GPS on the Cape [Archive] - Cape Yorker Forums

MTpockets

23-12-2007, 07:13 AM

ant

23-12-2007, 04:00 PM

Garmin are my pick. They also have a great model out now (Rino 520-??) that is both a UHF radio with a built in GPS- ideal for if you do go off bushwalking with others so you can keep in contact by radio and also see where each of you are on the GPS screen.

I am trying to get a write-up on this in the 2008 edition and waiting to hear back from the guys at GME.

MTpockets

23-12-2007, 05:56 PM

Sounds very interesting and I would say 4wd clubs would go for this kind of thing. Would love to hear more when you find out.
cheers
Les

Nedly

12-01-2008, 11:49 PM

I bought a Magellan 'Explorist XL' a year or so ago.
At the time it was the only one on the market that came with full topographical maps, I don't know if this is still the case.
I'm really happy with it, does everything I want.

Bit of advice, wait until the 4WD and camping shows are on and get you GPS there, they usually come with extras, much better value.

Les

dave

23-04-2008, 06:08 PM

I have done a bit of research on hand held MAPING gps of late
With the magellen EXPLORER range
BAD POINTS ! there software is tricky to use ,backup sevice is just about none existant ,and you can not up load imi" or other map files off the net to them ,
as thay work on magellens own dater transfer ! and most sofware is locked to one gps security coded.The maps are costly the base map is useless.

Having said that thay are great gps the magellen and the new triton models are looking good make sure you puchase one from australia as if the base map is not AU you may have probs.
And then up grade to detailed maps such as,
( DiscoverAus Streets & Tracks Topo ) or ( DiscoverAus Outback Tourer ) which have detailed maps of capyork , made in conjunction with hema maps.
https://www.nextdestination.com.au/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?BrandId=13&ProductId=242

The maping software is OK when you learn how to use it but can be frustrating for beginners, i puchased a xl myself
As thay have the best maps and DAST topo. is outstanding.

The Garmin 60csx and the new colorado 300 and 400t look nice as well !
u can down load maps share maps , detailed AU maps such as (shonkymaps) this has topo and its free ,but i warn you it can be shonky! its not as good as DAST TOPO.as you would expect being free.
(tracks 4 AU ) and many others from the net are all free for the garmin + you can buy maps as well steet to steet nav for most of australia

In the end its a hard choice , thay both have the good and bad points.
if you have alot of time on your hands go the garmin so you can play around making maps , if you want somthing that you just slip good quality maps straight in to go the magellen my 2 cents.:rolleyes:

cheers dave

highlift80

23-04-2008, 07:43 PM

Hey Dave you pretty much covered all it all about the Explorist XL it's a great gps unit I use mine all the time in vehicle and while out hunting I will take it along just incase the only problem I have with it is that it sucks the life out of batterys, If I am out on foot for a few days I take a few extra rechargeable's with me.

Scorcher

23-04-2008, 09:51 PM

Modern technology is pretty well beyond me ! I'm not into reading instructions (typical male ?), so all I need in a GPS is one that I can switch on and can give me a 6 figure grid reference. I use a Garmin GPS 2plus. An oldie but a goodie.

As for maps on the screen, I much prefer to have a set of Joint Operations Topo Maps, laminated, that I can chuck on the bonnet and pore over.

Chuck in a Hema Cape York map, and away we go.

Scorcher

dann

23-04-2008, 10:50 PM

Hi there,

I have done a lot of research on this topic, as quality GPS equipment is a must.
I will make a few suggestions, however these are only personal opinion and I am sure you will be happy with whatever you choose.

As far as brand is concerned I am a strong advocate of the Garmin system. Although still in its infancy (in Au), the mapping used by Garmin is very good, and slightly better than Megellan etc.

If you have the $$$ then the Garmin Rhino and Garmin Csx 60?? are great units. I personally went for the Csx 60 as this gives a more accurate position and faster response. In CYP this unit performs incredibly, even the deepest rainforest cover does not hinder acquisition.
I did not need the radio on the Rhino.

Hope this helps,
Dan

Emujim

24-04-2008, 04:30 PM

Garmin is my pick as well. I am like scorcher i have a basic one with no maps on it. I can plot where i am on a paper map, there's nothing better than throwing a map on the bonnet. My GPS is a Garmin Geco 201 it's really a bushwalkers GPS it's been good to learn on but my next GPS will be a bigger Garmin with maps on it.

Stacky

25-04-2008, 05:17 AM

Hi everyone,
I will be buying a gps soon and with all the different ones advertised and recommended by people in shops and those who drive in cities, I was wondering what gps brands work best on the cape?
I was looking at TomTom.
Anyone got any advice?
Thanks in advance
cheers
Les

Les,
My mate down in SE QLD has had is TOM TOM system for about a year and has had a lot of trouble with it. Even though it's under warranty for repairs, I think he said something about they don't make that GPS anymore and they are only selling the ones left on the shelf. You might want to check that out.
Personally, I have a Garmin Handheld GPS MAP 76S. I have have this for quite a few years now. I have only ever ran it on batteries ( I get a good life out of them), it's water resistant, simple to use and can take some pretty hard punishment. I have made a dash mont for my vehicle and one for the boat, so it's versatile. I take it hunting and bush walking but only use it to mark spots of interest as i mostly rely on TOPO Maps. This old GPS has been totally punished in salt water, dropped and corragated on the PDR regularly and i can't kill it.
It's negative is i canot download on to my Laptop points of interest although it has a large memory. This sucks cause, if it ever dies, i will have to manually load those points of interest on to a new GPS. Oh! there's a tip, make sure you have those hot spots recorded elsewhere and not only on the GPS.
I'm sticking with the brands you can't kill, like Garmin, Toyota, Honda and I was gonna say Shimano but I am still yet to find a bait caster that can hold a big fish without smoking the drag washers, but i'm not complaining.

campdog

25-04-2008, 11:14 AM

My Magellan Platinum worked fine every time to the cape.I run discover Aus on it and never any problems, except the corrugations have destroyed 2 windscreen / dash mounts,repaired easy with duct tape and zip ties.Still have all my waypoints stored.

plucker

07-06-2008, 11:33 PM

Have you considered Oziexplorer software with topo maps with your unit?

the tractor

03-07-2008, 06:13 AM

i have two a garmin etrex and a hp ipaq. i have ozi on the ipaq and mapsource on the etrex. both can talk to my laptop so that come in quite handy, the etrex has been underwater a few times and lives on. and has a 12volt cable for the car. the IPAQ is able to have topo maps scanned and put into it so thats handy also. i have even put google earth images on there which were acurate to 8 figure grid.

ddr

03-07-2008, 10:51 AM

Few weeks ago I brought an Ebay GPS & some extra SD Cars.

When offroad I swap out the SD Card so the GPS will run OziExplorer, when in town & need Navigation put the Nav SD Card back in & its all sweet.

Checkout the Patrol4x4.com forum, there is a thread there on this.

angejas

04-07-2008, 11:11 AM

Hi,

We are on the Cape at the moment running a Mio Mitac GPS (a PDA with inbuilt GPS) and using oziexplorer CE (for pocket pc) with Hema Cape York and Tip maps. Has worker extremely well. (ordinarily around town the unit runs Copilot 7 and my husband tries to run it mad by making it reroute the journey when he reufses to take the directions it gives him - hasn't crashed yet, but im sure he will make it one day).

We also have everywhere that we have driven saved as alog file and you can play it back on your computer if needed (will show direction of travel etc). Oziexplorer can also be programmed ahead of time to give you directions and act like a guidance device if you want to spend the time to do it.

You can use any digital map that you have or you can have your own scanned and you put in the details on the map and it figures it out from there.

hope this helps.

Ange

xina

02-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Hi Guys,
Has anyone got a HEMA NAVIGATOR yet? Pretty Exie., but they have everything on them already, and are good for City/Town, and 4 Wheel Drive use. Check them out on www.hemanavigator.com.au . I'm seriously considering one.
Cheers,
xina.

dave

02-08-2008, 11:41 PM

Yes looks good has it all , good maps in the one gps. i have hema maping DAST topo in my explorist xl there good maps.
the only thing i could pick , which wouldnt be a worrie for you xina , i dont think its weather resistent for bike mount .
although a water proof clear plastic case or bag mounted on the bike would work !

xina

07-08-2008, 07:23 PM

Hi Guys,
Went in and checked out the Hema today, and that's the one for me. Simple to use, and great maps. Checked out Temple Bay as well as a few other places. I can't wait 'till it gets here.
Cheers,
xina.

Emujim

07-08-2008, 09:00 PM

Do you know the price yet. Looks good.

xina

07-08-2008, 09:20 PM

Like I said Emujim, Exie. Price $990. It'll be worth it for me, as I'll be a solo traveller when I finally hit the road.
Cheers,
xina.

xina

14-08-2008, 10:43 PM

Got it today, but won,t have time tomorrow to play with it. Charge the battery, and have fun with it on the weekend.
Cheers,
xina.

Nedly

03-09-2008, 03:31 PM

Got it today, but won,t have time tomorrow to play with it. Charge the battery, and have fun with it on the weekend.
Cheers,
xina.

What's the verdict?
Are you happy with your purchase?

xina

03-09-2008, 05:57 PM

getin

04-01-2009, 08:47 PM

Hi Nedly. Been busy doing other things since then, and have only played stationary so far, but from the little playtime I have had, I'm happy with it. I'd buy it again. Can't wait to get on the road and try it out properly.
Cheers,
xina.

g'day xina,just wondering if you've tried out your unit yet,thinking about buying one myself and have heard that they go alright

the tractor

01-02-2009, 04:26 PM

iused both of my GPS in the cape last yr, tom tom even got me all the way to punsand from home!! didnt think it would but i left it going while i was driving to see and it managed with a few minor troubles with out of date road info. but it would have got me their in a pinch.

I've used garmin since i was in the Army, and cant go past them myself. i've tried magellan but i dont find it as user friendly.

looking at a rino unit soon i'll keep you posted if i pony up for one.

Stacky

01-02-2009, 10:19 PM

Hey Tractor,
How did you go with the fishing when you were at Portlands Roads? Did the weather hold out for you?

the tractor

08-02-2009, 07:36 AM

never got to portland chilli lochart area, saving it for next time.

tried fishing of bamaga jetty:confused:

and the weather was hot then hot then hot!

ant

09-02-2009, 07:07 PM