Is this the (almost) ideal GPS for Australia?

[K1W1]

Yes I know this isn't the GPS section but it tends to be very quiet there.

Hema have introduced a GPS the Navigator (link here) which combines a full turn by turn street navigation street GPS with support for all Hema topo maps (pre loaded) and OziExplorer created maps and routes.

From a functionality point of view it looks like it may be almost perfect with one big but. Unfortunately it's designed for in car use so it would need some sort of weatherproofing to be viable on a bike. Lets hope a weatherproof version is in the wind.

BTW the RRP is $999 the same as a Garmin Zumo.

[rosscoact]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Yes I know this isn't the GPS section but it tends to be very quiet there.

Hema have introduced a GPS the Navigator (link here) which combines a full turn by turn street navigation street GPS with support for all Hema topo maps (pre loaded) and OziExplorer created maps and routes.

From a functionality point of view it looks like it may be almost perfect with one big but. Unfortunately it's designed for in car use so it would need some sort of weatherproofing to be viable on a bike. Lets hope a weatherproof version is in the wind.

BTW the RRP is $999 the same as a Garmin Zumo.

yes yes yes yes yes


you bloody beauty

I've asked them if it's waterproof, I couldn't see any info on that

[BurnieM]

Its not waterproof

Good idea, needs development
.

[rosscoact]

Originally Posted by BurnieM

Its not waterproof

Good idea, needs development
.

Well that bubble didn't last long. Thanks Burnie

[pete40]

Had a look. The thing is small. Good specs, wonder how fast it will process the Oziexplorer-type tasks.

I don't see not water-proof as too much of a problem, as long as you could do a quick detach or even make a little rain cover for it. clear plastic shower cap would be a start.

More of a worry is how rugged is it? Vibrations and shocks on bikes are bad. Dust is a killer too, but surely it's splash-proof.

[mcguyver]

Wait for the 2nd version due in about 6 months

[Peka]

Ziplock bag worked well for my TomTom XL. A full day of pissing down rain, sleet and snow and it didn't get wet. Small hole in the bottom of the bag for the charger lead. I did have a glare shroud which I made up out of plastic which kept a lot of the weather off it, but the ziplock bag was still pretty wet on the outside.

[ADVJake]

Why Garmin or Magellan havent done something like this is a mystery.





I guess theres more money in selling their own maps

[Peka]

Why the big $$$ though? Is it the topo maps that are pre installed?

[pete40]

Originally Posted by Peka

Why the big $$$ though? Is it the topo maps that are pre installed?

Just what the market will bear i guess.

I and many others I guess have already got Oziexplorer and all the Hema maps in digital format, so we are doubling up. Wish you could get a discount for already buying their products.

[BurnieM]

Originally Posted by ADVJake

Why Garmin or Magellan havent done something like this is a mystery.

I guess theres more money in selling their own maps

Route 66 'turn by turn' program using NavTeq maps plus
OziCE using Hemas 4WD Raster maps collection (includes Geoscience Australias Natmap Raster)
.

[BurnieM]

A lot of people push devices using scanned maps as the best offroad nav device.
I have OziExplorer on the PC and OziCE on the PocketPC as well as several GPSs using vector mapping.

I use Ozi on the PC for trip planning but almost never use the PPC version anymore. I never use the PC for moving map in field these days either. While raster maps can give you a lot of information they require you to concentrate on the screen and take several minutes to pull the information out.

Vector maps have less information but are much quicker to read. I always use a vector map on a dedicated waterproof GPS when riding or 4WDing.

There are noticably less vector mapsets available than there are raster maps and this is not likely to change in the short term. Vector maps are designed to be used in digital devices including GPS with precise locations. Comments always come thick and fast about how this intersection its 100 metres off or a one way street is not noted.
Paper maps from which raster images are draw can be off by a pencil width (perhaps 2 km?) and nobody cares.

Vector mapsets will continue to improve in both their accuracy and the volume of information that they contain.
GPS firmware will add additional features so that people can turn unrequired information off.

Some new GPS will support raster as well as vector mapping and some people will say great. Some colour schemes are already trying to appear raster like with vector data. These colour schemes are quite slow to use. People will continue to ask for raster like maps. What will they/you do when you get them ?


Raster = images
Vector = data re-drawn by the GPS

[Knackers]

I use a bottle of port and one of whiskey for navigation.

When I inevitabley get lost, I sit on the side of the road, have a swig, and wait for a 4wd to come along and tell me where to go.

[BAP]

I jus rang Johnny appleseeds and they said it is not waterproof or dustproof but being that is made for a 4wd it would stand up to some vibration, the water issue could be solved with some Aussie know how.......

[PBee]

I just bought one of these, the 430 for $650

http://www.vms4x4.com/support/touring_flyer.pdf

Not waterproof but I'm a bit of a softcock and don't ride in the wet anyway.
Besides it's easy to shove in your pocket I ya get caught short.

Fits nicely behind the screen, easy to read.
Has 2 sets of maps, 1 is normal city type 2d 3d etc. The other is full topo.
After you boot it up you enter thru a menu giving you the choice, City or Topo. The topo's work of a Windows CE menu.
I've had it for a couple of weeks and it seems like a really good compromise
The hema navigator uses the VMS engine.

There is a 4.3 inch or a 5.0 inch.
From what I can gather it's made in Perth, so I'm keeping the money in OZ.
Check it out.