Cheap cheap cheap GPS's

[Jeeps]

I thought i'd get into this new forum and just to those of you who are thinkinga about getting a GPS, there can be some bargains to be found!

I only wanted something to find my campsite on the bech at Fraser or Double island point after dark as i've spent a few evenings trying to find my spot in the dark in years past. So i went out and spent $230 on a Magellan Explorist 100 (the orange one) about 3 years ago when they first came out.

It has made a hell of a difference! I can now find my campsite in the dark first time every time! Although it doesn't have maps, i'm happy with it as i do not need topographic offroad maps or such for my purpose. The batteries last for about 20 hours.

I have recently purchased a Garmin c510 StreetPilot for onroad use only as when travelling we often get lost in unfamiliar towns looking for supplies :) This has become a great asset. The battery lasts for about 8 hrs and i can recharge it in the car. A big bonus is the new chip it's got - under thick foliage when the magellan loses signal (such as tracks on fraser), the Garmin never does and it has all those tracks on it.

So i paid $230 for the Magellan and it's paid for itself time and time again in the dark on the beach, and i paid $600 for the garmin which i use all the time too!

cheers

[Grimsey]

i brought an explorist 500 from a US site ant it cost $350 delivered to my door. The same unit here is like $700 plus. so definatly worth looking into importing one!

[MudRhino]

i brought an explorist 500 from a US site ant it cost $350 delivered to my door. The same unit here is like $700 plus. so definatly worth looking into importing one!

Is that the big assed XL one?

[Grimsey]

Is that the big assed XL one?

nope its the smaller one, but does everything the same i think just smaller screen.

[mickyd]

what did you do re the mapping software?

[Grimsey]

what did you do re the mapping software?

Just got DiscoverAus for it. it dosnt have aus base maps but once you load DiscoverAus on you have all the maps anyway just have to be zoomed in a little more.

[sp0radic]

I want a Magellan XL.

[Davo1]

Just got DiscoverAus for it. it dosnt have aus base maps but once you load DiscoverAus on you have all the maps anyway just have to be zoomed in a little more.

Wadda ya think of the DAST mate? Is the price justified? I really want to update from mapsend to DAST to get full Aussie coverage but haven't heard any real reports on what it's like except from retailers trying to get my dough!

[The Duke Of Earle]

Wadda ya think of the DAST mate? Is the price justified? I really want to update from mapsend to DAST to get full Aussie coverage but haven't heard any real reports on what it's like except from retailers trying to get my dough!


If you have the GPS that will display the new Streets Tracks and Topo you will never look back. It has everything you need.

The streets and tracks are good but the detail in the topo all over Australia is awsome. I have used and Explorist XL for a while now and everywhere i have been it shows aevery track it is great.

I know many people that have taken it across AUS and it has everything.

The FREE interface software from Magellan called Mapsend Lite 2 is awsome.

You do need a full colour screen as the software is setup to show creeks, roads and topo.

TOPO in green
Roads in Yellow and Black
Creeks and Rivers in Blue.

So if you have a Black and White screen it gets very messy and everything blends into one.

I am a Retailer and we are not all bad..I am also a 4WDer just like everyone else and i get lost just like everyone else but with this software its great...and SSHHHHHH even the wife can use it aswell...She doesnt have to turn it upside down like the paper maps..HEHEHEHE

Hope this helps.

[Courts InSession]

Anyone got links to US sites to buy one from?

[Grimsey]

Anyone got links to US sites to buy one from?

http://www.thegpsstore.com/ i got mine from there

[yowie]

If you buy from one of these overseas sites, can you can the gps with aus maps?

[Grimsey]

If you buy from one of these overseas sites, can you can the gps with aus maps?

depends on the unit, the navigator type units that tell you where to go i dont think you can. the units like magellan and garman where you can buy software for them like discover aus you can. you really have to do your research before you buy.

[Courts InSession]

What are the chances of being stung with import duty's bringing one of these things into the country?

[The Duke Of Earle]

Just buy it in Australia and ensure you get good service and support and keep the money in AUS.

[Grimsey]

What are the chances of being stung with import duty's bringing one of these things into the country?

i think its part of the postage it was $80 US to have mine posted over. still worked out at less then half price so i was happy.

[brooksy]

So how much for the aus maps if you buy the Explorer XL in the US ?


brooksy

[Courts InSession]

The maps would be the same price they always are purchased here in aust. $235 for Discover aus. And as for buying in Australia, why? Why would you spend over twice as much when you don't have too.When that tight arsed liberal twat in canberra makes buying things here competitive with overseas prices, i'll think about it! I buy all my tenpin bowling gear from the states, never been hit import duty and it normally works out to be 50-60% of the price you'd pay here. Money doesnt grow on trees.

[Vineboy]

Just buy it in Australia and ensure you get good service and support and keep the money in AUS.


X 2

[Just Cruizin]

Just buy it in Australia and ensure you get good service and support and keep the money in AUS.

Just buy it O/S and keep the money in AUS IN YOUR BACK POCKET. If you can buy the same product including postage for less then half the cost at an "AUSSIE" store (Who should be paying less then that) why given them the money. Better I keep the money then give it away.

[zauronus]

wow, just checked out that site that grimsey posted,, magellan explorist xl,, $329us plus bout 80 postage..thats cheap

[Courts InSession]

Exactly. Im all for buying australian made in australia but it's not like this product is made here. The extra cost is going into little johnnys hip pocket. No thanks, i'd rather keep it in mine.

[NissanNutter]

Online from OS is always cheaper than local. Why is that? I guess more population in US so they can survive on a lower margin because they sell more.

[Courts InSession]

Or it might have something to do with the ridiculous taxes and duties placed on us by the man upstairs?

[sp0radic]

Or it might have something to do with the ridiculous taxes and duties placed on us by the man upstairs?

Not really, it's just normal economic market forces coming into play.

[dirtygq]

we get ripped here everytime because of the 3rd man ,they don't think you will go hunting for better deals so the slug you with the highest price they can ARB ,TJM all do it the mark up is unbelievable us aussies are suckers.

[Ghost]

i did a ring around about 6mthsd ago on a garman c320, retailed aprox $990 by the time i had rung 5 stores i had it down to $680 and the guy said yea we can do it for that and still make a few dollars. still cheaper over seas but interesting how far you can get it down

[Whatsthatbeeping]

Found this one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120092329290&rd=1&rd=1
$349 has gotta be the cheapest price i've seen for the Magellan eXploroist 500 anywhere.

[sp0radic]

Found this one on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=002&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=120092329290&rd=1&rd=1
$349 has gotta be the cheapest price i've seen for the Magellan eXploroist 500 anywhere.

I wonder if it's covered by an Australian warranty?

[Whatsthatbeeping]

I wonder if it's covered by an Australian warranty?

I just sent them an email to find out

[Whatsthatbeeping]

3 Month warranty