Which mapping software?

[Disco123]

I've been looking at getting my first gps and one of the considerations will be which is the better mapping system - Magellan has their DiscoverAus and Garmin have MetroGuide. I know Garmin can use OziExplorer and other maps but not sure about Magellan.
Looking at probably a Garmin Map76 or a Magellan Gold.

This is probably a Ford Vs Holden question but can anyone give some comments on the units and the mapping software?

Thanks

[incisor]

I'd also be interested in hearing what people are using, but on the pocketPC platform as i have just been given an ipaq 1930 and am thinking of getting a 2nd hand SDIO gps unit to suit it...

[Disco123]

Guess I'll answer my own question here. I'm arranging to buy a second hand Magellan Platinum with DiscoverAus mapping. Heard it is has better off road track detail than Garmin's mapping software.
Next step (i.e. when I have more $'s) is to get OziExplorer with Natmap Raster which gives far more mapping ability again.
I thought about getting a low cost GPS receiver and carting a laptop around (kids can also use this to watch DVD's) but I decided on a unit where I can use it as a standalone and not always cart a laptop or PDA if I (read SWMBO) want more space in the front.
Hope my logic is right .... there's a first time for everything [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

[DaveS3]

Disover Aus is not to bad at all. Has quite a lot of detail as it is based on the 1:25000 map series across Aus.

The current software is lacking in Points of interest, and was going to be re released according to Magellan.

Is very good on the GPS unit when using the SD cards.

Dave.

[one_iota]

Originally posted by DaveS3
Disover Aus is not to bad at all. Has quite a lot of detail as it is based on the 1:25000 map series across Aus.

The current software is lacking in Points of interest, and was going to be re released according to Magellan.

Is very good on the GPS unit when using the SD cards.

Dave.

I'll second that.

On the recent Aces weekend all the tracks we drove including the barely discernable track I was stranded on were there.

Some States have more POI data than others. In fact the predecessor (Mapsend) had more detail for NSW than the current Discover Aus.

Having said that I drove to the front door of Bathurst Hospital from Sydney the other day via a colleagues place in Epping without a UBD or asking for directions.

The beauty of the Magellan package with Discover Aus is that it is self contained and can also be used in parallel with OziEx.. on a laptop if you want to see where you are on a contour map.

[Robbo]

For in vehicle use you won't beat a PDA using a bluetooth reciever. Various bluetooth recievers can be purchased for around the $100 on Ebay. As far as software goes, this is where the PDA's are great because you can have multiple software installed and just choose the one that suits your needs at any time. I use OZI explorer CE for the detailed 1:25000 maps and Destinator for my street work. :wink:
Just do a little bit of homework on which PDA first because some have conflicts with different software.
My IPAQ 2210 for example will not run Destinator continually if you have all your maps installed on the SD Card. Swap the maps to the CF Card and it runs like a Dream. This is a known problem with this model.

[rmp]

DiscoverAus can't be beaten for detail on all 4WD tracks in Australia. It's the best one-map solution. However, it's only compatible with Magellan systems, and while the detail is there the usability isn't all that great and neither are the features.

Garmin's mapping (MetroGuide etc) has nowhere near the level of 4WD tracks but it does have autorouting facilities.

Oziexplorer and similar software (Trackranger, Fugawi etc) don't come with maps but you can load whatever digital map you like into them. That's the best solution but requires you to locate a digital map for wherever you wish to travel.