Re GPS and Digital map starter pack

Terry,
I'd suggest you buy
"GPS vehicle Navigatoin in Aust"
You'll learn heaps and answer your questions at the same time.
Cheers
Trevor

Tsetup works the other way The laptop needs a GPS receiver AND some software to work.

What it does is totally dependant on the software you are running. Read the article in the body of your post.

You can get the Hema system complete with Digital Mapping system for around $1000. Also has city maps but general feeling is it is not all that good in the city compared to a Tom Tom etc

Or you can get OZy Explorer soft-where downloaded to your PC. You will need a GPS receiver that plugs in to your USB Port. As well as the Digital Map Package.

I have the later and it is great for downloading Treks form this site. I also have a remote touch screen 8" monitor mounted to the dash. My lap top just sits down beside the passengers seat.

These systems are not designed for city driving and there is no voice commands.

The system is designed for outback travel the more remote the better the system is.

Cheers
Wayne B

gooday Terry E ; to your question basically yes . but keep in mind do you wont a laptop/notepad mounted on dash etc all the time .

This is what i have garmin 60 gps with and a notepad pc loaded is topo map shonky map plus other stuff . You can load all your nav stuff on pc and not gps . all sorts of programs you can run for your navigation.
I don't have ozi explorer or hema !!!

You need to research what you wont to do . have a look at gps Australia forum . plenty of stuff to check out .

cheers nick

Thanks everybody for your input, much appreciated

Hi Terry. I have just come back from a trip where I used the following: Transystem GM-2 USB GPS, Ozi Explorer GPS mapping software and a software copy of HEMA maps. The laptop was able to directly pinpoint where we were on the HEMA maps. I had it setup so that it would automatically use the best detailed HEMA map in the collection that were loaded onto the PC. We only used it as a reference if we were in any doubt but did use it once to track our course in the Flinders. There are no voice commands that tell you when to turn etc but it was very accurate and the GPS never dropped out while we were driving.

Regarding the Hema digital maps. Can these be bought and downloaded rather than waiting for a hard copy disc?
I've seen the Hema card for sale, but i think you still need to have the actual card. Can you buy and download this?
My thinking is to buy as we need on the road rather than have to have it posted.