Best GPS Navigator

Doug, do Oz Troppo maps come with the unit, or do I need to buy them ($259 or so) to get the remote area coverage.

With the Nuvi 760 and Oz Troppo, will I have the sort of remote area coverage I am after?

I guess the benchmark for mapping of the sort I'm after is the Hema Navigator (based on reading - no personal experience). Will the Nuvi / Oz Troppo be similar? Will the Nuvi / Oz Troppo work 'out of the box' for a dummy like me?

From my limited knowledge, these seem the likely candidates at the moment.

Doug I know you are a big fan of the 760 and based on your previous posts, I'm certain it is a great unit. But you are light years in front of me in using and gettig the best out of this stuff.

Norm C

Norm
Check your MM's

There is also a software version 4.00 update

as of August 18, 2008 for the nuvi 760

Hi Captain,

Have you added Oziexplorer and a revers camera and if so, how much did it cost. A good mate at work is looking around and I'm helping him source what's out there. The VMS sure looks good but as you said the price...

He is keen on the Polaris but we weren't sure if it was strictly a street-based unit or if it could double as an off-road topo GPS too.

Cheers,

Mark.

Hi Mark,

I currently run Oziexplorer on the Polaris, just have to swap the SD cards over. One card for Ozi, another for Sygic (GPS program that comes with it) Only cost $40 to have a fully legal copy of OziexplorerCE. But you also need to add the maps too.

The Polaris is a re-badged Caska 3119 unit from China. The VMS unit ($2595) are a rebadged Roadrover imported from China.

Both can be purchased on-line from China for around the $800 mark but that is without the AUS navigation maps (~$50 to buy) or Oziexplorer (~$300 with maps) loaded. Both units have AUS nav software updates when they are imported so they run properly out of the box.

The main difference between the two is that the Caska unit runs a modified Windows CE system thus you can load Oziexplorer on it (takes a bit of mucking around) while the Roadrover runs a different processor (ARMS I believe) thus can only be modified at the factory level (or so I believe). There is a heap of info on pradopopint.com.au about this, its where I got my info and downloaded the method to install Oziexplorer on the Polaris unit.

Another major difference is that the VMS runs navteq maps with Route 66 as the on-road navigator. The Polaris runs Sensis maps with Sygic autorouting software. You can compare the two on their respective websites but from what I have read I believe the Sygic is superior (read other web forums and see what users report).

There are other minor differences between the VMS and 3119 units (VMS comes with camera and Oziexplorer), but for the price difference there is no way IMHO the VMS can justify the markup for its product. I was prepared to pay the Polaris markup to have an Australian warranty and technical backup support and hence why I didn't buy off the web direct from china.

Another advantage of the Polaris unit is that is has pre-loaded the TMPS (tyre pressure management system) so that you can monitor tyre pressures from the unit. Note that Polaris has included this software but you cannot buy the hardware until later this year (spoke to Polaris previously about this).

The Polaris is $1295 while the VMS is $2595. The advantages the VMS does have are:
* the VMS can have 3 cameras whereas the 3119 only has one (but you can easily get a video splitter for as many as you want).
* the bluetooth cannot upload your phone contact book.
*VMS can use SDHC cards (up to 32Gb) while Polaris limited to SD card (4Gb)
* once Oziexplorer is up and running on the 3119, you have to swap the SD card to get normal street navigation back (am looking at a work-around for this)

I recently added the reverse camera (cost $75 from Derek at ABR plus $55 for wiring), very very happy with it and would recommend adding the camera from the start.

If you decide to go down this route, MM me and I can provide the info required to load and run Ozi on the Polaris.

Cheers

Captain

Captain,

You have answered a few things for me on Exploroz and again you have taken the time to give a thorough, considered response. Thanks once again for your effort, I certainly appreciate it (and so will my mate!).

Cheers,

Mark.

Hi Mark

have a look at the NavNet system, it is what I use Global Intergrated Tech

it can and will run all of below, I have nothing to do with them, I just own one 1.5 years now

Regards

Richard

Street to street
Topographic Maps
Voice Guided
Time to Destination
Quickest or Shortest Route
2D and 3D View
DVD Player
CD Player
MP3 Player
Video Player
Digital Equalizer
Customized Skins
Web Browser
Email
Calendar
Internet Connectivity
GSM Modem

Richard I have never heard of them before but they look great. Any idea on what price they would be? can't find anything on the website.

Thanks,

Mark.

Mark, Hi

They are not cheap $3100.00 but came with two cameras, which I haven't got around to install yet.

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Regards

Richard

Sorry Mark.

That price was with all software and maps $300.00 - $400.00

windows XP etc.

I have a PCMCIA slot for my next G moden and a CF card slot.

Regards

Richard

That's expensive alright but then you are getting some serious hardware, basically an integrated computer for your 4wd! The options then are almost limitless.

Thanks for the info and pictures Richard, much appreicated.

Cheers,

Mark.

so the Hema is better for thickos like me?

Must admit, I do like to keep it simple as I have too much going on elsewhere to bugger about too uch with this stuff. I think the hema gives you red light camera and speed camera warnigns same as the other?

Just had my original TomTom nicked so am in the market for another. Was looking at those two: Hema/Nuvi