Thread: Ozi explorer off road mapping for GPS

I haven't used Ozi yet but found myself going back to Shonky maps (free) on a Garmin. I'm yet to use a track that hasn't been plotted on the Shonky. I've driven some in the desert that you can't even see but are plotted on the Shonky and connect correctly as detailed. Details, boundary's and points marked are fantastic. I think Shonky maps can be uploaded to various devices and make a solid back-up to anything purchased. I actually find it a much better mapping system, certainly better than anything Garmin charge for (somehow I have all of these for testing ). Your only problem is that you can't get automated directions from it.

However, Garmin have made it a nightmare to load free maps without a previous map purchase (but there is a workaround) and I imagine other devices will be operating on a similar wavelength.

The shonky maps can save you good bucks and I think it's a very good source of off-road information. My preference in fact.

Originally Posted by Linds

Hi

There are many options for GPS hardware, software and mapping. There seem to be affordable units using ozi explorer mapping. What are peoples experiences with this mapping for off road use? Is it up there with Hema and others?

thanks

The Hema navigation devices run OziExplorer with a customised user interface . Functionally they are the same program.

Ultimately it depends on which maps you want to run.

The Hema maps are available for both Ozi-Explorer and Memory-Map. Memory Map has the advantage of allowing you to purchase the Hema maps for specific regions, rather than the entire DVD. Memory Map also seems to offer free updates to the Hema maps far earlier than the DVD containing the updated ozi-explorer maps is released. The 2012 Hema maps were available for Memory-Map in December 2011, whereas the Ozi Explorer DVD didn't hit the shops until well into 2012 - May or June from memory. I believe to update with OziExplorer you need to purchase the current release DVD.

That said my favourite maps for most uses in Victoria - the SpatialVision VicMap DVD - is only available in OziExplorer format at present, so I've ended up running Ozi and MemoryMap depending on what maps I want to use.

The mapping is the most costly part of the package by a long shot, so it is worth doing some research into that aspect first.

cheers
Paul

Maps for Ozi can generally be found for free and now that Ozi works on android there are lots of options for hardware.

I run ozi ce on my gps easy to use maps were free from a friend

loanrangie,

Do you mean free as in "legal", or free in "as long as you don't get busted"?

I can understand not wanting to pay for maps, but on the other hand you can understand why map makers are moving away from OziExplorer to other mapping platforms which allow them to securely sell their products without fear of having the maps pirated.

And just discovered my favourite maps have dropped OziExplorer and gone across to iPad. Too good.

To make an informed decision I have to know what I want the GPS to do. Then I need to find out what units will do it and at what cost. This isnt easy for me as Im not that IT savvy.

What I want;

has to be big enough to see ie 7 inch
needs to be well mounted - prefer windscreen as it is out of the way
needs to talk to my PC for trip planning and down/up loading of waypoints etc
software needs to be easily upgradable
mapping to be easily accessible
ability to use different sources and maybe formats of mapping
needs to be of some quality as I dont like crap

secondary to all that is that if it can double as a e reader and internet access then that would be nice..but not the priorities

Do people know if this unit ticks many of these boxes?

7" GPS OZI EXPLORER OFF ROAD TOPOGRAPHICAL + LATEST ROAD MAPPING AU+NZ | eBay

Thanks for any help on this.

L

PS: I have asked these questions to the seller and awaiting their response

It looks to be the latest version of the one i have and it ticks all your boxes bar the internet access box. Mine runs igo8 and win ce i have ozi ce for off road with the nat maps but only nsw so far had mine for 4 maybe 5 years and no problems that the manual couldnt fix

PS: I did change the windscreen mount, off road the original bounced to much $25.00 at the markets got a good solid one the new ones may be better

I used Ozi on a Win CE GPS unit, now I use Androzic on an Android phone and tablet.
On both systems I used free maps from http://maps.festy.org/
They are proper topo maps same as you'd buy from the map shop.