GPS for Laptops and PDAs Feedback

What do you want to do with the compact flash chip?

All you will need is the GPS receiver and the software. Both which you can buy from the online shop

And don't forget the 'digital' maps !!!!
As far as a source goes- why not the ExplorOz shop !!

Hi Perter
I am not sure what you want the Compact Flash Chip for, but this is what you will need to have moving maps on your laptop.

1. Some form of GPS Receiver, either hand held or mouse type.

2. programme that talk to your GPS and the Maps that you have loaded.

3. Best buy would be the 2008 Digital Natmap Topographical Maps.

Once you have mastered the use of Ozi, you will find that it is the best tool for any trip, starting from making a set of waypoints of where you intend to go through to plugging it in your vehicle and hitting the road.

All the Best and have fun learning the use of a great Navigational tool.

Cheers

Stephen

A GPS mouse is fine, but if you want to use the GPS for anything else - eg bushwalking, geocaching or any navigation when you don't have the laptop with you, then I would suggest you get a regular handheld GPS with mapping capability eg Garmin extrex and connect that to the laptop.

In that way you have a full moving map set up when in the vehicle and a portable handheld when you are away from it or just can't be bothered to set up the laptop.

In addition to your list of items to get, you will obviously need maps.

All of that equipment can be purchased from specialty map shops (GPSOZ in Sydney) or from here of coarse.

Not sure why you need a compact flash chip unless your DELL hasn't enough memory or that is how the maps come.

You will also need a USB cable and preferably a 12v power cable. You could also think about a 12/220v inverter to save batteries.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/

Cheers.

Peter,

FWIW I'm running a Dell Latitute ATG D630 mounted on a RAM mount. GPS reciever is a Globalsat BT338. Software is Copilot for street navigation and Oziexplorer for out and about. Copilot comes with its own maps whilst the maps for Oziexplorer are the Hema suite which also includes the Geoscience 1:250,000 for Australia. The laptop now has about 35,000KM of in use outback travel on it and hasn't missed a beat.

IMHO you are probably better going to a GPS specific shop for this stuff. I've used both GPS OZ and Johnny Appleseed in the past.

Just to add to the e-trex losing signal.
My e-trex works fine running Ozi, sitting on the dash of the truck.
It can only look forward, and can lose signal on a tight turn.
I now have a puck style GPS and I am amazed at where it can pick up signals. On reviewing one trip, I found that it had kept the signal even in a fully covered, but with one open side, Coles car park.
No way would the e-trex do that.
cheers

My e-trex is probably 6 years old, software is version 2.4. It can be foxed with tall trees, especially if it is raining.
cheers

Gday Peter,

I have skimmed over most of the replies you have recieved and agree with them all, especially re: whether to buy a full operational GPS so you can take it out of the vehicle. If you dont want to do this, I'm assuming you're Dell Laptop has bluetooth and I would buy a Bluetooth GPS, saves on all those dam wires that any setup needs.


I do get a little confused that people seem to need big screens to find there way around. Let’s all be honest here, if you are tracking your way through an area you're not familiar with you aren't doing 60klm's per hour. I have a 3.5" screen and if I should get misplaced I stop study the map, put in a few waypoints then carry only looking at the screen if I'm lost again, otherwise I just glance at it now and again IMHO I can't see this as a problem. If the guys in the Dakar on the bikes can follow a 5" scrolling map at 160k's per hour, I can handle a 3.5" screen at 25kph.. LOL