Gps

[Aussie]

Gday All

I'm thinking of buying a NAV system for my laptop, Just wanted to know ppl's thoughts on them,

1) are you happy with the coverage in the bush?

2) Is the software easy to update, i.e avaiability of software

3) What software would you recommend?

If possible could you put some pics up of the maps and what they look like. as I haven't seen one in use before.

[aclo]

Aussie, I use a Garmin with Ozzy Explorer on the computer. Have always found it to be a very usefull tool. OE allows you to scan and calibrate your own maps which I think is perhaps the best feature. software is updateable on line and you can still use you factory ( garmin, magellan etc) maps as well.

[waynep]

Regarding coverage, if you can get a GPS that can fit an external antenna, you will get a lot better reception when trees are close in etc.

The external antennas are quite small these days and come with a magnetic base.

I have an old Garmin 12XL that has a connector for an external antenna. The diffrence with it connected is remarkable. I rarely lose the satellites even in quite dense bush cover, wher mates in other cars that only have the internal antenna lose them.

These days I think very few GPS actually have a connector for an external antenna but you can get re-radiating antennas.

[grumpybastard]

Im a big fan of Pocket Pcs my fav is the Dell Axim X50v and can be picked up reasonably cheaply off ebay.

I run Tom Tom and Oziexplorer on it and bought an external bluetooth GPS, also off ebay

[Aussie]

I like the idea of having the ability to scan and import your own maps, Were you using your GPS when we ent to Toolangi GB? If so are the maps accurate to see where we went? Sorry for these damm questions I'm a little green in the GPS department

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Regarding coverage, if you can get a GPS that can fit an external antenna, you will get a lot better reception when trees are close in etc.

The external antennas are quite small these days and come with a magnetic base.

Magnetic bases can be problematic on defenders :)

[grumpybastard]

I like the idea of having the ability to scan and import your own maps, Were you using your GPS when we ent to Toolangi GB? If so are the maps accurate to see where we went? Sorry for these damm questions I'm a little green in the GPS department

Yep i had it with me, but OziExplorer is only as good as the maps you feed it with.

I have the National Maps on DVD which IMHO are crap, ive never tried scanning and importing maps tho.

[Aussie]

So in effect you could scan the map I had on the weekend and then import that into the Laptop and use that?

[loanrangie]

I was using Ozi as well on my pda with 1/50000 scale maps, all the tracks were shown but not all were named, really need a set at 1/25k with more detail.

[101RRS]

So in effect you could scan the map I had on the weekend and then import that into the Laptop and use that?

Just beware - some of these maps are not real accurate as far as lat and longs go.

I use scanned in maps on my system and proper topo maps or properly produced maps are fine. However I also use scanned in maps from touring atlases and some of the features are not correctly gridded in to lats and longs - they are designed for use in the car and you only need to know that you are on the correct road and need to turn at the next road etc - in using them if the geographical position is not quite correct it doesn't matter - but it does if using them with a GPS.

Recently when travelling from Canberra to Newcastle I was using maps scanned in from a touring atlas. More often than not I was not on the road but sometimes there was no issue. I intially thought I had calibrated the map incorrectly but recalibrated them as I travelled - It became clear after a while the maps were incorrect with respect to to lats and longs.

All topo maps I have scanned in have been spot on.

But overall scanned in maps work well - just calibrate them properly.

Gazzz

[Disco300Tdi]

Which way did you go Aussie?

I have a laptop with a GPS unit on top of the snorkel
and run OE

Fabricated a perspex laptop stand on a lazy susan,,,which slides into the centre console

When not in use Christine can watch a dvd on the long trips...:angel:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Which way did you go Aussie?

I have a laptop with a GPS unit on top of the snorkel
and run OE

Fabricated a perspex laptop stand on a lazy susan,,,which slides into the centre console

When not in use Christine can watch a dvd on the long trips...:angel:

Can you pleas post a photo? I have to make something like this soon :o

If I don't get some serious inspiration it's going to be velcro :eek: :eek:

[Disco300Tdi]

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2448/rimg0237zq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Measure the laptop, allow for USB, power cord etc, mount on a lazy susan

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2443/rimg0239wn8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
GPS pick up mounted on top of snorkle, cord runs down the tube, small hole in rubber hose in engine bay,
seal with silastic, then into the cabin

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9639/rimg0244up3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
sitting in place, inverter mounted beside gear stick

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8390/rimg0246pr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
50mm pvc tube brakets inside the console to hold the stand upright (Perm fixing)
Take the stand out when not in use and close the console lid

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2271/rimg0238ik6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
for the driver,

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3813/rimg0242de9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
spin it around on the lazy susan for the passenger to watch DVDs etc

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Neat work :) I'll consider something like it although I may run out of time before this trip. :(