off road/ on road GPS

Bendebarran
This is a very broad question that covers two (or more) types of solutions.

1
Off road, this is IMHO covered best by a PC with a GPS antenna and dedicated software such as OziExplorer or similar and detailed digital maps.

2
On road, is covered best with a whole array of devices from hand held units to fully intergrated units fitted into many new cars.

Both should be investigated through a dedicated supplier, such as Johnny Appleseed, or Ozmaps etc. There guys are very conversant with what they sell and can guide you in the right direction "for your needs".

You will get a whole range of answers here, telling you this and that, but unless you understand the basics it will all be Greek to you.
Colin

Gooday,
how long is a piece of string? There are so many different ones, different $$$$ and different features. Suggest you do a thread search here and get some idea of what you want, then you can ask more specific questions. Also read the gps / navigation articles on this site as well; that should help you as well.
regards

Bendebarran,
We have a Hema Navigator which suits our needs and with which we are very happy. My only gripe is that in 4WD mode, the nav data panels are not user defined and contain a lot of unnecessary detail for our needs. None of the screens has an ETA function which I find annoying.
The moving topo map display is a great confidence boost especially off the beaten track and it is reassuring when you see your next waypoint or destination appear on the edge of the screen.
Jon W

Recently bought a VMS 500 Tourer, so far so good and it incorporates the reversing camera.

Bendebarran,

I have a Garmin Nuvi 760 with the Garmin TOPO maps and I am very happy with it.

I just did a 6856km trip from NSW to SA, NT and Qld and home and I couldn't fault it. However, I still use paper maps as my prime guide.

Laptop with GPS Mouse is a great way to navigate. The HEMA unit is very good as well.

laptop runs all software / maps - can store HEAPS of info - photos video - and have internet access ....

too easy

boc

I bought a Kogan branded GPS on eBay which only had a generic navigator program in it. It had an SD card and was Windows CE compatible. I have bought a 4gb card and loaded the necessary files from Oziexplorer CE and it works a treat. Total cost was $202 plus $9 freight. I already had the Oziexplorer program on my laptop.
After I purchased it I showed it to a friend that sells HEMA Navigators. He was stunned especially as it cost 1/4 of the price! It will do everything that Oziexplorer allows it to do.
We have found tracks and followed them off remote roads and still found our way.
Hope that helps.
DW

I think their is now only one serious GPS left that covers all bases.

I.E. it is marinized and is hence waterproof

It allows you the user to upload your own tracks and navigate them.

Can have lots of user set features like settable proximity alarms for sensitive locations.

Can accurately measure your cars voltage and warm you if low.

Has all the usual navigation abilites in addition to true off-road navigation modes.

Has 2 independant configurable modes of operation to say switch between your normal road maps and say a fixed north heading contour map.

All our team use them without issue.

However this GPS cannot store your baby photo's.


http://www.gpsoz.com.au/garmin/garmin_276c.htm

My 2 bits worth. I have been using OziExplorer, both PC and PDA version almost since it first came on the market. I am thus very familiar with it. Prior to using Ozi I was very familiar with maps and charts for navigation, and still always want one in hard copy if going to far of the beaten track, along with compass, ruler and protractor

I know that it does not do automatic route calculation, but if I am travelling anywhere I like to sort out the route myself. Part of the trip planning to understand where I am going. Something I learnt from flying/navigating light aircraft around much of Oz.

I have a digatal map library of thousands of maps now, and thus have coverage of most areas at various scales, and now also download maps from satellite data and other sources (Not only goggle but a number of other sources) using SASGIS. The new ability to show Goggle on OziE is also great for route planning.

I normally use a blue tooth GPS connected to a GPS when I am travelling and use 1:250K maps for highway use. On tracks I will use either 1:100K or 1:50K where available, or maybe maps constructed using SASGIS. I have built a number of OziCE screens to show what I want and find useful.

I therefore find this combination suits my needs/abilities

No real problems with this combination. My number one rule however is to always be aware of my location and be able to switch to manual means when the technology all fails. Fortunately this is a rare event,

Cheapest- 5" GPS from China running OziCE- cost $108.

Best- 8.9" eeePC running Ozi- $430.

I've tried bigger screens and touch screens but the 8.9" is perfect.

The major problem with both is that they cause me to invest inordinate amounts in diesel fuel.

equinox posted:
Yeah but where's all the sandridges Doug?

Right here , 3 dunes as shown on Garmin Topo and overlayed on Google Earth.
Horses for courses eh. How accurate do you need it,

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