Best GPS for a mostly on-road trip around Oz

[Canaust Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Canaust]

Hi

In 2005 I was surprised how many minor roads were on our normal Garmin GPS.

I am tossing up between buying a GARMIN nuvi 2597LMT for about $200
http://www.dicksmith.com.au/in-car-n...gps-dsau-d9182

or should I shell out nearly $700 for a Hema Navigator?
http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/Hema+He...opo#rqc_tabs=1

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

We will be carrying the Hema paper maps.

Thanks

Alan

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Google maps and a good internet connection.

For offline navigation:
Mapfactor Navigator is an app that is free.
Tomtom is available as an app for a lot less than a full gps device.

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The Motorola Moto G and it's 2nd generation model are excellent dual SIM Android phones for the same price as the first GPS you mentioned. Useful if you want to run your Canadian SIM too.

The 2nd generation has a microSD slot added.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Do you want turn by turn navigation or just want to know where you are? Do you already have a gps in Canada? And do you have an iDevice or android?

If you already have a gps, can you just get Australian maps? Its what I did when I went to Europe.

If not and thinking about travel and not wanting to bring too much over, I would use my phone/tablet. Turn by turn, If you have an iDevice (or Android) you can get the tom tom app for your iPhone for about AU$100. Will work without phone reception, and is pretty good. You get the latest maps when you buy so for your trip should be ok. IMO Garmin and Tom Tom are fine for the main on road stuff, and I know the Tom Tom does major unsealed roads as well. Don't know about Garmin, but presume it's the same.

If you dont need turn by turn or want a bit more detail you can get a Hema Map app for iPhone and android. Android gives you the basic 1:250k Hema for free (Similar to their paper touring atlas), other maps are extras.

http://www.hemamaps.com.au/home/hema-app-comparison

I actually use the most basic standalone Tom Tom to get me near to my destination (I bought for $99 about 5 years ago, before I had an iPhone) and then Hema maps on the memory map app for more detail when I need it. Eg Tom Tom got me from Sydney to Harrievtille in the vic high country, then used the Hema Highcountry maps to get around when there

I use Memory Map as I've got NSW 1:25k ortho maps downloaded for mountain biking and 4wding. You prob won't need that level of detail though

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

As others are saying, if you have a tablet with a sim card then purchase one of the Apps for that. We use the Hema 4wd app most of the time which for town to town navigation or remote bush travel is great. If we want more detailed info in larger towns then you will have internet access and google maps is your friend then.

Cheers Andrew

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I'd get the tomtom via 225. Currently $114 from jb hifi.
I use one of these for lots of travel and it's amazing how many outback and off road tracks are on it.

[Canaust Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Canaust]

Thanks everybody

I didn't realise the iPad / iPhone GPS apps would work outside mobile phone coverage.

We will be bringing 2 iPads and 2 iPhones so an App should be enough.

We have a Garmin GPS in Canada, but to add the Australian Maps to it is $189.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/maps...rod104105.html
I may as well buy a whole new unit for $212 and sell it at the end for $50 (and I have seen it for sale @$180)

Cheers

Alan

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Thanks everybody

I didn't realise the iPad / iPhone GPS apps would work outside mobile phone coverage.

We will be bringing 2 iPads and 2 iPhones so an App should be enough.

We have a Garmin GPS in Canada, but to add the Australian Maps to it is $189.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/maps...rod104105.html
I may as well buy a whole new unit for $212 and sell it at the end for $50 (and I have seen it for sale @$180)

Cheers

Alan

The 'proper' apps should allow offline navigation some free ones will require cell coverage. But make sure the iPads have GPS chips in them. The non-sim versions don't have GPS chips. Its a mistake I made when I got my iPad2.