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Submitted: Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 08:48
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Are these 'TomTom' or 'Navman' onboard navigators any good when trying to find say a waypoint for a great campsite a little of the beaten track type of thing?
I have asked a few people and none of them can seem to even use the things beyond "turn right at the next intersection". :)
Basically are they any good as you get into the bush?
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Reply By: Mr Pointyhead - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:11

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:11
Depends very much on the software and the underlying mapping database that they are using. I have found that the worst products to use in regional Australia are those based on Sensis mapping. The Sensis data is very poor when you move off the main highways in reginonal Australia.

I am currently using Copilot V7 which uses Navteq mapping data. It includes the majority of the major tracks in areas like the Victorian High Country (eg Billy Goat Buff track).

The next thing is the collection of points of interest or POI's. Most navigators come with a reasonable collection of POI's built in. However, you need to be able to load and use custom POI files that you can either download from the net of make up yourself.

For example, there are POI files of camp sites in Australia available on the net for download . With these loaded you can select the Camp site and navigate to it. So it is important to get a Navigator than can easily load and use custom POI's. The Copilot V7 I am currently using falls down badly in this area and for that reason I would find it difficult to recommend.

Finally, the important thing is to RTFM or Read the Funny Manual. These can be complex products to use with many available features. So to get the most out of them you need to take the time to thoroughly familarise yourself with them.

AnswerID: 294958

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:47

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 09:47
As PH said above, Tom Tom and such do have their limits.
And as you have found, most people use it for it's main intention, getting from point to point in surburbia, which they do well.

From my quick look at Tom Tom and similar software, I think it does have a facility to insert a POI. Suggest you talk to Johnny Appleseeds or GPS-OZ, who are GPS shops, and they could assist you with more detail.

Also as PH says, the sensis mapping used does have it's limits, being like telstra phone coverage, 98% of the population, not necessarily 98% of geographic OZ.

I also use Copilot for around town, and it is great for that, but I use Oziexplorer for camping. Sometimes using both.

e.g. Coming back from Thargomindah, used oziexplorer for the tracks in the national parks and on the highway. But to get to a friends place in Roma, I put his address into Copilot and it steered me to his door. Good for finding a caravan park in a country town.
AnswerID: 294966

Reply By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:09

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 10:09
Redbac
The 2 above gave reasonable answers but stopped short of telling you where to get the POI's,
I'm not if your question was a feeler with the prospect of buying one or you may already have one , I have always used Garmin units because I feel they are the best both in accuracy , ease of use, and the sensis software they use is much better than the one of the other replyees said, maybe he needs to do a little more study about Garmins, I have included the POI link below that will give you downloads of POI's for Garmin,TomTom,Navman, and others.

POI Database

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AnswerID: 294971

Reply By: Member - Phill E (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 16:49

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 16:49
I just bought a Magellan CROSSOVER for my parents.. i'll get my share of use too... I myself use a Panasonic toughbook & 2 programs, CO-pilot laptop 10 & Discover Aus streets & tracks.

Compairing the Magel & copilot as a street directry... they both have good & bad points. altho the magellan has better turning indication & half screen display.. I always thought a small screen whilst driving would be difficult, after using the laptop for yrs. I now prefer the Magellan small screen ont he dash. i only used it for 2 days.

Back to the maps.. The crossover has Discover Aus topo on it aswell as the street directory, so you can map where you drive, same as i would with the laptop & discoverAus, waypoints & more... it is realy good, use it when bush walking aswell, also marine.. think some 1 metioned the website.. gpsoz.com.au its all on there.
Any Q.. email me pefabrication@bigpond.com
AnswerID: 295025

Reply By: Member - res.q.guy (VIC) - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 17:23

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 17:23
Hi Redback
Not sure about the Tom Tom or Navman, but I can input co-ordinates (long & lat) into my Nuvi 660.
I went for the Garmin Nuvi, for the same reasons Doug did.
Regards
Neil
AnswerID: 295034

Reply By: Eric Experience - Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 22:22

Thursday, Mar 27, 2008 at 22:22
Redbac.
The Navway made by Melway is very good for bush work. used one over Easter and was surprised at the detail in bush tracks. Just take it out of the box and switch it on, no loading or fiddling it's all there. Eric
AnswerID: 295132

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