GPS System

[Heidi at]

Hi all,
It's just 4 weeks until we leave for our half lap of Australia and I really need to decide on what navigation system we want. Have so far decided I want a dedicated GPS system, so won't be using a tablet but I need it to be a good one that either has the off road maps or I can buy and add. So far I have only ever had the cheap units which work fine for city but obviously won't cut the mustard in terms of going bush. Any suggestions would be most helpful.

 

[Soaring]

I know you said you want a dedicated system, but I just got the Hema maps app for my iPhone. Haven't tried it out for myself yet unfortunately, but was recommended it by a friend who found it great during his half lap last year.

 

[Heidi at]

I know you said you want a dedicated system, but I just got the Hema maps app for my iPhone. Haven't tried it out for myself yet unfortunately, but was recommended it by a friend who found it great during his half lap last year.

I am actually looking at the Hema GPS system as I have heard the Hema maps are quite good, also looking at the VMS touring on and off road GPS. Also noticed that ebay sell a off-road GPS Nav system with oz explorer and 4wd topographic maps and has the ability to add further maps via sd card; so could be an option.

 

[bigman0510]

I installed an Android head unit in our cruiser, so many options (apps) to choose from then.

 

[bigcol]

horses for courses @Heidi at
both the Hema and VMS are very good systems with easy contactable service if needed
I have mates who have both, and swear by them as being the best..........

so saying however, I also have a mate who has had 3 of the cheap Chinese knockoff's in the last 4 years, and still hasn't paid as much as the Hema or VMS all up.................. and he is happy as with his choice

 

[Drover]

I have the Hema off road maps on my laptop and an old Navman but over the years I still find paper maps a must for planning and checking that the electronic brain isn't leading me astray as they are wont to do.
Don't take them as gospel, especially out bush But I would go the Hema unit.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I have a Windows CE head unit with OziExplorer off road mapping and turn by turn satnav which is fantastic, however I also run Hema Explorer on my iPad mini on a windscreen mount and find it the best for planning and tracking the trip.

If you want a dedicated unit the Hema would have the same features as the tablet version, just not as big a screen.

 

[bigcol]

horses for courses @Heidi at
both the Hema and VMS are very good systems with easy contactable service if needed
I have mates who have both, and swear by them as being the best..........

so saying however, I also have a mate who has had 3 of the cheap Chinese knockoff's in the last 4 years, and still hasn't paid as much as the Hema or VMS all up.................. and he is happy as with his choice

I should also add............
the Polaris head unit I will be fitting in my car runs Hema, Mudmaps, Ozexplorer and some other thing
as well as my cameras, etc........

 

[ShaneT]

I run the vms 600 with oziexplorer for work, glad I didnt pay the $1100 for it. It is very temperamental and if you try to use its functions 2 out of 5 times it will lock up. Have had a go of the Garmin Montana 650t, it is 100% better than vms. Not sure what maps it runs (they came with it) but it shows more minor bush tracks than the ozi and is just better to use menu wise.

 

[Bmhdg76]

I have a Windows CE head unit with OziExplorer off road mapping and turn by turn satnav which is fantastic, however I also run Hema Explorer on my iPad mini on a windscreen mount and find it the best for planning and tracking the trip.

If you want a dedicated unit the Hema would have the same features as the tablet version, just not as big a screen.

I assume you must have the 3G/4G iPad? If so how much data does the mapping use and what's it like out whoop whoop with no phone coverage?
Finally what mount do you have?
Sorry for so many questions but considering doing this as an option for us.

Thanks

BJ.

 

[chartrock]

I assume you must have the 3G/4G iPad? If so how much data does the mapping use and what's it like out whoop whoop with no phone coverage?
Finally what mount do you have?
Sorry for so many questions but considering doing this as an option for us.

Thanks

BJ.

@Bellbirdweb said "I have a Windows CE head unit" which I think would rule out it being an iPad, more likely an Android tablet.

 

[achjimmy]

I run the vms 600 with oziexplorer for work, glad I didnt pay the $1100 for it. It is very temperamental and if you try to use its functions 2 out of 5 times it will lock up. Have had a go of the Garmin Montana 650t, it is 100% better than vms. Not sure what maps it runs (they came with it) but it shows more minor bush tracks than the ozi and is just better to use menu wise.

Shane I didn't think the VMS ran ozi they have there own system, Maybe that's why it plays up? The maps with the hema aren't in the finest detail but are readily avaiable either to buy as the 1:25k rasters or if you go to "feisty downloads" you can get the old series 1:25k rasters for nicks (NSW and Vic) they are topo and have all the detail you need . I have also scanned a few of the rooftop maps of the VHC and another forum member has converted them to "Ozi" format for me and they are just unreal.

 

[achjimmy]

I should also add............
the Polaris head unit I will be fitting in my car runs Hema, Mudmaps, Ozexplorer and some other thing
as well as my cameras, etc........

Col see how you go, I was hell bent on running the GPS as the "All in monitor" but I find having Ozi up with the rolling map running while travelling is great yet the rear view is handy in the van as well while travelling. At the risk of looking like some kind of tool I am now looking at going back to have a separate monitor for the van?

 

[Bellbirdweb]

I assume you must have the 3G/4G iPad? If so how much data does the mapping use and what's it like out whoop whoop with no phone coverage?
Finally what mount do you have?
Sorry for so many questions but considering doing this as an option for us.

Thanks

BJ.

Yes it is a 3G/4G ipad running Hema Explorer. It uses very little data, as the base map is downloaded on the device prior to using it, which can be done via wifi if desired.

It can have the option to download street maps and aerial imagery over the air if you like, but if the data is a problem you can turn these options off and just use the base Hema map. I leave the goole maps turned on, so when I zoom in I can see street level detail, and haven't found it uses much data at all, as it only downloads data when you zoom in for the greater detail, its not pulling it down of the internet all the time.

I actually used the Hema maps app on my iphone when I was deployed to Vanuatu for the Cyclone response a couple of weeks ago, and it allowed me to download the maps on wifi, and then use them with no network at all. I really like this app.

If you want a true off line version, then you can get Hema 4WD Maps for iPad as an alternative. It doesnt download the data, but costs $99.99 instead of $29.99 for explorer.

Here is the comparison between the two for iPad http://www.hemamaps.com.au/~/~/link.aspx?_id=1B09887181BA4D1C838A20FE2CB09D92&_z=z

The mount I use is a RAM universal mount http://southerninsight.com.au/tablet-mounts/1009-ram-hol-un8bu.html

 

[ShaneT]

Shane I didn't think the VMS ran ozi they have there own system, Maybe that's why it plays up? The maps with the hema aren't in the finest detail but are readily avaiable either to buy as the 1:25k rasters or if you go to "feisty downloads" you can get the old series 1:25k rasters for nicks (NSW and Vic) they are topo and have all the detail you need . I have also scanned a few of the rooftop maps of the VHC and another forum member has converted them to "Ozi" format for me and they are just unreal.

Yer I got none of that......keep in mind im a diesel mechanic, I work on exploration drill rigs.
When I turn it on you select offroad then you choose between vms and ozi. vms is basic comparied to ozi. The boss loaded the maps so im not sure what it is like out of the box.
topo is what garmin runs??

 

[bigcol]

Col see how you go, I was hell bent on running the GPS as the "All in monitor" but I find having Ozi up with the rolling map running while travelling is great yet the rear view is handy in the van as well while travelling. At the risk of looking like some kind of tool I am now looking at going back to have a separate monitor for the van?

that, and the fact I am having problems with the wiring being cut - so I have to try and work out whats what
is why I am yet to fit it

I have been toying with the idea of fitting it for everything EXcept GPS..........
and getting a 7" tablet to run the GPS systems

what to do............

 

[Heidi at]

I run the vms 600 with oziexplorer for work, glad I didnt pay the $1100 for it. It is very temperamental and if you try to use its functions 2 out of 5 times it will lock up. Have had a go of the Garmin Montana 650t, it is 100% better than vms. Not sure what maps it runs (they came with it) but it shows more minor bush tracks than the ozi and is just better to use menu wise.

If I get the VMS unit from this info I won't add Ozi to it, thanks for the info.

 

[Drover]

Anything thats requires an internet connection to operate is a Yuppie Toy and should be avoided.

 

[bigcol]

Anything thats requires an internet connection to operate is a Yuppie Toy and should be avoided.

ok Phill Robertson.....................

 

[Drover]

ok Phill Robertson.....................

Even after a quick Google I'm none the wiser, assume the worst and let it go to the keeper. Just stick my tongue out at you anyway.

Well thanks, just had a good read, thats not very nice ! You actually watch that sort of crap ? Rest assured my comment referred to the fact that requiring an internet connection would render a device useless out bush possibly when you need it most..............I'm shocked that you would think of me as some head up bum redneck, .......................lol.