Laptop GPS Help

Phil,
Id suggest you contact Brian at GPS OZ. he will tell you exactly what you need to do and what cables you will need to suit your brand of laptop.

His web site is www.gpsoz.com.au
OR phone him on 02 999 2313 if you are interstae, he can help you find a local supplier in your area.

Hope this helps.
Ange

Firstly, do you have a GPS? If not, you have a couple of options:
#1 Buy a GPS and data and power cable, so it will hook up to your computer via serial or USB ports. I prefer this because of the computer stuffs up, I still have a working GPS that will tell me where I am lost! (Say $300+) You might want an external aerial if you don't want your GPS to be sitting on the dash.
#2 Buy a bluetooth GPS if your laptop has bluetooth. This is cordless, but in my experience may cause more grief in setting it up. (Say $200)

Secondly, Buy Oziexplorer software to run the maps (about $130)

Thirdly buy the maps - Raster Mosaic is about $100; Hema Great desert maps about $80.

Then you can spend a heap of time to figure it all out. Best system is to get a mate over to set it up for you.

You can also have a look at our Shop Site Link
and speak to Jackie .
You can just buy anything from just the GPS mouse unit up to top of the range units. (Mouse GPS has no screen or software but for about $105 you just plug it into the laptop and use the laptops graphics and software). That way as the technology and software imprves you can afford to keep on upgrading. The only disadvantage is size and convienence of the laptop GPS combo.

David is a recognised authority on digital mapping and EO is very innovative in this field.
cheers Kerry W

Hi phillowe,

I have been running gps (oziexplorer) & navigation (copilot) on my laptop with usb mouse, and my conclusions are.

1. Good screen size, easy to read
2. Laptop causes a problem for the passenger to hold.
3. If no passenger, and you have the laptop on seat, annoying to turn your head to view.
4. I tried a laptop holder, but interfered with viewing of left side of car.
5. Difficult to stabilize laptop screen whilst 4x4 ing, as it bounces around.
6. I am currently going down pda path to see if this is better compromise.

Sorry if the above sounds negatives, I am just trying to highlight issues I have had to address during the set-up and testing process.

Please feel free to ask any other questions if I can be of help

Thanks

TonyG

Whatever you do: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE AN RS232 TO USB CONVERTER!

Some may work, many do not - those which do not will drive you to the point of insanity! (Two months later and I'm _still_ shouting about it! :)

If you need a handheld GPS for walk-about stuff then use that for moving map stuff as well otherwise buy a GPS Mouse (E-bay $60 to $100). There are a number of mapping programmes around Ozi Explorer is probably the best.

These are good sites:

gpsinformation.net/
www.ja-gps.com.au/

Mike Harding

Have used one for 2-3 years.
We use a Garmin GPS72 (the base model for Garmin - aprox $300); then run Oziexplorer ($130) on the Laptop; Qld govt NATMAP Raster Mosaic 250K plus Hemma Desert Maps (aprox $100 each).
Some points :

1. We do not generally use the laptop turned on, when tracks are rough. We stop, check the location etc; then turn the Laptop off. (On the few occasions when we did need to have it on, we just drove slowly until we were certain of the correct track).

2. A cradle sits on the dash, which locks the Garmin in place. A power and data cable is permanently wired - avoids running the garmin battery flat. The data cable ends in a serial port, which is mounted in the dash. To connect the laptop, we just plug the 'serial to usb' adaptor into this port, then into the USB port of the laptop.

3. The Laptop gives you a large screen; plus you can load a variety of maps; plus you can use it to download photos from your digital camera. This was more useful to us, than the more expensive GPS models that include (limited) maps.

There is a learning curve, but also plenty of help around (even a dedicated forum for Oziexplorer users - groups.yahoo.com/group/OziUsers-L/
regards.....................Keith

Hi Philliwe,

I've got a USB GPS mouse from Twig Systems. Haven't installed it permenantly yet. Currently setting up a Toshiba 1800 to replace an old Acer Laptop. Use numerous maps that I've collected, NSW LPI Topo's , Aus NatMaps.

Previously used the Acer with a Garmin eTrex, which worked fine. Acer was in a homemade cradle placed in the passenger footwell against the centre console. Toshiba will initially live in the same place until an external LCD (maybe Touchscreen) can be installed. I've posted some pics of my gear on another forum if ya want to have a look

Site Link

I wasn't worried about satNav outside the vehicle. Liked the ability to download photos of camera and the ability to have turn-by-turn nav when I can afford the software. Have also seen a USB webcam mounted on the bullbar hooked to laptop to record the action.

Cheers,
Barry aka 98Jack

Phil,

The biggest decision is whether to go down the PDA or Notebook Route.

Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

My advice, if you can mount a Notebook somewhere is to use that.
Unless you have extremely good eyesight, a PDA will not enable you to drive OziExplorer well enough to register waypoints, etc. and record Treknotes.

My latest solution

!MPG:17!