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 04:28
Hey Sampsong
try www.ja-gps.com.au/ They got the best prices in Oz.

I have a Garmin E-Trek Legend, ( black & White ) and found it great ,,,,does everything I need i to do.

However recently my Son's Mate, visited us, ( who has been working in Indonesia ) he pulled out this Garmin GPS MAP60 ( I think $700 ) and it had briliantly fast pickup and the best screen I have seen, even in bright sunlight.

I was jealous, but my Legend is still all I need , at $290

Both work fine ,, just the dearer ones have more features
Both have good hook up to computers and Mapsource sofrware.

Cheers Mate
Bucky
AnswerID: 168225

Reply By: Big Woody - Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 06:47

Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 06:47
I have the Garmin GPS Map60CS and have used it weekly in the dinghy, yacht, bushwalking, dirt bike and on/off road in-car navigation.
It has not missed a beat and has copped a fair bit of abuse in that time.
I have installed Metroguide, Tracks4Australia, and Garmin Bluecharts all of which have had the detail I have required to get me to wherever I have needed to go.

If I were to upgrade now it would be to the Garmin GPS Map60CSx which has the mini SD memory cards instead of internal memory. In saying that I have always been able to fit all of the maps into the unit that I require.

Good luck with your decision and if you would like to know any more about the unit just give me a yell.

Bret
AnswerID: 168228

Reply By: madcow - Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 07:47

Friday, Apr 21, 2006 at 07:47
On that note the Garmin gpsmap60cx/csx is not yet been released here in oz but is available in the states. The only issue is it does not come with an Australian basemap. Can the australian basemap be loaded into one and overide the installed one ie: north america?

Generally they are selling on ebay for around $550.00 au
AnswerID: 168236

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