Thread: Which GPS???

I have just purchased a Garmin eTrex which should be arriving by courier. I only had a small budget $200-$300 dollars and started looking at the venutre and legend but was unsure how much map software could be loaded.

My main reason for the GPS was for my Simpson Desert crossing in two weeks and as I have the hemma map of the simpson desert I only needed a basic gps to identify where I am. I also figured once the novelty has worn off how much would I use it, however if i got into GPS and moving maps I could hook it up to my laptop. The garmin eTrex has just had a software upgrade, you can now input 20 routes. I also figued that if I do any more remote outback trips I would always take the paper map just incase the GPS failed.

I brought mine online from GPS Australia @ www.gpsaustralia.net they have just started there online store and have the etrex on special for $150, paided by credit card, 48hr delivery. This site is also a good source of info.

The general consensus is Magellan produce better detailed maps but Garmin is easier to use. I've got the Garmin 60CS but also looked at the explorist.

My view was the Garmin had more features and because I use OziExplorer with topo maps to plan trips/routes the "better" maps on the Magellan didn't play a role. The Garmin also felt more pleasant in the hand ... and the controls and menus were a lot easier to access and use. It also has Autoroute function which I believe the Magellan didn't have.

The things I looked for:
Basic mapping on the unit
12v power input
Ability to take an external antenna
USB/Serial Interface to a PC/Laptop for moving map display
Altimeter

The Magellan has removable storage cards for maps etc. where as the Garmin only has inbuilt memory (56mb)

I cannot comment on the Magellan software but Garmin is supplied with "Trip and Waypoint manager" and Tracks4Australia maps.

Hope this helps,

Henry

you could also look at something like an ipaq with sdio gps and destinator and oziexplorer.

got my whole setup for under $200's

works a treat and it is good for other things as well...

just took some time to get together of bits and pieces on ebay....

Hey Phoenix

I mislead you on the number of routes the etex holds, I received mine today and notice it could only store one route, I rang the supplier and they indicated that the 20 route model was not available in Australia, not happy with the Garmin Web Site as it makes no mention which countries the latest etrex is available in. Didn't research that on to good!!!!!!!! If you want to look at the Australian Garmin web site go to www.gme.net

No worries Weeds, i'm more in the research mode at the moment, before I spend any cash. The PDA + gps combination is an interesting idea, but I think that the nature and conditions that it would be used in would mean that it wouls be destroyed too soon, although a laptop hookup in the future isn't too far from a possibility.

I was actually eyeing off the GPS Map 60 from garmin, but I think i'll have to look at them in the flesh a bit first.

An update, I posted before opening up the packaging and buying batteries, even though the packaging indicates only one route the software on the gps will allow 20 routes.

Originally posted by Phoenix
The PDA + gps combination is an interesting idea, but I think that the nature and conditions that it would be used in would mean that it wouls be destroyed too soon,

personally i think the pda option is way more robust than the other options esp the laptop and larger gps's.

mine takes a hiding on a day to day basis without missing a beat.

If I were to plug in a laptop it wouldn't be going the messt places. I do some hiking (and in tassie, let's face it, everywhere is either wet and muddy or dusty), and even 4wding I get a LOT of dust and muck in the cabin. Even used at cadets it will cop a hiding, that's why i'm looking at the waterproof models mainly.