HELP...... Laptop/GPS which way to go

[Ekki Adventurers]

OK, I've read most of the GPS threads and I'm still confused.
We are going on the big trip around Aust offroad. Have a little Uniden GP501 at present.
We want a laptop for logging journey, photo management, commication with the family while away etc. Will also have to be our TV/Entertainment system.
I want to be able to breadcrumb/track our route. I'm confident I can use most software packages but hardware is not my strongpoint so this is my delema.
Do we,
Buy GPS inbuilt in Laptop
Pro's - less things floating around the car
Cons - will have to have laptop infront of me while navigating. We have an old Paj and not much room in passenger area. We have suspension seats so cannot tuck harddrive under them. If problem with Laptop - have big problems navigating outback tracks.

Buy handheld GPS and link to Laptop.
Pro's - If one breaks still have other devise for navigating assistance.
Cons - Which one - Have looked at Hema GPS but seems a bit pricey.

Buy Hema DVD Maps and just use our old Uniden,
Pros - no pretty moving maps but works anywhere, on road or off on station tracks.
Cons - would like new toys and this way is heavy handed as will have to plot manually.

We have a budget of about $4,000 for Laptop, navigation, communication & entertainment?
Help.....

[bmurray2250]

With that budget, buy the Hema, a laptop/Netbook, Hema maps and OziExplorer. Buy DVD play for each of the children, that should roughly cost $2000 plus.

Buy a Garmin GPS60, Netbook, OZiExplorer s/w and Hema maps plus the DVD players will still come in around $2000 or a bit less.

VMS has a good system that has the DVD/MP3/GPS etc in the unit which fits in a double size CD/radio player. They are around $1300 on memory. VMS mades the Hema GPS hardware.

There are many solutions to your problem.

[Ekki Adventurers]

Thanks bmurray but that's the problem. There are too many choices.
If I can save money but still have everything I want then I have spare money for something else, like saving for the fuel or getting those muddys Wooky wants.

[bmurray2250]

Prestigecom.net.au Best Prices on UHF CB Radio, GPS Navigation and Communications, Express delivery Australia wide $895 Hema Navigator
MapTrax Digital Mapping $179 Hema Maps Ausstralia DVD
The Official OziExplorer Web Site - GPS Mapping Software for Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance, Eagle, MLR Receivers $130 OziExplorer software
cPanel® $699 Asus EEEPC Netbook

Total $1903 add DVD players and any accessories required like a inventor

cPanel® has the in-dash or portable navigator (you need to call and local seller for the price)

I use a laptop and download the plots from my Garmin GPS60 on a trip. I have 2 DVD players so the 3 kids can watch movies with their headsets on. They also have a MP3 players and DS Lite to play games.

I would only look for a netbook with a solid state drive if doing a offroad trip. No moving parts and you can back to USB sticks.

Hope that gives you a good option

[Ekki Adventurers]

Thanks bmurray. Another stupid question -
Whats the difference between,
Laptop, Notebook & netbook ??? Is it only size -
(Don't have to worry about kids - we're leaving them at home)

[billolga]

We do a big trip every year for a Month or two off road mostly & we have used a Garmin hand held for 8 years which runs on the car battery & an external antenna. WORKS GREAT
The planning is done with it's software MAPSOURCE (Others work the same) but it can be transferred to ANY GPS using .GPX files (GPS Exchange).

I have just bought a TOMTOM XL & found you can add a FREE program called TTMaps & now have ALL THE HEMMA DESERT MAPS INSTALLED! (You can switch from the street TOMTOM to the TTMaps with the press of an ICON) - VERY EASY TO INSTALL!
BTW you can transfer the Routes & Waypoints from GPS to GPS so we will run BOTH
(We carry a laptop for photos + external backup Hard Disk & have an $80 USB Digital/Analog with remote for TV)
pm me if you want more details.

[bmurray2250]

Netbook is a smaller version of a laptop and not as featured as one either. For normal operation, I wouldn't miss the some of the features. Look at Harvey Normans or a good computer shop

[Ekki Adventurers]

Originally Posted by billolga

We do a big trip every year for a Month or two off road mostly & we have used a Garmin hand held for 8 years which runs on the car battery & an external antenna. WORKS GREAT
The planning is done with it's software MAPSOURCE (Others work the same) but it can be transferred to ANY GPS using .GPX files (GPS Exchange).

I have just bought a TOMTOM XL & found you can add a FREE program called TTMaps & now have ALL THE HEMMA DESERT MAPS INSTALLED! (You can switch from the street TOMTOM to the TTMaps with the press of an ICON) - VERY EASY TO INSTALL!
BTW you can transfer the Routes & Waypoints from GPS to GPS so we will run BOTH
(We carry a laptop for photos + external backup Hard Disk & have an $80 USB Digital/Analog with remote for TV)
pm me if you want more details.

Thanks billolga
That's something like the setup I've been thinking of.
Do you know if Garmin can breadcrumb as have heard some are not capable of plotting off existing tracks e.g. couldn't do a station track.
Also what sort of aerial do you use.
Kaz

[Ekki Adventurers]

Originally Posted by bmurray2250

Netbook is a smaller version of a laptop and not as featured as one either. For normal operation, I wouldn't miss the some of the features. Look at Harvey Normans or a good computer shop

Thought there had to be more than just size of screen although think it will be too small to watch dvd's on 8" - I like mine bigger than that..

[bmurray2250]

The Garmin handhelds do bread crumbs, I have the GPS60 which is good for mapping. A friend uses a eTrex.

The netbook maybe small on the screen but there are laptops getting around for good prices too. My brother used a laptop on a trip for his 2 boys and sometimes it was a issue as one wanted to watch a different movie. I ended up with personal DVD players and added extra power at the back console for the middle row so they can plug in.