[gps-talkusers] Australia and various GPS units

Jason,

It is really premature to speculate on the release of Australian maps on 
any of the accessible devices, especially those that aren't even on the 
market yet.

No, we don't all use the same maps. As I indicated, there are two major map 
companies and we use one and VisuAide uses the other. I don't recall which 
one the Freedom Destinator product uses. VisuAide and Sendero use the same 
map engine and it is the engine that must accommodate a particular 
country's map format.

I fear I will confuse matters even  more by continuing this speculation.

Our map supplier, Tele Atlas, says they will have maps for Australia and 
New Zealand in 2005. If and when that happens and the maps work with the 
map engine and the BrailleNote, is to early to say. I suspect that the 
information you are hearing about other products having Australian maps is 
also speculation.

The good news is that there are efforts toward Australian maps. I wouldn't 
make any decisions however based upon the information that is available so far.

Mike





Australian maps are proposed to be released by Navtek and Tele Atlas in 
2005, the two major map suppliers. Nothing concrete. Once the data 
available from those companies, there have to be filters from the map 
engine company. That should happen but no guarantees.




At 11:16 PM 1/23/2005, you wrote:
>HI Mike,
>thanks for getting back to me. You'll have to forgive me for my lack of
>knowledge on the ins and outs of GPS production, it is all fairly new to me.
>Sounds like Australia has stuffed me up by choosing to go with a different
>format. You said that braillenote, trekker and freedom all rely on the same
>map suppliers. Since freedom is coming out with Australian maps and Trekker
>too during this year, does that mean things are changing, or have the others
>just adapted their systems ahead of the braille note? In addition, with the
>merger between Visuaid and Pulse data, will this result in a transfer of
>usability. if so, my thinking is, that if trekker has Australian maps, will
>that overflow onto the braille note, or is their a tech issue there? In an
>earlier message, you mentioned something about the Pacmate being limited on
>its blind user features, but that it will be good for existing Pac mate
>owners, what are its weaknesses? I realize you haven't seen the final
>product yet.
>thanks Jason
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 4:11 PM
>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Gps Scottsdale and me:
>
>
> > Jason,
> >
> > Just to clarify a point: Sendero, VisuAide and Freedom all depend upon
> > commercial map suppliers to create the maps we use in various countries..
> > These map suppliers are half billion dollar companies so we have little
> > influence on their developments. The issue with Australia is that the map
> > data is in a format not used by the major map suppliers. In addition, the
> > map engines which interpret the data do not have filters for the
> > Australian
> > format.
> >
> > It is likely that once one of these major map suppliers and map engine
> > companies support Australia, all of us will be able to utalize the data.
> > At
> > that point, Sendero is happy to incorporate Australia or any other country
> > where there is customer demand. I hate like heck to read your email and
> > not
> > to be able to
> > help you join in the fun.
> >
> > Mike
> > 07:29 PM 1/18/2005, you wrote:
> >>Hi there Mary Ellen,
> >>it is Jason here. I am in Adelaide South Australia. I have to say I am
> >>extremely jealous of you and the others with the braille note GPS. We
> >>cannot
> >>get Australian maps for the braille note or any other system for that
> >>matter. Mike says it is not cost effective for Sendaro to invest in them.
> >>The Pac mate is coming out with their's soon, but I am not sure of its
> >>cost
> >>and function match up to the braille note. The braille note sounds more
> >>versatile. Trekker is mean't to be cutting maps this year but no dates set
> >>yet. They will also probably map the Eastern states of Australia first as
> >>they have larger population. I love reading about you and the other
> >>members
> >>experiences with your braille note. It makes me aware of what is already
> >>available, so I can question the other manufacturers as to their products
> >>e.g "the braille note can do...this, can yours?". In the meantime, I have
> >>to
> >>be restricted to where I can go until I learn new routes or rely on
> >>people.
> >>As you know, can be very frustrating. In the meantime I will continue to
> >>enjoy reading the emails posted. Happy and safe traveling
> >>Jason
> >>P.S we are having a lovely hot day in the mid to high 30 C. At least that
> >>is
> >>one thing I have over you.
> >>----- Original Message -----
> >>From: "Mary Ellen Earls" <meearls@xxxxxxx>
> >>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:11 AM
> >>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Gps Scottsdale and me:
> >>
> >>
> >> > Hi all you gpsers!
> >> > Peggy and I just got back from about 3 hours in the open and we did
> >> > some
> >> > marvelous exploring of our area.
> >> > I can say without a doubt that had I not had my Braille Note GPS, I'd
> >> > still
> >> > be wandering among the maze of little streets in this subdivision.
> >> > I found it quite fascinating as I walked along to hear the Braille Note
> >> > telling me when a street changed its name.
> >> > Also we have created some personal pois which have benefitted me
> >> > tremendously.
> >> > It was wonderful to answer that we were exploring and not lost and when
> >> > we
> >> > did get in a bind we simply set our apartment entrence as our
> >> > destination
> >> > and used the "getting warmer" method to get there.
> >> > Super cool, that.
> >> > I just hope I didn't look like such a bumbling idiot but the main thing
> >> > is
> >> > that the gps got us home not once but twice.
> >> > Incidentally, one woman asked me where I was trying to go and I told
> >> > her I
> >> > was going to get my mail and she happily said, "well! You definitely
> >> > are
> >> > going in the right dirrection."
> >> > I am still having difficulty following routes and this is more because
> >> > of
> >> > lack of familiarity with the streets. I'll remedy that by virtually
> >> > exploring the area and then won't be so unsure about where I am going.
> >> > Happy traveling everyone!
> >> >
> >> > Mary Ellen Earls
> >> > Remember! Today is the Tomorrow you thought about yesterday.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

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