Will Buying U.S GPS work in Australia?

[willow2529]

Hi there,

 

I have had to ask another version of my question as I wasnt getting any answers and the ebay auction ends soon. If I buy a gps (I'm looking at the garmin extrex vista) from america 1. will it work in australia 2. will the australian maps show up on it or will i require australian software and 3. if i am required to buy australian map software is it expensive. I hope someone can point me in the right directionm as I dont want to buy a gps that doesnt work here.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Brett

[+julianh]

Hi there,

 

I have had to ask another version of my question as I wasnt getting any answers and the ebay auction ends soon. If I buy a gps (I'm looking at the garmin extrex vista) from america 1. will it work in australia 2. will the australian maps show up on it or will i require australian software and 3. if i am required to buy australian map software is it expensive. I hope someone can point me in the right directionm as I dont want to buy a gps that doesnt work here.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Brett

1. Yes it will work in Australia.

 

2. The unit will only come with "base maps" built in. These are VERY basic at best, and an American unit will probably have EXTREMELY basic base maps of Australia, whereas an Australian-sourced unit will have "moderately" basic maps of Australia, but "very" basic maps of USA etc. Regardless, most users find that the base maps are of only limited value, and you really need to consider getting detailed maps to get the most out of the unit. (Doesn't improve the accuracy, but let's you see where you are, find more features, etc.) Yes, you can load Australian maps on a US unit (and vice versa). You can delay buying the maps until a later date, if your budget is stretched.

 

3. "Expensive" is all relative! Count on a couple of hundred bucks, depending on whether you want topo maps or street maps, etc. You can get free topo maps for Garmin GPSrs with "Shonkymaps" http://www.shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/ - highly recommended! Suggest you check out specialist GPS dealers in your area to get pricing and features of maps etc. GPSOZ and Johnny Appleseed are highly regarded, but there are others. While you will pay more for a GPSr purchased from a local retailer, don't forget about the possibility of needing warranty service etc - you can make your own assessment of the issues with an overseas-sourced unit.

 

You didn't say whether you are looking at a basic B&W Vista, or the much better (and more expensive) Vista HCx. If you are looking at the B&W Vista, I STRONGLY suggest you reconsider and go for one of the newer "H" series - the high sensitivity receiver, colour screen, and other functionality are really worth having. (The Summit HC is the functional equivalent of the old B&W Vista, and is a far superior unit - I know, I made the swap when my B&W Vista malfunctioned!)

 

Hope this helps!

[+bozzie]

Yes,

We were in Australia two years ago, and our Etrex Legend worked. You will need to go to satellite menu, then click over to pop up menu and scroll to new location, then move the curser to use the map. Use the arrow to find your way to Australia. It took us a bit to figure this out, so hope this helps. Don't know if you have ever been there or if you are from there, but it is awesome. We did not purchase any Australian mapping, and it was fine for us, as we were just visiting.

Have fun

 

Dave and Cindy

[+bozzie]

Yes,

We were in Australia two years ago, and our Etrex Legend worked. You will need to go to satellite menu, then click over to pop up menu and scroll to new location, then move the curser to use the map. Use the arrow to find your way to Australia. It took us a bit to figure this out, so hope this helps. Don't know if you have ever been there or if you are from there, but it is awesome. We did not purchase any Australian mapping, and it was fine for us, as we were just visiting.

Have fun

 

Dave and Cindy