In Dash GPS

Thanks Mazcan for you response. I did not think of the Safety aspect and to this you make a very good point.

Thanks Vern

Hi Mazcan,

I have a 7" indash GPS (Polaris) and find it FAR safer to use than my Garmin Nuvi windscreen mount one. I find the larger screen makes it far easier to see and comprehend the information, the smaller Garmin needs a lot more eye time and concentration to take it in.

As for the Polaris, while I find it good to use, there are better and cheaper models out now, like this one from autodvdgps - its what I would buy today if buying again.

Cheers

Captain

I agree the larger screen is safer to look at.

If I need to consult the screen it is usually at an intersection and I pull up. Otherwise it would be a quick glance to check we are on route or how far to go to some point.

Often checked by passenger anyway.

Alan

Mark,

which in dash units do you have and what kind of $, I take it you have Ozi on them as well?

Thanks,

Roy....

Hi Roy, the older unit has standard definition screen and analogue tv (never connected an aerial) the newer unit is HD definition screen with digital TV (connected aerial).
Both units have Rev camera BT, DVD, radio, TV, SD usb aux and ipod connections. I run an extra camera for my caravan through the aux in put screen which comes up on the GPS screen in pic in pic mode or full screen.
I find the best part is I do not have several gadgets on the dash.
I run Ozi on both with no probs although maps need to be broken up into 2gb folders (I have 8gb of raster maps).
I just had a look at the units in the cars and cannot find a brand on either they were both bought on ebay from seperate suppliers from china. I blew the first one up when I connected up incorrectly and the seller fixed for me for $40 incl postage, cost me $70.00 to send back to china, go figure.
The HD unit is installed in a 150 Prado where the reverse camera screen goes, I have kept the original radio and BT in place and it all works well. Any one with a new toyota needs to be careful with radios as generic radios do not work well at all in them.

Hope this helps although I am sorry I cannot tell you what the actual brands are.

Sorry if I have crapped on a bit.



Cheers

John

Are you saying that your unit will give voice turn left and turn right commands for tracks like those in the Vic High Country and the Canning Stock Route? Or are they only in your street navigation mode.

Oziexplorer and other 4WD map display programs do not normally give voice prompts etc without you actually generating them during planning.

It may be worthwhile to explain Vern that there are basically two types of navigation/GPS units. One is the common old TomTom type street and city navigation. The one Mum uses to take the kids for a drive to the Zoo. The other is basically a miniPC running WindowsCE with a map display program displaying your position on a map and changes the maps as you go. The latter lets you decide when to run and does not have inbuilt voice commands. In other words you could scan in picture of a centerfold and do figure eights all day if you wish and the program will show your track around the twin peaks.

Which type of unit (navigation/map display) are you after?

Phil

Hi Phil.

No, only voice for 'street nav' purposes. The street nav is fine, but it wasn't what i purchased it for.

With the LC200, any in-cabin laptop mount will be lethal in an airbag situation (I spent an hour scoping the airbag space envelopes with my friendly Toyota mechanics - there is NOWHERE safe!!), and similarly, I had never been comfortable with my wife navigating with the laptop on her lap.

What I was trying to convey was that when you're on the tracks you're generally going so slow that looking at the in-dash screen isn't a safety issue.

I was saying only recently that, out of the approx $30,000 of aftermarket gear that's adorning the beast, this little baby is in my top 5 accessories, alongside the 180l diesel aux tank, spare wheel carriers, HF radio etc.

It's a big screen too, so you don't have to squint; even with my 63 yr old eyes.

Cheers.

John

A man like me. I have said for ages that the ram mounts and the like cannot be safe.

I agree with you about reading while driving. It can be a bit dangerous. Especially opening up a big paper map on the steering wheel. So we, try to mitigate the danger by putting the map on a screen in the dash and plan ahead minimising the way we look at the screen. I also believe that a small screen showing just a few kilometres ahead is better than a large laptop screen with heaps of detail. Now where the hell are we? Bang! Here we are in this tree!.

Too true about the speed.

$30K is about right you know. Sure we could have done it cheaper but I want to be 100% happy with reliability and safety when tripping around the remote parts of this country. Especially as we prefer to travel alone.

We just put a long ranger in ours but we got the dual one with a pump to take the water up to the tailgate of the 100 series. We also have a low level outlet should the pump fail or should I need to empty the tank completely. No HF. Went for a satellite prepaid phone instead. I found through a different hobby that you can between midnight and dawn lose all HF comms to Australian stations unless you can get down to 80 or 160 meters. The 4WD service does not cover those areas. I need 24/7 reliable access. I would like lockers for the high country but cannot afford them so we improvise or don't go there.

The darn model trains with some engines costing $1K was a cheaper hobby. But no regrets.

Phil