Garmin Topo vs Hema maps

Can't help you on the maps, OC1, but have got a couple of Garmins and a Hema HN5.

The Hema maps on the HN5 are quite bright, with good colour(unlike the iGo, which is really wishy-washy colouring), and once zoomed in a bit, you shouldn't have too much trouble reading it while you're doing a "mono"!!!

Would suggest a substantial screen on your CNC housing, to keep it shaded as much as possible. Oh, and get an HN6, not a HN5.

Bob.

Hi Olcoolone

There is no comparison between and it is like chalk and cheese. The Hema will give you everything that your require, plus far superior maps.



Cheers


Stephen

Good question because I was wondering the same. On my bike i have the zumo 550 which is a great unit but i use "shonky maps". Have you heard of them or checked them out? Google it if you haven't. They are good maps but don't have the detail of hema. I haven't bit the bullet on OZtopo yet as I was unsure of the detail in the maps. In the 4wd, I run hema maps on an ebay GPS and the detail is great. I think I will stick with what I have.

wizzer

Olcoolone,

To answer you query more specifically, none of the maps you mentioned.

The Natmap 2008 series of maps are the best to use, listed in the Exploroz Shop under Geoscience Australia.
Cost is around $94.00 for the DVD set.

As to what is best to run them on, the Hema Navigator and OziExplorer app takes some beating.

Unlike the Hema HN5 series which came with both Natmap and Hema maps installed, the HN6 only has the Hema range and if you compare the both of them, the Napmap range has more detail and better colour.

So if you buy the Hema HN6, you would be best served by installing the Natmap series of digital maps as well.

Hi

Maybe consider a TwoNav Aventura.

TwoNav Aventura

TwoNav Aventura discussion on bike use

TwoNav Aventura handlebar bracket

You can use ecw format maps (so some of your OziExplorer maps may be directly compatible). TwoNav software is comparable to OziCE. You can save all your data in GPX format so easy to import/export stuff from OziExplorer on your PC.

I have been using one for over two years – best GPS I have ever owned.

Cheers
Greg

My Garmin Topo v3.0 doesn't even have Boulia listed & the further North I go the more inaccurate it gets!

Personally I would be going onto an adventure motorcycle forum and asking the riders what they use and their experiences. Personally the most important thing would be a screen that you can actually read in sunlight. Waterproofing and a good mounting option important too. Zumo, Garmin and Strike are recommended for bikes. Plenty of motorbikes getting around with the strioke fitted.
Good luck making a decision...there is just so much out there.

cheers

Tom Tom also make a dedicated bike GPS but getting decent off-road/4WD maps for them seems difficult.

I've used Garmin's Topo Aus v. 2 and it's poor. If you go Garmin take a close look at Oztopo v. 4 ... 1:25k scale. About $230. Screen samples look good.

Free Shonkymaps for the Garmin are 1:250k, scanned from the GA topo series. That scale makes fine nav tricky sometimes and they're also dated.

Some random comments:

1. If you're doing bush roads and tracks and you want the unit handlebar mounted, it'll take a pounding. Zumo or Tom Tom would be the go. The desert racers know.

2. Do you need the unit handlebar mounted? A Hema HN5I is sposed to be good for a few hours constant use on the batteries alone so you could fit it in a tankbag, maybe with an external antenna. And you have the Hema maps stored in it.

3. Another option is to take Hema paper maps (they're excellent) and a handheld GPS unit just to get or confirm a fix. (I run a Garmin handheld stuck in the tailpack to record a track log over a day's sportbike riding on mountain roads and it does a good job of that).

4. If you want to enclose and handlebar-mount an HN5I you lose any instant touchscreen capacity but you obviously need a decent mount. Cost of a RAM mount?

Good luck with the project.