Bushwalk Australia

Its been a while since I visited the forum and I'm sure this has been discussed but what are the latest popular offerings for a lightweight GPS. Some degree of weatherproofing would also be nice.

Dave

Twonav Sportiva

I wouldn't say it's very popular thus far, has not been available for very long here in Australia, but in my opinion it's the bee's knee's of portable navigational device on the market for hikers. I own both the Garmin Oregon and the Twonav Sportiva. The Sportiva is a class above the Garmins.

I moved this topic to the TechnoBabble forum where all things technology are discussed, including GPS's. You might find what you're looking for here...

You might need to give us a few more clues on how you want to use the GPS. Do you want to add maps to it, do you want to keep track logs on a multi day walk, how many $$ are you thinking of spending. This will influence what we recommend.

Maps would be nice; want to keep navigation points - was expecting to pay 500-700. Want it to be able to tell me where I am, how to get to where I want to go and how to do it again next time.

the 2nav sportiva is made by holux.... i have a garmin etrex H and a holux funtrek 130 with memory map installed too love em both!
holux reviewhere
just what i got and considered good value etc at the time....

the garmin 60csx is also meant to be very good too.... i think "ILUVSWTAS" uses one of these (also with maps a bit like the holux)

i would recommend the holux - but i haven't used the 60csx...
find it here for a look.

Liamy77 wrote:the 2nav sportiva is made by holux.... i have a garmin etrex H and a holux funtrek 130 with memory map installed too love em both!
holux reviewhere
just what i got and considered good value etc at the time....

The Twonav Sportiva I own is worth $499.00, I notice the Holux Funtrek is only half that. I don't believe there the same unit. I've got a 3D compass on my Sportiva and I can use 32Gig micro SD cards on my Sportiva, it's also supplied with Topo maps. I've recently got the 1:25000 maps for my area. Software is brilliant, easy to use, and very accurate GPS signals.

I just had a look at the Holux Funtrek 130, I believe it's a cheaper version of the Twonav Sportiva. The Twonav Sportiva has a much better software running it, in my opinion.

http://sportiva.twonav.com/?lang=en

Phillipsart wrote:
The Twonav Sportiva I own is worth $499.00, I notice the Holux Funtrek is only half that. I don't believe there the same unit. I've got a 3D compass on my Sportiva and I can use 32Gig micro SD cards on my Sportiva, it's also supplied with Topo maps. I've recently got the 1:25000 maps for my area. Software is brilliant, easy to use, and very accurate GPS signals.

I just had a look at the Holux Funtrek 130, I believe it's a cheaper version of the Twonav Sportiva. The Twonav Sportiva has a much better software running it, in my opinion.

http://sportiva.twonav.com/?lang=en

Having checked ... i can't say for sure - companies don't like to release who makes which chip contract licensing etc..... i could be wrong, that said....
well it might be cheaper because they make them - no middle-man profit... i never said they were the same unit, only the same manufacturer (for parts/chips ), i can (and do) use a 8GB micro SD card in it (as well as 2GB internal storage)- more than i need even with some ebooks entire states of detailed topo and marine maps 1:25k 1:100k 1:15k place index etc etc... it also has a 3d compass and with the memory map software installed on it i dont use its normal software anyway (although its awkward-ish at first, it's actually pretty good once you get used to it.. IMHO)
As for price? (does price always = quality tho) holux gps $350 aus (450NZ) plus memory maps software and maps about $250....$600 total...... if your unit suits you better then great it was actually cheaper too! well done

- i'm not saying anything derogatory about the quality of the two nav product- i also prefer it to the garmin oregon for instance... software-wise i can use the holux OR the memorymap software (I May have misread ya but it doesn't sound like you realised that) and i have found personally that holux will do a lot to get the software how i (the customer) want it too...

of course now i am wondering if i can get my unit to run the twonav software out of interest..... need ta get hold of one for a look at the software.....unit could do it but i dunno if they will release it separately ..... lol dunno when or if i will be bothered atm though

Phillipsart wrote:I just had a look at the Holux Funtrek 130, I believe it's a cheaper version of the Twonav Sportiva. The Twonav Sportiva has a much better software running it, in my opinion.

I have a Sportiva too, and I would recomend it, but I am also convinced that the hardware of the Sportiva is identical to the Holux Fun Trek 130.

They are the same unit with different software. Sounds like the Holux is easier to hack your own software onto, what that does for battery life and reliability is anyone's guess. (remember, this is windows we are talking about, I'm constantly surprised the thing boots every time with no dramas)

Liamy77 wrote:of course now i am wondering if i can get my unit to run the twonav software out of interest.....

Quite likely: http://www.twonav.com/?op=2_1&lang=0en&prod=155

Not sure, but it looks like a $175.00 touch... If I recall correctly, the software is downloadable, and will run for a short distance before falling down to demo mode.

yeah really with the memory map stuff i dont have any need to.... rather put the $175 towards something else... just love playin with gear....

i think either unit would do the job.... comes down to which interface suits you better i spose...

paradoxal ,Sportiva can be hacked with a .xml file:)) and i see no reason to hack Funtrek 130 as long as an app can be nicely installed...actually i am now now with an "naked" Funtrek 130 ,running wince ,missing the black interface:(

Memory Map now selling the Funtrek 130 on their website, with a map bundle for $361 including GST and shipping to Aus.

I have also noted on the Oziexplorer website they have some information on getting Ozi to work on this little GPS.

As I have *LOTS* to maps to run on Ozi, this is just the ticket I was looking for. Just need to get some spare batteries and a charger and she'll be apples (hopefully).

Will update when she arrives....

Cheers,

Mark