GPS systems?

[Eddieb]

I downloaded the free NZ topo maps referenced off the OpenGPS NZ site.

How did you install them? I couldn't get IMG2GPS to work, it kept failing.

[Hoon]

The free NZTopo maps are...........well you get what you pay for

The NZ Topo maps were barely (if at all) helpful, not enough detail or contour lines to give you an accurate description of the ground.

I'm using the Topo4GPS maps and they are great - almost as much detail as the paper Topo maps.

[young1]

So if I go and buy a Zumo in New Zealand. What do I then need to do (buy, download etc) to get it working once it is installed on the bike?

[Hitcher]

So if I go and buy a Zumo in New Zealand. What do I then need to do (buy, download etc) to get it working once it is installed on the bike?

It should have New Zealand maps preloaded. All you have to do is hit the on button once its mount is wired into your bike. You'll have to select a time zone and a couple of other preferences. It really is that simple.

[young1]

It should have New Zealand maps preloaded. All you have to do is hit the on button once its mount is wired into your bike. You'll have to select a time zone and a couple of other preferences. It really is that simple.

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?

[Gremlin]

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?

correct, you just buy the maps for that country, then load them via the mapsource software.

Re cost, no clue...

[Finn]

You don't really need a GPS system for NZ. I've got a built-in one in the car and used it a couple of times in the beginning but the novelty wore off.

Basically in NZ, if you reach water and still can't find your destination, you've gone too far.

[Gremlin]

You don't really need a GPS system for NZ. I've got a built-in one in the car and used it a couple of times in the beginning but the novelty wore off.

The novelty of holding a map in front of your headlight in the middle of the night, with it raining also wears off real quick. GPS (provided you didn't fuck up when entering the route) just keeps guiding you, no stopping.

Very handy for long distance riding on roads you have barely been on, or middle of the night stuff when gas is few and far between, and you may or may not have much to spare, etc.

Depends on your need tho... it was brilliant on the grand challenge, making finding the obscure turn offs a piece of cake.

[Hitcher]

And if I went overseas you just buy the maps for that country?

Anyone have an idea on the costs of maps, eg if I went to Italy?

www.garmin.com

[young1]

I understand that the Zumo is approx $1600.00 in NZ. However the distributor is changing from 1.1.09 to the Australian distributor so prices are may come down.

The web site link, earlier in these posts, to another supplier - I wonder if they are parallel importers as theirs are much cheaper. With parallel importers do you run the risk having issues trying to get them fixed?

[Gremlin]

I do know that Challenger Motors deals with Australia and their Garmin staff, and his price is $1249 or something, and reasonably certain he is not a parallel importer.

Re risk... depends from importer to importer doesn't it? Not sure what Garmin's policy is, with that kind of cost in the equipment, I made sure I bought from someone who was fully legit etc.

[Balrog]

Ouch,
You can get a 60CSX + all the maptoaster topo maps for pc and gps for under that.

60CSX $577

MapToaster ( all maps of nz + gps topo maps $450 )

[Transalper]

Or for the person on a tighter budget (like me) the Legend for $440 and GT Maps $150 (the Gary Turner Topos).
I went and added $136 for a RAM mount too of course.

I see the Zumo550 at map world prices is also $1250.

[timg]

I see the Zumo550 at map world prices is also $1250.

$1182 if you haggle a wee bit

[Jantar]

I have just upgraded from a Legend to a Legend HCx. It cost US$161 on Ebay, and included the Garmin Mapsource software which then allowed me to upload the open source New Zealand maps.

here is an example from the same dealer I bought my from. http://cgi.ebay.com/GARMIN-ETREX-LEG...3A1%7C294%3A50

The supplier was excellent to deal with, and the unit clips onto the handlebars with a cycle mount available from Dick Smith.