newbee wife navigator

[mc2az]

Hi,
I am Michael's wife and he told me I could get some good information from all of you. We have been looking at the Acer netbooks and the Overland Navigator software and maps. Most of this new technology is confusing so we were wondering if any of you out there has a good setup for off road navigation and could explain to me what I should be looking for. We have a TomTom but that does not exactly do what we are looking for when we are out in the woods far from civilization. Michael wants me to be his "navigator" so I am looking for any information that will make my job easier. I need layman terms too please for what we might need. I was also looking at (BU-353: GlobalSat BU-353 WaterProof USB GPS Receiver (SiRF Star III)) but did not know if this was just an antenna for a gps unit or if it was the actual gps unit to plug into the computer that would be used with the Overland Navigator software.

 

[1leglance]

Hello Michael's Wife (please let us know your name
The 353 is a gps puck which will provide gps info to any laptop software you want to run.
I own it and love it.
Overland Navigator is a program I have heard good things about but never used.
I use Delorme Topo which I would recommend and Oziexplorer which would be something for later if you either don't buy Overland Navigator or just want to get more techie

I have an Acer with the 10" screen and it has been working great as a laptop nav setup. Jeniko.com is where I got my mount and it also has been excellent.

Come to the Phoenix area meet & greet that is coming up and you will get to see a few different setups.

 

[tdesanto]

I also use the Delorme Top software and Delorme's Earthmate LT-40 USB GPS puck. It acquires a signal very quickly and the software is simply outstanding. If you want to explore an area for which the software doesn't indicate roads (but you know there are trails or dirt roads that are legal to drive on), you can also download aerial and satellite imagery that can be useful as a guide.

 

[mc2az]

Hi,
My name is Carla. thank you for the information, it will be very helpful in our research. Sounds like you have a good set up and some of what we are thinking about. My husband Michael and I are planning on coming to the meet and greet, we are looking forward to it. On a side note- We were the ones on the "Four Corners" main forum that took the Bradshaw Mtn. "Bumble Bee-Crown King- to Prescott" run the other night on our first off-road expedition (having no idea what we were really getting into) LOL... it was to say the least an "adventure" but we made it safe and sound. Looking forward to meeting you at the meet and greet.