Which mapping system to buy?

Oziexplorer with any maps you wish. We have all the Hema maps and bundles (Gbytes) of shonky, Festy etc maos that are free.

We also don't use any "smart" devices like iPhones, pads or tablets. Not even a laptop in the car. All navigation is done through a VMS box installed in the dash and integrated with the car's wiring including a rear view camera. Back is a compas and paper maps.

Have Hema maps on my iPad and find it suits me. Also have Hema Explorer too, but still scratching my head about that one. :-)

Plenty of maps on the Hema system, though a few lack some detail. The Great Desert Tracks are the most useful for me.

Just need the 3G/wifi model iPad, if you want the gps to work.

Bob

Keep it simple....we use Memory-Maps and Wikicamps, both very low cost and we find them excellent. Put them on your iPad for best viewing.

Hi Kenroconn

For off-line GPS navigation on your iPad (and iPhone), I highly recommend Hema's 4WD Maps product. I have it and find it terrific for being certain that we are turning onto the track we want. I don't have Hema Explorer and have been tempted to buy it for the POIs but am not certain of its value. We also have Wikimaps.

If you feel generous, then buy the Hema Navigator HN7. I have an earlier version and enjoy having it. It is so much more convenient to have it attached to windscreen than to constantly have the iPad on my lap. However, the HN7 is a much bigger investment and the Hema offline GPS navigation on iPad serves the purpose well.

All the best.
Megan

There are digital maps - quite a few now.
There is the s/w needed to work with them.
There is the h/w needed to run the s/w.

Best to start with what kind of maps you need: scale particularly, topo or not, purpose (determines how much more data than geo features is included), scope (whole country or just a selection).

Then do you want auto-routing with maps for off-road.

I run an ipad air2 with both hema and mudmaps on it. I normally use paper and compass but the cook has wanted to do her own thing, hence the ipad and she loves it. I still keep paper maps with me in case digital goes down. No complaints from the better half any more.

Hema make Hema Explorer and Hema 4wd maps for the Ipad. Hema App comparison

The Explorer is best if you have a preference on social media and sharing. Maps are limited and extra. Also you need phone reception for it to work properly. It doesn't get a good wrap from most 4wd and camper users.

The 4wd maps doesn't need phone reception and has the full suit of Hema maps. It's $99 for 1 Ipad. It's actually the Memory Map off road app ( 99c) plus the full Hema Map set bundled together. Hema maps on Memory Map

If you go this way the Hema Maps are $79USD, about $100 BUT you get a licence for 2 mobile devices. ( Ipad and phone?). Plus you can download the fantastic free Austopo 250K map which is very very very similar to the EO topo map. Or you can buy the Memory Map version of EO topo map and run it, or tons of other maps with fantastic detail, even Marine maps.

If you buy the PC plus mobile version ( about $145) then you can run the maps on your PC which is brilliant for planning at home ( 3d maps, height and distance data, download User and EO trecks from EO and 4x4earth etc).

As to Mud Mup, go check the feedback from existing ( or previously existing) users on 4wd and caravan forums before you pay any money. Their support has a lot to be desired apparently and it's main map uses the otherwise free Open Street Maps which are inaccurate to the point of being dangerous in remote areas. Great in well populated and busy areas though. THE OSM website has a warning not to use it for remote navigation. No such warning on Mudmaps website which copies it. Erggh. Also check their terms of use. They own your tracks, notes and waypoints, not you and they can use them for any purpose they chose.

Another choice is an in dash unit like this It has onroad mapping, off road mapping ( Oziexplorer) and replaces the Toyota unit. That may be an option.


Hope this helps.

Please just be aware that that Austopo map is actually a rebranded Natmap 2008 with POIs added. It has a scale of 1:250,000. The actual mapping layers have not been updated. EOTopo at scale 1:200,000 and has undergone some significant updates pertinent to roads/tracks accuracy.

What we tend to find is the Apple device users that want EOTopo maps use Memory-Map as their mapping solution and from there you have access as an in-app purchase to your maps including EOTopo.

If you move away from Apple devices you have more choice. OziExplorer is by far the most popular mapping software solution for PC users and the Android system is great for tablet and phone users - better if you get the EOZi skin to make touchscreen operation easier. This skin enables you to replicate operations much like a Hema Navigator.

If you would prefer to avoid Apple devices, and want a really simple plug and play solution the Hema HN7 is ideal. This devices has OziExplorer built into it with a touchscreen skin interface called EziOzi. The difference is that the HN7 is not able to be connected to the internet - so can't be used for other things you could use your tablet or smartphone for.