Metaljockey
Race Dog
I'm trying to get understand some of the basics.
It looks to me like there is three seperate things that make up a working GPS.
1. Hardware (a handset)
2. Software (a map reading program with functionalities such as routing, voice guidance etc.)
3. Maps
Hardware
You get 2 kinds of hardware, proprietary (ie. Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan etc.) and Windows based (ie. HTC, Nokia, and other pocketpc and smartphones)? The proprietary handsets can only use their own software and map sets. The Windows based hardware can use any of a wide variety of software written for this purpose. Tomtom for instance has Navigator 6 available for Windows which allows their maps to be used on any windows based pda.
Software
The software packaged with most dedicated GPS handsets (Garmin, Magellan, Tomtom etc.) are proprietary, ie. it is only developed and sold by the manufacturer. You are bound to buy what is on offer.
The Windows based software is opensource, ie. anyone can develope new and improved software and apply to have it licensed by Windows for use on hardware with a Windows operating system such as many smartphones pda's etc. Tomtom for instance offers Windows based software called Navigator 6. Locally we have Handymap and Leaf Navigon Mobile Navigator. The benefit being that if you don't like the software, you change to a better alternative.
Maps
Here lies the crunch. South Africa can not have too many different mapsets available. I would be very interested to know how many map sets are available for South Africa, and how they compare.
Mapsets available:
-Garmap
-Navteq
-Handymap
-T4A
-Digi-Nav
-Mapsend (Magellan)
-Fugawi
-OziExplore
Interesting that it appears like Garmap, Digi-nav and Magellan uses Mapit maps.
The thing that seems to make the Garmin GPS's sold by Avnic so expensive is the mapset (Garmap) that appears to cost somewhere in the region of R2000. And you have no choice but to use this their map sets.
Compare that to the Handymap which sells for R600. Then one has to keep in mind that roads are not static, each year there is a substantial amount being added, changed tarred etc. So your map could be outdated in 6 months time. Do you pay for the updates or are they for free. I believe the Handymap is the only product to offer free updates twice per year.
Lastly, and more applicable to the Dogs is that Tracks for Africa or T4A only work on Garmin software and consequently you are bound to Garmin hardware.
This is the way I see it with the limited time I've spent trying to figure out what's what. If the GPS gurus would be so kind as to correct me where I'm wrong, I'll update this post to fix it. Also feel free to add anything that may be of help.
It looks to me like there is three seperate things that make up a working GPS.
1. Hardware (a handset)
2. Software (a map reading program with functionalities such as routing, voice guidance etc.)
3. Maps
Hardware
You get 2 kinds of hardware, proprietary (ie. Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan etc.) and Windows based (ie. HTC, Nokia, and other pocketpc and smartphones)? The proprietary handsets can only use their own software and map sets. The Windows based hardware can use any of a wide variety of software written for this purpose. Tomtom for instance has Navigator 6 available for Windows which allows their maps to be used on any windows based pda.
Software
The software packaged with most dedicated GPS handsets (Garmin, Magellan, Tomtom etc.) are proprietary, ie. it is only developed and sold by the manufacturer. You are bound to buy what is on offer.
The Windows based software is opensource, ie. anyone can develope new and improved software and apply to have it licensed by Windows for use on hardware with a Windows operating system such as many smartphones pda's etc. Tomtom for instance offers Windows based software called Navigator 6. Locally we have Handymap and Leaf Navigon Mobile Navigator. The benefit being that if you don't like the software, you change to a better alternative.
Maps
Here lies the crunch. South Africa can not have too many different mapsets available. I would be very interested to know how many map sets are available for South Africa, and how they compare.
Mapsets available:
-Garmap
-Navteq
-Handymap
-T4A
-Digi-Nav
-Mapsend (Magellan)
-Fugawi
-OziExplore
Interesting that it appears like Garmap, Digi-nav and Magellan uses Mapit maps.
The thing that seems to make the Garmin GPS's sold by Avnic so expensive is the mapset (Garmap) that appears to cost somewhere in the region of R2000. And you have no choice but to use this their map sets.
Compare that to the Handymap which sells for R600. Then one has to keep in mind that roads are not static, each year there is a substantial amount being added, changed tarred etc. So your map could be outdated in 6 months time. Do you pay for the updates or are they for free. I believe the Handymap is the only product to offer free updates twice per year.
Lastly, and more applicable to the Dogs is that Tracks for Africa or T4A only work on Garmin software and consequently you are bound to Garmin hardware.
This is the way I see it with the limited time I've spent trying to figure out what's what. If the GPS gurus would be so kind as to correct me where I'm wrong, I'll update this post to fix it. Also feel free to add anything that may be of help.
