lap top navigation

Submitted: Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 20:05

ThreadID: 59645 Views:2468 Replies:6 FollowUps:2

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hedevil

I have a wireless toshiba laptop, what would i need to purchace to enable me to use this unit as an navigational tool.I have a navman and thinking of up dating to a garmin which allows you to input coordinates, this may be unessesary if using the laptop with suitable software.I am a little computer illiterate so do require some quidense..many thanks

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Reply By: VH-GU4 - Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 21:51

Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 21:51

Load oziexplorer onto lap top and just buy an old GPS that transmits data in NMEA and connect to lap top via USB port. Once you have some maps loaded onto the laptop just use as a moving map. Look at oziexplorer web site and des goes into all the details you need to know. There are other nav tool such as trackranger, but i use ozi and works great. I dont know how to go about using it as a wireless?? It may be possible but i am unsure, im sure some one on here will know.

AnswerID: 314737

Reply By: neil&brenda - Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 22:00

Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 22:00

Apologies if this is already said. Web site gremlins. Seek info at the oz explorer shop. You could always do it the old fashion way. A Map!!! Shock horror! The u-beaut gps systems are all great, until they break down! Good hunting
Neil+brenda

AnswerID: 314739

Follow Up By: Lex M - Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 22:12

Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 22:12

Sounds a bit negative. Have you had problems?

But you're right there are only two types of computers, those that have failed and those that will. 30+ years in the business.

The GPS systems are great but make sure you have a backup.
I carry a separate handheld gps, cheapest I could find and hard copy maps. Oh yeah and a compass and I know how to use them all.

But I do like my 7inch GPS running OZICE and my laptop with mouse gps running OZI.

I always know where I'm lost at.

cheers

FollowupID: 580802

Follow Up By: KennyBWilson - Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 23:45

Thursday, Jul 10, 2008 at 23:45

Hey neil&brenda,

cars are all good until they breakdown too, so tell me do you take public transport just so your car doesn't break down
Does belinda wash your clothes with her hands don't tell me she uses a washing machine

FollowupID: 580824

Reply By: Member - Bob of KAOS - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 11:23

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 11:23

Hedevil

Oziexplorer is the go. Its worth every cent ($123.50 from 'shop').

Cheapest GPS is USB mouse style ($98 from 'shop', but can be cheaper on eBay) Less cheap is Bluetooth GPS. Alternative is to plug your old GPS into serial port, or USB port via a serial to USB adaptor.

Then you need maps, either Westprint, Hema or Auslig - all available from the 'shop'

If you want to run several nav programmes at once (or two iterations of one prog with different maps, or Google Earth Plus and a nav programme) Franson GPS Gate will let you split the signal from one GPS to run more than one programme.

Use your old Navman and paper maps as back up for unlikely event of laptop failure.

Once you've used moving map display you'll never be happy with just paper maps again.

AnswerID: 314802

Reply By: hedevil - Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 17:37

Friday, Jul 11, 2008 at 17:37

thanks for the comments, I must admit I am a little confused as the terms used but taking it all in. Yes back up maps ideal.But i have the technology ie laptop when travelling so may as well put it to good use.thanks all for your input

AnswerID: 314835

Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:48

Saturday, Jul 12, 2008 at 13:48

Buy a Globalsat BT338 Bluetooth Gps module and you are away.
Get Oxiexplore and Copilot for laptop and you will have all you need .
Less wires with bluetooth and if you have a suitable Nokia phone you can put TOMTOM on it and use it around town as well

AnswerID: 314959