Hema maps on Ipad in the outback

I'm successfully using an iPad with Hema maps in the Outback.

You can only get a moving map functionality by getting an iPad that is GPS enabled. e.g. telstra 3 G.

There are no tricks to setting it up, just switch it on & press the app button & select from the map menu which map you want.

Works very well & the ability of passengers to see the screen is also a key feature - so much better than a 5" or 7" GPS navigator screen.

Cheers

Rick

It is just as effective as any GPS with an internal aerial.

In the wife's Mondeo, mounted on the windscreen, it gets very hot and will cut out with the heat on a hot day driving into the sun. Covering with towel helps a bit.

I have a GPS repeater in the F250 (external aerial, black box, internal aerial broadcasting in the vehicle) so we can mount the unit low in the car away from the sun. Had it >12 years so was not bought for the iPad in particular, but has been very handy over the years.

The iPad opens up heaps of applications to you besides GPS. Starwalk is great. And email, news, banking, facebook, Exploroz, recipes, etc when in 3g coverage.

Wikicamps only works in 3g coverage, but you can look ahead whilst you have got it.
We use TomTom on the iPad for street navigation and play our music from iPad to car stereo. So when TomTom wants to talk, the music dies, the instructions come through loud and clear through all the car speakers, then the music keeps going. I love that. And TomTom can run in the background to Hema, so the speed warnings and directions from TomTom can be heard whilst viewing the Hema maps, which gives you more of an overview of the area around you than TomTom.

In my opinion, don't get a sim card for the iPad. If you have multiple devices you want to connect to the internet (eg we have iPad, Laptop, and 2 mobile phones), get a wi-fi modem and connect all devices through that. The modem can be plugged into the cig lighter in the car via a USB adaptor. The data costs heaps less through prepaid than via phones. We spend a lot of time on the road and have dropped our home internet and use the prepaid modem for home PCs as well.

The first USB adaptor we bought for the iPad was useless. Could not keep up with the iPad running and went flat during long days driving. This one works fantastic.

You can't beat the big screen for map viewing.

Trevor

I too am using the Hema app on an iPad and it works fantastic. I previously had a built in head unit with a 7 inch screen and found it too small to do any planning etc.
The larger iPad size screen is fantastic although if space was an issue the mini would probably be ok as we'll.
I have the built in Gps but have never put a sim card in mine, I just tether it to my iPhone if I want to access the web

Not wanting to hijack the thread but what is the difference between Hema Maps and Memory Maps?
Is Hema Maps worth the money with Memory Maps free?
Bill

Iceman

If you already own the Hema Map set on DVD you can use it with an app like Bit Map (it has recently changed its name to Maps n Trax but requires iOS6). If not, the Hema app contains all the Hema maps. An alternative is Mud Map HD. I find I use the Hema app a lot more because I prefer their maps.

Bob

Hi Everyone,

I would like to thank everyone for their contribution and replies. I was certain that using an Ipad was a very good idea. Now with all these responses it was certainly made my mind up to go ahead with this option. Once again thank you it certainly was an interesting discussion point.

Best Regards,

Iceman