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Thread: GPS for car. I don't know where to start?

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    Default GPS for car. I don't know where to start?

    I'm looking for a GPS unit for my car so I can find places instead of using my phone all the time. My data bill is always expensive.

    Basically, the GPS will need to do the following. Keep in mind that these questions explain just how terrible my knowledge is in this area of GPS's.


    • Needs colored maps.




    • Wiki Camps app links to Google Maps on my phone. I was hoping that a vehicle GPS could be used in this way. Can I link my phone to it via Wifi or Bluetooth and have the app send a signal to the GPS device external to the phone and locate the campsite for me? I have an android phone running Android 7




    • Can these link up to Google maps as well?




    • If voice directions are common then it will need voice directions.




    • Easy to set up and compact but usable.




    • I see allot of these units available used on the internet. Second hand Garmin's and other brands. Is there any reason not to buy a used GPS?




    • Any brands recommended over others?


    Any other tips welcome.

    Thanks very much.
    Last edited by mtv; 10-02-19 at 01:21 AM. Reason: removed excessive app promotion



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    GPS receivers typically only use their own mapping and not link to other devices to input information.

    To use a GPS in conjunction with the app, all you need to do is input the address of the campsite into the GPS.

    If the campsite is in a remote location (eg: off road, not shown on normal road maps) then you may need a GPS with off-road maps.

    Most GPS brands offer these options and there are some that are dedicated off-road devices.

    As for what the app can and can't do in regard to interfacing.... why not ask in chat support on that app's website?

    As for buying a second-hand GPS.... many older models don't have free map updates.

    Sure, there are ways to get these from other sources, but with prices quite reasonable for new GPS models with free lifetime maps... why bother?

    Garmin, TomTom, Navman... all do the same thing.... it's really just a personal preference.

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    MTV is on the money, i will add that a tablet be it crapple or android based with a navi app will be better than a used out of date GPS giving you the bonus of various other uses. I use an old Nexus 7 android tablet with IGO and Ozi Eplorer, i have upgraded the original android version so i can use any compatible app.

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    I just use my phone, it rarely chews much data. If you are serious off-roading, son swears by his HEMA
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Thanks for the replies. I'm stunned that GPS units don't connect to android devices? I'm sure I've see Android connectivity with some in the past.
    I thought the makers of these GPS units would be all over this by now?

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    Many In Car Navigators allow you to upload your own POIs (Points Of Interest), and you can get something like Camps Australia Wide campsite location data files in a format to suit your brand of I C N. In the past I have also found lists of camps in Australia, but I don't know how up to date they are now. This used to be a good site for all sorts of POI data:

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dominover View Post
    Thanks for the replies. I'm stunned that GPS units don't connect to android devices? I'm sure I've see Android connectivity with some in the past.
    I thought the makers of these GPS units would be all over this by now?

    Why, they want you to pay for map updates from them. I'm not aware of any stand alone gps that will work with an android device, most of the BT/USB gps recievers work on a win CE device or even apple IOS.

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    If your biggest problem is the data bill, you can use Google Maps on your phone without internet connection just google "how to use google maps without internet connection" and you will find the solution.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dominover View Post
    Thanks for the replies. I'm stunned that GPS units don't connect to android devices? I'm sure I've see Android connectivity with some in the past.
    I thought the makers of these GPS units would be all over this by now?
    all over interfacing 2 devices to each other that already have GPS capability? Your phone will use data with google maps but not that much. I'm sure you can have a look in the settings at the app to see how much data it uses. It might be something else. I only every use my phone now. I also use Hema maps too. I only have a 4Gb data plan!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dominover View Post
    Thanks for the replies. I'm stunned that GPS units don't connect to android devices? I'm sure I've see Android connectivity with some in the past.
    I thought the makers of these GPS units would be all over this by now?
    I don't understand the problem. Your phone has a built in GPS hasn't it ?

    Why not use Oziexplorer for Android on your phone together wth something like TomTom or IGO for door to door nav ?
    No data use at all.

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    Major navi apps have maps loaded with plenty of POIs data available. I am using POI search all the time when I don't know the exact address.

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