PDA and Moving Maps

Yep, there is a product called OziExplorerCE that loads to a PocketPC
Ozi site
GPSoz site

After going out with Ray and his moving maps, Im never going to bother.

Driving along at 1kph is not my scene adn that was with a laptop on the passangers seat! There has to be a better way...

Hi Errol,

You will need to purchase the OziExplorerCE version from the link in the previous response. I have an iPaq PDA with a Garmin Etrex Venture using moving map and I love it. No comms problems that I had with the laptop/GPS setup. OziExplorerCE even has a speed monitor for those vehicles (like mine) that don't have one.

CheersJust Do It!

Attach 15" TFT monitor to laptop and get a map image that you can actually see:-)Monitor can be mounted almost anywhere and can be put away when not in use. They make smaller monitors too (Jaycar). Also monitors are cheaper than PDAs.Bob

Some things to consider.
A PDA with a decent display will cost a fair bit and even then wont have a great deal of space for maps. You will have to load maps that you want for a particular trip. Expandinding the memory is an option or you can now get very tiny hard drives for PDAs but once again starts to get expensive.

Next most GPS plug into a serial I dont know of any PDA's with a serial port so you will need a USB to serial adaptor, if the pda has a USB port (check before you but)

Failing that you can get GPS cards that plug directly into the PDA but once again more money

However I have seen these setps working and most people give them a thumbs up. The other main downside that I hear is the small size of the screen. Its not very usful using a map that is about 2 inches by 3.

I have a 12.1inch TFT display taken from dead laptop connected to a mini PC that sits under the drivers seat. Plays DVD's MP3s and runs ozi explorer.

I have a small wirless keyboard with a tiny integrated trackball. This project is not quite finished but is looking promising.

We always have and always will use a laptop - even with a 15inch monitor it is hard enough to see the map detail. What you need is one of the soon to be released ExplorOz custom laptop mounts. Designed and built be your truely, I have designed a system that does not require any holes drilled in any parts of the vehicle - it uses already in place mounts and brackets for the vehicle. My prototype was taken on our CSR trip (to make sure it is up to 4WD'ing) It came through with flying colours and the first customer install is to happen this weekend.

More details to follow however have a look at the 80 series unit mounted in our vehicle. [ View Image]Regards
ExplorOz Team - David
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Always working, not enough travelling ;-)

Hey,
Read your article with interest. Would appreciate it if u could let us know how it all goes.
Have not had a chance to look at the sites for interfacing the laptop TFT to the VGA adaptor but also have another question.
Power supplies? Do you have any links on computer power supplies that run from 12V or have you made your own? Amreluctant to use an inverter to wind up to 240V and then bring it back down.
Vibration?? - Reliability of hard drives etc. Will look at the links and wait on to see how you get on.
Regards
Rick

Errol - laptops are fine - but a pain if you want to go exploring on foot as well as driving ..if you like moving map software but never stray far from camp on foot a laptop is the go for most I suspect (especially if you also have good GPS eg Meridian + maps). Horses for courses I suppose..I have a iPaq 3660 + dual expansion pack - with CF GPS card and 2GB HDD (for all the maps) - running OziCE - works fine. What you get depends on what you are going to use it for - Several advantages over a laptop - but several disadvantages as well..because of what I use it for I wouldnt trade it for a laptop.
Cheers Greg