navigation maps

Submitted: Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 09:05

ThreadID: 92145 Views:2453 Replies:5 FollowUps:12

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Map Viewing Software

Mapping Software is used by several different types of Navigation Devices, including Laptops/Netbooks, Smartphones, Tablets, PDAs and all in one GPS Navigators (in off road mode).

OziExplorer CD Pack (CD, 3D & CE ugrade)

Section: Shop

Includes the OziExplorer PC Software on SD, as well as upgrade codes for loading both the 3D and CE versions.

VistaMax

I have a VMS navigator and have used the supplied VMS offroad maps, but only in country Victoria. The maps were inadequate. Would it be worth my while buying Oziexplorer maps. What do you think?

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Reply By: The Original JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 09:47

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 09:47

VM, you don't say what mapping system you are using in the VMS. OziexplorerCE or MemoryMap? There are really good maps available for country Victoria of a 1:25,000 scale I think and while they are available in some form in other states, they really don't seem to come close.

I use some under Oziexplorer and you can even see property boundaries and places like police stations and CFA are marked as well as hospitals. South Australian regional maps aren't bad though and give a lot of detail. I have some for NSW but few roads are named or towns either for that matter, in 1:25,000 or 1:100,000, so don't use those.

I hated the lack of detail in any of the Memorymap maps provided to me, so gave up the licence. There are lots of maps available for Oziexplorer and they provide the software to convert to the CE version. It is so flexible, but it can be complex enough to be daunting at times

Cheers,
Who?
John

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Follow Up By: VistaMax - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 10:00

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 10:00

Thanks John. I am new to the off road GPS's. I only use the VMS supplied maps. Decided we needed something after the paper Hema desert maps could not get us out of Nullabor Roadhouse, or even out of Cook towards Volkes Hill corner. It appears from your reply that I can buy other more detailed maps. Do I have to get Oziexplorer to run them? Should I go to the Map Shop for advice and spend some money.

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Follow Up By: The Original JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 15:43

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 15:43

I don't know what you were provided with for mapping software. Often VMS provided Oziexplorer as an additional program. If you want better for Memorymap, you will have to buy them as they have maps locked I think and a proprietary system without the ability to convert any others you may have

Cheers,
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John

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Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 15:48

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 15:48

VM

I agree with John but as a VMS owner I may be able to halp.

I gather that you are trying to use the street 2WD software that comes with the VMS box.

I have a question. Do you have Oziexlorer (CE version) on the VMS?

Phil

FollowupID: 754353

Follow Up By: VistaMax - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:13

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:13

I am using "offroad naviigation" on the VMS 700HD. It has a choice of loaded maps for each state, or a 30 minute trial of oxiexplorer. The loaded maps are called"VMS Off Road GPS"

Hope this is enough info for you to help with my question. Would I get more detailed maps if I bought Ozi. And will it be worth it.

FollowupID: 754365

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:21

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:21

You certainly would get better maps and better planning and trip recording functions. We use Ozi explorer on both the home computer and the VMS indash box.

The PC/Laptop version is called oziexplorer.exe and the indash WindowsCE version is OziexplorerCE.

Oziexplorer (Ozi or OziCE for short) both have help screens (labelled "About") that will show you the name and version of the software you are using.

If you are in Canberra I would be keen to help you set it up. There are heaps all ove the place using Ozi so when you get Ozi put out a help nivice thread and someone will no doubt be near you who could help. It is a large program and you need to get your head seriously around it to really get the most out of it. It has led us to many places including the Vic Alps

Email: vk1dx@bigpond.net.au if you are in the ACT or near here.

Phil

FollowupID: 754367

Follow Up By: VistaMax - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:30

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:30

Thanks Phil.Adelaide is a bit far away.

reckon I'll go to The Map Shop in town and see if they can help. Can buy and download from VMS I suppose, but the Shop in town might be obliged to help a bit more.

FollowupID: 754370

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:50

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:50

If you are going to get Ozi then it would be better to download it from the web and get a bunch of maps with it. That also gives you access to the help staff at Ozi.

Phil

FollowupID: 754373

Follow Up By: VistaMax - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:56

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 17:56

Thanks. I'll do it that way and look for help if necessary afterwards.

Isn't exploroz a wonderful site for we learners.

FollowupID: 754374

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 18:01

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 18:01

Thats how we purchased Ozi. But we also went to an Ozi course at our 4WD club.

Use this forum as a source of help.

Cheers and good luck.

Phil

FollowupID: 754375

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 19:31

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 19:31

There is no such thing as "OziExplorer Maps"
OziExplorer is a navigation application and uses digital maps such as the Natmap series of maps for Australia and/or The Hema range of digital maps.

These can be purchased and loaded into OziExplorer for use.
Both are excellent.

Bill

I'm diagonally parked in a parallel Universe!

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Follow Up By: VistaMax - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 21:29

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 21:29

Thanks mate. My knowledge is still on the increase. Hope I can remember it all.

FollowupID: 754396

Follow Up By: mikehzz - Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 21:36

Monday, Feb 27, 2012 at 21:36

Oziexplorer has its own image formats, oz2f and oz3f. You can buy dvd's where the maps are available already converted from ecw into these formats. Mapping applications like Bitmap or Androzic advertise themselves as being able to read these "Oziexplorer maps". It's a measure of Oziexplorer's success that this has happened. Cheers.

FollowupID: 754400

Reply By: Member - Wayne B (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 at 00:29

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 at 00:29

Just set up my dash Navigation system. I got one of those dash units from Ebay to suit Landcruiser 200 series and got a license from Ozie for their CE version of explorer. You also need their PC version so you can plan your rout and download Trecks from Explore Oz.
I then purchased a full set of Hema maps on dvd ( Some of which are very detailed) and loaded them onto the memory card. All good very Happy with the end result.

Cheers
Wayne B

AnswerID: 478885

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 at 17:48

Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012 at 17:48

VistaMax

I suggest that you contact VMS. There should be nothing wrong with their maps.

If you have already bought VMs then you might be wasting your money starting over. Perhaps there is a configuration problem or similar.

Tony

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AnswerID: 478928

Reply By: Member - Expanda- Wednesday, Feb 29, 2012 at 20:55

Wednesday, Feb 29, 2012 at 20:55

Hi guys,
Of the topic I am looking at getting a 7500 hd, is ever one happy with there's.
I have heard reports they are hard to see the screen in day light bright conditions within the cab.
On comments with compsrison to the hema would be appreciated.

Cheers
Shaune

AnswerID: 479007

Follow Up By: VistaMax - Thursday, Mar 01, 2012 at 10:23

Thursday, Mar 01, 2012 at 10:23

We were used to Tomtom street navigation and found VMS much harder to use and set up. Now getting quite happy with it's use, but not with the off road maps.

Re the screen, experiment with the backlight in settings on the first screen I think it is. We are now quite happy with how it looks.

No other off road products to compare with though.

FollowupID: 754544