New GPS

No problem initializing the unit. The only minor inconvenience is that it doesn't come with the Australian base map loaded. I am guessing that this is obtainable and can be loaded into the unit. But as I use DiscoverAus regions anyway, the basemap is not essential.
The clarity and resolution of the display is remarkably better than the Map330.Bob

Bob, When you find out if it can be loaded me know please.Wow! am I cute
If yer ain't fishing, Yer ain't livin
Richard

Bob

how did it work with the exchange rate.
Does it let you know after you go through the online checkout
what the amount is in AUD?
Or do you have to wait until you see your statement?
Will the rate be the same if you use an online local currency converter
to give you the amount?
will give me some peace of mind to know what rate they will use.

cheers
wolf

Wolf,
I don't know what the exact exchange rate they give you is, but I think its within a cent or two of the exchange rate on the news. It applies when your credit card is billed. So if you use Paypal you know straight away what the US dollar debit will be and the AUD amount is calculated immediately. I wouldn't sweat the exchange rate issue - the most you might lose is ten bucks.Bob

G'day Steve,

This is not related to your post really (I buy and sell stuff on Ebay all the time), but an interesting read. Just got posted on smh's website ... Online auctions that turn out to be too good to be true

~

Wazza,

Good article that. I was a bit apprehensive when I bought the GPS as it was my first time on EBay. I did take precautions though by examining the sellers previous deals in feedback section. There were several sales of similar product with good feedback over a several months period.

Also it was a good deal but not a ridiculous deal, meaning it was probably legit. I paid the seller by direct deposit to bank account. If the deal went bad then that should give the cops something to go on.

You just have to weigh the risks against the reward.

StevenL

Jack,
There was a bit of a discussion on that site even today. Maqellan sell the Australian basemap for $299 (they must be joking). Apparently the Aus basemaps were available for download but Mag have cracked down on that.
Can you imagine paying $299 for a 9 Mb map file ($90 for the whole of Australia in 1:250,000)? Can you imagine paying $275 for Hema Great Desert Tracks ($70 for the standard version)? Can you imagine paying $1265 for a Sportrak color when you can get it for a third of that from Ebay? I reckon they must be mad - or get so many government/corporate buyers who don't worry about the price.
The ridiculous thing is that if they sold their gear for fair prices the volume would more than offset the reduced profit margin.Bob

Hi Bob:

Got to agree with you there .... but I am sure someone like LG (Life'sGood) must have a design in the wings. They will release it well below what Magellan and Garmin are selling theirs for .. and whammo .... all the prices will drop.
I have a basic Magellan 310 which I got off eBay for $120 a while back, coupled to my laptop (and software) which gives me everything I need. I think Magellan wanted $90 for the cable .. I got it for $AUD30 from the US, including postage.
So ... all we can do is wait ... it will happen. They are not that sophisticacted a piece of equipment.

Have fun.
JackNo trees were harmed in the making or sending of this message.
However a great number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

Wolf,
it would be cheaper for you to buy one on ebay from the US. The Map330 is a classic. Possibly the 315 or even 310 would do the job but the 330 is WAAS enabled (it'll be here soon if not already). Do a search on ebay for Map 330 (and your fish finder)Bob

Bob thanks for that.

Yeah the Map330 seems like a beauty.
Escecially if you can get Aust Base map loaded.
I have seen them on ebay and they usually go for
$250 & thats new.
I want to be careful about the total amount so I can't go
over $499.99AUD otherwise you pay duty & gst.
Then if that's the case I'd rather pay a bit more and buy local
to get local warranty.
WAAS - not sure about that! Where have you got that info from.
I've read that there are no base stations in Oz and they don't plan
on setting up in future. Advised to turn off WAAS if you can, so
I have read.
The beauty is if I connect gps to finder that is gps ready,
all the data goes on the 320x320 finder screen plus giving you
speed in knots etc (which would cost $100 alone to install on the boat)

Models are being superseded at the moment in gps's & finder's
so I am in no hurry, just watching the prices on the net at the mo.

cheers
wolf

From Ebay. The mob are called Twin Suns. I also just bought the world wide basemaps from them for $75US (which is better than the $299 being asked locally).Bob

Will,
Twin Suns are at http://www.stores.ebay.com/id=83262193&ssPageName=L2
or you could do an Ebay search for mapsend worldwide basemap.
The US version comes with a US basemap loaded. This gives major roads, coaslines, state lines etc. The OZ version is preloaded with the OZ basemap, again with the same details. However, you can buy the whole world basemap in Australia for $299, or from Twinsuns for $75US. You can toggle between the preloaded basemap and the whole world basemap (or parts of it). Or you can get Magellan to change the preloaded basemap. I think they hit you for $299 to do this. I'll lend you the whole world basemap when it arrives so you can see for yourself.Bob