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basshead Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: Panania, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 2852
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Global Positioning System


I already thought there were threads on this, but I can't find them...

KMArt is selling a handheld unit (latest junk mail catalogue) for $239 - "Explorist 100" model.

CAn anyone recommend for or against it? I'd only need it to assist in reading topographic maps etc... Don't know if it's got a compass built-in though, as that would also be a handy feature.



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Rich. X-013(c)
'04 S2 ST Auto. Nudge_roofracks_tow_tints_Lightforce_GME_YokoGeoA/T-S_TBS_bashplate_50mm-spacer-lift
Click here to see >300MB of photos and videos All For His Glory.
15/Mar/2005, 4:22 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message MSN Yahoo Blog
 
onetonnesam Profile
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Date Registered: 05-2004
Location: Redfern, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 70
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Re: Global Positioning System


The Explorist is the base model. Has a compass, speedometer, odometer, a handy backtrack feature and store multiple routes (e.g. I saved the track to Stockton and also to Newnes for future reference. marking significant positions as waypoints).

I'm a novice when it come to GPS but I found it intuitive to use - perhaps due to its limited features (but they work well!).

It's a case of you get what you pay for. This is absolutely the bottom of the range -- requires 4 AA batteries to operate - no car charger option available. The batteries last less than 12 hours - this is my major gripe. You can't download coordinates via PC - no feature for a cable linkage - Peter sent me a link to a site with all the waypoints in a downloadable file, alas, there's no way I'm gonna punch in all those numbers using the joypad! Would have been very painful indeed!

However, it does come in very handy when you just want to backtrack on the route you've just taken, the GPS coords become very handy for orienteering (when you are following the Boiling Billy Book around the Watagan track and the book says that there is a sign there but there isn't and the forest just looks the same) - you enter given waypoints so that you can see where you are relative to that spot).

I think it was primarily devised for bushwalkers - an optional accessory allows you to stick it on a mountain bike - I think it was the novelty factor but used it when riding the Oaks Trail in the Blue Mountains - didn't really need it except to determine the altitude and speed (650 meter descent over 26 km and clocked a max speed of 44 kph). Find it handy when I am going somewhere armed with a good map (got some good topo maps from The Map Shop on Pitt St).

I reckon a dude like you might get it and want to upgrade straight away - I reckon I will be.
15/Mar/2005, 5:53 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
boults4545 Profile
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Date Registered: 12-2004
Location: brisbane
TOTAL POSTS: 42
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Re: Global Positioning System


I work at a marine store in queensland and have been selling gps systems for 6 years.

In my opinion the GARMIN GPS72 is the best value for money hand held unit under $500 (it generally goes for $299) at the moment. I beleive it is the best value for money because it is rugged, water proof and floats, is probably the most easy unit to use and it has a largish clear screen. Most importantly this unit has one of the lowest warranty return rates for any electronic product we sell.

Because the antenna is built in though sometimes you can have trouble using this unit in a vehicle because the metal roof can affect the signal pick up. This is usually fixed by placing it on the dash for a while or if u are lost just stop and hold it out the window. If clear reception was essential all the time the GPS76 is similar but has the added ability to plug into an external antenna that could be mounted onto roof racks.

this website is not where i work but has some of the most competitive prices on garmin products. www.ja-gps.com.au

In units that provide mapping i.e. road detail capability the magellan meridian series are generally considered the best value for money. The units themselves start at around $700. After the cost of the unit u need to fork out another $100 or so for a SD storage card to fit in the back of it followed by another $100 for the road and trail detail for each state. The SD cards are the same as the ones that go into digital cameras, basically you put the sd card into the gps unit and plug it into the computer then u open the cd on the computer and upload the section of the state that you might be travelling to. The smaller the portion you upload the better the detail that you get depending on the size of your SD card.

I have checked out the handheld units that supercheap and others sell, I haven't played with an explorist 100 yet but i have seen them and they look pretty good. Basically all gps systems have the same accuracy (except for dgps) which is approx 5m 95% of the time so whether they are cheap or dear they do the same job because they have the same data to work with. The difference is just that some are easier to use, some have a high warranty return rate and some chew batteries like no tomorrow.

Other good units are the magellan 300 series and Garmin etrex series but steer clear of the garmin geko series cause we have seen a few of them come back.

have fun
15/Mar/2005, 5:56 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: Global Positioning System


Peter is noticeably missing from this thread emoticon

I'm sure he will be able to tell about the latest toy he has acquired emoticon

It's the GARMIN Quest

He showed me the unit and we went for a drive and I found it be excellent. If am gonna think of buying a GPS unit, this one will be my 1st choice.

HERE is the old GPS thread Rich.


Last edited by jalalski, 27/Oct/2006, 1:55 pm


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15/Mar/2005, 6:45 pm Link to this post Send Private Message MSN Blog
 
titanx04 Profile
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Date Registered: 12-2004
Location: Central Coast
TOTAL POSTS: 336
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Re: Global Positioning System


Supercheap had them for $199 I will check out tomorrow and let you know which one


---
Shane & Ella
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15/Mar/2005, 8:41 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
petersxtrail Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
TOTAL POSTS: 339
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Re: Global Positioning System


Rich
As Jalal said I just bought the garmin quest, but its a bit more expensive and has extra features then it sounds like you are after. Just took it to Murray Sunset and a few day trips and I am happy. havnt used the smaller units you are talking about, but maybe something else to check out is the uniden gps105. combined gps and uhf radio around $420. (you could sell your old radio lol) anyway just spend 6 days with one new owner and it does everything you are after (plus extras). there is a pretty good thread about it here
GPS 105
go to the last few pages as at least 3 have now bought one
15/Mar/2005, 8:58 pm Link to this post  
 
petersxtrail Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
TOTAL POSTS: 339
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Re: Global Positioning System


Sorry also you could look at the GPS 205
15/Mar/2005, 9:01 pm Link to this post  
 
GeoffM Profile
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Date Registered: 07-2004
Location: Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 258
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Re: Global Positioning System




If you are after a cheap GPS that is as tough as nails, then I can recommend the Garim etrex (see thread mentioned by jalal). They have been around a while, and you can get new ones from ebay for $170.
Fairly basic, but can connect to PC (for waypoint download, and coord upload - for moving maps on a laptop). Great thing is they are small and light to carry, but on the other hand have a small screen and limited functionality.

These lower end models may claim to have a compass, but it only works when you are in motion of the satelites.

12 hours battery life is about average. The etrex can run off external power (from your car), and can go into battery save mode, where it only turns itself on every 5 minutes to update log.


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http://www.toydepot.com.au
16/Mar/2005, 12:12 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
titanx04 Profile
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Date Registered: 12-2004
Location: Central Coast
TOTAL POSTS: 336
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Re: Global Positioning System


Went to Super cheap today and they have GPS for 149.00 with car adaptor as options 3aaa batteries. Forget the make

---
Shane & Ella
GU Patrol 2.8 Turbo Diesel
Former owner of
2004 ST Manual
Titanium Silver
16/Mar/2005, 4:11 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
basshead Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: Panania, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 2852
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Re: Global Positioning System


i don't think I'd want one with a built-in UHF radio as I already have one emoticon

Typical - I started thinking about a GPS after I bought the UHF - I didn't even know (back then) that you could get a combined unit.



---
Rich. X-013(c)
'04 S2 ST Auto. Nudge_roofracks_tow_tints_Lightforce_GME_YokoGeoA/T-S_TBS_bashplate_50mm-spacer-lift
Click here to see >300MB of photos and videos All For His Glory.
17/Mar/2005, 2:58 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message MSN Yahoo Blog
 


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