GPS Question
Submitted: Monday, Jul 14, 2003 at 22:36
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Phil P
Hi all,
I will be travelling to the USA in the next few weeks and am considering purchasing a basic hand held GPS unit (Garmin etrax or similar).
As the unit will only be a basic unit and I won't be using it to load maps, does anyone know if a US unit will work here ? Any tips for new players ?
Thanks in advance
Phil P
Reply By: BurnieM - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 13:06
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 13:06
Simple answer; yes it will work fine here.
Most new Australian maps use GDA94 datum. This is almost identical (within a few cm) of WGS84 which all GPSr have.
Older maps can use AGD66 or AGD84 datums which most GPSr made in the last 5 years have. Regardless, there is approx 200m diffenrece between AGD66 and WGS84.
I would suggest that you pick a unit here and then go into a dealer here and play with it. Then purchase in the US.
Note you will only get Garmins 1 year international warranty for a US purchased unit (not the 2 years that GME give).
Data or power cables are still cheaper to buy from GPSoz
AnswerID:
24991
Follow Up By: petprass - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 17:48
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 17:48
Burnie,
My brand new GPS must have about 100 different map datums to choose from, but does not have GDA94. I have been using AUS66, but from what you are saying I may as
well use the default setting of WGS84.
Also most of the maps that I have (from Melb Map Centre etc) were created in the 70's. What would be the map datum for them? AUS66? Again I do not have AGD66 norAGD84.
Peter
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: BurnieM - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 18:14
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 18:14
'AUS66' or 'Aus Geo 66' or 'AGD66' are all the same (Australian Geodatic? Datum 1966)
You should use the same datum as the paper map you are using.
Most maps are either AGD66 or WGS84/GDA94.
There are approx 200 metres between these 2 datums.
When exchanging waypoints you should quote the datum used.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: daren - Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 23:27
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2003 at 23:27
Phil,
The garmin Etrax is awonderfull unit. iuse
mine for hunting in the high country, trail bike riding in the
otways and fishing in the bays and ocean and can not fault it. i have bought the data cable and updated the software from the garmin site as they put in a few mods and updates every now and then (very easy to do).
its so good that 3 mates that i go riding and hnting with bought some also and they all have simular opinions. No it does not have a map or stuff like that but if you wat to know wher you are or have been and have a map of the area, i dont think you need that stuff (depends what you do, im sure i will hear about it here).
As far as buying one in the states, watch your exchange rate!!!
i have a catalog from Bias boating warehouse here and they have them on special for $249. Thats a good price. looking at the Cabala's website (they are a huge seller of hunting and fishing stuff there) they are selling them at $ 119.99 US.Work that out and its not that much diferent from here.
i have been to the states 4 times in the last 10 years and think that prices for stuff is getting very competative here. i am a tall fat person and cloathes are very easy to get there, thats the only real advantage i found.
hope it helps
Daren
AnswerID:
25056