GPS newbie q's

[Matty05]

I have a magellan explorist 500.
In the pack came the streets and tracks topo CD card, car bracket and charger, PC software and USB cables. The colour screen while not as big as a PDA it is still readable. At close range zoom most if not all tracks can be seen.
It is also waterproof, which means that it is also dust proof!!!! This is something that I consider important even tho I drive a grand. Dust would be worse in an open top TJ.
Lastly it is mobile with 18hrs battery life so if I go bush walking I can take it along without worrying.
No need for an external aerial as long as it can see the sky. Mine lives on the dash and has no problems with sattelite access but inside the house with a tin roof doesnt work.

A different perspective from what has been mentioned. I hope it helps.

Matt

[Locked Lizard]

Thanks Matt, yes it does help, I'm up for any advice to choose the best typs for my application.
Cheers, JASON.

[Matty05]

I should have also mentioned that it has 12v for in the car.
At the recent caravan and camping show I paid $900 for it.

[xjdavid]

I have a Garmin 5 and use it in conjunction with Fugawi on the pc at home. I have a number of topo maps that are geo-referenced. This works well for me as a I dont have a fragile laptop in the Jeep. If you really want the extra flexibility of maps in the car you will need a laptop and run Fugawi or Oziexplorer. I do all my route planning at home on the desktop and then upload it to the GPS.

[Dutchie]

I would highly recommend the Garmin 60CX.
Full colour screen and totally portable......come with car kit but can also use with 2 AA which then last around 15-20 hrs.

Pix up minimum 6 or 7 satelites and is very quick. I use mine with City Navigator 6 and also take it hiking. Fully waterproof as well.......can get them for around $800 these days + car kit which includes charger, bracket etc for around $50. Well worth it IMO.......

[Locked Lizard]

Originally Posted by xjdavid

I have a Garmin 5 and use it in conjunction with Fugawi on the pc at home. I have a number of topo maps that are geo-referenced. This works well for me as a I dont have a fragile laptop in the Jeep. If you really want the extra flexibility of maps in the car you will need a laptop and run Fugawi or Oziexplorer. I do all my route planning at home on the desktop and then upload it to the GPS.

Yeah uploading at home would suit me better, I don't want a laptop in the rig. This is the sort of system I reckon I'll end up getting.