Thursday, Feb 27, 2003 at 12:44
Virtually any GPS will give you read outs of your position using various datums (for plotting on a paper map), a visual track showing where you are compared to where you have been, or routes you create or mark.
Some GPS's have better antennas than others. Built-in quadrifilar antennas are regarded as better than patch antennas, especially in a car or under tree cover. Some GPS units allow connection of an external antenna, which generally improves reception. Otherwise you can get a re-radiating antenna (about $150) to increase the signal strength - doesn't require connection to the unit. Of course when away from your vehicle you must rely on the internal antenna.
Most can also be connected to a laptop (or PDA) so that, with the right software (e.g. Oziexplorer) and digital maps (e.g from Hema, Vicmap, Auslig, etc), you can plot your position on maps stored on the computer. This can be done while driving along, creating a moving map display. Good in theory, often cumbersome in practice.
Mapping GPS units (eg. Gamin Emap, Magellan M330, Meridian, SporTrak series, etc) have basic maps built-in, to which you can add more detailed street-level maps. BUT you can only use Garmin maps on Garmin units and Magellan maps on Magellan ones and they are $$$$. For example, Magellan charges $135 per State for detailed maps. Of course the unit needs enough memory to store the maps. The Magellan detailed map of NSW is about 24Mb. Some units (e.g. Magellan Meridian series) have expandable memory, using SD cards (available in various capacities, such as 16Mb, 32Mb, 64Mb, etc) that are readily available from computer shops. The quality of Garmin and Magellan maps is often criticised. It is rumoured that in the next month or so Magellan are going to release a new map series supplied by Hema, which should be better quality and up to date.
There is a lot of argument about getting units shipped from in the US (see previous acrimonious threads on this). They are certainly much cheaper (about half price) - do a web search for, say "Magellan Meridian" and "price comparison", and you will get the idea.
If you import a GPS, duty @ 5% and GST @10% are payable on the total, including postage, although both are waived if less than $50 in total. You might get away without paying even if more, but you would be taking a serious risk and may be committing an offence. Warranties might also be a problem.
Units sold in the US come with US basemaps. Garmin ones can't be changed, except through Garmin, which costs heaps, so forget it. Magellan ones can be changed, so if you can get the Australian basemaps you can change them yourself. Australian basemaps for SporTrak Pro or Meridian Gold/Platinum/Color are available on the internet. Join
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Magellan_Meridian then look in the files section for FAQs for details on downloading and changing basemaps.
Lots of info on GPS units at sites mentioned above. See also www.gpsoz.com.au
Personally, I think mapping GPS units will improve in quality, and come down in price by quite a lot in the next few years. Hopefully they will start to accept 3rd party maps too. For your first GPS, I would suggest you get a non-mapping one, with a view to upgrading in a few years' time. They can be a good buy 2nd hand. See www.ebay.com.au
Happy navigating.
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