Not Happy, Jan

I must confess I keep going back to Ozi on a laptop with all the bloody cables because nothing else seems to compare. Although I have just gotten rid of 2 cables with a Bluetooth GPS receiver. And having a separate floor mounted touch screen means we can put the laptop under the seat out of the way, even tho that means a few more cables.

I had hoped an ipad with VMS might be the go but now I'm thinking a good tablet on a floor mount will be the go when the lap top finally dies, although it is proving remarkably hard to kill!

Good luck with it.

Hi Grant I have a vehicle like yours is it possible to send some photos of your internal setup in the canopy I am looking for ideas on how do do ours my email is passiton4me@gmail.com I would appreciate any help you can give
thanks kate

I tend to agree with your statement about blaming anything other than themselves. It appeared to me that the op was trying to load too many maps. I am sure that if they took more time to understand the device they would get it to provide the service they want. Either that or they purchased the wrong tool for the job.

We have a VMS running Ozi and are very happy with it. We have to make sure that the maps for the area we are visiting are on the SD card. One must remember that the indash and window mounted devices do not have unlimited memory.

Indash and window mounted devices will beat a laptop or ipad etc for the safety in the cabin, any day. No intrusion into the drivers space and air bag activation zones. No computer or laptop etc stuck up above the console for the arms to smack into in the case of an accident. Also won't inhibit access to the gear stick and 4wd/2wd levers when needed in a rush or in rough country. No cables to get tangled in when reaching for the latte or coffee in the console drink holder.

Phil

Hi Trevor

I know that you have a $1100 Magellan, but do you have a Hema HN5?

Anyone that likes to know where they are, and using OziExplorer will know of just how great it works. With that working on the HN5, you do get " your exact position in co-ords", giving you the details of your exact position on either the Napmap 1:250,000 series of topographical maps, or on the Hema maps.

I know that paper maps are great, but one thing we all have to agree, "The times they are a changing" and that is why we all love the the ability of using the very simple to use HN5.

I can not comment on the ability of the Magellan, but when you speak to those people out there, like me, we have the HN5 for the OziExplorer ability and not to the street navigation.


Would I buy another Hema, the simple answer is YES!!


I am one very happy customer and those that knock the units are the ones that have no idea of how they work, or never head bush.



Cheers


Stephen

We also carry paper maps but have not used them in ages other than at home or around the camp fire in planning the next days drive.

Nothing beats the indash unit, that shows you accurately with a quick glance that the turn off or camp ground "is just about . . . Ahh there it is". No need to remember the odometer reading etc. Just a quick glance without even stopping and you have it all. And more accurate than most people will get using a paper map.

It's a bit hard to follow a paper map while driving on your own without stopping every now and then to check the terrain and GPS to accurately get your location.

But you need to make sure you identify the package that suits you, including maps and any accessories and comms connections, before you buy anything.

One happy indash GPS and Ozi user.

Phil

I think Jan has enough problems with the Yellow Pages issue's she is trying to fix!

You buy a Hema because they are setup with maps preloaded right out of the box. Simplist way for those not computer savvy to have a compact offroad mapping system in their car with a registered copy of Ozi. On most Chinese GPS's an annoying feature is you can't just switch between Igo & Ozi but have to go through the settings. Also the resolution while acceptable is a bit dodgy on the 7" units, the windscreen mounts don't hold the GPS steady on rough roads plus all the early one's had dud batteries so had to be plugged in full time.
I suppose some of that extra money spent on the Hema goes towards a little more quality, extra convienience & local warrenty/backup should you need it. Bit rich though Gaz saying they're a waste of money when using a pirated copy of Ozi & maps ;-)

Cheers Craig................

Sorry Craig but I disagree.

I can switch between mapping systems with the touch of the screen, resolution is fine . I have a $10 mount from the computer fair that works fine and the battery lasts about 2 hours when not powered.

As I said, in my view Hema is a waste of money and it is a bit rich to imply that my Ozi is pirated which it is not - have the Windows version on my laptop and the additional cost version of for Win Ce on the GPS - maps for Ozi to work can be obtained from may legit sources - so before making accusations be sure of your facts.

If you want to throw money away go right ahead.

Garry

I agree 100% with garrycol.

I have a 7 inch generic chinese GPS that was $85 or $100 landed in OZ from madeinchina.com It runs windows CE and Ozi explorer, is loaded with all the hema maps, 100 and 250k topos, rasta maps, and UBD's for when in the cities.

For street navigation it runs IGO8 which is brilliant. The only issue is that it wasImage Could Not Be Found a bit hard to read in direct sunlight, however an $8 screen hood from ebay fixed that.

I use this and a number of hema map books, and cannot complain. In addition to being a GPS navigator it can store and play misic and has an in built FM transmitter for streaming your music through the car radio.

The battery life isnt great but I couldn't care less as I only use it to navigate in the vehicle or down load onto the computer and in both cases it gets its power from these.

I just can't see the value in the $795 - $1300 dollar options. They are there to do a job and the cheapy does the exact same job, just with out the bling and status symbol attached.

Jas

Gary if your maps & software aren't pirated that's fine (in which case I understand it probably only cost an extra $40 for CE as you have the full PC version) but then when comparing the two you possibly should have mentioned the $120 Chinese unit doesn't come with the $300+ worth of software (when purchased seperately) which the Hema Navigator does.
For a realistic comparison currently on ebay a 7" Chinese GPS with a small 4Gig card, Ozi & 1/4 of the offroad maps costs $300, still great value & the reason I bought one a couple of years ago & know what goes wrong with them ;-)
ebay GPS
Just confirming Jason you too bought a 7" GPS with a licenced copy of Ozi & all those maps preloaded for $100. Wow. Where do I go for that deal?
Come on fella's. If you're claiming "the cheapy does the exact same job" then include all the additional costs required to make a Chinese one do everything the Hema does & compare apples with apples.
Cheers Craig...........

Dunno where you plucked the $300 worth of software from - maybe based on Hema prices not reality though - Ozi Explorer is as you indicated only about about $40 - maps are free - there are plenty of free sources for the topos (Geoscience etc) - and other maps can be downloaded or scanned for free.

You are making inaccurate assumptions about the cheaper GPSs that are jsut not valid to reassure yourself you have made a good buy.

It is your money, if you are happy with the overpriced Hema go for it - I don't have enough of it to waste.

Garry

Actually Garry, Craig has a point. If you're talking about this:

7 inch gps from china

It doesn't come with HEMA Maps and Ozi Explorer loaded - all very good if you have these already, however someone needing to start from scratch would have to add Ozi E @ $160 plus the HEMA raster collection @ $190 and 250k at $90 to get it up to same level.

Working it out, thats $100 + $160 + $190 + $90 ... so about $540 - given the service from both ExplorOz and HEMA in case of issues - some people might not see the extra $180 as a bad deal....

Yep, in my case you assertions are correct. I already had a licenced copy of ozy, and all of the maps I used on my PC. There are plenty of free maps availiable also however as Garry has stated.

So in my case it only cost me the $100, a Hema would have me paying for what I already had.

I have no doubt that the Hema is a nice interface, I just couldn''t justify the expense. My maps cost me $0. So on the costs above (if correct) mine would cost someone $260 in total if they had maps or used free ones.

I didn't pay for ozy either as I use a copy from a mate who has payed for 6 licenses, and had a spare one.

So my total out lay was $100 with no BLING.

Regards

Jas

"You are making inaccurate assumptions about the cheaper GPSs that are jsut not valid to reassure yourself you have made a good buy."
Gary if you read my followups I don't have a Hema at all, I've had a 7" Chinese GPS for 2 years now so have no need to justify anything & because there are nearly 40 of us in my club using them I'm fully aware of what needs to be added to make them go & what issues they have had ;-)

"Dunno where you plucked the $300 worth of software from"
Purchasing for Australian Residents. OziExplorer Software + Hema Australia 4WD Raster Map Collection DVD + additional Explorer Topo 250K Maps
(normally $334 for the 3 products)..... $295 plus Hema has the 'Camps 6' points of intrest download worth $20 as well.
As I said lets compare loading up the 2 with the same products not grabbing software you already have or from a mate gave you a copy of the Hema Raster collection then it isn't licenced.
Cheers Craig...........

Ok - if you say so.

You forgot to include the additional cost of buying a full version of Ozi if you have a Hema to put on your computer for longer distance route planning - can be done on the GPS but is a pain. Why buy 250k maps - they are free through GeoScience and generally available through 4wd clubs. I do not have Hema as I find other maps that I can either import direct or scan just as good.

As I said - if you think Hema is so great go buy it.

Hi

iGO and Memory Map are also on the HN5i. If these are not required fine ..but if you are doing a proper comparison of costs between HN and others options you need to add these. No doubt there are cheaper options compared to the HN5 as far as hardware are concerned but as a plug and play PACKAGE (software, maps, warranty, Aussie owned) it suits many. Wo hoo! you saved ~$100 bucks by going ebay:)

Cheers
Greg

IGO8 comes standard on the chinese GPS Buddy.

Hi Jason

Legitimate version? Easy to create a cheap product using pirated sotware. What exactly is a "chinese GPS" ..strange product name..is it Buddy GPS or am I now your Buddy:) Lots of "chinese gps" units out there. Do they all come with iGO? Bit sus if they do. Can you be more specific on supplier/product? What is their back up/service/warranty like?

Cheers
Greg

Buddy/Greg/Wally??

Go look at ebay with your own eyes and will find all of the answers to your questions. Not all come with igo, some have various other brands of street nav. My GPS comes with a 2 year replacement warranty. If the software is pirated (a big claim from you) then the company may be held account for that, they freely advertise what software comes loaded on their product. Their are vaious brands availiable (100's)



Regards


Jason

Hi Jason

Yes I know they don’t all come with iGO and that there are many different "brands". My question was an attempt to get you to be more specific. The statement "IGO8 comes standard on the chinese GPS" is a little too broad. Your second response was far better so that’s good.

Anyway, my one and only point was when comparing the price of a Hema Navigator to any other available legitimate product, to be fair, you must include all items in the package. If it is actually possible to get a "chinese gps" set up and running with identical legitimate software/maps to that of HN5i good stuff, I have no problem with this. It just seemed that some people were claiming they did it cheaper but didn’t actually end up with an equivalent setup (maybe they did but didn’t specify all the legitimate software/maps they had). That’s all. I buy a fair bit on eBay and there are bargains to be had (huge revelation I know).

"If the software is pirated (a big claim from you)" - OK I take the comment about pirated software back. The selling of pirated software/pirated maps etc. has never and will never happen on eBay :)

Cheers
Greg

Greg

I reckon the the total cost for someone setting up one of the 'Generic' chinese GPS with maps etc would probably come in at about $350 all up. For that you are taking a punt on the life of the unit depending on quality. In my case it made perfect sence as I owned all of the maps already and got a free licensed version of ozy from a mate.

I have been away all week (Mon - Fri) travelling from Bathurst NSW to Tamworth, Glenn Innes, Ashford, Moree, Collerenabri, Lightning Ridge, Angeldool to Gadooga and then back, Collerenabri, Moree, Narabri, Gunnedah, Tamworth, Mudgee and Bathurst again. About 3000k in total.

I must say the GPS I have performed brilliantly, with the exception as previously explained that in full bright sunlight it is a little hard to read. The hood I have makes a significant difference but is still not perfect when the sun is shining directly on the unit. I am sure the Hema's wouldn''t have this problem, however it doesn't happen often enough to be a major concern for me. Even the crappy bracket held up fine on all of the dirt roads and corregations.

I have had mine for about 6 months and have no regrets so far. When the time comes I will probably move to and Ipad with the Hema app as the Ipad whilst more expensive does more that just navigation.


Regards

Jas

Yep - was never disputing that there are cheaper options to a HN5 out there...made even cheaper if iGO is actually included with unit and you already have an OziCe licence and maps. The various cheaper options have been mentioned many times on this forum. A few years back I "unlocked" a Mio 520 and then a 720 to run OziExplorerCe...also cheaper alternative to the HN5 at the time.

Cheaper options dont however make the HN5i (and now HN6) superfluous. The Hema has a particular target audience that just want an in car gps with both street routing software and OziExplorerCe that can be used without much user input (i.e. set up). As easy as setting up the cheaper alternatives may be its not everyones cup of tea and the Hema Navigator will continue to be quiet popular (I assume) despite its apparent higher price.

Cheers
Greg

Hi Nigel

What about iGO and Memory Map which are also on the HN5i? (iGo was OPs original issue - we have gone OT :)

The "free" maps you speak of, how good are they (scale, coverage)? Are they just for OziExplorer or can you get free maps for IGo and MemoryMap?

By the looks you have reached the "End" by taking a shortcut and missed a lot of the attractions :)

Cheers
Greg