Aussie GPS software option?

Phobos0001 · 07-27-2005, 07:50 AM

Hi Everyone,

Im pretty noob @ the GPS side of things, so i appologise for any noob-ish language on my part... but anyways....

i found this Trackranger apon searching for GPS software and i wanted to know if it is appropriate for using in a Carputer environment. i am planning to install this onto my planned carputer in my 4x4 ute as i want something that has both street maps and offraod trails.

is the wrong type of software ir is it a good buy for $249.00AUD + maps?

TX5 · 07-27-2005, 08:00 AM

G`Day

I hadnt seen that program before.

Have a look at MapMonkey http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/map-monkey/

Phobos0001 · 07-27-2005, 08:22 AM

do the maps the Map monkey use include small trails & dirt roads too or just the same sort of thing that you will get in a UBD or Melway\Sydway book?

TX5 · 07-27-2005, 08:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Phobos0001

do the maps the Map monkey use include small trails & dirt roads too or just the same sort of thing that you will get in a UBD or Melway\Sydway book?

I havnt had a chance to do much off road, but i think they are only the same sort of thing as mel / sydway

happpyg · 07-27-2005, 08:28 AM

I use OziExplorer with imported CALM Maps for offroad 4x4 nav and then Destinator 3 for on road Nav, combination works really well! Only problem is Oziexplorer doesn't like embedding in Road Runner very well, any popups like save plot diaglog disappear so for now I have a button in RR which minimizes RR then starts Ozi until guino updates embedding support.

Phobos0001 · 07-27-2005, 09:05 AM

thanks for sharing happyg, how much (roughly) do those OziExplorer and "CALM" maps cost? and in reguards to hardware, can i just hook up any USB GPS reciever or is there software specifics i need to take into concideration?

djmickyg · 07-27-2005, 09:09 AM

oziexplorer is pretty cheap if u know where to look

have a look for TOPO (topographical) maps also

happpyg · 07-27-2005, 09:31 AM

I did originally buy a few maps (1:50000 I think) & cost me about $50 for 4 of them which cover about 50x50km each but then I met a mate who hooked me up with the rest. If you tell them you are using the maps in oziexplorer they can also send you the calibration files with them so you basically start ozi, tell it to start talking to the gps & it will load the correct map for you & put a moving pointer on the map where you are. Then for a bit more Info I found a site which had free elevation data which enabled me to use oziexplorer 3d so straight away I can see where the fun steep stuff is.

Ozi compatible with pretty much any USB reciever that can output NMEA sentences (I use a BU-303 mounted on the dash for street nav & then out the window stuck on the roof for offroad stuff where you're in forrests etc, maintains a really good lock!), you can download ozi & try it with the built in NMEA simulator, it comes with some demo maps.

There are other topo maps around but if you cant find any you can just loada map imapge jpg or bmp format & if you know the coordinates of a few points you can calibrate that jpg for use as a map in ozi.

Hope that helps, i'd be lost without it, makes finding tracks sooo much easier!

Phobos0001 · 07-27-2005, 09:32 AM

do you think that the TrackRanger program is a bad idea? i mainly want it for when i go on tracks through places like Mount Dissapointment, wombat state, boardertown, and genral offroad shenanigans like that, but the streetmap is kind of cool too

happpyg · 07-27-2005, 09:42 AM

I have heard of trackranger & some of the 4wd guys over here use it I think but i've never really looked into it as ozi does everything I need & I find the 3d mapping part of it really handy.

I guess they all do pretty much the same thing though, whatever suits you best.

Phobos0001 · 07-27-2005, 10:59 AM

mad, ill just get whatever software works out cheaper then thanks for the help and input guys