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Car Forum / Australian Car Forums / 4x4 Cars (Australian group) / May 2005Moo..ving maps
What a wonderful bit of kit these are. And what a PITA to set up. Getting the right software, installing, fiddling fiddling fiddling, mounting the gps, where to put the laptop etc. Initial attempts with map calibration were dismal failures...one trip to the shop reported me to be in China. Decent maps soon fixed this minor glitch. Better off to buy the whole shebang if you can afford it, better still buy a new vehicle with it installed when you win Lotto. I've always used paper maps, and will still carry them. But just having the ability to confirm which track I'm on, and having the proximity alarm for waypoints is great. Unfortunately since the laptop is currently sitting strapped down in the passengers seat, blonde swedish hitchhikers will have to keep walking (damm ! :) Now I'll know where I'm lost :)) Cheers Jim >I've always used paper maps, and will still carry them. You bet! Like you, Jim, I'm sold on moving maps but on my first trip into the High Country using them the computer refused to boot due to a hard disk error. All sorted out when I returned home but was I glad I had my paper backups. Mike Harding > >I've always used paper maps, and will still carry them. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Mike Harding you can't wipe your arse on a laptop (unless it's a mac) Jim what kind of gps and software do you use ? > What a wonderful bit of kit these are. And what a PITA to set up. Getting > the right software, installing, fiddling fiddling fiddling, mounting the [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Cheers > Jim >Jim what kind of gps and software do you use ? Not sure what Jim's using but if you run Linux on your laptop instead of Megasloth Windoze, check out a software package called GPSdrive that works with Garmin (and perhaps other) makes of GPS unit: http://www.gpsdrive.cc  SignatureCraig's Saab C900 Page --> http://lios.apana.org.au/~c900 Sydney, NSW Australia Craig's Saab C900 Workshop -- For all Saab C900 Enthusiasts world-wide! http://www.saab900classic.net http://www.saab900.org c900@lios.apana.org.au Come and explore our site, and check out our web-forums, mailing list, etc. >>Jim what kind of gps and software do you use ? >Not sure what Jim's using but if you run Linux on your laptop instead of >Megasloth Windoze, check out a software package called GPSdrive that works >with Garmin (and perhaps other) makes of GPS unit: >http://www.gpsdrive.cc Something I forgot to mention is that GPSdrive is also suitable to use on a PDA such as a HQ Ipaq. That's true portability for you. I'm investigating it's use with my local bushfire brigade (of which I'm a member) since we're trying to come up with good ways to make GPS gear more useful in the field both during crew training and non-firefighting actitivies, and also during core firefighting such as hazard reductions, normal fire suppression, and big section-44 emergencies as well. Currently our three vehicles have a single hand-held Garmin GPS-12 provided. No remote power, no external antenna. They rarely get used, but I'd like to see us make a lot more use of GPS if possible. Perhaps having a ruggedised laptop PC in each vehicle with ability to connect to a GPS unit is a good way to go. Regards, Craig. SignatureCraig's Saab C900 Page --> http://lios.apana.org.au/~c900 Sydney, NSW Australia Craig's Saab C900 Workshop -- For all Saab C900 Enthusiasts world-wide! http://www.saab900classic.net http://www.saab900.org c900@lios.apana.org.au Come and explore our site, and check out our web-forums, mailing list, etc. >>>Jim what kind of gps and software do you use ? > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Craig. Go the BIG aerial... IMHO, trees, burning or not ain't a good thing to have between a GPS and the satellites:-) SignatureToby. quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur > What a wonderful bit of kit these are. And what a PITA to set up. Getting > the right software, installing, fiddling fiddling fiddling, mounting the <schnip> At the risk of sending techies and geeks into spasms of laughter, I'll try and explain the software etc. I call it a retro tech system. (for those old enough to remember, its also known as cheap or povo). I have an old Thinkpad 760 laptop. (would you believe 64 meg of ram). Oziexplorer was installed and thats where it all began. A very basic Magellan 310 GPS was mated to the lappy and a copy of Natmap 2003 acquired. Unaware that the appropriate "map" files were availiable off the net I attempted all sorts of import and calibration moves to it all working. Finally the penny dropped and I was away. A copy of Great Desert Treks (I had the paper version) was procured (thanks Bob :) was loaded and away we go. Along the way I evaluated the Garmin Mapping software for Oz (on the desktop). A great bit of gear, as I found my propertys location wihin minutes...with a house number. . I can see the value of in car nav systems. What a pity they werent around when I was finding my way through strange cities. What a boon to anyone who has to find different addresses every business day. Roll on a big Lotto win when I will be able to afford a td Sahara with all the fruit :) Yes, trees and clouds are not the GPS s friend. But I don't intend using this stuff anywhere where thats a problem. I don't really expect the electronics to survive the corregations and dust of my trip. Its old stuff put together with chewing gum technology. But I'm going to give it a good try. Imagine coming to an intersection in the bush. No signposts. 3 of the tracks will take you a long way from nowhere into the desert. With a this stuff you can just turn around and see which one is the right one. Bloody magic. Ok guys you can go back to your dedicated mapping systems and PDA's etc now, secure in the knowledge that at least one old doodle bug doesn't take it all for granted. Cheers Jim Im impressed Jim well done and this sorta thingy is a goal for me for a trip to the cape next year some time Fig >> What a wonderful bit of kit these are. And what a PITA to set up. Getting >> the right software, installing, fiddling fiddling fiddling, mounting the [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > Cheers > Jim Dunno about impressing anyone, I was lucky to have some great people pass along their maps. If they'd of been there to point things out, I would of been up and away in 10 mts and not a week :(( Mate, start now :)) I just wish I'd of had it on all my trips up there. One station property I crossed using the Bible (Ron Moon must of had different sized tyres) and it said 120K. At 160k I was worried as night was falling, I had a seriously sick passenger and there wasn't anywhere to camp. There were so many little tracks everywhere that it wasn't funny, sidetracks off detours off detours. Turns out that all my detours around fallan trees added up to a LOTTA extra mileage. I thought I would be right, but wasn't sure. Having a crook passenger will do that to you. We ended up at Bramwell station, a nice camp indeedie. If its still run by a lady and her son I can recommend it. The locals told us there had been people lost on the track we came in on. I wasn't surprised :)) Cheers Jim > Im impressed Jim > well done and this sorta thingy is a goal for me for a trip to the cape next [quoted text clipped - 51 lines] > > Cheers > > Jim Forgot to mention the trees were down as the Cape burns in the dry. I could of used mooving mappies when I was looking for an airfield. Supposed to be across the track. Couldnt see it so got out to answer the call of nature. Thats when I realized that I was ON it. Only the variation in tree height gave it away. That and the termite mounds. When something says "abandoned", make sure you find out how long for :)) Cheers Cheers Jim That kinda info is invaluable to anyone especialy when considering that course. Thanks again mate Fig > Dunno about impressing anyone, I was lucky to have some great people pass > along their maps. [quoted text clipped - 89 lines] >> > Cheers >> > Jim Glad to be of service mate. If you need any other info, give me a yell on my email addy . Cheers Jim > Cheers Jim > That kinda info is invaluable to anyone especialy when considering that [quoted text clipped - 96 lines] > >> > Cheers > >> > Jim Cool thans mate for the offer I might take you up on that one mate. Thanks again kind sir :) > Glad to be of service mate. If you need any other info, give me a yell on > my > email addy . > > Cheers > Jim "Figjam(cable)" wrote: > Im impressed Jim > well done and this sorta thingy is a goal for me for a trip to the cape next > year some time Geez just what I need, spend my time pulling you out of the sh.t ya got a winch and suspension yet?? Kev No but i can carry a shitload a slack jack tailpipes to the cape in the boot for ya chunka. I drive a real truk not some gimped up urban cowboys mechanism. The only pullin you'l be doin is if ya git on ya knees. :P Fig > Geez just what I need, spend my time pulling you out of the sh.t > ya got a winch and suspension yet?? "Figjam(cable)" wrote: > No but i can carry a shitload a slack jack tailpipes to the cape in the boot > for ya chunka. > I drive a real truk not some gimped up urban cowboys mechanism. > The only pullin you'l be doin is if ya git on ya knees. > :P yeah yeah but are ya gonna have some real suspension in that thing or are we gonna have to tow you over every little pot hole on the road? Kev yeah yeah i drive a cruisa trayback not some soft saggy arsed ppl mover ok i'll be goin realy slow so ya can feel good about ya dunga and i'll even play possum in the creekbeds and let ya pull something out jus so ya dont hav a yippy fit OK ! Sheeeeez the things ya gotta do to stop ppl sookin Fig > yeah yeah but are ya gonna have some real suspension in that thing or > are we gonna have to tow you over every little pot hole on the road? > yeah yeah i drive a cruisa trayback not some soft saggy arsed ppl mover > ok i'll be goin realy slow so ya can feel good about ya dunga [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > yeah yeah but are ya gonna have some real suspension in that thing or > > are we gonna have to tow you over every little pot hole on the road? Now you understand why I don't have any mates :)) Cheers Jim hehehehe nah mate hes jus some trukwit :P kinda like those who drag camper trailers up the beach and stay in a motel Fig > Now you understand why I don't have any mates :)) > > Cheers > Jim "Figjam(cable)" wrote: > hehehehe nah mate hes jus some trukwit :P > kinda like those who drag camper trailers up the beach and stay in a motel It was a Cabin ya goose hehehe Kev "Figjam(cable)" wrote: > yeah yeah i drive a cruisa trayback not some soft saggy arsed ppl mover > ok i'll be goin realy slow so ya can feel good about ya dunga > and i'll even play possum in the creekbeds and let ya pull something out playing possum, is that when you drive into a mud hole and your crappy bullbar digs in one side and the tray catches the other and you are left sitting with wheels off the gound?, remember mud tyres don't do a thing when spinning in the air > jus so ya dont hav a yippy fit OK ! > Sheeeeez the things ya gotta do to stop ppl sookin anytime you think that bog stocker leaf sprung pile of poo can better a lifted coil sprung cruiser come and try :) Kev > playing possum, is that when you drive into a mud hole and your crappy > bullbar digs in one side and the tray catches the other and you are left > sitting with wheels off the gound?, remember mud tyres don't do a thing > when spinning in the air yeah it was in the mud and it is a crappy bar and the tray is too low and when where they off the ground ??? well i spose from where you were BEHIND me waitin to see how i got through coz you were too afriad to give it a go and i at least had the balls to give it a shot.and i spose to the untrained eye the tires woulda appeared to be off the ground coz they were spinning so fast when i do lift my tray and when i do upgrade the bar what will be your excuse then seeins i still go the same places you do and i dont cry on the side of the trak coz i bent me tailpipe coz you got some bodgy fencepipe fitted for a drain. > anytime you think that bog stocker leaf sprung pile of poo can better a > lifted coil sprung cruiser > come and try yeah it is a bog stock suspension, see thats the thing if and when i do decide to lift mine it wont be some saggy arsed ppl mover it will be a tuff truk jus like another one you know of and they will kick you saggy a.s up the cape while your towin that silly bodgy box trailer you call a camper and sleepin at hotels coz you cant stand roughin it in the bush it beats the hell outta me why you went and paid money in the first place for a ppl mover when ya coulda got a real bush truk. ya know if it wasn for us quiet achievers out there and we werent patient enough to wait for the likes of your type while you bandaged up ya over priced garden hose you call an exhaust system you still be out there lookin for some vines hangin outta tarzans tree house to tie up that nylex garden hose but i had fun even though mine got dirty and even got stuck and had to get pulled out by not one but two decent 4by's chained together with a hundred foot of chain coz no one else could get close enough or game enough to pull me out Now THATS a real day out in the bush :P Fig > > playing possum, is that when you drive into a mud hole and your crappy > > bullbar digs in one side and the tray catches the other and you are left [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > Fig Geez u blokes must have scary missus's if ya have to argue with each other :-) Cheers Jim > yeah it is a bog stock suspension, see thats the thing if and when i do > decide to lift > mine it wont be some saggy arsed ppl mover it will be a tuff truk jus like > another one and you won't be getting stuck between a lil sand hump and a concrete pillar neither I suppose :) Kev Wotya mean > and you won't be getting stuck between a lil sand hump and a concrete > pillar neither I suppose > > :) > > Kev |
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