New at this GPS thing !!

[Redback]

We are buying a GPS but are unsure of what to buy we intend using it with our laptop and with discovery & oziexplorer maps, software, never used a GPS before and were looking at these, would they suit our purpose or could anyone recomend one that would in the same price range. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

eTrex Summit
Geko301
GPS72
Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Baz.

[Redbak]

Originally posted by Redback
We are buying a GPS but are unsure of what to buy we intend using it with our laptop and with discovery & oziexplorer maps, software, never used a GPS before and were looking at these, would they suit our purpose or could anyone recomend one that would in the same price range. :D

eTrex Summit
Geko301
GPS72
Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Baz.

rmp is the guy to ask those question too .... 8) 8) 8)

Davo

[VladTepes]

He knows that - we're just waiting for RMP to read this.
And before you ask - RMP knows this post will be here too.

[rmp]

Originally posted by Redback
We are buying a GPS but are unsure of what to buy we intend using it with our laptop and with discovery & oziexplorer maps, software, never used a GPS before and were looking at these, would they suit our purpose or could anyone recomend one that would in the same price range. :D

eTrex Summit
Geko301
GPS72
Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Baz.

Pretty much any GPSR will do the trick. Avoid the very cheapest such as the Geko 101 and the base Explorist, which do not have external power sources nor PC interface cables.

Personally I would not choose a Bluetooth receiver. They can be unreliable, and if the laptops fails then you have nothing. With a handheld you at least have the base receiver to fall back to.

Magellan units currently have the best off-road maps.

Get one with an external aerial if possible, although there are ways around this via a re-radiating antenna.

[RichardK]

I use Oziexplorer andf oziexplorer 3D, You can download the trial versions from http://www.oziexplorer.com/. I have planned our high country trip on them and will download the routes and waypoints to my GPS.
I can also download the tracks from my GPS to the OziExplorer relevant map and visualize where I've been.
Here is a previousthread,
http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Foru...iewtopic&t=2868 (http://www.aulro.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2868)

My GPS is an older model now, a Lowrance Globalnav 100 but very compatible with OziExplorer.
Hope this helps.

[Redback]

Thanks rpm thats a big help we have most of the mapping software so we are half way there i can get waypoint downloads for free of ExplorOz forum as i'm a member there and they have a points system that you build up for extra things such as this, at the moment David has the canning stock route way points availible.

Oh incisor if you read this Wolfie on ExplorOz has a Mac and a GPS if you like i can find out what software he is using. He was the guy that wanted to buy a D90 but the local SA dealer couldn't get him a test drive. :roll:

Richard how is oziexplorer 3D have you used it yet. 8O

Baz.

[incisor]

Originally posted by Redback
Oh incisor if you read this Wolfie on ExplorOz has a Mac and a GPS if you like i can find out what software he is using.

that would be great thanks!

[Redback]

This is what i found

http://www.gpsy.com/

http://www.gpsinformation.net/

Hope this helps.

[RichardK]

Baz, I got the trial version and liked it so much I bought it, its awesome when working tracks through, in my instance, the high country, doesn't show up much on the flat though.

[Moses]

I recently purchased a Garmin Geko 201. A friend of mine and I often do a bit of bushwalking and he had his Geko201, his father's Magellan and I had borrowed my mates Garmin eTrek Summit.

The summit had no idea where it was when we ventured into the rain forest, and only came back "on line" when we got back to the car. Even spending ten minutes in a clearing could not get it to pick up any satellites. The Magellan fared a little better but became usless after about half an hour.

The geko stayed in contact throughout our walk, granted, sometimes down to two satellites, (you need 3 to get altitude readings) which was a trek to the Lincoln wreck on Mt Superbus. A 7 hour hike in very rugged terrain.

I was so impressed by the performance and ease of operation that I purchased one. As already mentioned in earlier posts, the most recent addition to the geko range is the 301. The gekos have the latest patch antennas which are bigger and more sensitive than the earlier units.

I use my GPS to calibrate my speedo on my Disco, motorcycle and I have now dispensed with the trip computer on the bicycle and use the GPS for all my data.

[Redback]

Thats interesting i have been looking at the Gecko 301 and the Etrex Vista and GPS72C thanks for that.

Baz.

[rmp]

There will be a mega review of 8 GPS receivers in a forthcoming edition of Outdoor magazine, although it'll be slanted towards bushwalkers, not 4WDers. Will include reception tests.

Best thing to do about reception is switch the unit on well before you get into a forest, and leave it on in view of the satellites. Difficult when walking though.

[VladTepes]

Robert do we know the author of said article - is it you ?

Either way - how 'bout conning one of the 4wd magazines into funding / publishing a mega-test of GPS's slanted toward four wheel drivers :?: style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[rmp]

Originally posted by VladTepes
Robert do we know the author of said article - is it you ?

Either way - how 'bout conning one of the 4wd magazines into funding / publishing a mega-test of GPS's slanted toward four wheel drivers :?: :D

Yes, it is me. The 4WD mags have talked about it, but so far not gone as far as organising the review units. Outdoor did, and it didn't take them long. I've not seen a big review, just listings of units in the 4WD mags. Personally I think it would be a popular article which I'd like to write, but I'm not too bothered about pushing it as I've got enough else to do.

[VladTepes]

Moses it confuses me why two Garmin products would be so different in performance. You say the Geko was great throughout and the e-trek not very good at all. Seems can't even pick by a "good" brand name....

What'd the geko set you back ?

[rmp]

Originally posted by VladTepes
Moses it confuses me why two Garmin products would be so different in performance. You say the Geko was great throughout and the e-trek not very good at all. Seems can't even pick by a "good" brand name....

What'd the geko set you back ?

Lots of reasons why GPSRs differ in performance, including those from the same brand, same model even.

Firstly both need to be treated in exactly the same manner. If both have a lock, then one switched off, then later the other one, then they are transported to the same place and both switched on, the one that has been on most recently (and closest to the new location) had an advantage.

Aerials differ. Cost, application etc.

How you hold it makes a difference too. Flat, or vertical.

Time of day. The "constellation" of satellites varies, so there may be say 5 satellites in view in one location one hour, and only three the next. Atmospheric conditions vary too.

So to truly compare a fairly scientific approach is needed.

However, over time, these factors average out and you get a feel for relative performance. My GPS V really needs an external aerial, whereas the FX324 is superb, picks up the signals anywhere.

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/garmin_geko.htm#301

has prices for the Geko. Don't buy the 101, it has no PC/power connectivity. I think the 301 is overpriced. If you want one get the 201.

[Moses]

Originally posted by VladTepes
Moses it confuses me why two Garmin products would be so different in performance. You say the Geko was great throughout and the e-trek not very good at all. Seems can't even pick by a "good" brand name....

What'd the geko set you back ?

$249 for the GPS
$33 for the RS232 serial cable to connect GPS to the PC
$20 for an elastic belt clip, but I clip the GPS to my hat.

Johnny Appleseed GPS on Ipswich Rd at Annerley.

[Moses]

Originally posted by rmp+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rmp)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-VladTepes
Moses it confuses me why two Garmin products would be so different in performance. You say the Geko was great throughout and the e-trek not very good at all. Seems can't even pick by a "good" brand name....

What'd the geko set you back ?

Lots of reasons why GPSRs differ in performance, including those from the same brand, same model even.

Firstly both need to be treated in exactly the same manner. If both have a lock, then one switched off, then later the other one, then they are transported to the same place and both switched on, the one that has been on most recently (and closest to the new location) had an advantage.

Aerials differ. Cost, application etc.

How you hold it makes a difference too. Flat, or vertical.

Time of day. The "constellation" of satellites varies, so there may be say 5 satellites in view in one location one hour, and only three the next. Atmospheric conditions vary too.

So to truly compare a fairly scientific approach is needed.

However, over time, these factors average out and you get a feel for relative performance. My GPS V really needs an external aerial, whereas the FX324 is superb, picks up the signals anywhere.

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/garmin_geko.htm#301

has prices for the Geko. Don't buy the 101, it has no PC/power connectivity. I think the 301 is overpriced. If you want one get the 201.[/b][/quote]

We left all units on throughout our trip, and for the most part they were carried in much the same fashion so they all had an even chance of getting sat fixes.

Obviously, with the type of terrain, you need both hands to climb etc, so the units went into breast pockets on such occassions.

Bear in mind that MY primary purpose for a GPS is bushwalking. If your primary purpose is 4WD navigation, then just about any unit on the market will perform pretty well. The more expensive units have larger colour displays to show maps etc which make them ideal for vehicle use but impractical from a bushwalking perspective.

[Redback]

Thanks for the help guys i didn't think it would this hard too chose a GPS. :?

[VladTepes]

Well I bought the Geko201 - also from Johnny Appleseed - also for $249 - which was $60 ( :!: ) cheaper than the 4wd shops etc were selling it. The others were selling only the 101 for the same price.
They also had excellent customer service - I'd happily recommend them.

Dad loved the gift - now if only I could convince SWMBO that we need one...

[DiscoTDI]

Originally posted by VladTepes


Dad loved the gift - now if only I could convince SWMBO that we need one...



Ha ha ha its amazing how they will let you get good stuff for other people style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Redback]

$249 is a good price for the geko 201, style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif best i've seen it for is $290 style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

[Moses]

Originally posted by VladTepes
Well I bought the Geko201 - also from Johnny Appleseed - also for $249 - which was $60 ( :!: ) cheaper than the 4wd shops etc were selling it. The others were selling only the 101 for the same price.
They also had excellent customer service - I'd happily recommend them.

Dad loved the gift - now if only I could convince SWMBO that we need one...

Onya Vlad! (and no, I don't get a commission for recommending them!) I know how you feel about giving it away, though. I have bought "Leathermen" (Leathermans?? 8O ) for other people over the years. I wish someone would buy me one! :cry:

[Maggot4x4]

I have a Mio 168 PDA with GPS reciever. I have tried the ozexplorer 3d software and the PDA software but just can't seem to get the knack of it.

Any Ideas?

[RichardK]

Are you using Oziexplorer 3D with Oziexplorer?

[Maggot4x4]

Yeah I think so.

[RichardK]

OK First, is your copy of Oziexplorer a trial version or a registered version?

Whilst 3D will work with the trial version I'm not sure of the limitations as mine is registered.

You have said "Ithink so", They are 2 different programs, first the Oziexplorer has to be installed, then the Oziexplorer 3D.

Then you will need a set of maps of Australia, I use the Natmap Raster set which covers all of Australia, that needs to be installed and programmed to interface with Oziexplorer.

If you have all that on your system then to enable 3D to work you will need to download elevation data for Australia, use the suggested sites on Oziexplorer website, I downloaded GTOPO30 for Australia, see the Oziex website for details of where to put it

Details from the website are as follows:

Downloading

*

From the Gtopo30 web site download the files you require by clicking on the map of the world, a page showing the area you clicked on will be displayed, you can download the file from this page. It is suggested you download the files to the Elevation DataGtopo30 folder located under the folder where OziExplorer is installed.


Using the Data

*

The files have a .tar.gz extension indicating they are a Gzip compressed tar file. A program called oziUnGzip.exe is supplied with OziExplorer3D which can uncompress these files. If you want to use Winzip to uncompress these files please read the warning on the Gtopo30 web site.
*

Run the oziUnGzip program and select the .gz file (or files) you want to extract, they will be extracted to the same folder as the .gz file.
*

The Gtopo30 data contains a large .src file, this file is not required by OziExplorer (and probably not by any other software) so it is automatically deleted. The files required by OziExplorer are the .DEM and .HDR files, any other files can be deleted if you wish.
*

If you no longer want the original .gz file then you can delete it manually using windows explorer.
*

The uncompressed Gtopo30 data files must be placed in the Gtopo30 path that you have configured OziExplorer to point to in Elevation Configuration (see the Help file for details). If you have not configured the Gtopo30 path then you must do that before the height data will be used.
*

After adding new height data files to OziExplorer you must restart OziExplorer or go into Elevation Configuration and press the Save button to force the new files to be scanned.

I had to play with it for a while as I am slow to pick up these new fangled magic windows.

Hope this helps style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Maggot4x4]

Will give it a go and see how I go. Thanks.