I've been using GPS since B4 GPS came out.
Sat Nav, and Calculators with app's in them.
Garmin have proven, over a lot of yrs to be the most reliable.
with Mainly. Fairly accurate mapping. Updated regularly.
I have 4 of them Plus the garmin in phones too.
There are more upmarket models too,
But no better and a lot more exxy.
I used to have a Navlady but got sick of her telling me where to go so changed to a Garmin but it leads the way in some strange directions at times. Better than nothing when going through large towns and cities that you don't know much about.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
What ever you get make sure it has free lifetime map upgrades. Remember maps are seldom accurate and never up to date. We have a TOM TOM (no updates) and a garmin (with updates) prefer the TT but use garmin in cities. GPS will take you on the shortest route, sometimes not always the best route.
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Thursday 13th of October 2016 08:05:20 AM
Garmin put out a truckies model, the "dezl 560LT" which I have, which has a 5" screen, and there is also a 7" screen model. This unit allows you to enter the size and weight of your rig, and it takes you over routes that allow for the size and weight of the rig. Lifetime traffic congestion and map up dates. Also on the spot traffic congestion updates when driving.
It uses a weighted stand which while I was cautious of the idea then, find it very good. Rear view cameras can be added as an extra.
This unit I use and am very happy with it. I also have a Tom Tom, but this Garmin is better.
Something to think about, we have a Tom Tom and wouldn't be without it, we also use Camps 8 on it which is a life saver don't know how we managed without it, but if you do the updates they remove your camps 8, so you have to reinstall after every update.
You only need the regular "updates" really. If living in Metro,
mainly city areas.
Roads and directions constantly changing.
Once out of city's. not much changes
The Garmin does it's own update.
I run a 6in screen and it's great , cost me $195 del.
Di runs my prev US, 760 model 5in
have to remember to update that one too, It's asking.
For proper map reading. Di runs a Samsung 10in Tablet plugged in,
with Google maps, Mud maps, and "Here" on board.
Along with 30 odd movies. and 1\2 doz TV series.
Also all toilet stops and servo's.
That size screen is so much better for planning.(Galaxy 4, don't need all the other stuff
and it's more than fast enuff for mapping and movies).
Haven't needed to use a portable GPS for awhile as the last 3 cars have had the GPS built in, this current one has both the apple and android car play systems which I can't say I'm a big fan of. Up until 5 years ago like Dougwe we used a Navman and only got lost twice in Sydney when I thought I knew a shorter way than what that annoying Navlady was telling me. I agree with everyone else you need to keep whatever you have updated as I found with the Navman that it was completely lost whenever there was a new section of road - happened to us a couple of times in the back blocks of Queensland on our way up to Cairns. I still have the Navman which we sometimes lend to our friends - it needs to be updated with current data but it works fine. It has all the same info as the others except for maybe the Apple carplay system which is exactly what macka is doing with his tablet except that it also comes up on and is interactive with your car's own infotainment screen. I've found all of them have done the job of basic navigation maybe the dearer units will have some additional features but at the end of the day it will come down to how much you think you will use or want to pay for those additional features - Macka's Garmin sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
I'll second the Hema HN7. My new Navman locked up in Alice and was next to useless. (maybe because it was the new model with inbuilt dash cam?) Bought the Hema in Darwin and was faultless the rest of the way. I believe the new model HX1 does not have an input for rear view camera...
Brian
Tom Tom here . Maybe not the most expensive ? Rearlly sends me wrong . My cars have inbuilt GPS . But often send me off track . That's what I tell the Mrs . Lol country roads don't change much . Even if of when they do . Just keep going in general direction . It will re-calibrate anyway .
At end of trip after turning off. it gives you a page reading. dist trav. fuel cost. fuel used and time taken.
Has a zillion settings for all sorts of things. Basically a mini 7in truck unit. with a very legible screen
When you look at my Original 320 model, on special for $1450 at Brissie Boat show. They came from the stone age in comparison.
But it took me from brissie showgrounds at 3.50 on friday arvo. to Esk Caravan park without a hiccup. and I don't know brissie. First time there. I was wrapped.
Present from the gods no less.And only improving ever since.
Can also add garmin maps to 10in Tablet too for planning
but three is enuff.
Have them on Lappie.
-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 13th of October 2016 11:22:52 PM
Something to think about, we have a Tom Tom and wouldn't be without it, we also use Camps 8 on it which is a life saver don't know how we managed without it, but if you do the updates they remove your camps 8, so you have to reinstall after every update.
How did you install Camps 8 onto your TomTom? And which model is it?
Free life time maps are for 3 years only,which is regarded as the serviceability of the unit.
I've got a TomTom VIA620. Have had it for 3 years now. Will see if it still gets updated after feb 17, which should make it 4 years since I registered it (for the updates).
It's a good GPS. Like all of them CPU-wise it's underpowered, but as a navigator it works well. Have had no problems with incorrect map data.
I have had a Hema 7 for the past 2 years. Its expensive compared with TomTom and Garmin and the likes, but it is built in Aust and has a heap of really useful features that other GPS' don't.
Geoff is right that a new model is about to hit the market, but I understand its biggest change is its Topo maps and the features associated with that side of it - the Hema has a Topo maps side and standard roads side. The Hema 7 cost $799 - but it was well worth it. Would buy another if I needed one.
I travel from home around Perth for work a lot and use my Hema for all these trips - have had both Garmins and TomToms and find the Hema the simplest. Its also "smart" - it saves previous trips and if they are repetitive, it will stack the most commonly used trips in order of how you normally take them (hope that makes sense)
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The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I have got Garmin and Navman in work vehicles and they both repeatedly take me on a "Cooks Tour" at times.
It happened to me yesterday when the Garmin decided to give me the run around to the value of about 5 extra kilometers around Whyalla.
I think I will use my Hema in the work ute until I retire in 9 weeks time then it can go back into the Toyota.
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Check out Sygic Maps on either Iphone or Android. Offline maps with no data use. There is a free version, but worldwide maps with lifetime map upgrades cost around $40-$50 dollars when on special. Wikicamps POI's load straight into Android version. All you need is a phone or tablet (with cellular connection).
thankyou to everyone who was good enuff to tell me what GPS they use or recommend I will decide in the near future your replies were great to read again thankyou
