Which Portable GPS Unit

[micahb]

Hi guys, Im after a gps unit that can do on road and off road stuff.
I know nothing about GPS, but i want to be able to put things like WAMS maps in so i know where im legally allowd to be. Want a quality unit that's not too complicated. and will work in other countries. the more sturdy the better too. I tend not to be overly gentle with electrical things, haha. So one that doesnt mind a night in the elements.
Anything you recommend or use, as I search on the net and have no idea where to start.

Cheers, Micah.

[Smurf]

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/search/ ... w%3Dunread

[micahb]

been doing that already, but thanks.

[kbushnz]

The only ones that I have seen do both are a unit that runs windows CE operating system and has one program for maps and another for the traditional road navigation.
Typically these are cheap chinese units and the screens are crap...

I personally have a Navman which has been hacked to run its original software and also Ozi explorer. Works sweet.
But its a bit tricky...

Some of the smart android phones are getting better...

Would be great if someone made a Garmin map handheld with road navigation capabilities.

[SV1K]

I have a brand new uniden IGo500 for sale, replacement unit but the pissed around and I brought a new one. After $180.00 for it, free shipping anywhere in NZ.

Cheers
Reece

[micahb]

maybe just have to get two. one for the road, and one for off.
how does that one go? easy to use? free maps or anything?
could be keen.

[mike]

Garmin marine handhelds do both. Had one since 2005. Takes tropo maps and has nz free street maps with auto routing. It doesnt talk, it just beeps when to turn.

Not as nice to use for road as the proper units like reeces but you can take it hiking and boating as well.

gpsmap 78, way more pricy now than they used to be.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... XBZ4JHJVok

[LR90NZ]

Hi guys, Im after a gps unit that can do on road and off road stuff.
I know nothing about GPS, but i want to be able to put things like WAMS maps in so i know where im legally allowd to be. Want a quality unit that's not too complicated. and will work in other countries. the more sturdy the better too. I tend not to be overly gentle with electrical things, haha. So one that doesnt mind a night in the elements.
Anything you recommend or use, as I search on the net and have no idea where to start.

Cheers, Micah.

I have a Hema Navigator which does both street and topo mapping. One of the few available that does both. Best of all it also came with both NZ and Aussie mapping as standard.
Even can be used as hand held away from vehicle.

[3.5Pajero]

I was using a Navman, it was slow, it was clunky, you had to pay stupid money anytime you wanted a new map for overseas locations + ridiculous $$ to update maps occasionally. Then I got a Samsung galaxy SII - for $20 bucks a month I get all the calling time, texts and data I need to never have to worry about running out. Google maps is fast and seems to be fairly well up to date. Plus you get indications of how heavy the traffic is on your route and street view once you arrive at your location.
For off-road use I have the NZ Topo maps downloaded to the phone so you don’t need to have cell coverage, you can set waypoints, routes and record tracks for future reference.
It’s working so well the Navman hasn’t been used for over a year and is now on Trademe for 40bucks!

Plus if you’re a bit of a DIY-er you can make a cradle for the phone to charge it on the run and add a 619k ohm resistor to the right pin on the mirco usb makes the phone go into car docking mode so you can play music off your phone through your headunit while using it as a GPS…

[L-andy]

I'll second the Oziexplorer software. Ive been using it for about 10 years on various devices. There are several versions:

- Full PC version which allows you to import/edit maps and import/edit tracks & waypoints etc from other devices and websites (inc WAMS and Google earth). I run this on an old Win2K tablet in my truck with a bluetooth GPS receiver.

- Windows CE version which will run on PDA's and most cheap chinese touchscreen GPS units and cracked Navmans etc. Basically anything which runs windows CE in the background. Does not have all the editing and importing features of full PC version but will display maps and tracks edited in the PC version.

- New Android version which is essentally the same as CE version but for Android devices (Not tried it but would be cool on a cheap 9" Android tablet).

- iphone/ipad version is in development.

The software is very good and cheap but comes "empty" ie you have to get your own maps. However the TOPO50 geotiffs on the LINZ website are free to download.

Cheers

Andy

[micahb]

cheers guys, yeah im not really following much of what your saying to be honest. Im not very good at computers and their techno lingo etc. but will research more about what you have all said. Thinking i might just get two units. 1 then stays in the car, the other stays in the day pack.
Mike, do the marine ones work fine on land? like the idea of marine, as will be rugged.

[tycho]

Garmin Nuvi 500 will do topo maps from Freshmap. Is a good little unit dust and waterproof. I used to run this in the Jeep but now only use my iPhone and iPad. If you can find a cheap iPad that has 3G (so you get the GPS chip) then this will give you a good sized screen and heaps of choice for GPS applications. Good luck

[mike]

cheers guys, yeah im not really following much of what your saying to be honest. Im not very good at computers and their techno lingo etc. but will research more about what you have all said. Thinking i might just get two units. 1 then stays in the car, the other stays in the day pack.
Mike, do the marine ones work fine on land? like the idea of marine, as will be rugged.

yup works everywhere except the usual places: inside, underground, underwater, inspace etc.

I had the older 76cx and it was really sensitive ie picked up satalites really easy even in the bush. The newer ones have an even better chip now. I'll be getting another one of these sometime in the near future (I have to have marine for the boat)

[DDAN]

This is what I use it takes a beating. Good for when you are hunting, as when you talk to your mates you no were they are on the GPS. Radio as awesome range to have stretched it to over 9km in the mountains
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod82798.html

[Crash bandicoot]

we have a Garmin and as above. marine and road maps

[mike]

This is what I use it takes a beating. Good for when you are hunting, as when you talk to your mates you no were they are on the GPS. Radio as awesome range to have stretched it to over 9km in the mountains
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod82798.html

wow! thats pretty cool. All hunters should have that and no one should get shot or lost anymore.

[Heath]

This is what I use it takes a beating. Good for when you are hunting, as when you talk to your mates you no were they are on the GPS. Radio as awesome range to have stretched it to over 9km in the mountains
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod82798.html

wow! thats pretty cool. All hunters should have that and no one should get shot or lost anymore.

Agreed - that is the shizzle.

[Cambo]

I have one of these ^^ as well, and they are great, work well in the truck aswell as the bush. Best deal in NZ I could find was online through PBtech.

[evolution02]

My mates and I just use an app called Memory Map which works great on android or iPhone. Uses topo maps.
Just need to download the 1:50000 scale map for the area you are in or can download the whole island as a bulk

[Want2Retire]

I have hema maps running on iPad mounted on ram mount. Works really well, and the logging functions are great. Configuring real time OBD dashboard as well as tons of music to enjoy at your finger tips, like wheels on the bus for the kids in the back

[micahb]

well after checking out everything you guys have done and more, decided to get a tablet thing and one of these.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod109827.html

Seems it will do what i want and more, then, when i have some moolah will buy a rugged handheld for going bush aswel.

Cheers for all your help guys.