moving map gps system for trip

Hi Geoff

I use the Oziexplorer quite a bit for my bike riding and have the software setup on a Notebook/eeepc, Tablet (touch screen operated) PC, Chinese ($150 windows mobile based) GPS and a HTC (android) smartphone. They all work great and depending on what your doing you take the device that suits best.

I use the PC/Laptop based ozi to do my planning etc 'cos its just easier with a 'normal' computer, the full version of ozi and the internet etc. I use the Chinese GPS on the bikes 'cos they are smaller (5" screen), touch screen operated (so I can use them with my bike kit on IE gloves) and very portable. I have the Phone setup on test as the Android version is pretty new but I ALWAYS have me phone so I always have a copy of Ozi and my Hema 250k Australian Topo maps with me. Makes a good backup device in case the other has a nanna nap :-)

If your in a vehicle then I would recommend a windows based tablet or a eeepc type device 'cos you have the best of both worlds. The full functionality of the PC version of ozi AND a bigger screen so you can use it in the vehicle without glasses (if your half blind without them like me)

The Chinese GPS setup is the cheapest at about $150 for a 5-7" unit but the eeepc or tablet is really only about $6-700. So it depends on your budget and how big you need the screen. I got my GPS on ebay so have a look on there for an Australian supplier that does them.

Hope that helps.

Hi Geoff
Firstly have a great trip, as you are heading into great country.

We travelled for a good number of years with the laptop sitting on the passengers lap, and to be honest it is a real pain. When we were heading bush again one year, Fiona said that if I wanted to take here, she was point blank refusing to nurse a laptop for the whole trip.

To overcome the issue, I purchased a small netbook that now is secured to the centre are rest in the consul and it works a treat. I also have a HN5 which in Ozi mode is just as good as the laptop.

Here are a couple of images of our now in car navigation for our bush trips. I still use the netbook for greater details when I log the track files as we travel.


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Like many travellers here on the forum, Ozi is a must for remote trips and all other type of holidays where we want to keep your track files which can be very hand for further use at a later date.


Cheers


Stephen

Geoff,
I have a slight variant of the others. I stick the laptop under the passengers seat and use an 8"touchscreen monitor mounted behind the gearshift (Prado 90series). I use a mouse gps on the roof and like the others run Oziexplorer. I also run Garmins nRoute as well. To share the gps signal between Ozi and nRoute i use a product called gpsgate. Bought the monitor off eBay.

I've seen some nice touchscreen monitors that fit into a standard radio/CD slot in the dash and pop in and out as required.

regards

Garth

I run 2 systems:

#1 For detail, I use ozi on an old Tosh computer which runs directly off 12V and is hooked up to a remote indash screen. The tosh lives in a padded pocket in the centre console.

#2 I also have a $99 Tomtom Start - download a freeware program called TTMAPS and it will run the Auslig Msaic 250k as well as other .ecw maps - I can run the Hema Great desert maps as well. The Tomtom has 2Gig of memory - bargain of the century!! and its a great backup when I can't be bothered using the computer.