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GPS Help - Europe,Middle East, SE Asia, Australia GPS Help - Europe,Middle East, SE Asia, Australia
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Photo by Lois Pryce, fueling up in Tunisia

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
fueling up in Tunisia




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  #1  
Old 10 Apr 2012
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GPS Help - Europe,Middle East, SE Asia, Australia
Hi all,

Never used a GPS before. Leaving on the 1st of May from London going to Australia (Europe, Iran, Pakistan,India, China, SE Asia, Australia)

My budget is less than £350 (ideally)

What should i buy? And how good our the free maps available for DL?

I considered buying a Garmin and downloading the free maps (from the sticky thread in this sections) But how good are they?? Especically for Middle East, India and SE Asia (China not really a problem as i am with other overlanders and a guide)

Help please??

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 10 Apr 2012
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For £350 you might get hold of the ever-so-up-to-date Montana 650, or maybe the 600 which doesn't have the camera built in.

I asked something similar in here http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rmin-gps-62780 and there are not a lot of views about the best value Garmin but therein it amounts to the Montana at the high end of the market and the 60cx/60csx at a lower price. Both are waterproof.
A few folks in here say they use the Nuvi series and waterproof it "as and when".

As for the software aspect; Tom Tom don't seem to have any free software - the free software market appears to be concentrated on Garmin and the apps for smartphones. There are threads in here about both of those options, but they don't differentiate between regions/continents, not so far anyway. In other words, I have never seen anything in here that points to one particular freebie being better than any other for certain parts of the world, with the possible exception of "ozzie explorer" (or some similar name) which covers the obvious location.
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  #3  
Old 11 Apr 2012
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Before my trip, in the reverse direction of yours, last year I too had never used a GPS. I bought a Garmin a week before I left and then relied on the free open source maps . I used for maps Russia, Mongolia and most of Europe and found them all excellent - really good quality with minimal problems. Since getting back I've found the map of Australia is equally good. Based on this I'd expect maps of Iran, India etc to be fine.

As to which GPS to buy my non-expert view is:
- buy a Garmin so you can use the free map sources.
- buy one with a memory card facility so you can load the maps.
- buy the cheapest one you can; If you haven't got one already I suspect you are like me and not a geek - cheap generally simpler and easier features.
- lots of people recomend large screen GPS but for me small = good because it is easier to remove and stick in your pocket when you are off the bike.

My GPS was an ETrex Vista - I think this is at the lower end of the Garmin price range and I found it fine. Suggest you don't stress too much and just buy whatever is in your price range.

When you make it to Australia feel free to look me up - always able to provide space to a fellow traveller.
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Old 12 Apr 2012
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Thanks all.

Btw i am travelling in a Mitsubishi Delica, so im not as concerned of the elements (as someone who needs on a bike)

i looked at the vista... based on my complete inexperience with GPS's and my inability to just make a choice...i have seen this on amazon

Deal or No Deal??

Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Handheld GPS: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Thanks all
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  #5  
Old 12 Apr 2012
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Now that is completely another story..If you intend to do also hiking,handheld would be fine but for cage only I would consider something with bigger screen:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ctronics%2C615
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  #6  
Old 12 Apr 2012
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ok cool... So if i go far a basic garmin nuvi, i can load the opensource maps and go from there....??

Cheers
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