Garmin Australian Charts

Attention Mickey and Pirate! I dont know if you have purchased Bluecharts yet, but I have just installed Topo Australia (it has only become available on DVD this week). If you are only going to get one, I think the Topo may be better value. It lacks a few things, like depth contours, tide stations and navigation markers, but it is a comprehensive topographic map of Australia, including all city streets and the stuff you normally get in City Navigator. Its mapping of the shores of waterways is excellent and that's the main thing you need anyway. Here is a screenshot of the Bairnsdale / Gipplsand lakes area in Bluecharts:

and here is the same area in Topo Australia:

Topo Australia is $199, same as Bluecharts, but you only get one license, instead of two, so it is effectively twice as much, if you were planning to share Bluecharts.
Anyway, just thought you should know

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ChrisJ - Thanks for posting the map info. I agree - for our needs the Topo map is much better.
I picked up some Ram mounts etc from Johnny Appleseed last week and they told me the TOPO DVD was about to be released.
Unlike the Bluewater Charts, it covers the entire continent - so it's quite good value. I think that's what I'll go for.
There's been a bit of a hiccup with my 60CSX that I bought last week from Anaconda. Turns out that they have none in any of their stores and are waiting on a fresh stock order from Garmin. I may have to wait another week or two before I actually receive it.
I also picked up the Ram screen magnifier but really can't assess it's effectiveness until I get the GPS.
The section of map you have selected clearly shows the Silt Jetties extending out into the lake. They are the longest silt jetties in the Southern hemisphere and second longest in the world - only surpassed by the Mississippi.
Mickey

I just found this link;
http://shonkylogic.net/shonkymaps/
Do you know anything about it??
Can't complain about the price
Mickey

Never heard of it Mickey. I've already shelled out for my maps, so I guess I won't chase it up. I was in Johnny Appleseed yesterday and they said they had just sold their last magnifier - now I know who the culprit is . There were some kayakers on the radio today who had just crossed Bass Strait - took them 16 days. http://www.paddledogs.org/ Wanna be the first to do it in an AI?

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Chris,
I was following their progress with great interest!

This attempt to cross from Tassie to the mainland on a windsurfer is happening now.
You can watch live video of the crossing- amazing!:
http://www.bassstraitchallenge.com./

I couldn't remember if it was you or Mickey who wanted to cross Bass Strait Stringy - guess it was you . Email me if you want to set up this Terrigal thing some time.

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