The VMS navigator

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Like Ivan, I also use EoTopo on a 10" Samsung tablet.
As well as being an excellent navigator, the tablet also stores and displays my permits and other information such as WikiCamps.
With its fitted SIM card it receives my emails and can access the internet when within Telstra range.

Hi Ivan, thank you for your input I have been just going through the tutorials for the Explore oz ,EO TOPO, I don't understand how the navigations system would work when using a tablet, and you don't a have access to sattelites for navigation, or net work coverage.
I am planning a trip up the Canning stock route for next year and I am looking at a navigation system as every one seems to think I need one and not rely on my paper maps that I have been used to using for the last fifty years.
The new tech blows me away and leaves me a bit intimidated, but if I am to get my head around this tech stuff I need to do it sooner rather than later, because I don't want to be learning new stuff while out in remote areas, and wind up getting hopelessly lost.
So Ivan , if you or anyone else can help to get me up to speed on which way to go plase , your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Alan,
Just a quick question , do you use any other navigation system apart from the Samsung???? with EOtopo

Hi Broodie H3,

I will leave the explanations and finer points to those that are more knowledgeable than me..

I use a Samsung tablet as well and find it works really well, you have to make sure it has a inbuilt GPS reciever and has ample memory, system and add on SD card.

Another absolute must is a suitable cradle/bracket that will hold the tablet securely and will hold it where it is easily seen and has a clear view of the sky.

I also have a cheaper Lenovo tablet ($100 from memory) and it works but I prefer the Samsung.

William

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Hi Broodie,

My Samsung has an inbuilt GPS receiver so is in communication with satellites at all times. Other than that I carry paper maps which are more convenient for planning and provide backup. My tablet is a Samsung Tab 'A' S-Pen 10.1 inch, SM-P585Y, 2016 model, $448 (plus an SD card) from JB HiFi.

One big advantage of the digital mapping is that it shows your vehicle position on the map at all times. You know where you are and you can see the desired location approaching. Plus, from a safety point of view, if you turn-on 'tracking' the tablet distinctly colours the map track behind you, so that if you need to back-track you simply follow the track back and thus do not take a side track in error.

I do have another self-built GPS navigation gizmo on the dash. It numerically provides co-ordinates, time, speed, altitude, trip distance and several other vehicle data. These functions are also within OziExplorer on the tablet, but in particular the trip odometer is more useful as it can be pre-set to the event (track-junction etc) then counts down to zero, and shows expected time to end. This is much better than an odometer that counts 'up' where you need to remember the starting distance and subtract the elapsed. But all this is icing on the cake and in any case, I built it before I obtained the digital mapping system.

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William, you make a very good point about a suitable mount for the tablet.

Fortunately for me, the Troopy came with an inbuilt cradle...... the passenger hand grip (otherwise known as the "Jesus Bar")

The tablet sits nicely in it and is secured by the clip visible at the top, which attaches with elastic shock cord. Simple and effective but apologies to the passenger now grabbing at anything as we lurch over dune crests. lol

thank you gentlemen for your assistance, I have a great deal to learn

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It's not too hard Broodie. Buy Ozzie Explorer Android and download it directly onto your tablet, then purchase EoTopo maps and load them onto your SD card using your computer. Insert the SD into the tablet, set the path file to the maps, and start using them.
It only gets a bit more complex if you want to employ track logging etc. But I don't bother. I want to know where I'm going. I can remember where I've been. lol

Good morning fellow travelers,
al though there have been a lot of valuable suggestions and a new system thrown into the mix nobody appears to have answered the original Question for me .
can any one tell me the difference between the Hemma and the VMS 200 system????
as I know nothing of these navigation systems, except what the salesmen tell me, so users be gentle and let me know please.

Hi Michelle,
from what I have been reading and the tutorials that you have up for the eo topo which are very good I am leaning toward the explore oz system. I have been looking at the VMS system and it appears to use your system as its main mapping, or something very similar, and if that is the case, I like original so I shall do some more investigating.
from what I have read so far your system appears easy to learn which is a bonus for me as I am not all that tech savvy.
thank you for your input.

Michelle, dumb question I know. I am absolutely hopeless with computers and go to jelly in a computer store. Can't even download an app. Is it possible to purchase a tablet with the whole thing set up and ready to go?
Keith

Sorry Keith no there isn't. Do you think you will use it? Take a look at the tutorials on the ExplorOz Traveller page on our website (follow the links from this post). It's certainly going to be the easiest to learn and use of all the options out there and everything you need comes from us so no mucking about. Contains all the POIs, maps, and navigation system - all developed in house by us and supported by us. A small Australian local family company so if you think you can cope - its a good choice. Perhaps you can get a friend or family member to help you with the purchase and setup?

Thanks Michelle.