Navigation Sysytem

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

To all those who seem to have elaborate GPS systems,
I have a street navigator and a Garmin Etrek, neither of which can be used for track navigation apart from getting Lat and Long to help with map reading. I have asked for the great maps from Drew and have down loaded OziExplorer trial, but I assumed that I would be able to get a GPS receiver to connect to the PC and then I would have a Navigation system that could be used on tracks such as Birdsville on which I am travelling in Sept.
Do uses have any thoughts about how this could be set up. Or will it work as it is, that is when I have the maps and a receiver?
I am interested in a simple system that does not require the purchase of a ExplorerXL.

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

G'day Dirttracker,

All you need is a PC, Ozieplorer and a GPS receiver to have moving map navigation on your laptop.

My setup is Oziexplorer coupled with a Garmin 18 mouse type USB receiver (get them for about $100.00). Plug in your mouse receiver, run an easy setup in Oziexplorer and then install your maps on your laptop and point Oziexplorer to them.

I assume I am answering the question you are asking. If not, feel free to point me in the right direction or PM me if you need help with anything. I am not a GPS guru but I bum around with them a bit.

Indy

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

Thanks Indy,
That is the information that I need, not the techno stuff just the elements that can be intergrated to get a simple moving map system. another help when you are in the bush, but i cant go past paper maps.

I am happy to hear from anyone else as well if you have a view.

Thanks again Indy.

[dirttracker Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dirttracker]

I wonder if people have a view regarding bluetooth vs cable direct to PC?

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

I had a look at blue tooth gps aerials and whilst they look good they still need to draw power from somewhere - so you have to recharge them at regular intervals.

I just didn't like the idea of it running out of chuff because I had too many green cans the night before and forgot to plug it in to charge. :lol:

[Firey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Firey]

Dirttracker,

You can use your Garmin Etrex for moving map on a laptop. all you have to do is buy a serial connection cable to go from your etrex to your laptop.

A GAREP3SER Cable can be purchased from:

http://www.gpsoz.com.au/cables.htm#Comb ... t%20Garmin

This has the serial connection as well as power from a cigarette plug.

Most recent laptops don't have a serial port so you may also need a serial port to USB adaptor for your laptop.

A better solution is to to get a mouse type GPS which will plug directly into the laptop or a Bluetooth GPS. If your laptop already has bluetooth built in then it's easy otherwise you can get a bluetooth to USB adapter or bluetooth to PCMCIA adapter for your laptop.

Bluetooth GPS is a better way to go because you can also use the bluetooth GPS with a Pocket PC which has built in bluetooth and running the Pocket PC version of Oziexplorer.

Do an Ebay search for bluetooth GPS and you will find lots of options.

I personally have purchased a Qtstarz bluetooth GPS which I find extremely sensitive, very quick to lock on, comes with both mains and cigarette charger and uses a standard Nokia phone battery for over 20 hours of continuous operation and auto standby when it loses connection with the PC

Firey

[Guest Close Guest]

Thanks for the advice Firey,
I have looked at ebay and I can get one for $116 delivered. I would then need a bluetooth dongle. Where do you position it in your vehicle?

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

I wonder if people have a view regarding bluetooth vs cable direct to PC?

Guys, I've been using a bluetooth GPS receiver for ages - they are great. They can be charged on the go from the 12v outlet and can also be charged from most PDA mounts.

The great thing about the bluetooth is that it's wireless (no really!) and you can put it where it gets best signal. Mine lives on my dash as far forward as it will go and gets a good view of the sky. I'm currently working on a housing for it to go on top of my snorkel, where it gets great signal and still reaches my PDA.

The battery in my receiver lasts for ages - it's the same as a Nokia phone battery and is Lithium Ion construction. It runs for over 15 hours continuously on it's battery. See herefor more info.

Drew.

[Guest Close Guest]

Thanks for the advice Firey,
I have looked at ebay and I can get one for $116 delivered. I would then need a bluetooth dongle. Where do you position it in your vehicle?

My Qstarz comes with a rubber backing which is pretty non-slip. I just place it on the dash and it seems to stay there. Sometimes I just leave it in the glass holder on the centre console. It is sensitive enough that I get a good signal there as well.

Firey

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Guys. Please remember to log in before posting. For some reason guest accounts have been re-enabled. Your posts might get automatically deleted unless they originate from your proper account.

I've PMd Aaron about the guest accounts to try and get things secure again.

Drew.

[Firey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Firey]

Guys. Please remember to log in before posting. For some reason guest accounts have been re-enabled. Your posts might get automatically deleted unless they originate from your proper account.

I've PMd Aaron about the guest accounts to try and get things secure again.

Drew.

Drew,

Point taken, I went away for a bit and it logged me out which I didn't realise.

Will keep an eye on my login status before posting in future.

Firey