GPS Navigator ?

Any unit (or PDA) that runs Windows Mobile 5 will do the job for you.

If you can get a hardware solution with built-in GPS and running TomTom, or CoPilot that will give you turn by turn function in towns and give you a solution that is half way there.
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Installing OziExplorer as an add on and including maps (NATMAP Premium, or HEMA) stored on a CF card will give you all you need.

There are quite a few differnet brand choices. I use a Garmin Quest, voice instruction turn by turn navigation (if required), compact, DC powered from car, has inbuilt battery (10 -12 hrs running), supplied maps adeqaute for around Oz. I have also installed Tracks 4. Offers a bit more choice and details in some cases - particularly once outside major built up areas. You don't really need a PDA or Windows 5 etc unless you want to get into more detailed navigation utilising Ozi Explore or similar software usually through a laptop.
The Garmin Quest has a USB connector enabling interfacing with a PC or Laptop. Map Source, software supplied with Garmin is useful for marking Waypoints, creating Routes etc and then uploading them to your unit for use one mobile. This unit is very versatile and suits my requirements. So far it hasn't go me lost.
This particular unit is priced at around $800 and a good source for them or other models/makes might be GPS OZ I have found them to offer excellent after market support. I have no connection with them.
My daughter recently purchased a Tom Tom from Dick Smith. I'm not real sure of the model, it has about a 4" squuae screen, touch screen enabled, voice prompts, DC connector to car and also USB connector to PC/laptop. I think it cost around $350 -$400 She is really pleased with it and finds it extremely user friendly. She was able to get it up and running in 30 mins or so although she'd had some exposure/experience with my Garmin. We have run them together on the same trip (in same vehicle) and found that things like speed (vehicle travelling at) accuracy of navigation and positioning to be identical.

Best advice I can give is use the GPS for navigation but don't overlook the need to have a few paper maps available to reinforce your navigation (if you aren't real sure of where you're going and how to get there).

Troo Bloo
I guess I will get a lot of opposition as usual when I recommend Garmin units , everyone to his choice I guess, but when I have to part with a lot of $$ I want something that will work 100%, and keep working 100%,Some go for PDA's, not water/dust proof , others a Tom Tom or Navman, ok for big Cities, but when your going to Cape York, Gibb River Road, Windy Point etc then Garmin is the way to go, and with T4A Toppo maps added , all I can say is Perfect, The 2 units I have put links to are in your upper price range, don't get cheap crap, I have the Quest and a Garmin Nuvi 660 , the 660 is just out of your range so I suggest the Nuvi 310 instead but the 660 has an FM transmitter so you get the voice through the Car Radio, also has the bluetooth for hands free phone , The Quest screen is small but the unit has some very good functions, like 4000 + klm of of track memory, a CD with the map software so you can make routes, tracks, Waypoints, work out distances on the PC . I could go on and on but just take a look at the specs in the links ,
www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_quest_1.html
www.ja-gps.com.au/garmin_nuvi310.aspx

Doug

I suspected it before but now I'm sure , you've got SHARES in this company Doug havn't you ?

Troo Bloo
I forgot to add my GPS webpage link

members.westnet.com.au/dtilley/maps.htm

I will also suggest this site
www.gpsaustralia.net/

If you click on the online shop at the top left, there are heaps of good bargains available. The fellow that owns/runs this site, Nick, is a very nice fellow and more than accomadating. He is who the explor oz shop deals with, so you could even ask Jackie what is available and they can source a price for you

Recently Jackie organised a PS2 GPS for me, however the brand she arranged had a female PS2 and not he male which I required for my cable. No probs she said, gave me the number for GPS aus, gave Nick a call, who said no probs, Ill swap it over no charge. Just so happened his shop was only a few minutes drive away and wolla, PDA GPS system now works. He had a very good range of products available, which may or may not suit your needs, but well worth contacting him to see if he can help.

Good luck, I hope it all works out

Mike

I have a Mio P350 which you can use Tom Tom software on if you wish, I use Destinator PN as it uses Navteq mapping, which is better in rural areas than Whereis. Co-PIlot 6 & Route 66 also both use Navteq mapping.
I guess the advantage of the P350 is that being a Windows Mobile based PDA, you can use it for other things as well.
Don't buy the P550 with bluetooth, as the inbuilt GPS antenna has been compromised to allow room for the bluetooth facility, although both the P350 & P550 do have a connection for an external antenna.

Next destination are bringing out one called "crossover" which will do streets and topo and marine going from one set of maps to the next as you leave the road or go on the water or back to road. Looks good but suspect it will be pricey. Try their website and direct queries to them.

Whatever you get, have a look at all the features and ask yourself if you need them. I travel with explorist 400 which is black and white screen and lasts longer on a charged battey. I also use oziexplorer so I need the usb feature. I go fishing so I need handheld and water resistant. You may only want a very basic that will give co-ordinates to use with maps but if you want one those street directories thats another story. Maps will need to have Latitude and Longitude to be of any use with gps.

If you want built in maps in the gps then it will cost but they do some good topgraphic and road maps. Yeah its a bit of a learning curve but worth the time it takes in order to get what you need.

Owen

Owen