what sort of gps should i get

oh i forgot the other reason the ball and chain gets us lost every time we go somewhere and im sick the arguments when she gets us lost

doesnt matter how many time i try and teach her how to use malways she gets it wrong(arr im not even going to go there)

It really depends what you are going to use it for. If it's only city driving then it's pretty straight forward as they are all pretty good...but if you want to do your own maps and plan your own routes then the story changes

I got a Magellan Explorist 600.The main reason I 4wd and i also bush walk.Its great for both.And the Speedo is out of wack so its a good money saver.I don't pay the multi nova guy any more.There is hundreds of reasons to own particular makes but go with one that has features you are going to use otherwise your paying for it for no reason.
Niffty
Perth

If you are going to run it through a laptop computer or such with ozexplorer etc. it wont matter what one as it is just the link between sattelite and your laptop.

If you want it as a stand alone application stick with Garmin Or Magellan, best support and standard maps.
On Patrol

johnny
I have been over the past few months recomending the Garmin Quest
www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_quest_1.html
of which I use and of course now they will have the newer Version 7 mapping software,These units can be seen on Johnny Appleseed GPS website

I also like the Garmin GPS Map 276C , It is the replacement for the GPS Map 176C which I also use but is discontinued, the 276C is really quite an amzing unit
www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_gpsmap276c.aspx

But if you want one with Bluetooth so you can team it up with your phone then the Nuvi 660 www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_nuvi660.aspx

or Nuvi 310 www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_nuvi310.aspx

Bluetooth Features: Bluetooth wireless technology allows hands-free calling capability when paired with your compatible phone. Just tap the screen to dial or answer a call, then speak into the nüvi 660’s built-in microphone. Voice dial available on phones that support voice tags and Bluetooth.

johnny,

Basically, I absolutely agree with Troll 81, that it depends if it's only about city driving or if your talking about he bush.

I faced the same decision two years ago. Since I thought a road based gps is worth nothing if the maps are crap, I bought a Garmin (iQue 3600) (http://www.ja-gps.com.au/gpsprod_ique1.html) thinking, at that time, this would hopefully be the best, although quite expensive solution.

The main reasons for taking the iQue was the large display and also the fact that as a Palm PDA I could also use other maps such as ozi explorer. Overall I don't regret my decision, although there have been certain drawbacks.

The display is too dark for Aussie driving conditions. Also the Garmin car cradle has definitally not been built for Aussie road conditions. After about 6 months in the bush, we had trouble with loose contacts.

Besides, the quality of the Garmin map varies significantly depending on where you are. While your map may show almost completely overgrown fire tracks in the Blue Mountains, you may also drive on a _MAIN_ highway in WA and your GPS is constantly telling you, you're driving 2kms parallel to the black stuff. Not to mention the roads you don't find at all, be it either in WA or the NT. Anyway it still was often very helpful and I won't go without it.

Hope this helps, Wolf.
www.bush-sweepers.org

Went through the same decision process about 12 months ago.
Trying to decide between GPS, PDA and laptop.
Already had laptop and oziexplorer.
Rethinking all possible uses I went through the following:

1. Fitting in the car. Laptop too big to fit in the front, didn't want to go to the hassle of setting up remote screen, and wife not that computer literate.
So it came down to GPS or PDA for me.
So set budget figure of $1,000.00

2. Is it only for car use, or also for some bush walking? If bush walking is it worthwhile getting a good GPS unit. I do some bush walking but normally mostly tracks, chances of getting lost pretty slim. Still PDA or GPS. But decided weight and size not such an issue since I wouldn't be taking it every time. If required, I could get a little cheap GPS later.

3. PDA and GPS can both be with 3.5" screens.

4. Cost - large screen GPS and PDA about the same.

5. Maps - did I want to run Garmin etc proprietry maps or run more than that.
Decided on more than that, since I wanted street software for work. Go to an address type stuff. So it could be between a tom tom or garmin street type GPS or a PDA.

6. So being able to run co-pilot or such like, do I also want to run other maps such as Heema desert tracks, top end, fraser island maps? Garmin and others almost as good as the 1:250,000 natmap series, but a lot are based on the 'whereis' mapping base and loose accuracy when out west. Decided on other maps.

So ended up with a PDA, with co-pilot street software, and oziexplorer CE.

PS. Using the street software with voice, on our first run visiting friends in Townsville, the gps a couple of times said turn right, and I kept going straight on. It didn't look right. GPS said "you missed turn", and wife following on map said "I agree, you are out voted". So be warned, it will be 2 against one if you get one. Wife is now getting used to it and refers to the GPS as a 2nd check as to our position on the map quite often now. She is thinking the 'yet another toy' is maybe not so bad, but it has taken 12 months. I tihnk my getting the GPS was taken as a comment on her navigation skills, which are normally pretty good.

PPS - that 3.5" screen is small, and sometimes hard to read with glare in the front of the car. Have cut a bit of thin black plastic to act as a shield, and having a map as well helps to give the wider view. A lap top would be better in that regard.

Take my advice.....wait another 12 to 18 months before spending big money. By then some manufacturer/s will have solved the problems of PDA v GPS & inadequate detailed maps. The rate of progress in this area is developing so fast that before you have bought the current whizz bang model it is out of date. 12 months or so ago no one had even heard of talking street directions on a GPS.
Years ago we bought the old Garmin GPS II . No inbulit maps, or talking. Takes an external antenna (some GPSs' don't). It tells us where we are, where we are going, and importantly where we have been (snail trail). We can look at the snail trail and where-we-are in conjunction with the latest paper based map and find that still the best solution.
So, as an alternative an el-cheapo ordinary new GPS and a paper map are IMHO the best current solution. That will set you back less than $200. Cheers.

thanks to all who replyed to my posts

you have all givin me a lot more to think about

couple of good thing there to check out might even go down to the apple seed gps place and check a few of them out

thanks!!