PDA software can be purchased and uploaded to the device. Some such GPS
software is Travroute CoPilot, Oziexplorer, Destinator and TomTom. Software
can also be stored on a SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card. These cards are
currently available in 2, 4 & 8GB.
OziExplorer
states their GPS Mapping Software is interactive, it allows you to work on
your computer screen, with digital maps that you have purchased or scanned
yourself. By using these maps OziExplorer allows you to plan your trip by
creating waypoints, routes and tracks on screen and upload these to your
GPS. In their moving map mode it will navigate you along your chosen route
giving instructions when each waypoint is reached. They say their software
will work with Garmin, Magellan, Lowrance, Eagle, Brunton/Silva and MLR GPS
receivers.
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Next Destination Pty Ltd is an Australian based and
owned company that distribute Magellan GPS and they
produced the Magellan certified mapping. The
distributor states you no longer need separate units
to take you over streets, over land and over water
as the Magellan Crossover GPS will do this. The
Magellan Crossover allows you to use the one sat nav
unit for voice prompted street directions, GPS
capabilities and topo mapping with 4WD trails, as
well as outback tracks, and marine GPS features with
marine charts.
Features
Routing Options – ability to exclude toll roads,
unsealed roads or to choose the shortest or quickest routes.
The devices will also re-route you in the event you take a
wrong turn.
Other options -
are also available such as mobile phone connection
compatibility, play your MP3 files, a walking option to plot
a route ignoring one-way streets or using paths through
parks.
Most standard GPS receivers will not only place your
position on a map at any particular location but will also
trace your path as you move across a map. The receiver,
with the GPS built-in clock, can give you information such
as your speed, your average speed, how long you have been
travelling, how far you have traveled (odometer) and the
estimated time of arrival at your programmed destination. A
‘bread crumb’ trail showing where you have traveled on the
map is also available.
GPS
devices also contain an address book you can save addresses
that you may commonly go to so you can mark this as a
‘favorite’ to make it easier to find.
Hints and Tips
Look for navigational devices with:-
Ø
A printed user manual
Ø
Large onscreen buttons to be operated
Ø
Good quality display screen for both night and day use
Ø
Dedicated buttons on the front to find parking station or
nearest service stations
Ø
Maps that display points of interest such as railways,
hospitals, airports etc
Ø
For portable GPS – lightweight for carrying as well as easy
removal from the mount
Ø
Ability to put in ‘home’, ‘favorites’ or way points
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