Magellan Explorist GPS & Discover Aus Strret & Tracks Topo
Submitted: Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 11:56
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The Landy
I have a Magellan Explorist XL GPS, which has served me
well for my requirements to date, however I am looking to upgrade the mapping package to the Discover Aus Street & Tracks Topo via a SD card, approx cost $299.
Does anyone have experience with this mapping package on a Magellan unit and how have you found it?
The alternative is I could upgrade the GPS to the VMS or similar, however my understanding is the mapping package in the VMS is 1:250,000 scale, whereas the Discover Aus is down to 1:25,000 or whatever the scale is available down to 1:25,000
Thanks….
Reply By: Member - Tony S (WA) - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 13:15
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 13:15
Hi,
I too have an Explorist XL and am thinking of going to a VMS 500.
I have had a bit of a "play" with one and am quite impressed. There are 25,000 maps available from VMS how ever at present they are only available for the East coast. Even though the touring maps are in 250,000 they zoom in quite close and from memory street names appeared.
If you do not like the Hema mapping, I have been informed that you can use Oziexplorer to run the Natmap Raster maps.
If you haven't done so have a look at VMS's web site.
Tony
AnswerID:
375377
Follow Up By: The Landy - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:27
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:27
Thnaks Tony,
I have been looking at the 500 touring one, and I have that under consideration especially as it has the reversing camera as
well.
Cheers
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:01
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:01
Hi Landy
I have used an Explorist XL with the Aus Street and Track Topo SD card for the last three years.
I can't compare it with other systems as it is the only one I have had any experience with.
I have used it in the outback and in
Brisbane Toowoomba etc as
well. I have found it excellent for my purposes though it is best used through a cig lighter type connection as the AA battery option is not the best, chews through the AA's very quickly.
I also have a NZ Street and Track SD card as
well and use it all the time here in New Zealand.
The only draw back is the maps become dated like all maps, when it comes to new road and motorway upgrades.
A little common sense is required as it seems the maps are taken off Google Earth overlay and sometimes it will show an unopened paper road instead of the correct route, with that I have only struck that locally, probably not so obvious to me in new territory.
I do like the idea of the creeks being named, when touring outback, adds a bit more interest to the route.
Cheers
Russ
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375395
Follow Up By: The Landy - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:28
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 16:28
Thanks Russ....one of my concerns on sticking with the Magellan is that my model has already been supersceded...not a major problem, but a consideration. cheers
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Follow Up By: Member - Russnic [NZ] - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 18:30
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 18:30
I am aware of new models out, however I was checking my XL out and could not locate the instructions so went to the Magellan site, not only downloaded the instruction book but also downloaded a free upgrade as
well.
Perhaps that will keep it updated.
I do like the detail on the Street and Track zoom in and get plenty of detail, street
creek names etc, zoom out and see how far away is the next destination.
Along with Hema maps I find it great to navigate around the cities, the go to feature can be really handy when navigating as you drive.
FollowupID:
642671
Reply By: warfer69 - Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 19:34
Monday, Jul 20, 2009 at 19:34
Hiya Landy
The Discover Aus Street by Street was a woeful bit of software imho...DiscoverAus Topo is fantastic,one of the best,hasn't let me down now i changed to UTM lol...
I also have a Garmin Nuvi for around town,But when away if i only hav the Mag i now use GPSGATE with NRoute and use my laptop,very useful using the XL with Garmin software.You cannot use Garmin Topo with NRoute because they hav stopped updating it but you can use AusTopo...
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