Sorry but another GPs question

You could start here as an example of suitable software.

If going to use a laptop, then OziExplorer or Trackranger are good options for software. But be aware, you will have to spend some time getting to understand how to use it effectively. To get satellite positioning you will need a gps that can talk to your laptop and software. A cheap and effective option would be a BU-353 GPS Reciever approx $90.00 and available from the shop here or other sources.

Suggest you take the time to read the articles here on GPS navigation.
regards,

Hi Dave

You may have gathered this now , but you need a GPS to pick up the signal and give it to the Laptop,

THis can be via a direct connection cable or via a short range radio link

If via a radio link then it has to have its batteries charged up regularly.

On the laptop you run a program like Ozi-explorer.

The laptops main advantage is that it can use a wide range of maps and the program shows your position on the map. Its not really navigating although this is possible but difficult to use.

Generally speaking the laptops programs don't supply all the functions of a good navigator like the Tom Tom let alone those of a full GPS.

Laptops also have approximately only about 1/4 of the screen brightness of the Tom Tom and are difficult to use in a car.

This visibility problem gets worse when you try to view the laptop while driving because of two factors , first the screen brightness drops off rapidly when you are looking at it at an angle, and second because the laptop and its wires cannot be positioned idealy because of there size.

A good Navigator/GPS can be mounted in you line of sight over the dash so is safter when driving.

Really they are different animals at this stage of their development.

We always carry a laptop these days but its almost never used for active navigation , its main use is that its simply smaller than carrying dozens of maps and can download from cameras and our GPS and even carry a full car service manual etc.

A laptop will give a larger display than other options, but you need to be able to mount it securely, be easy to remove and yes, it can be affected by sunlight making the screen hard to see.

Laptops do not generally come with touch screens, so you need to use a mouse, an integrated touchpad, or a touch screen add-on. You also require a GPS mouse, either connected to the laptop's USB port, or via bluetooth interface if the laptop supports it.

I used to use by laptop running Oziexplorer, which gives you a moving map display of where you are at any given time. This is a terrific driving aid to have when travelling through our countryside, but is not much good for inner-city use.
For this I use a separate Tomtom unit, although I also have a voice guided application available on the PDA device I now use to run OziExlorer CE and using NATMAP Premium for Australia wide mapping.
Once you become familiar with OziExplorer you can record and save your routes and any waypoints of interesting places you may choose to record.

All of this requires a fair amount of configuration when using a PDA and installing the applications etc.

Scared you off yet???
Don't be.

Two solutions I will offer that require less configuration and knowledge about computer devices are the Hema Navigator, or the Garmin Nuvi.
Both devices offer a dual capability of voice guided city navigation, plus country wide moving map navigation.

The Hema Navigator uses OziExplorer and Hema maps for moving map navigation.
OziExplorer is an Australian produced application and is kind of the "pseudo standard" for Exploroz travellers and the swapping of routes, waypoints, etc. among members.
The Garmin Nuvi uses more proprietary applications and add-ons such as shonky maps or Garmin Toppo to get the best advantage out of the unit, but is by all accounts a very good device.

Member Doug (NT) is the resident guru on all things Garmin and he can offer great advice if you choose this option.

Both the Hema Navigator and the Garmin Nuvi provide superior daytime viewing with less glare than a laptop and they also incorporate builtin GPS reception and touchscreen control, like the Tomtom.


Bill.