OK, the time has come, where I am considering a GPS, but know little about them. Yep, know they can locate me, point me in the right direction, and all that. What is the go with the maps, why is one better than another
Do I download the maps to the SD card and then upload them into the unit. Do all units accept any map or are they brand specific. Aerials, whats the go here, windcreen or external mount
What about windcreen or dash mounted units or is in dash better.
Bluetooth, great, I can connect my phone, but do I get texts through it
Come on, someone write GPS 101 for beginners
Basil Faulty said
08:17 PM Jun 3, 2009
twobob wrote:
OK, the time has come, where I am considering a GPS, but know little about them. Yep, know they can locate me, point me in the right direction, and all that. What is the go with the maps, why is one better than another. Some maps are more detailed it's a compromise try before you buy
Do I download the maps to the SD card and then upload them into the unit. Do all units accept any map or are they brand specific. Aerials, whats the go here, windcreen or external mount. Depends on the unit with mine the operating system is on the SD card along with the maps etc but there is room for extra photos etc.Most of the window mount ones come with the antenna built in. Tip: try it out in the shop, if it gets a signal then thats a good one - they all should work outside Don't worry about updating the maps, it's cheaper to buy a whole new unit.
What about windcreen or dash mounted units or is in dash better. Your choice, screen size and visibility are the key factors, the ones with small screens can be hard to see.
Bluetooth, great, I can connect my phone, but do I get texts through it Don't know
Come on, someone write GPS 101 for beginners
tezza said
09:21 AM Jun 5, 2009
I guess its a matter of what you want to do. If you are planning on going to the great outdoors and finding your way through the desert ther is only the Garmin that I know of that you can buy the right maps for from GPSOZ at mona vale nsw. just to find your way through the cities and highways etc. it depends how many bells and whistles you need (or want) we started with basic navman that was fine in cities and upgraded to a tom tom go730 mainly for the bigger screen spoken street names and bluetooth. have had no problems with it and you can connect it to your pc to update and even add corrections of your own or campsites etc. Good luck
Popeye said
04:36 PM Jun 5, 2009
Here we go good peoples. Have a look at this site http://www.gpsaustralia.net/. This is where I got mine from. Nicko will see you right.
macka17 said
10:11 PM Jun 8, 2009
Hi.
There's lots of them on market.
For what you\we want. A Basic one will do.
Personally I'd touch nothing but a Garmin. I've had them for over 15yrs. Using 4 at miute. So Far None missed a beat.
Not the fanciest or most lolly laden of them. But they go. and mapping pretty good.
Plus...... Very User Friendly.
For bush work. It used to be a Magellan. Or nothing. But Garmin and Tom Tom (I believe) are starting to cover that too. Garmin "Topo". 2 versions.
if you don't mind going under the counter, so to speak. There's a lot to be had. ready unlocked. and programs to convert street. bush maps to SD Cards.
Same as the GPS Units. I just got a Garmin Nuvi 260. New. Unwanted pressie. one month old. $200. Registered \warranted in my name.
Look on EBay..
Have fun
Macka17
twobob said
12:01 AM Jun 11, 2009
Right, thanks for your input. Just purchase a u beut special on ebay. Hope it works!!. Seems the best solution is to get one and go from there. May keep Monica heading in the right direction - had to get the large screen for her!! - fat fingers
twobob said
10:06 PM Jun 27, 2009
Right, I have purchased two of these, and these are my findings
The make, type, etc is not important The maps provided and those that can operate in it, are very important The size of the screen is important Easy of installation, acceptable
Most work on a windows operating system, so I think it would be important to make sure this is the case, when purchasing. As most map providers program for this, it will mean you can "swap" maps, and even update.
The maps are stored on the SD card, which with the right attachment, can be backed up to your computer. Also "other maps" can be downloaded to it
The "maps" are in fact, the software that you use, so some are easy to navigate around, and others painful. At the end of the day, once you are used to the software, its easy. Route planning is not straight forward, but is made easier with a bigger screen. They will not help you to decide where to go, but will get you there, when you tell it where you want to be. The better maps will even tell you which lane to be in on a highway, for turning.
There are "nice" extras, like dual zone, where you can listen to music as you drive and navigate. Bluetooth, where your phone interacts with the unit, and creates a hands free system. Dual Sd cards, with music on one and the maps on the other. Then theres the radio/tv/dvd/Ipod extras, as you need
I am sure there will be controversy over accuracy, but hell, get me within view of something, and I am ok. Most of the recievers are accurate to 10m or so, and if the maps out of date, and a wrong turn is made, I would consider how many wrong turns it has saved before now.
So, these are my thoughts to now. If it helps others, well and good
motorhomer said
05:14 PM Feb 1, 2010
Another couple of places to try and buy from...Johnny Appleseed GPS (strange name - good people) and Ryda.
motorhomer said
05:15 PM Feb 1, 2010
Popeye wrote:
Here we go good peoples. Have a look at this site http://www.gpsaustralia.net/. This is where I got mine from. Nicko will see you right.
Do I download the maps to the SD card and then upload them into the unit. Do all units accept any map or are they brand specific. Aerials, whats the go here, windcreen or external mount
What about windcreen or dash mounted units or is in dash better.
Bluetooth, great, I can connect my phone, but do I get texts through it
Come on, someone write GPS 101 for beginners
The make, type, etc is not important
The maps provided and those that can operate in it, are very important
The size of the screen is important
Easy of installation, acceptable
Most work on a windows operating system, so I think it would be important to make sure this is the case, when purchasing. As most map providers program for this, it will mean you can "swap" maps, and even update.
The maps are stored on the SD card, which with the right attachment, can be backed up to your computer. Also "other maps" can be downloaded to it
The "maps" are in fact, the software that you use, so some are easy to navigate around, and others painful. At the end of the day, once you are used to the software, its easy. Route planning is not straight forward, but is made easier with a bigger screen. They will not help you to decide where to go, but will get you there, when you tell it where you want to be. The better maps will even tell you which lane to be in on a highway, for turning.
There are "nice" extras, like dual zone, where you can listen to music as you drive and navigate. Bluetooth, where your phone interacts with the unit, and creates a hands free system. Dual Sd cards, with music on one and the maps on the other. Then theres the radio/tv/dvd/Ipod extras, as you need
I am sure there will be controversy over accuracy, but hell, get me within view of something, and I am ok. Most of the recievers are accurate to 10m or so, and if the maps out of date, and a wrong turn is made, I would consider how many wrong turns it has saved before now.
So, these are my thoughts to now. If it helps others, well and good