The second generation TwoNav 7 (now called DualNav7) produced by TwoNav Australia is now available.



DualNav 7 is the ideal 7" GPS Navigator for on-road and off-road navigation. With the ability to accept the widest range of maps DualNav 7 is without doubt the most user friendly, flexible and feature rich 7" GPS in Australia.

Utilising a super-fast processor and DSP, the DualNav7 has the best performance to carry out heavy mapping usage such as panning and multiple maps.

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Included Maps*
Navteq Street by Street Navigation maps of AU/NZ
Geoscience 250K Topographic Map whole of Australia
Geoscience 100K Topographic Maps near coastal portions of Australia (there are no Australian center 100K available)
OSM Maps of cities and countryside

You can easily create your own maps using CompeGPS Land (Free 28 day trial) or pay $59 if you buy a DualNav7 (RRP $99) *For any features or limitations on this product please go to compegps.com or ask by clicking >here<

*DualNav7 will work with any .ECW raster maps directly such as Sunmaps, VicMaps, Tasmaps Geoscience Maps etc.
*Overseas maps optional (Street Navigation are based on TomTom Map data though compegps.com, whilst raster maps are available through compegps.com or any other map provider) or in some cases free.
*Over 7,500 Caravan, camp and dump sites data (Twice as many as Camps Australia Wide) optional extra @$19.95 with DualNav7 or $59 standalone.
*Geology maps from WA mines department available on request ($10 to cover cost of DVD and postage or free when ordered with DualNav7)

Quick Specifications

· Telechips TCC8803 2.1 GHz (ARM A8, 1.12GHz Core + 1GHz DSP)
· 7.0” wide 800x480 Digital TFT LCD touch screen
· MS Windows CE 6.0 core
· High sensitive GPS receiver (UBLOX 6)
· WiFi 802.11 b/g/n embedded
· 1600mAh Li-polymer rechargeable battery - 2hours running maximum
· 256MB DDR2 RAM, 256MB nand flash
· Suitable rear design for In-dash installation
· Auto detect rear camera support
· SD/MMC memory card expansion slot - 16GB microSD Datacard with maps included
· USB Host 2.0 for connecting external HDD, mini USB Thumb Drive, memory card reader, etc
· AV In / Audio Out*
· Reverse Camera Input
· Multimedia player / Image viewer
· 2 Serial ports available
· Multi connector (SIO1 + SIO2 + Power)
· Extended SD/USB box connection port for mini USB external drive

*AV-Out may be optional.

Specifications
GPS GPS Module UBLOX 6
GPS Antenna External (MCX) + Internal (10x10patch)
Main board CPU Telechips TCC8803 2.1 Ghz ( 1Ghz Core + 1Ghz dsp)
ROM 256MB Nand flash
RAM 256MB Mobile DDR RAM
OS MS Windows CE.NET 6.0 (core version)
POWER power input 12V/24V 1.5A (side 1port, bottom 1port)
Battery 2600mAh Li-polymer (2 hours maximum running time)
Display LCD Digital TFT Touch screen LCD,8“Landscape (16:9 Picture Ratio, 800*480 WVGA)
TSP Clear type, 4 wired
Brightness 520cd/m
Colour 262K Colours
Storage SD/MMC 1 Slot (16GB supplied), External SD BOX connected
WiFi Module 802.11/b/g/n
Multimedia Format
Audio MPEG Audio File (MP1,MP2,MP3,MPA), Matroska File (MKV, MKA), Ogg Vorbis File (OGG, OGM)
Video VideoFile (AVI,DIVX), MPEG4 File(MP4,M4A), MPEG Movie File (MPEG,MPG,MPV,DTA)
Image Image viewer JPG,TIF,PNG
Audio Earphone Stereo output port1
Speaker 1.5W (built in) 36π (Stereo) x 2
Interface USB USB2.0 Host
IR receiver IR Remote Controller
AV-IN For connecting external video player
AV-OUT Dual display (optional)
R-Cam For connecting rear camera
Serial Port 2ports,
SIO 1: RX,TX,GND (data in/out on +-0~12v),
SIO 2 : RX, TX, GND (data in/out on +-0~3.3V)
Connector Multi connector (SIO1 + SIO2 + Power)
Weight 367g
Dimension (WxHxD) 182mm x 115mm x 21mm





This product is only available in Australia and New Zealand, and support is provided through TwoNav Australia. www.twonav.com.au

Our 11 year old was watching an infomercial called tvsn repeat and they, along with a Garmin rep were promoting the Garmin Nuvi 2495LMT as a tv special at $249.

Now, I thought to check out the price on the Garmin Australia web site and my favourite site shopbot.com.au and would you believe it, Garmin Australia has the RRP at, $249. The link to shopbot says it all when the Goodguys have this Garmin Nuvi 2495LMT at $199. So, in this case it is clear that tv specials are not always specials. Not good to see Garmin selling direct, but more importantly deceiving viewers they were getting a good deal; just poor form.

This model came out in march 2012 and Garmin typically only keep a model for approximately 1 year these days. Therefore, this is an out going model. Interestingly Garmin USA have this unit at $179, so I don't believe Garmin are that generous, do you?

http://www.shopbot.com.au/m/?m=garmin+nuvi+2495lmt

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=97243

To my total surprise, actually I'm in shock, I came across a Garmin GPS seller on eBay that clearly circumvents the two critical issues for dealers.

1. Garmin do not allow authorised dealers to sell brand new items on auction sites such as eBay as per their contract with Garmin.
2. Someone authorised to sell Garmin is selling on an auction site.

So who is this eBayer?

It so happens that this eBayer is in fact Garmin and have been selling directly to the public on eBay as of 24th Jan 2012!

http://stores.ebay.com/Garmin?_trksid=p4340.l2563

A number of the items are refurbished, which in real terms means as good as brand new, no marks, scratches, dents or below Garmin's manufacturing quality. To boot they provide 12 months warranty whilst here in Australia it is only 3 months and even then Garmin Australia do not offer refurbished units to dealers to on-sell, they are only available to replace "repaireable" items.

If I were a dealer in USA this is one thing that would infuriate me. Garmin are selling a refurbished Dakota 10 for $150 freight free within USA. GPS City are selling a brand new Dakota 10 for $185 inc freight. Which would you buy? Me, the refurbished.

Is this the start for Garmin to dramatically increase it's profits at the expense of it's distribution/dealer network? I know what you are going to say, it's only refurbished units that are cheaper and the new ones are at full RRP whilst GPS City is only $249. But interestingly here in Australia the RRP is $349 as we are the poor cousins of the Garmin distribution network.

Is it smart for Garmin to do this? Hard to tell at this stage as it would be difficult to know what kind of eBayer would buy GPS at full RRP price; I would say none normally except there was one new item sold out of 158 sales. Remember though that these refurbished units are being purchased instead of new GPS through dealers, and Garmin have only just started to make a move into this territory, testing the waters no doubt.

No doubt only a tiny percentage of dealers will complain and an even smaller percentage will cancel their dealership because it would most probably mean closing their GPS shop.

The Magellan rep walked in today to show me the new Magellan Explorist 110, a low cost feature rich model that I think will give Garmin a run for it's money and possibly the shake up Garmin has needed to stop their price gouging of Australian buyers. However, until someone introduces multiple models or be innovative that do affect Garmin's sales Garmin will continue to do as they please.

If the Magellan Explorist 110 is anything to go by I think Magellan are aiming to retake and surpass the market share they have had of past.

So lets look at the specifications:

General Specifications:
2.2" LCD colour screen
4 buttons and 1 toggle
compact design based on the GC model
World basemap
Paperless Geocaching
Waterproof IPX7
18 hours on 2x AA batteries
500MB user memory (waypoints, tracks, routes, geocaches but not maps*).
NMEA output through USB
Suspend Mode (turns screen off but continues to record your track).
Dimensions: 56mmx111mmx36mm
weight: 147g
display resolution: 320x240 (same as Garmin Dakota and eTrex)

* The Australian web site says it does but the USA site says it doesn't allow extra maps. I believe no Explorst 110 accepts additional maps just like the Rep said. However, I will follow it up to see if the USA unit is different to ours.

Data Specifications:
see at end of post

To quickly show you the detail of the map outside the city I have taken screen shots of Navteq (Garmin Topo & TwoNav Topo), OzTopo, OSM and the Basemap on the Explorist 110. Be aware Garmin Topo and Oztopo are $229, so take that into consideration.

If anyone has the 1:25K of this area please email a screen shot please. Also anyone with a 610 bought with the Navman map (purchased from a major retailer in the past 3 months) and one with the DiscoverAUS Streets and Tracks Topo V4, a snap shot would be appreciated.

Now, what I do want to say is that all 4 have all streets of every city and town in Australia, thus all can show you around those areas with no problem. However, unless the basemap is not updateable like the Explorist 110 isn't updateable, you will find after a number of years discrepencies that may affect how you get to your destination within the city, in particular new tunnels or highways. However, the rep said maps cannot be added and yet the web site says it can so we will wait to see if their current map can be segmented into a smaller map to fit on the GPS' 500MB. Maybe someone could create OSM for Magellan Explorist?

But, I don't want you to immediately shake your head with negative thoughts because I did at first then realised I was being too critical, way too critical.

For a GPS to have all the streets of the world........ well, actually not the whole world.. the Western Countries prior to the Berlin Wall as a guide at the price given, it is brilliant! It has Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Germany (all), Italy, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Norway and Finland. All other countries are major roads and major highways with POIs such as Airport, cities, major towns, railways, large parks, universities and other local important structures.

I thought at first that this data was OpenStreet map (OSM) but no, so at the moment I am not sure of the origins of the data.

So, for a GPS with such an excellent mapset what price would you expect? Well, let's not forget OSM for Garmin which even though is not an official Garmin map product it is free to download and has more streets worldwide. But what is it that makes it a better option (if at all) to a Garmin Etrex 10, Etrex 20 or the Dakota 10? Or even the Magellan 310 and 410?

These maps are ideal for national and international travellers, even with no small tracks data, track data and routes can be added for a particular location.

Well if I said it is the same price as the Etrex 10, a none mapping unit what would you say then? At $149 RRP it is a bargain!! Hey, just don't even look at the Etrex 10, it's officially not worth buying..... not until they drop the price to $89 that is.... Okay, even for $49, a kids christmas present maybe, say goodbye to the Garmin Etrex 10 it's days are done.

What gripes have I got about the Magellan Explorist 110? The joystick is too stiff, the lack of upgrading maps, and as usual by both Garmin and Magellan the major dirt road or minor highway zoom level is way too low to pan. But for $149 RRP the price makes me forget those two issues very quickly. Well done Magellan!

Score: 9/10

Australian Web site location: www.magellangps.com.au/Products/Outdoor/eXplorist_Series/eXplorist_110
For more details and manual go to the USA site: www.magellangps.com

• Product Number CX0110SGXNA

Device

• Dimensions (English) 2.2" x 4.4" x 1.4"
• Dimensions (Metric) 56mm x 111mm x 36mm
• Weight (English) 5.20z
• Weight (Metric) 147g
• Battery Type 2xAA
• Battery Life 18 Hours
• Waterproof IPX-7
• Available User Storage 500 MB/Not Applicable for extra maps
• CPU 233MHz
• Temperature Range (F) 14F to 140F
• Temperature Range (C) -10C to 60C
• Suspend Mode Yes
• Internal Memory 2 GB

Screen

• Display Resolution, WxH QVGA, 240 x 320
• Screen Size 2.2"
• Display Type Color, Transflective

GPS & Sensors

• GPS Accuracy Up to 3-5 meters
• High-Sensitivity GPS SiRFstarIII™
• Antenna Type Multidirectional Patch
• WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS Yes

Mapping & Navigation

• Preloaded Maps World Edition
• Points of Interest Yes
• Vertical Profile Yes
• Area Calculation Yes
• Hunt & Fish Calendar Yes
• Sun & Moon Information Yes
• Coordinates Systems & Datums Yes
• Audible Proximity Alarms Yes

User Generated Content

• Accepts GPX Files Yes
• Waypoints 500
• Routes 25
• Geocaches 500
• Legs Per Route 25
• Paperless Geocaching Yes
• Tracks 10
• Points Per Track 5000
• User Data Online Sharing Yes

Interface & Communications

• Communication Protocol USB Mass Storage
• USB Port Yes
• NMEA Output Yes
• PC Compatible Yes

Maps are:
Garmin topo V3, TwoNav Topo V3
OzTopo V4
OSM Feb 2012
Explorist 110 Feb 2012
100K ...who knows when

CompeGPS have released a newer version of the Aventura that is more waterproof, better case design, louder speaker and brighter screen. Looks the same, same green/brown colour scheme and same battery, cradle, cables etc etc. The only physical difference is that the battery cover has changed and will not fit on the "First Generation" Aventura. They figured that water ingress through the battery compartment was an issue, albeit rare and made significant changes with it which means a new AA battery holder has to be designed; yet to be manufactured. Only about 10% of sales had an AA battery kit, with 5% after a second standard battery. Other changes are the design of the boots that cover the SD card slot and USB port. Better placement of the back screws with some additional ones for added proofness.

The screen is clearly brighter outside of daylight but I will check daylight viewability tomorrow. as for the speaker, much much louder, I can see they have changed the speaker setup, meaning the speaker opening no longer has a white waterproof membrane. Wether or not they used polproylene or not in the first version it seems they have worked out a way to have the speaker visible and retain waterproof rating.

Although I often complained that the prices for Magellan products under the helm of Next Destination (AKA Magellan Australia & PHM) the move to distribute it through an IT Disto by Mitac was and is a bad move. Why?

From a s p e c i a l i s t point of view two reasons.

1. I would have to compete with people who sell l.T gear such as HD enclosures, LCD screens, MP3 players, printers etc.

2. Such companies get special pricing because they buy all IT equipment from the disto and thus buying power is the winner. Unless I buy 6 figures worth of gear I won't get discount thus I won't sell their product.

From a customer's point of view?

1. No way in the world are you going to get the expertise, the support or the longevity out of your Magellan like you did with Next Destination. Next Destination had a GIS guy developing the excellent maps, now, well all you are going to see is a hash up of what was originally an ongoing developed product.

2. The poor quality of the Triton screwed Magellan (and ND for that matter) and with my personal experience with the new Explorist series the failure was no fluke.


You only have to go onto shopbot.com.au and see for yourself that the cheapest Magellans are from IT shops. But is price a mitigating factor for buyers? Yes, as our poll indicates a large proportion of you think so, and if it weren't online purchases would not be as high as it is. So all of your favourite stores who have the years of experience in GPS products will realise it's just not worth promoting these products because that's all they will be doing, promoting and not selling.

This is why I don't sell TomTom, because it's through an IT disto who offers them to an IT dealer that can sell them 6-10% cheaper than I can buy them from the same supplier.

But the pricing structure doesn't end locally because internationally prices are cheaper than in Australia, no matter which GPS manufacturer you buy from. Okay some are on par but many are clearly price gouging. Even with the strong Aussie dollar the prices to dealers do not match prices to dealers overseas. When a manufacturer quote extra costs including GST, well sorry but USA and UK have taxes as well you know! Freight is not from those countries they are always freighted from the factory in Taiwan and is cheap freight at that to Australia.

Maybe you are one of these customers that buy from stores such as DSE or Harvey Norman. That's fine, just don't expect a GPS s p e c i a l i s t to show you how to use it or give any support, you don't deserve it. As one of my competitors says to me, harsh but understandable, "If you don't like my prices or training charges for your GPS then there is the front door". But he does ocassionally use course language just to make the point heard loud and clear. That I don't condone but I understand the frustration.

On one ocassion I had a "gent" pull up in his new Sahara Landcruiser, walk in and say "Do you know how to operate this GPS?" .... Even though I looked at my 2000 Magna then at his car and gold watch and rings, I was polite, I said "no".

Another competitor in Sydney have a policy of charging as well and do often have the same problem when they quote $65 per hour. This is not an unusual figure and a fair figure to give you the one on one training you are after. Put it another two ways. Can you go into Harvey Norman and spend an hour with the sales rep to get training? If you owned your own business would you give free training?

The crux of the matter is

When your favourite GPS s p e c i a l i s t dealer won't budge on his prices, when he quotes $65/hr or goes red in the face when you mention Magellan or Garmin, understand it's not his fault he is getting screwed!