AROUND-OZ MOTORHOMES - WHAT'S NEW - Garmin StreetPilot III

Garmin StreetPilot III - GPS Unit

The problem with many GPS units is the user interface. By the time you enter the info you could have driven to your destination. Not so with the StreetPilot III as it come complete with a cable to connect up to your laptop for use on the move. Also included is a CD to download most areas in Australia. Imagine a GPS receiver that can automatically create a route to get you to your destination and then provide clear, accurate, voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions. Meet the StreetPilot III—the latest in affordable, portable satellite navigation for your vehicle. This traveling companion comes complete with a 64 Mb datacard pre-installed with detailed street maps of Australian cities, metropolitan areas, interstate highways, primary rural roads and major rural towns. The full-color LCD shows you street level map detail including the nearest highway exits, petrol stations, restaurants, ATMs, hospitals, tourist attractions, rest areas—plus much more.
The simple, intuitive menus offer access to the shortest and fastest routes, turn directions, and estimated time of arrival at your intended destination. Along the way, the StreetPilot III provides automated voice prompts, alerting the driver to necessary turns and lane changes, distance to upcoming turns, course deviation, and distance to final destination.

With its non-skid mount and preloaded street maps, there is no installation and no programming required. Your StreetPilot III is ready to go - right out of the box. Simply place the portable system on the dash of any vehicle, and enjoy stress-free driving and peace of mind—without any costly service charges or hook-up fees. The StreetPilot III comes complete with the MapSource Australia City Navigator CD-ROM and a serial interface cable so you can install the maps to your PC for route planning and transfer waypoints and routes between your Streetpilot III and your PC.

The map above is a sample screen shot. You can get much closer detail if required. The RRP is a quite reasonable $2799.00. We emailed the distributors and received a reply in under 12 hours. More information from the GME Australia website at http://www.gme.net.au/garmin/gar_stp3.html. If you don't understand how to use GPS we suggest you get a copy of Exploring GPS by the Global Positioning Consortium - email mapsales@ditm.nsw.gov.au

INTERESTING USE FOR GPS

We were involved with the preliminary site investigations for a future CMCA Rally at Goondiwindi. Sadly the Show Society have never bothered to make a detailed map of the site. The local council came up with a brilliant low cost strategy. They simply got a GPS coordinate from the corner of every building and power pole and then drew up a fantastic very accurate map. We were rather impressed with this as the "old" map was done in "paces". Don't you just love the country folk?