GPS & Laptop mapping

Magellan GPS units talk to Ozi (as do Garmin etc etc).

My old 310 Magellan can talk to Ozi with the appropriate cabling.

Not all Explorist DO connect to Puters. I think the basic ones dont , 100, 200 etc. I'm not sure at which level the Explorists DO talk to Puters.

Its a matter of finding that one that can , getting the appropriate Cable , and setting it up.

I'd work on the assumption; if I can get a serial cable for the gps unit, it'll work with ozi.
Start there, and find a retailer who knows these things (I'd be inclined to find a specialist online. gpsoz are pretty handy - check the directory of this website).

I use a Garmin II+, and a handy feature of this unit is that I can plug an external antenna in (I've got a little magnetic job about the size of a matchbox that sits on the roof = good reception). That means I can stuff the gps unit & all the leads out of the way, rather than trying to mount the gps on the dash and hope it gets reasonable reception through the window.

After that, it's worth thinking about what else you might use it for. If you're going geocaching, you might prefer the smallest unit for easy handling. Odds are you'll use the gps independent of the laptop at some point!

Hope this helps a bit!
John

Sally,
The OziExplorer web site lists system requirements as :

A PC running Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP
For Upload/Download - Most Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, Eagle, Brunton/Silva and MLR GPS receivers.
For Moving Map (real time tracking) Any GPS receiver which outputs NMEA 0183 sentences.

If your real purpose for getting a GPS is to drive the computer - get the dumbest one possible that outputs data suitable.

However driving around with a laptop on can be a a pain in the buttski.

I use a PDA running OziExplorerCE - this is a good thing as if can be mounted and remain visible with out consuming large amounts of cabin space.

Some PC's and PDA's are able to use 'bluetooth', it is also possible to buy bluetooth gps units that only send out data (they don't have a display). No good for bushwqalking but good for PC's PDA's as they only need data and there is the advantage that blue tooth is radio - no cable (other than power to the unit).

For bush work, dash mounted GPS units can loose signal in dense bush ( tho I think they are getting better). A blue tooth unit may be found that can be mounted on the snorkel, I have an external antenna for my GPS mounted on the snorkel.

Personally I find the moving map display while black top touring as usefull as detailed maps in the bush, so unless you are going to thave the PC on all the time or go with a PDA solution ( Navman PIN seems like a good one for GPS and PDA combined) I'd rekon a unit that does some mapping as well as data transmission for when your really lost and need to hook-up the computer, would over come most needs.
Bear in mond the most mapping GPS units dont show much ( read virtually nill) information on bush tracks.

Strongly recomend a PDA - the navman uint is probably around what you'd pay for a mapping enabled GPS - so is good value as you can also run OxiExplorerCE ( another licence is required).

Paul (ACT).

Sally,
I have the Explorist XL and it links to Oziexplorer well. My logic for getting the XL was that the screen is large enough, colour and good resolution to work well within the vehicle. I did not want to have to mount the laptop for use while driving. This makes it easy to switch between vehicles.

I use the laptop for planning before the trip, down loading tracks etc in the evening and uploading map sections created from other maps etc.

The downside of the XL is that the batteries do not recharge through the cable when connected to power. I do use rechargeable batteries, just have to take them out to recharge. Not a hassle if you mostly use it connected but it drains the batteries quickly otherwise.

Big and bulky if you plan to carry it, but i just pop it in the side pocket of the backpack. Can't understand why some people seem to think they have to have phone, GPS etc on their belt when walking.

I am happy with the XL but if you are going to use the laptop most of the time then you can get much cheaper GPS units which work well. As said above look at GPSOZ and Johnny Appleseed etc.

alastair

Using your lappy & OziExplorer- you don't really need a whiz bang GPS unit to drice it. I use a Garmin eTrex, and before that a borrowed (& old) GPS12. Both did a sterling job driving the Moving Map and all the other features in Ozi.
Under Configuration in Ozi, you will set up whatever GPS unit you'll be using.
Is your lappy Bluetooth compatible?? If so there are some budget priced Bluetooth GPSs around (try eBay). Mine is not, so we just use the cable to the COM port, with the 12v cig lighter power cable.
GPSs do suck the internal batterys- so whichever way you go, try to have the facility for 12v power to it.

Sally,
The solution that I use is best for my requirements, but there are lots of variations out there.
I use the Garmin Quest with OziEplorer on a laptop. The Quest is quite versatile as it has two modes: On Road (voice turn-by-turn) and Off Road (point to point). The former is great for finding unfamiliar locations by address and the latter for hiking. The Quest connects to the laptop by USB and is supported by Ozi. It also takes an external aerial, so it is rare to lose reception. It's cradle connects to the 12 volt supply via a cigarette lighter plug which also contains the speaker. The GPS turns on and off with the accessories. The inbuilt mapping is quite good and has the latest variations to Melbourne's freeways. It even directed me to the bottom of Billygoat Bluff Track. When you pop the Quest out of its cradle, it runs for a claimed 20 hours on its battery. I have used it for two full days hiking, in the pocket of my shorts (and it still had signal there) without the battery failing. However, the battery is inbuilt, so once it does run out you have to the cradle to recharge it.
Using Ozi of the laptop gives you moving map, a much more readable screen (once you have overcome the problem of mounting it) and access to a huge variety of maps - both commercially available ones and custom maps.
Phil

Sally

All you need if you only want to use GPS and laptop mapping is what they call a GPS mouse.

The cost about $150 and any computer shop can obtain one for you.

I have also seen them advertised on this site.

Others have given excellent advice so I'll just add the following:

if your notebook does not have an RS232 port but only USB then I would _STRONGLY_ advise that you buy a GPS with a USB coms facility and thus avoid having to use an RS232 to USB converter.

I know some people have had no problems with them but a number of us (who know a bit about computers too) have had nothing but trouble with them - to the extent I ended up buying another (USB) GPS in order to resolve the problem!

Mike Harding

I am surprised so many of you mount your GPS aerials on the snorkel . I have seen two trashed by hitting stuff on overgrown tracks . Much safer in the middle of the roof rack at the front .
Willie .

Sally,

I, like Mike Harding, have gone through a frustrating exercise in trying to interface a GPS with a serial connector to a laptop via a serial to usb adapter.

My (our) advise is, don't do it.
Unless you specifically need a hand held GPS which you will use away from the vehicle, the GPS mouse, or a GPS card, is all you need.

Both the card and mouse style GPS receiver are avbailable from the shop on this site, or places such as GPSOz.

I have found the GPS mouse to be extremely functional. you can place it anywhere within the vehicle that suits you (it has a magnetic base) or even stick it out through a window to the roof of your car if you must. (I have not needed to do this)

Finally, the GPS mouse (or card) is powered from the laptop port so you don't need a separate power cable. The mouse also comes with a testing program to confirm it is working OK.

Just to confuse you a little, a stand-alone GPS is handy at times, when you are not using the laptop, to check things such as vehicle speed against your speedo reading, but it's not absolutely necessary.

Sally,

If your laptop has bluetooth, and you want simplicity, then buy a bluetooth GPS receiver.

If no bluetooth, get a cheaper Garmin GPS, plus power cable and data cable.

The advantage of a proper GPS like the Garmin is that it is still functional if the laptop or inverter stuffs up.

If you don't have a computer yet, consider buying a Tablet PC - they are perfect for mapping in a vehicle as you use a pen instead of keyboard and mouse, and they have a smaller footprint - usually a 10.4" or 12" screen.

Cheers
Phil

Thankyou all for every bit of info that you have provided. I have to say that overwelmed with the helpful suggestions and, at first glance, it is all starting to fall into place. It will now take me a day or so to read everything....and then I'll probably have another question...or two!!

Hi there

I got a Geko 201 from Garmin. It's cheap but brilliant and waterproof and talks to aussie explorer and does everything the fancy models do. So for around $300 you get the lot if you interface with the PC. So why spend $1000 plus to get the same ......