Info on GPS Nav System needed by NOVICE

[Tank]

I know nothing about GPS Nav. Systems, do Know not all are able to use or have downloaded to them maps that show all the firetrails, which is what I need.
Now dont laugh, Aldi's have a GPS Nav. System on sale from the 10th April, details as follows:
Brand Name, TEVION
3.5" LCD touch screen
400Mhz speed
512 Mb built-in memory
Atlas 3 CPU
Navteq Mappimg Version 7
Speed camera and red light camera warning
Photo Viewer
Includes car charger and windscreen mount
USB cable and Stylus
Position accuracy under 10M
MP3/MPEG4 function
$179.00.
Question can I download Aussie Maps showing fire trails to this unit, if so what program would I get , where and how much, at the moment it is all I can afford, any and all information will be greatly appreciated, Thanks in Advance, Regards Frank.

[Utemad]

You would not be able to do it out of the box but it is possible that it would be similar to the unit that this was done to.

Bargain GPS - Patrol 4x4 - Nissan Patrol Forum (http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php't=18135.)

If you want to use Oziexplorer CE to use maps like you mentioned then generally the way it is done is to buy a PDA and bluetooth or CF GPS (or inbuilt GPS).

I should add that if you buy a secondhand PDA from Ebay ($50 and up) plus a GPS to connect ($50-$100) and Oziexplorer CE ($35). Then you would have a good system. If the PDA doesn't come with one then you would also need a car charger and I'm sure you would be able to knock up a cradle. Plus an SD card. 1 gig is pretty cheap these days.

The full OziExplorer for the PC is about $130 and even though it says you need it if all you want to do is get ready made maps and see where you are on the map and make waypoints tracks etc then you don't need it. It is recommended though as it expands your capabilities greatly.

Actually if you have a laptop and can run it in your vehicle then you can plug any sort of GPS into it with Oziexplorer and use that.

[jik22]

No commercial in-car GPS (Other than the Magellan Crossover) will let you load offroad maps. (This might be with the exception of the large Garmin 7200's and the like, though until I get one in the US and have a play, I'd hate to state they could be done!!)

Some CE based ones can be made to run other stuff, but the only real way to find out is to buy from somewhere you can have a play and take it back if it doesn't do what you want, or google for the one you want to buy and see if anyone else has done the same thing. Not really novice type stuff though if you're not PC literate and used to playing with files, memory cards, loading software etc. However, some of the HowTo's people post up are very good and step-by-step based.

The link just posted looks good though, and I think for the outlay (Considering I have Ozi already) might just be worth playing with.

[loanrangie]

PDA is probably the best option to use for both street nav and mapping, i use an ipaq with Tom Tom and Ozi ce and love it - i leave in the car permanently.
As jik22 said some of these cheapies have been able to load ozi so for $179 ift would be worth a shot, if it uses winc ce as an os and has a usb connector and able to use active sync you are most of the way there - searck on the GPS Australia forum as some guy has been able to run ozi off an sd card without installation to the unit.

[Tank]

Thanks all for the Info, I've been googling around a bit on this Navteq Version 7 it seems they supply the Nav system to Nokia 6110, which my son has/had and it showed all of the Firetrails around here some which were not on any maps, so it would be nice to have a trial run, but these things will sell out at Aldi in the first hour they open, so if anyone out there has one and used it, would love to hear from you, Regards Frank.

[Blknight.aus]

Im using the mio digiwalker A701 phone pda media player and GPS all in one.. ITs a real Sirf III not just a CDMA wannabe..

Its done everything I wanted it to when I bought it and when I get done talking with ron hopefully it will find another capability to add to the list of ones Ive already got it doing that are above and beyond its purchase specs.

[jik22]

Thanks all for the Info, I've been googling around a bit on this Navteq Version 7 it seems they supply the Nav system to Nokia 6110, which my son has/had and it showed all of the Firetrails around here some which were not on any maps, so it would be nice to have a trial run, but these things will sell out at Aldi in the first hour they open, so if anyone out there has one and used it, would love to hear from you, Regards Frank.

If they have a decent returns policy, just buy it and have a play.

[Tank]

If they have a decent returns policy, just buy it and have a play.
Jeff, the way to go, let you know, Regards Frank.

[p38arover]

I thought about buying it as my copy of jsp's nav system is no closer to fruition. I have Destinator running on my old PDA but it's as reliable as a two-bob watch. Nay, less reliable. When you need it, it stops working. The PDA is OK, but the nav system isn't.

The number of times it give ridiculous instructions is amazing.

Fortunately, it has a woman's voice and both my wife and I can laugh that the bird in the nav system is a typical woman and couldn't navigate her way out of a paper bag.

I've driven into Sydney and back (120km) before the system got a satellite lock and decided she knew where we were. I knew. I was home again.

Don't ask me how often she gets our location wrong and thinks we are on a different street to where we should be so starts issuing commands to get to where she thinks we should be.

I went to Pavo's place last week. She told me to turn 20 metres after I'd passed his street. As I drove down the wrong street she told me I had arrived at my destination. :mad:

When I went to Abaddonxi's place she took me via the most circuitous route available. When I got there, I found he was 150 metres down a side street off Parramatta Rd - the road she'd taken me off!

If the Aldi unit is no better than mine, then you end up like me and regularly almost at the point of smashing it against a wall.

Then there are the maps. In Sydney, you'd need regular map updates otherwise you'll get led up the garden path as she tries to take down one-way streets, into closed off roads.

I can see why there are an increasing number of stories about people driving into rivers, into the sea, onto railway tracks as they follow the dumb bitch's instructions!

[Tank]

Ron, Aldi has a good returns policy, I bought a cheap $100 Metal Detector, had it for about 2 weeks, couldn't sort it out so I took it back, no questions asked, handed over the refund, so I reckon this Sat. Nav. is worth a try. Navteq supplies Nokia 6110 phones with the same system on this gizmo so if it works the same I'll be happy, Regards Frank.

[loanrangie]

Navteq are probably the largest map provider in the world for gps units so they should be ok.

[V8Ian]

Tank looks like an expert next to me, it's all so confussing:confused:
I have to find properties & mines out in the boonies (Pilbara & Kimberley), at present I use Hema's truckies atlas & raster collection. If I miss a turn onto a track it gets a tad difficult chucking a Uey in a triple roadtrain. What device do I need to give me verbal directions, ie turn left 500 metres? It would need to be compatable with my Hema dvds.
Thanks in antisipation.
Ian

[p38arover]

Tank, we bought one from Aldi.

The English in it has been translated from the Dutch. :eek:

It's pretty bad.

[Utemad]

Tank looks like an expert next to me, it's all so confussing:confused:
I have to find properties & mines out in the boonies (Pilbara & Kimberley), at present I use Hema's truckies atlas & raster collection. If I miss a turn onto a track it gets a tad difficult chucking a Uey in a triple roadtrain. What device do I need to give me verbal directions, ie turn left 500 metres? It would need to be compatable with my Hema dvds.
Thanks in antisipation.
Ian

There are no direction giving GPS units which will accept your Hema maps.
Unless you do it with a PDA and Oziexplorer in which case you will need to programme it to do so each time.

[V8Ian]

There are no direction giving GPS units which will accept your Hema maps.
Unless you do it with a PDA and Oziexplorer in which case you will need to programme it to do so each time.

the dvd case says they are supplied in oziexplorer & ecw format:confused:
I don't even know what this means. Is there a devise to do what I want with different maps? I have a laptop, does that help?

[Utemad]

I guess that means they are in OZF2 or 3 and ECW formats(both of which Ozi will recognise).

There are no programmes out there that will give directions using raster maps. They use their own vector maps.

I think that unless you want to get friendly with Oziexplorer then you are out of luck with this one. However if they are pre designed routes which I assume they are since you are driving a road train then it isn't that difficult or time consuming to do. Easier than a U turn with 3 trailers on I would imagine :)

[V8Ian]

I guess that means they are in OZF2 or 3 and ECW formats(both of which Ozi will recognise).

There are no programmes out there that will give directions using raster maps. They use their own vector maps.

I think that unless you want to get friendly with Oziexplorer then you are out of luck with this one. However if they are pre designed routes which I assume they are since you are driving a road train then it isn't that difficult or time consuming to do. Easier than a U turn with 3 trailers on I would imagine :)

That's what it says; is oziexplorer a programme? The raster maps are only some of the maps on the dvd, it also has state maps, desert tracks, 4 wheel drive tracks, Cape York etc including the areas I travel (Kimberly & Pilbara)

[Utemad]

Oziexplorer is a programme

The Official OziExplorer Web Site - GPS Mapping Software for Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, Eagle, MLR Receivers (http://www.oziexplorer.com)

All the maps will be raster maps. Raster means it is based on a picture or image as opposed to vector maps which are based on lines.

[Utemad]

Navteq supplies Nokia 6110 phones with the same system on this gizmo so if it works the same I'll be happy.

Nokia is in the process of buying Navteq but other companies/competitors and the EU are kicking up a stink about it.
Navteq are supposed to be the no.1 digital map maker in the world.

[V8Ian]

Thanks utemad, the fog is becoming a light mist. Sorry tank, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

[bruiser69]

Hi fellow Landlovers,

Check out LogicGear. www.logicgear.com I did the usual Ebay search but found an Australian company that had better value with local support.
This Aussie company has 3.5" ($199) & 4.3" XL488($359) GPS.
I bought the 4.3" XL488 because it also had Bluetooth for hands free mobile phone connection as well as option($54) reversing colour camera.
After having two trees backing into my Disco TD5, I thought it was about time I took some defence:twisted:
Both these GPS are unlocked & run WinCE.
What this means is that they can run Oziexplorer (CE).
User manual actually tells you how to run applications other than those suppied.
All you have to do is go to www.oziexplorer.com.au & download the WinCE version. This is only trial, so $40 buys full version.

Next download free maps from Govt site https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=DEFINE_PRODUCTS

Copy both to 2GB SD (non HC) card & happy days!

Cheers..Bruiser

[jik22]

Well, these LogicGear things were so cheap I thought I'd get one as well as a spare and for offraod maps.

However, it's worth noting the $199 ones are clearance units with 2007 maps. The 2008 maps are now out and are not a free upgrade - so if you want newer maps you'll need to wait for retailers to get them in stock (and likely for more than $199), or you'll have to buy them from Logicgear.