GPS from O.S.
Submitted: Sunday, Sep 07, 2003 at 08:58
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Member - Oskar(Bris)
Gidday
I'm looking at a GPS purchase and am considering getting one from the States or somewhere else O.S. if it is worth it in $ terms. I bought a depth sounder for my boat a couple of years ago from the states and when I got it I found that it only read in feet not in metres. Now that's OK but ........
Are there any issues like that with GPS units bought overseas?
I can't find anything searching on this site about that issue.
TA
Oskar
Reply By: Luke - Sunday, Sep 07, 2003 at 12:09
Sunday, Sep 07, 2003 at 12:09
Hi Oskar,
Specifically with the Magellan Meridian series of GPS's, you stand to save a significant amount of money by importing from USA.
The base level Meridian goes for around $699 AUD here, and I bought
mine brand new, shipped to my doorstep using insured express shipping for $280 AUD total. It's a great GPS, which supports internal basemaps and basemaps installed on your optional SD card, street/track level maps available on CD plus all the other features you'd expect from a fully functional mapping GPSR.
That's a great saving, but you need to be aware of the issues.
1: Magellan may not warrant a US import, as it hasn't been sold through the proper Magellan authorised distributor channels here in Australia.
2: The US import GPS will come with an internal US basemap instead of an Australian basemap. The only (LEGAL) way to install an Australian basemap would be to pay Magellan for an upgrade to an internal Aussie basemap, or buy the WorldWide Basemap CD. The WW Basemap CD will give you much better detail than the inbuilt basemap anyway, so it may be something you'll purchase regardless, in which case, having the US internal basemap is irrelevant. Street level maps will work the same regardless of the basemap you install, so this isn't much of an issue. The only difference is when you zoom out, when the unit converts to the basemap for a birds eye view of the area if you don't have the Australian internal basemap, or an Australian basemap from the WW Basemap CD, you will not see any maps while zoomed out - only major cities.
They are the major issues to consider with a US import. For more detailed
information about the Magellan Meridian GPS you can visit the Magellan Meridian Yahoo group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Magellan_Meridian/
Personally I am very happy with my US import, and for me it represents excellent value.
Cheers,
Luke.
AnswerID:
30320
Follow Up By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 09:01
Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 09:01
I have already run into the warranty/parts issue with a previous import purchase.
When I bought my depth sounder the Aust. Customs said that navigation equipment attracts a fairly low rate of duty about (25% or so) but they won't bother collecting if the duty due is less than $50. How did this affect your purchase?
The duty on a $300 import would be about $75.
Oskar
FollowupID:
21456
Follow Up By: Luke - Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 10:55
Monday, Sep 08, 2003 at 10:55
The duty thing really confuses me.
I've imported alot of archery equipment before, and sometimes it has been hit with duty, and other times (same or similar value items) it has slipped through.
I was lucky with my GPS - it got through without attracting any duty from customs at all, but I wouldn't guarantee that that would always be the case.
FollowupID:
21475
Follow Up By: Member - Oskar(Bris) - Monday, Sep 15, 2003 at 13:54
Monday, Sep 15, 2003 at 13:54
Luke
I know this thread is a bit old now but I still haven't bought my GPS.
What model did you get and who did you get it from. It looks like you got a good deal.
Did your unit come with cables etc.
How much is the OZ info and do I need it.
I want to do something in the next few days (I hope the exchange rate doesn't collapse just yet)
Cheers
OskarMrs Oskar on Big Red
FollowupID:
22051
Follow Up By: Luke - Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003 at 12:36
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003 at 12:36
G'day Oskar,
Send me an email - I'll fill you in on all the details...
swbmav @ yahoo.com.au
Cheers,
Luke.
FollowupID:
22168
Reply By: Member - Chris - Sunday, Sep 07, 2003 at 19:48
Sunday, Sep 07, 2003 at 19:48
Oskar,
I got a Garmin E-map from the US and yes, it does have the US base map in it. However, as I don't use it to track streets here, it works fine with OziExporer and the Natmap series. I also bought some accessories from both here and the US over the internet, after investigating the savings of course, and overall saved about $300 on the comparative cost of getting it all here.
http://www.mall24-7.com
is a good place to start
good luck Chris
<- 1996 Troopy, the best!
AnswerID:
30354