GPS Purchase Advice

**WhiteD3** · 5th July 2007, 06:50 AM

Hi,

I'm after a basic GPS to use off road but I've never used one so would appreciate some advice.

I assume Magellan or Garvin would be the go?
Is the compass feature any use when driving, or do you have to be stationary?
I'll probably just buy on ebay but a lot of them I've looked at have the US base map (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-Magellan-...QQcmdZViewItem). Is this really an issue?
The models I'm considering are the Garvin etrax vista or the Magellan explorist 400. Main reasons for these choices are that they'll recharge from the car and the compass.
Will either of these handheld GPS work inside the cab?

Cheers,

Mark

**weeds** · 5th July 2007, 07:00 AM

the compass is handy when you are using it outside of the car

**p38arover** · 5th July 2007, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by morcha

Is the compass feature any use when driving, or do you have to be stationary?

The compass won't work if you are stationary. It's not magnetic - it's computed.

Ron

**weeds** · 5th July 2007, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by p38arover

The compass won't work if you are stationary. It's not magnetic - it's computed.

Ron

geez ron and all this time i was wishing i had a compass for when i was stationary

**Phoenix** · 5th July 2007, 07:44 AM

Actually, the more expensive units do have what equates to a magnetic compass built in.

**p38arover** · 5th July 2007, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Actually, the more expensive units do have what equates to a magnetic compass built in.

Ahh! A good idea.

Ron

**Lucy** · 5th July 2007, 07:52 AM

Go the garmin etrex, but spend a little extra and get the Cx version, the extra memory is well worth it. The base map only matters if you aren't going to get other maps - you can get free maps online if you know where to look

Note: The Etrex units don't recharge from the car, but you can plug them into the lighter socket to save your batteries.

The Etrex will work inside the cab of the car, better if close to the windscreen.

The Vista Cx's compass works whether the unit is stopped or moving, while the Legend Cx's only works when moving.

The only draw back with these units is that they don't provide an NMEA feed for use real time with a laptop, that said, they do everything and you don't really need a laptop!

I run the legend Cx, with city navigator, tracks 4 australia and oz topo, depending on where I am and what I'm doing.

I would dearly love a 60CSx, but am waiting to try the new Vista HCx when It comes out - might be worth the wait.

Other things to watch out for are whether they connect to a computer via serial or USB ports. Computer connection useful for downloading and saving trips you have been on - could get you out of a speeding ticket like those guys on the news the other day

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