Moving map GPS

Hello John
A freeware product that is compatible with Garmin GPS units is called shonky maps. site is as follows
http://shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/
I have used it and it is specially designed for topographic use, so as to aid bushwalkers. It is very high in detail. Basically been compiled by a keen tech head bush walker using geo data from the dep. of mapping I think. The only state it lacks high level detail is WA.
To use it you just set your GPS mapping unit by selecting shonky maps from the map data menu. You can then set for contour or no contours. The level of detail is quite surprising showing fence lines, dams, water points, mines etc.
John

Hi John
There are some low cost tablet/slate computers available that run Windows or Windows CE and consequently Oziexplorer software etc. A couple of friends purchased a 7" one advertised by Aldi but bought from an ebay site owned by a very helpful guy in Brisbane for about $90 plus Windows CE licence (about $30 I think) and map licences.

There is a downside however and that is the screens are almost impossible to read by my eyes in sunlight - fine at night or indoors. Hence my advice is to make sure you check the viewing on the dash or wherever you use it in bright sunlight.

I take my full blooded PCtablet computer with me where I can get some reasonable real estate to view the maps. It works fine but is way above the cost of the Hema - but it is also my computer.

Cheers
Mike

Hi John,

GARMIN IS GARBAGE!

I brought one of those Garmin things 36?? can't remember the number,
IT IS THE BIGGEST HEAP OF JUNK I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF USING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was of the opinion that Garmin had combined their maps, but that was an illusion.

We were on no roads that often this last trip, up to the Cape, you wouldn't believe.

I tried getting some common sence from them, but they only want to sell me something else that will only cost me more money & send me up the wrong roads still.
So IF you can find something that works, please let me know.

I have Oziexplorer and the CE version (for palm and mini computers). I also have Geosciences Natmaps series 1/250,000 over the whole of Oz, Great detail even down to most station tracks and bore names! About $110 much cheaper and maybe better than Hema raster maps.

Really looking for the hardware to run it on. The old iPaq was a Palm syle machine and did a great job only the screen was a little small - but zoom-able

John

Hi John,
I use oziexplorer and the nat maps but we also got some great additional maps for NSW.at 1:100000 and Vic at 1:25000 from:
http://maps.festy.org/
Quite a large download but worth the effort. I have not been able to find any other states in the 1:25000 resolution but someone out there maybe able to find them and let us know the link.
Phil

Have a Garmin Nuvi myself .... i use a mixture of Garmin Topo, Shonky & tracks for Australia, the last two are free ware. When in cities i use the Garmin street map's 'whereis'

I don't just think it's Garmin that leads you up wrong tracks John, our Navman used to do the same and the after sales service / warranty from Navman on 3 occasions was woeful ...... thats a brand i would no longer touch.

I also have all the CAW camps / dump points / and other assoc POI loaded onto the SD card

Hi John,

Can't make a suggestion for you, but if you want some real CRAP, try VMS.
I bought an in-dash unit for my 100 series landcruiser in 2009. This unit carked it on the way to WA. It was sent back to the factory, & replaced with a new unit, which I fitted at Kalgoorlie. This second unit almost made it back to Melbourne. I returned it to the factory, & was again replaced & installed by the factory.
On the way to the Tepon Park muster, the AM radio died. Still under the 2-year warranty, I was told they could not repair the radio (everything else was OK) so they would replace it again under warranty. Alternately for $1200, I could update to the latest model (about half price). I decided to do this, but during installation of the new unit, I could not get the camera on the van to work. The one on the truck was OK.
This meant another return to the factory, which returned the repaired unit in a couple of weeks. This was about a week before we left on our last major trip. There are still a bunch of features that I know don't work. The unit is supplied with three off-road mapping systems, plus a street GPS system. The version of Mudmap supplied was crap with many faults, but was not replaced or upgraded.
I am currently using Memory Map, which I find good. It also has OziExplorer which I am yet to use. Still haven't checked if the IPOD entry works (forgot to take the IPOD on my last trip) and also to be checked is the USB input.
Have lost faith in the unit and would definately not recommend VMS to anyone.
Our total spend so far has been: Original Show-Special price $2300 + $295 installation, + $1200 latest upgrade - total $3795 + freight costs to the factory.
To add insult to injury, it is now virtually impossible to talk to anyone in the factory. You must use unanswered emails - great! Expensive CRAP!!

Neil

Peter, I have used Garmin for the past nine years and I think it is the best City/International maps available. We take the unit wherever we travel.

When we did the East-West we used OziExplorer with the laptop coupled to the Garmin to provide the GPS input.

Garmin/no GPS unit provider that I am aware of advertises that there base maps are "off road" maps.

You need specialized maps like OziExplorer or Hema.

Upgraded to the new Hema HN5i and it is brilliant.

The Street navigation is iGo which is regarded as one of the best and I use OziExplorer for off-road. the beauty of OziExplorer is that it constantly searches for the most detailed map for the place you are. I have the full set of Hema off road maps plus NatMap plus a few other specialised maps.

The ability to plot routes and waypoints on your PC and then download is great . You can also download a tracklog into Google Earth and then view, in detail, a 15,000km trip from East to West right down to the detail of where you made a U turn to go back and look at a possible camp site. It helps to remember all the little diversions and excursions that you make on a trip.

If you GeoTag your photographs, you can then show them as part of the tracklog of your trip and even set the whole thing up for Internet access by friends and family.

Have been using the Hema for about 12 months with absolutely no problems. It sticks to the windscreen rather than sitting on someone's lap. It is visible in most lighting conditions and the switch between Off road and top of the line Street navigation makes it a very versatile unit.

Oh, did I mention that I'm happy wth my Hema HN5i?

Thanks guys for the feedback. Its good to hear the horror stories before making a decision, I have emailled HP to see what that have on the market - their original iPAQ rx5965 worked very well and provided good service.

I may finish up going the EEe PC route or even a small 7" unit should run Oziexplorer fine but has the additiional humbug of requiring a 240 volt suppy via a small inverter.

Much appreciated..... if I find something that really works well I will post i

John

The good news is that the much loved iPaq is now back on line with a new battery ex UK............ and, I found out that you can still get a new screen for them complete with instructions on how to fit! Thats another $750 saved :-)

John