Alternative to HEMA HN6

Submitted: Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 14:01
ThreadID: 142132 Views:8163 Replies:11 FollowUps:22
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I suspect that my HN6 is on the way out. I’ve replaced the battery in the past, but now it won’t calibrate.

What do people recommend as an alternative?

I’ve read too many bad reviews of the HX-1.

It must be able to take HEMA maps, provide street, turn by turn, navigation, and not occupy a lot of dash top real estate.

Cheers, thanks.
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Reply By: Rocket Rod - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 14:32

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 14:32
I use OziExplorer on Android and have done so for years. One of the biggest reasons I stick with it is because it can load maps from anywhere, even make your own if you want (think satellite images for instance). No map has everything on it so you need a wide choice if your going seriously off road. If you only need towns and outback roads only, then you can go for anything really but I would recommend ExplorOz and Sygic (street mapping) worldwide. You can choose your OS and tablt with this combo. I'm unsure if you can transfer your current Hema maps to a new device or not, so investigate that before you leep.

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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:24

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:24
Up to HN 7 you can transfer all the other maps that runs the same setup.

Very different with the new HX 1
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Reply By: Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 14:33

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 14:33
An Android phablet or large smartphone that will run EO Traveller for turn by turn at street and topo levels and OziExplorer for for Hema

Edit: With the cautions provided by RR above..
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Reply By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:29

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:29
The HX1 may have had issues when they first came out, but would believe that those issue have well and truly been sorted.

The HX1 has all the usual Hema Maps, plus you have the ability to add more detailed maps sections when you zoom in and called tiles.

There street navigation for around town and cities is very good and if not better than some of the unties that only have street navigation.

You will get those that knock the product based on third hand information and never any real experience with using them.
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:43

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 18:43
HX1 - Cant add you own maps which is why I personally avoid a number of what would other wise be good mapping programs/device combos.

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Greg
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:17

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:17
Stephen, can you put your own Waypoints on the HX1?
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:22

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:22
There are some quite recent reviews here:
Product Review

I can’t see myself buying one despite your confidence Stephen (which I respect).
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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:25

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 19:25
Gone Bush

You can work with it, just like your NH6, add waypoints.

To add far more details Hema maps, you have to do this at home and have access to the internet. You then go the area you are going, and then zoom in to your required level and then save that in your map file.

Then when you get to the area where you want more detail, over the map that you are using, you then select the map or maps that you have save and you then continue with the more detailed map that you have selected.

Greg,

I know you are unable to add your own maps, but Gone Bush was only asking about Hema Maps and street navigation.
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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 22:59

Friday, Jul 09, 2021 at 22:59
As for the first reply from two weeks ago……that’s a shonky reply…

The HX1 was never ever nearly $1000

At least if you are going to bag a product out, the first thing that you should do is get the pricing correct of what people pay for them.

The RR is or was $699 not there has always been better deals.
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Follow Up By: Banjo (WA) - Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 08:01

Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 08:01
a Shonky reply that the customer rectified:

Hema:
HI Mark, The HX1 Navigation unit is and has always been RRP of $699. We do not have a Navigation unit at that price point. In relation to any mapping concerns, please call our Technical support team on (07) 3340-0000 Option 1 and we would be happy to help.

Customer:
I do apologise; having looked for receipt and noticing that I had given you the wrong price, as I purchased it from tentworld at Brendale for $649. However the comments about the product are no different; I had contacted twice and really the attitude was poor to say the least: I could submit a report of the misinformation displayed, which I did and the second time was told that the incorrect speed zones were due to the mapping company and were in preparation for new speed limits. This is now probably 6 months ago and still the speed limits are the same. What is going to be achieved any differently by calling again?
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 08:33

Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 08:33
My two cents worth, the only problem I have found with the HX1 over my previous HN7 is that it is more susceptible to over heating when sitting in the sun when attached to the windscreen. It will slow down and “freeze”. To rectify this, I have purchased a mounting bracket that fits into the CD slot on my in dash CD player. (Michelle from Exploroz put me onto this). This drops the HX1 below the level of the dash, and keeps it more in the shade. The bracket does not affect the CD player other than you cannot use it with the bracket inserted. Obviously, if you want to listen to CD’s while navigating, you cannot do both. But then again, linking your phone to the radio allows you to play music from your phone through the radio.

Of course, there are other bracket systems around that will achieve the same result, bringing the navigator away from the windscreen and more in the shade, but they tend to become quite expensive., and bulky.

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Follow Up By: Member - Dick L - Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 10:03

Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 10:03
Macca
I am interested in that mounting bracket. Where did you get it and what brand/modelwas it
Thanks
Dick
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Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 16:28

Saturday, Jul 10, 2021 at 16:28
I've the same bracket and magnetic mount as recommended by Michelle. Just check that you don't have a slim cd slot. Fits the Pajero but not the VW. I have and old phone mounted there running Torque Pro. Devices of any kind and the heat from the sun on on the dash don't mix. I've had two phones overheat on the dash, a Samsung S4 Active and a Nokia 6.1. My S7 was happy until it's accident but it was white in a white case. I don't bother trying for a dash mount anymore. In summer, my TPMS controller didn't like it on the dash either, winter seems OK. A bogeyed up white shield is probably required.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 11:32

Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 11:32
Hi Dick L,

Product is called “Magic Mount” CD Slot Magnetic Mount For Mobile Devices made by “Scosche”. Price on the box was $39:00. I bought it on line, but can’t remember where exactly I got if from. Box says scosche.com

Photos attached.




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Follow Up By: Stephen L (Clare) SA - Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 14:53

Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 14:53
Hi Macca

Being a magnetic base, how did you attach the HN1 to it, as the bask of the Navigator is all plastic.
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Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 20:53

Sunday, Jul 11, 2021 at 20:53
Hi Stephen,

It comes with a small adhesive patch that you stick to the back of the Hema. It seems to hold quite well, although because of the COVID-19 pandemic over then past 18 months, I have not tested it out on any really corrugated roads yet. I have been on bumpy gravel roads, but no real corrugations.

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Follow Up By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021 at 09:37

Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021 at 09:37
The scosche magnetic /3M mounts come from JBHiFi.
Michelle Martin
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Follow Up By: Banjo (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021 at 14:02

Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021 at 14:02
I bought one online from Schoche Aust.

MagicMount CD Slot Magnetic Mount, $39.95 plus $ 9.95 postage.

Had it for a week now and heartily recommend the product.

Paul
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Reply By: Member Kerry W (Qld) - Monday, Jul 12, 2021 at 12:07

Monday, Jul 12, 2021 at 12:07
Doesnt ExplorOz Traveller tick all these boxes...or am I missing something?

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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 16:44

Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 16:44
Half the equation - EOT is "just" a mapping App not a device. OP was chasing a device + mapping program with specific requirements, one relating to being able to use Hema's maps. So EOT fails (though may nonetheless be a viable alternative paired with suitable gadget).

Cheers
Greg
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 18:14

Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 18:14
Kerry, I thought it might but I’ve been looking into it and I think a stand alone dedicated device with HEMA maps would suit me more.

For EOT, I would have to buy an ipad mini and a windscreen holder. Google maps is good for street navigation but for OziExplorer type maps, I don’t like the fact that I have to zoom in on EOT to see camp sites and I prefer the HEMA maps display over the EOT map(s).

But it’s still a work in progress and I’ll wait to see the new product from HEMA.
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Jul 16, 2021 at 16:59

Friday, Jul 16, 2021 at 16:59
I see BCF is advertising the HX-1 as Clearance stock.

Does anyone know if HEMA is producing a new model?
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Follow Up By: Member - Dick L - Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 15:03

Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 15:03
There was an Ad on Facebook this morning promoting a new device to come
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 18:19

Saturday, Jul 17, 2021 at 18:19
Thanks Dick.

I’ve registered my interest.

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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2021 at 17:57

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2021 at 17:57
Hope you can use your own maps.

Cheers
Greg
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Thursday, Jul 22, 2021 at 19:20

Thursday, Jul 22, 2021 at 19:20
HEMA will be releasing its new HX-2 in August. These are some of its features:



As part of my research, has anyone had any experience with the Garmin RV890?

Garmin RV890
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Jul 30, 2021 at 18:29

Friday, Jul 30, 2021 at 18:29
Did anyone watch the first Webinar from HEMA about the HX-2?

I didn’t, curious if anyone actually saw it.

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Reply By: The Explorer - Monday, Aug 02, 2021 at 13:49

Monday, Aug 02, 2021 at 13:49
New HX 2 out now

HX 2
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Aug 02, 2021 at 14:17

Monday, Aug 02, 2021 at 14:17
I’m looking forward to some hands on reviews, especially of the street navigation.



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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2021 at 20:55

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2021 at 20:55
Hema is putting up a good series of “How to” videos about the HX-2 on Youtube.

HEMAX on Youtube
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Friday, Aug 06, 2021 at 13:11

Friday, Aug 06, 2021 at 13:11
Regarding the new HX-2.

The only voices available in Street Navigation mode are:

British female (imagine Camilla Parker-Bowles)

British Male (even worse)

American Male

An Aussie voice, male or female, will not be available ever, according to HEMA tech support.

That's a deal breaker for me
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Follow Up By: The Explorer - Friday, Aug 06, 2021 at 18:11

Friday, Aug 06, 2021 at 18:11
I use Google maps on my phone a fair bit and generally have the sound turned off. I get the wife to provide her interpretation of the navigation instructions. This is great because I can provide my feedback on the quality of the information provided and get a verbal response (with expletives). Makes the trip much more enjoyable.

Cheers
Greg
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, Aug 09, 2021 at 16:58

Monday, Aug 09, 2021 at 16:58
Well, after much thought I am going down the path of an ipad mini using Google maps for street navigation and Hema maps in an app, probably Memory Maps, for navigation outside metro areas.
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