Bluetooth GPS hardware, software, and maps for Australia??

[MadBison]

Hello

Can someone recommend a good bluetooth GPS unit? In order of preference:
1) Long battery life (6 hours +)
2) Small, Ligt
3) Accurate (I suspect they should all be prety similar)?

Software. This is the harder part.
1) What software do I need to get Australian maps of high quality?
2) Do the maps come with the software, or do I have to pay extra?
3) Can you download the maps from the intgernet? Free or otherwise?
4) Are the maps kept up to date? Does this cost extra?

A pointer to a web site would be great.

To give some background:I have a hx4700. I am not new to PPC but am new to GPS. My primary use for this will be to put in a hard case in a backpak with the iPAQ 4700 with that ski software that was posted here recently. But of course, I also want to use it when driving interstate, etc.

Thank you
David

[G M Fude]

Hmmm... georeferenced maps for Australia. About all I can say is that there are more than there are for Tierra del Fuego. There was some excitement late last year when Microsoft's Pocket Streets and Trips was promoted as having Australian maps. That seems to have fizzled. I guess some MS drone mistyped 'Austria'. (sigh)

Hardware. Tough call. I have an Emtac which is small and light and reasonably-priced and robust, has never let me down. Best you head over to GPSPassion (http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/default.asp?_SetCurrentVersion=EN) for comparative reviews.

Software for Australia, well, it is a bit tough to go past Fugawi (http://www.fugawi.com/) or OziExplorerCE (http://www.oziexplorer.com/). I know definitely OziExplorerCE and I think probably Fugawi supports the georeferenced Natmap raster series, topographical maps that cover all of Australia in considerable detail. Not only that, but OziExplorerCE (and again I think Fugawi) also supports the georeferenced Sydway and Melway (http://www.maptrax.com.au/streetmaps/) street directories.

I suggest you read the OziExplorer site very thoroughly. You will glean much information from it on what is 'do-able' Downunder.

I'd also recommend checking out Dale DePriest's page (http://users.cwnet.com/dalede/) for some info on the basics.


EDIT: I should have said, all the above software solutions are for raster maps (basically, scanned maps that have been georeferenced). If you want turn-by-turn routing, hard to go past Navman's stuff. This link (http://www.navman.com/go/aus/products/index.html#gps4420) is for a bundled GPS receiver and their excellent SmartST software/map package (SmartST maps are the Sensis vector ones you may have seen on the web e.g. Whereis). But I'm reliably told that if you talk with Navman, the SmartST software/maps have a separate SKU so you can buy them seperately should you wish to source your own GPSr.

[MadBison]

Thank you heaps for your reply.

I will check out those sites, looks like they should answer all my questions.

I am not exactly sure what you were talking about with the different types of maps, but at least I now have somthing to look up.

Let the next learning curve begin. :-)

Thanks
David

[G M Fude]

I am not exactly sure what you were talking about with the different types of maps...

I figured you wouldn't, but I wasn't showing off, just pointing you in the direction of some of the important things you'll need to know. Those sites (partic. Dale DePriest's in the case of the above question) should explain all.

Yeah, it's a steep learning curve, but not as steep as migrating to Windows Mobile from Palm OS!

[uzetaab]

For turn by turn, I also reccomend Navman. It's far from perfect, but none of them are. Not even the latest printed book. But it works 95% of the time. & it certainly wouldn't miss the turn off for Canberra from Sydney like I did the 1st time I drove out there (before my GPS). The places that you normally run into trouble are new housing estates & road upgrades. Navman, unlike some of it's competitors has street level mapping for most small towns too. I hear that Gamain only have the main drag for smaller towns.


To get a Navman GPS, visit Dick Smith Powerhouse (super stores) in Canberra Melbourne & Sydney, or Olbus Communications in Brisbane. For the Seperate software visit Olbus or contact Navman direct. & make sure you get version 3 smart ST or make sure it has a free upgrade option if it comes with 2.