All in one gps/maps?

[gavinwibrow]

Well, at 65 I'm being pressured to join the 21st century, with my old samsung batmobile phone due for replacement and the kids wanting to buy me a tablet for music, away emails, kindle, gps/maps and whatever else can be dreamed up.

I need to say up front I've not been an apple fan for many years, despite accepting that their underpinning operating systems are probably the far superior/more efficient, and will be looking to go android for a replacement phone (currently looking at Galaxy III) and a MS based tablet.

From reading a multitude of posts on this site, I get the message that there is currently no all in one OZ gps/map system that is simple to operate and covers everything from cities to the various 4Wd tracks in the bush - especially in the west.

So - initial question 1 - if I'm at least partly right, is there anything simple to operate (like my tom tom) likely in the wings in the foreseeable future that will meet my desires. Ideally I would like to be able to interact with my MS home pc system?

I don't think I'll need too much in the way of specialties like plotting skills/facilities for the great OZ trip, but happy for attempts to be convinced otherwise.

Feel free to tell me I'm dreaming!

[87County]

Not quite sure I understand what you're looking for -

...one all-in-one (gps & mapping) system is the Garmin GPS 62....

GARMIN GPSMAP 62sc/ 62sct Handheld GPS Navigator with built-in CAMERA - Topo(+City) LATEST Maps (http://navi-technology.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=18&product_id=210)

I've got the one without the camera

with the Garmin maps it covers all bush & city areas very well and allows for direct routing, road routing and route changes and gives directions to any Oz address or locality. I have used it quite a bit in southern WA with no problems. ETAs are surprisingly accurate...maps are very good - I see no need for the oziexplorer add-ons

... and doesn't rely on digital phone connectivity to do it, in other words it still works in remote areas unlike some of the fancy "apps"

seems to be available cheaper than advertised on the garmin site at other outlets (eg bcf)

[gavinwibrow]

Not quite sure I understand what you're looking for -

...one all-in-one (gps & mapping) system is the Garmin GPS 62....

GARMIN GPSMAP 62sc/ 62sct Handheld GPS Navigator with built-in CAMERA - Topo(+City) LATEST Maps (http://navi-technology.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=18&product_id=210)

I've got the one without the camera

with the Garmin maps it covers all bush & city areas very well and allows for direct routing, road routing and route changes and gives directions to any Oz address or locality. I have used it quite a bit in southern WA with no problems. ETAs are surprisingly accurate...maps are very good - I see no need for the oziexplorer add-ons

... and doesn't rely on digital phone connectivity to do it, in other words it still works in remote areas unlike some of the fancy "apps"

seems to be available cheaper than advertised on the garmin site at other outlets (eg bcf)
Many thanks for response. Heading in the right direction. Some of those promo ads might be funky, but really do get in the way of finding real info.

I'm looking for a TomTom type system (simple gps for dummies) that does not lose the plot once you get away from civilisation - and as you indicated does not rely on Telstra or whoever.
In our recent trip to Morowa/Mt Augustus/Meekatharra/Sandstone, much of the time the gps was indicating 200 metres plus off the road, and on occassions there was no road at all - hardly encouraging, give the roads have been there for many years. I'm happy to purchase additional maps or whatever if required, as long as I still get simple and seamless operation (and still not have to rely on 3G/4G/whatever).

So, I'll check it out - have already been told Polaris will not meet my needs and havent yet followed up on VMS.

Ineresting take on hand helds - is that in lieu of or as well as having one of the larger screens? If in lieu, do you still get the full city operation on the handheld eg lane indication on freeways/expressways?

Cheers

[RVR110]

Hi,

If you're looking for a TomTom like system on Andriod, then see if TomTom for android fits the bill ;)
TomTom for Andriod (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tomtom.australia)

For off road navigation I'm a fan of Memory-Map which is also available for Android (http://memory-map.com.au/mapping-software/android-app-for-topo-maps-hema-maps-and-marine-charts.html).

[Franrick]

Hi Gavin,
I have used MemoryMap for a few years now and find it quite good.
I use it on a Windows Smart Phone, PC and Laptop as well as an iPad. It also has an Android App. As you can see they have most bases covered.
They have a big range of maps, including HEMA GDT maps, some good toppo maps (I was in the Wattagan Mountains recently when my son was trying to impress me with his 100 series when I turned on my phone maps and was surprised to see the two wheel tracks we were following up the side of a steep track were actualy marked accuratley).
With MemoryMap the operating software is free and you pay for the maps although there are several you dont have to pay for as well.
If you have nautical interests the same software is an excellent marine navigational tool with charts availale for the entire Aus coast.
If you Google MemoryMay you will find their site with heaps of good info.
Just another option.
Cheers, Rick

[peter5111]

I also have a Garmin 62s, primarily for geocaching.

It is more cumbersome than a Tomtom for putting in addresses due to lack of a touch screen, but there are touch screen models like the Montana (?) that are basically identical in functionality and accuracy.

The Garmin topographical maps V2 are a bit average. the V3 maps are generally pretty good although I have found they can be really optimistic about what constitutes a 'track' (more like mountain goat path in a few instances).

Genuine, legitimate Garmin maps are expensive. 'Acquired' Garmin maps are doable, but a real pain in the bum.

On the flip side, Open Source Maps (OSM) can work exceptionally well in areas where they are being actively contributed to. For example I know Canberra is exceptionally well mapped, as is Wagga and Adelaide. Most of the major tracks have been marked accurately I believe.

I also have a set of 5 meter contour maps for all of OZ.

The best bit is you can have multiple sets of maps on the device and it is a reasonably simple process to select which ones you want to display, on the fly. You can also overlay two or more maps at the same time, like topo and contours.