VMS or OZI

Noel,

Have you considered using a tablet style pc running Ozi under window? I'm currently setting up a hp TC1100 tablet (a few years old now, with an 8"x6" screen) to run Ozi. For the last few years our gps has been a micro desktop pc installed out the back with a dash mounted 9" touch screen, running Ozi with a mouse style gps receiver. Worked well and survived the worst corrugations, but ties up cargo space. Can't yet vouch for it's successor, but I'm optimistic.

Suggest have a look at tablets. Ebay is a good catalogue, even if you don't buy there.

Cheers

John

Yeah OZI Explorer need to get this happening, I can't believe they still develop for the windows mobile only. Personally I wouldn't buy a windows tablet just to run this app, the Ipad has literally thousands of apps that drive the sales. Time for some changes boys.

I've looked into this with great interest. I think the concept of being able to scroll and find detailed maps with a single click is ingenious. Also the ability to pinch and stretch the maps while on the go would make like so much easier!

I've phoned VMS to enquire about this product and have found the following items to consider.
Firstly, the product is a MudMap development and what VMS have done is to combine this with a few additional maps. This in itself is not a great issue.
Secondly, you are not able to add any of your current ozi maps to this product. Now this becomes a bit of an issue, especially considering the costs associate with having bought them in the first place.
The last, and yes for me the deal breaker was even though I cannot load the current ozi maps that I have and use it with this product, I am (according to them) also not able to buy additional maps to add on in the future !!!!! Now THAT is a deal breaker.

If the last two issues get resolved you will definitely see me fashioning an iPad with VMS or MudMap.

In the meanwhile, I see that Telstra is soon to launch the New GENII Android tablets and the drip fed reviews sound awesome. Could be the answer and the best of all worlds....

Albert

I would just like to clear a little thing up for you.

VMS is a company that make a box (computer) that goes into the dash and it has a radio, DVD player, USB input and blue tooth connectivity and other things.

OziExplorer (Ozi) is a map display program that runs on either the full Windows platform (operating system) or the commercial Windows CE platform.

You buy the box (VMS, netbook, home PC or laptop) and run the program OziExploorer on it.

Phil

I'm running Bit Map on my ipad and it reads all my ozi maps (oz2f format) without conversion. Cost under $10 I think. Just transfered them onto the ipad using itunes and bingo. It does most of the things ozi does. A big thanks to one of the other forumites who put me onto it a few weeks ago. Mike

Noel

If you follow the secondary thread following my first post you may get a little confused. I was NOT answering your question as I do not know enough about Ipads to do so. I was just trying to show how in your thread title that you were asking about comparing hardware and software. That's a bit like comparing apples and oranges.

Next time I think that I will just keep quiet. I will say though, that your preference to use Ozi, is spot on.

Also personally an in-dash unit is both safer from bouncing around and more secure against the casual window breaking car accessory thief.

Apologies if it threw you off track.

Phil