GPS for dummies

OOPS! received [i before e except after c] learned that at school 40 yrs ago.

Either the Garmin or Magellan brands with satisfy you.

Before you choose, you need to decide what features you need and whether you want a built-in "growth path" as you become more familiar with the technology.

As a base starting point there is the Garmin eTrex range of handheld GPS units.

For an "all in one" pack you can select one of the Magellan eXplorist packs, which come with more goodies, if you want them.

For either unit you will need an in-car power & charging source and perhaps a cradle to sit the "handheld" unit in.
Also, both Garmin and Magellan have there own "proprietary" built-in maps for some (not all) of their units.

Have a look at www.gpsoz.com.au/index.htm for more information. GPSOZ sell both brands. The ExplorOz shop also sells the Garmin range.

Lionel, despite loose women and lips sinking ships; moving maps...when they stay still enough, are the bees knees in the bush.
You don't really need a second morgage to get your maps moving, either. It can be done cheaply with s/h GPS and s/h basic laptop.
There's nothing better than knowing exactly where you're lost :)))

Lionel.
You should find what you need here
www.ja-gps.com.au/indexproducts.html

Lionel,

I am with you are far as this hi tech stuff but I still wanted to know where I am and how to get to the next place.

Up until last year I was thinking GPS/ laptop. Was not that keen on the laptop getting bounced around and full of dust. Got to the stage of getting the cheapest laptop to run the maps and find position from the GPS. The thing is I was going to add more tech stuff, laptop, moving maps and GPS.

I then got onto the Magellan Explorist XL.

All the info that you need as far as how fast you are going, direction in which you are going, how far to the place you want to get too, etc etc.

It has all the tracks and roads in Australia that you would need, a street directory of every town in Australia and now a turn by turn directory of how to get to a address any where in Australia. This is all done via a card that is inserted in to the GPS. I have had a quick look at some of the post of late and there seems to be a few having problems getting the maps to work on the laptop and the GPS.

Click on to the Topics button at the top of the page and then scroll down to Navigation. This will also give a good over view.

Wayne

Your indicated use for GPS units seems a bit like mine - want to know where you are if the chips are down - otherwise its very much an optional/recreational plaything.
I bought a Garmin GPS 60 from www.gpsoz.com.au - about $325 delivered I think - extra $ got me an external antenna for the car and a cradle and 12V charger - its very good for carrying around in the field too. 2 x AA batteries will run it for ages.
While not a mapping model, it does have extra features that can be employed, such as making routes and recording tracks made etc, plus hoards of waypoints.
Re the various views, you can employ about 18 datat fleds (types of info to see - speed, eta, odometer, glide ration, elevation etc etc etc). The proverbial "motorcycle ashtray" is there to, in the form of a games section !!!
There is a cable and software in the kit, for interfacing it with a PC.
Overall, a simple unit that makes it easy to mark a location and get the coords.
Far as I know, worthwhile mapping units (that you can load maps into as they are developed) start at about twice these dollars and the maps cost $ of course.
Hell - what's wrong with paper maps ? and ....... all the handbooks are full of warnings that anyone who relies on a GPS unit as the primary source of navigation is a real mug (or words to that effect :-0)

has it got Windy Corner : is that the one on Ethel Station between Newman & Marble Bar or in Adelaide ?

and the track up the Vic/SA border : the one between Pinnaroo & Bordertown that goes thru Scorpion Springs & Ngarkat Conservation Park.
If so then "Yes"

I have an Etrek Legend, and it will probably out do me,,,

Use it each time I go into the Outback, or up in the Vic High Country, just to pinpiont me on the map..
And the best part of it is they are no street map ,, so you cannot join the Yuppie Set in the cities,, Hehehehehe

Mind you there is the frustrating time of learning how to use it, but no matter what you use you will get that

Cheers Mate
Bucky