Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 18:44
Hi
I don't have a Hema Navigator but I have an equivalent 5" GPS running OziExplorer CE. Its
bright, easliy visible, easy to use and is so simple I can lend it to friends to take on trips. Cost about $70 for the hardware. Maps and Ozi load on SD card.
I also have an eeePC 900 with Ozi and Magellan Streets and Tracks. The main attraction is its compactness, and the SD card slot. The screen is OK but is much brighter running a little programme that enables brightness, fan speed, processor speed to be controlled. I've used this unit mounted on the dash on a few trips and it has been excellent. Using the mouse on rough tracks is a no no. It cost $430.
The other device that might interest you is an 8.9" remote touch screen that plugs into either a Toshiba laptop, or a Mac Mini. The brightness and clarity of the display is unsurpassed. Using the touch screen is difficult- the detail on the Ozi UI is so complex I need to use a stylus rather than my finger to tap the right spots. The display cost about $200.
When necessary I use GPS
Gate to run more than one programme from a single GPS. Maps include the NatMap series, Hema, WestPrint, and bits downloaded from Google maps.
Some would say I have an obsession with GPSs. I probably own about 30, including my very first Magellan Meridian from 1994. The current setup, ready for a trip in April, is: Tom Tom Go 710, 5" Chinese GPS (1:250,000 maps), Mio 470 (Hema maps), 8.9" dsiplay with Toshiba laptop, Spot GPS and eeePC as backup.
I shouldn't get lost, but I can't see out the window.
In answer to your question, I'd find it hard to pay a grand for something I can set up for less than a hundred (given that I already own the software and the maps).
AnswerID:
402330
Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 04:17
Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 04:17
Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
The top
pic compares the eeePC running Ozi (bottom L) with the touch display running DiscoverAus St and Tr. Note Spot GPS in cradle on dash.
The bottom
pic shows the 5" GPS running Ozi CE with the 1:250,000 mosaic map.
FollowupID:
671878
Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 07:56
Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 07:56
Hi Bob
Interested in your comment re-screen brightness.
Does that little routine allow it to be turned brighter than normal ?
Of the many PC laptop etc , we have found none with sufficent screen brightness to be useful in sunlight and EEPC normally have very low output about 1/4 of my 276c GPS.
Been the main reason why we just carry laptop for use at
camp.
Still waiting for an OLED laptop to come along.
FollowupID:
671882
Follow Up By: Bob of KAOS - Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 21:08
Wednesday, Feb 03, 2010 at 21:08
Robin
Yes it is a lot brighter.
Try it and see
eeectl
Bob
FollowupID:
671986
Follow Up By: Member - Rod D1 (WA) - Monday, Feb 15, 2010 at 16:41
Monday, Feb 15, 2010 at 16:41
Bob
I have used an HP Travel Companion with Ozi CE on a trip around Australia and it works a treat except that the screen is too small and my fingers are too big. Anyway the HP died recently and I'm looking to setup a similar system but with a bigger screen. I'm interested in your comments about the 5" GPS. Is this a generic Chinese unit running Windows CE and if so do you have any recommendation? I have Ozi CE and all the relevent maps but would also like street navigation on this unit. To me, setting up a netbook computer is overkill from a pure navigation point of view but I do realise it doubles as a general purpose PC as
well. Your thoughts?
FollowupID:
674007