There's a huge market for someone to come along and build mapping software that is actually user friendly and useful. I find them all glitchy and painful to use. Can't wait to be able to download the whole country in satellite, it'll be awesome to be able to scout out potential campsites and unmarked tracks without Wi-Fi.
I use Garmin and no longer use Hema maps as they're not accurate for West Australia. We found major tracks while driving that where not on the map and major tracks on the maps that where not there when driving. This was backed up by 4 other vehicles so was NOT A USER ERROR. The Garmin maps with Birdseye view have never let me down .
Yes I would agree that the Hema maps are not well updated and sometimes not very accurate. However with new tracks being created and the size of OZ will be hard to keep up to date without user contribution which Hema does not have.
Good to see there's some new apps out there & I'll definitely have a look at them soon. For the past 3 years, I've solely been using offline Google Maps for all offroad navigation, as well as keeping the Hema app as a pretty redundant backup. Unfortunately having owned a HX1 & using the Hema app on Android, it seems outdated when all it actually is, is a map viewer with breadcrumb navigation. With Google Maps, you get the road standard voice navigation telling you when & where to turn offroad. Try it in the Vic High Country as it's very well covered with track names & the more people who use it the coverage will improve. I've tried it most of the East & centre of Oz without fault so far but can't comment for way out west. Still got the faithful Hema 4wd map book & a compass in the glove box too though as you just never know 👍
@@AlloffroadAu It still works in the desert like that as I've used it in a couple. Someone obviously left their app running going to the geo centre so if you click on that marker you can simply head to it how you feel over the dunes whilst watching the map in live time if there's no track, or actually on the track others used. If you simply have an end point in mind, put a marker on it & the app updates the route whatever turn you make so you're still in control & can go wherever you like.
My approach is rather different. I use a tablet (old and cheap - not attractive to thieves) to run the navigation software. I use country maps downloaded from OpenStreetMaps for free. For my tracks, I go to Wikiloc and download trails which have been uploaded previously by other travellers. The logic here is that if other travellers have been there before it's probably navigable. I use QuoVadis as navigation software; I have a copy of OziEplorer too but this isn't compatible with OpenStreetMaps. For a developed country like Australia there's a wealth of digital maps and suitable software but this isn't the case elsewhere. My approach is largely country independent. I have already mapped out major trips in Africa and S. America, ready to go. I intend to make a video on this subject. Quite often I meet other travellers on the road and they complain about the cost and unreliability of their digital maps so we need to share this info.
Have you tried Maps.Me? I'm finding it quite amazing for a free app. Even does turn-by-turn car navigation like a TomTom, as well as turn-by-turn navigation for off-road car navigation as well as turn-by-turn while walking on the streets or on hiking trails. Shows good detail with water falls, camping grounds, and all applicable POI. You can plot your course on the street, off-road, or on hiking trails and it will take there there turn-by-turn. The only major weakness compared to something like Hema Maps I see is it isn't topographical. But it still has good POI detail in the forests.
“I currently have a standard GPS device in the glove box”....the question has to be asked: WHY? Incase the iPad mini fails, then the iPad fails, then the iPhone fails, then anyone else in the group devices fail, the paper maps someone is carrying (there’s always one person going old school) get burnt in the campfire, and finally everyone forgets where the hell they drove..... can pull out the 1990 GPS unit!! ;-) Love the video and a good review of the apps out there , but me thinks you could chuck the GPS unit and save 300gm in weight!!!
Maybe the search you typed up on screen with same version that is missing is on mini and not the air. I know with a pad I use for work other techs have the mini and they won’t do the same things mine do and they have the same software.
Be aware that Hema Explorer will not fit on the new iPad Pro 12.9" which I have just discovered. This iPad basically does not have the usual "frame" around the screen. Which means that the controls on the slide in and out screens are not visible. When I raised it with Hema, their response was "On some of the newer iPad models, the screen display is not usable, due to the different layout of these new models. Hema is working towards a newer generation app, but it is still some time away from release, and there is no release date as yet." I have used Hema navigators and Hema Explorer for many years and had just subscribed to Hema Explorer Pro and wanted more memory for maps, hence the upgrade of iPad. Am a life member of ExplorOz and have just purchased the ExploreOz App and trying to get my head around it now.
oh I did not know that, yea Hema is really behind the times the iPad pro is out for quite a while now. Does that apply for Hema Explorer and Hema 4x4 app?
@@AlloffroadAu I forgot to mention that the iPad Pro is 3rd Generation. It includes Hema Explorer, Pro is an add on to Hema Explorer which you need to pay an annual subscription to use. Do not know about the Hema 4x4.
Great video. I loved the original Mud Maps before they stopped updates on IOS. The Mud Maps after service was terrible/non existent so i refused to pay more money to the forced upgrade to Mud Maps 3. I now have the Hema Explorer on my Mini iPad. I am not a big fan of Hema but unfortunately you have to have something. I am currently trialing Billy Goat (a product of Mud Maps). Looks awesome but when the trial expires I won't subscribe, prefering to buy a program outright.
In my opinion Australian maps are average , we are getting ripped , interested on your view of Mud Maps ? Hema is a wonderful mapping system but no good in the VHC , again interested in your view ? great vids , all the best mate .
yes I also use Mudmap 3 with the SVN Maps in the HVC unfortunately Mud Map 3 has become so buggy and crashes so often on my devices that it is not worth it anymore
Great video Stefan! Just a question....what bracket do you use for your iPad air? I can't seem to find a strong one that doesn't wobble while driving! Yours looks quite solid. Cheers!
Nice useful video as usual Stefan! What type of iPad mini do you use? Look forward to part 2 👍 PS I have a VMS which is utterly useless with the maps but street nav is ok and did get me through Vic high country to an extent but used a paper.map mostly
With tech map if the machine gets hot like being in the sun itll shut down. Paper map will not. I guess most people have ac these days and can remove from dash if too hot.
yes correct hence I have one iPad in front of air con vents and in front of middle console, and a backup iPad but that is definitely something to keep in mind.
Don't you guys get GAIA in Oz? It's just the best that I've ever used. ZERO issues, never a crash or whatever. Highly intuitive. Free version is all that most need - I pay US$30 pa for top level.
I will include Gaia and EOtopo and Part 3, but I had a look at Gaia and from what I have seen so far it has a lot of tracks missing for remote areas, for instance, Madigan Line, Canning Stock Route
@@spartanptbungendore8627 Gaia and from what I have seen so far it has a lot of tracks missing for remote areas, for instance, Madigan Line, Canning Stock Route
@@AlloffroadAu Don't forget to look into PocketEarth App for ios... it also has a few extra info features, but my one complaint about it is that u cannot individually colour each of your tracklogs. When u change colours - it changes all tracklogs to that colour...
Can anyone answer why Hema has two apps? I’ve never understood why an established mapping company would divide their focus between two conceptually similar apps with neither app ticking all the boxes!? Regardless, a big thanks Stefan... Informative as always.
I would think because they wanted to develop their own app after licensing MemoryMaps for a while. Unfortunately their own app has some bugs and shortcomings. I don’t think Hema understands really what is required as for the first year you could not download maps for Hema Explorer only tiles.
Seems to be a disconnect between hema and the customer. A company with the ability to have such a fantastic product and really dominate the market and they just seem to be only doing half a job
AllOffroad 4x4 Adventures TV, Stephan, I reckon Hema’s UA-cam channel is further evidence that they have a massive disconnect with their customer base. They continue to post dated video content like today’s effort on ‘camper trailer of the year 2013 and 2014’. Who’s interested in that? A better focus, I would have thought, would be how to use their convoluted apps and some vids on featured trails that they have mapped!
Just search "SAS Planet" i use it with Ozi explorer. The maps you show have no detail to them and i consider them a waste of money and time if you are serious about exploring off the beaten track!
@@AlloffroadAu Thanks for the link, i see what you are saying, but my need is to go to spots that tourists dare not to go! Where a track ends might be 10km from my destination, Hence i use mostly high resolution satellite imagery.
sorry guy's I had to re-upload due to an error in the previous video, should be all good now. Please let me know what you use for off-road navigation
There's a huge market for someone to come along and build mapping software that is actually user friendly and useful. I find them all glitchy and painful to use.
Can't wait to be able to download the whole country in satellite, it'll be awesome to be able to scout out potential campsites and unmarked tracks without Wi-Fi.
Exploroz traveller
That was done years ago by those that knew how to :)
I use Garmin and no longer use Hema maps as they're not accurate for West Australia. We found major tracks while driving that where not on the map and major tracks on the maps that where not there when driving. This was backed up by 4 other vehicles so was NOT A USER ERROR. The Garmin maps with Birdseye view have never let me down .
Yes I would agree that the Hema maps are not well updated and sometimes not very accurate. However with new tracks being created and the size of OZ will be hard to keep up to date without user contribution which Hema does not have.
Thanks for the video Stefan. I found it a very interesting and insightful comparison and look forward to the next installment...
Yes it's a long video. But full of good info. Thanks for this!
Good to see there's some new apps out there & I'll definitely have a look at them soon. For the past 3 years, I've solely been using offline Google Maps for all offroad navigation, as well as keeping the Hema app as a pretty redundant backup. Unfortunately having owned a HX1 & using the Hema app on Android, it seems outdated when all it actually is, is a map viewer with breadcrumb navigation. With Google Maps, you get the road standard voice navigation telling you when & where to turn offroad. Try it in the Vic High Country as it's very well covered with track names & the more people who use it the coverage will improve. I've tried it most of the East & centre of Oz without fault so far but can't comment for way out west.
Still got the faithful Hema 4wd map book & a compass in the glove box too though as you just never know 👍
yea turn by turn navigation would not do well in the Desert, for me turn by turn is for the road in the bush I prefer to make my own decisions
@@AlloffroadAu It still works in the desert like that as I've used it in a couple. Someone obviously left their app running going to the geo centre so if you click on that marker you can simply head to it how you feel over the dunes whilst watching the map in live time if there's no track, or actually on the track others used. If you simply have an end point in mind, put a marker on it & the app updates the route whatever turn you make so you're still in control & can go wherever you like.
My approach is rather different. I use a tablet (old and cheap - not attractive to thieves) to run the navigation software. I use country maps downloaded from OpenStreetMaps for free. For my tracks, I go to Wikiloc and download trails which have been uploaded previously by other travellers. The logic here is that if other travellers have been there before it's probably navigable. I use QuoVadis as navigation software; I have a copy of OziEplorer too but this isn't compatible with OpenStreetMaps.
For a developed country like Australia there's a wealth of digital maps and suitable software but this isn't the case elsewhere. My approach is largely country independent. I have already mapped out major trips in Africa and S. America, ready to go.
I intend to make a video on this subject. Quite often I meet other travellers on the road and they complain about the cost and unreliability of their digital maps so we need to share this info.
Have you tried Maps.Me? I'm finding it quite amazing for a free app. Even does turn-by-turn car navigation like a TomTom, as well as turn-by-turn navigation for off-road car navigation as well as turn-by-turn while walking on the streets or on hiking trails. Shows good detail with water falls, camping grounds, and all applicable POI. You can plot your course on the street, off-road, or on hiking trails and it will take there there turn-by-turn. The only major weakness compared to something like Hema Maps I see is it isn't topographical. But it still has good POI detail in the forests.
“I currently have a standard GPS device in the glove box”....the question has to be asked: WHY?
Incase the iPad mini fails, then the iPad fails, then the iPhone fails, then anyone else in the group devices fail, the paper maps someone is carrying (there’s always one person going old school) get burnt in the campfire, and finally everyone forgets where the hell they drove..... can pull out the 1990 GPS unit!! ;-)
Love the video and a good review of the apps out there , but me thinks you could chuck the GPS unit and save 300gm in weight!!!
I have a standard Garmin GPS Oregon 500 also in the glove box and a Garmin Nuvi with off road maps as back up of the back up :-)
Maybe the search you typed up on screen with same version that is missing is on mini and not the air.
I know with a pad I use for work other techs have the mini and they won’t do the same things mine do and they have the same software.
Be aware that Hema Explorer will not fit on the new iPad Pro 12.9" which I have just discovered. This iPad basically does not have the usual "frame" around the screen. Which means that the controls on the slide in and out screens are not visible.
When I raised it with Hema, their response was "On some of the newer iPad models, the screen display is not usable, due to the different layout of these new models.
Hema is working towards a newer generation app, but it is still some time away from release, and there is no release date as yet."
I have used Hema navigators and Hema Explorer for many years and had just subscribed to Hema Explorer Pro and wanted more memory for maps, hence the upgrade of iPad.
Am a life member of ExplorOz and have just purchased the ExploreOz App and trying to get my head around it now.
oh I did not know that, yea Hema is really behind the times the iPad pro is out for quite a while now. Does that apply for Hema Explorer and Hema 4x4 app?
@@AlloffroadAu I forgot to mention that the iPad Pro is 3rd Generation. It includes Hema Explorer, Pro is an add on to Hema Explorer which you need to pay an annual subscription to use. Do not know about the Hema 4x4.
Great video. I loved the original Mud Maps before they stopped updates on IOS. The Mud Maps after service was terrible/non existent so i refused to pay more money to the forced upgrade to Mud Maps 3. I now have the Hema Explorer on my Mini iPad. I am not a big fan of Hema but unfortunately you have to have something. I am currently trialing Billy Goat (a product of Mud Maps). Looks awesome but when the trial expires I won't subscribe, prefering to buy a program outright.
Billy Goat will be in Part 2 I don't like it at all to be honest completely overpriced for an open source map with hardly any features
@@AlloffroadAu I look forward to your further reviews on the other models. Nicely edited by the way.
Been after a good comparison, have both hema and was wonder what else might be useful
Great topic! 🙂
In my opinion Australian maps are average , we are getting ripped , interested on your view of Mud Maps ? Hema is a wonderful mapping system but no good in the VHC , again interested in your view ?
great vids , all the best mate .
yes I also use Mudmap 3 with the SVN Maps in the HVC unfortunately Mud Map 3 has become so buggy and crashes so often on my devices that it is not worth it anymore
Yep the Hema maps aren't to good in West Aus and i found they lacked accuracy.
very good info and thanks a lot
Glad it was helpful!
Great video Stefan! Just a question....what bracket do you use for your iPad air? I can't seem to find a strong one that doesn't wobble while driving! Yours looks quite solid. Cheers!
the window one is a Ram double suction, the one on the seat base I can't remember where I bought it may have been ebay.
@@AlloffroadAu thank you Stefan. Loving your videos mate! Keep up the great work!
Nice useful video as usual Stefan! What type of iPad mini do you use? Look forward to part 2 👍
PS I have a VMS which is utterly useless with the maps but street nav is ok and did get me through Vic high country to an extent but used a paper.map mostly
iPad Mini and an older iPad Air
@@AlloffroadAu yeah got that mate - was wondering if it's the cellular version - but silly question really cos it would have to be that one anyway 🤐
thank you for the review, it's hard to find proper reviews for 4x4 products as most "reviews" are just a paid sales pitch
Thanks a lot mate your feedback is greatly appreciated
I use terra map with the bad elf gps on the iPad mini .
never hard of them will have a look
Let us know what you think
With tech map if the machine gets hot like being in the sun itll shut down. Paper map will not. I guess most people have ac these days and can remove from dash if too hot.
yes correct hence I have one iPad in front of air con vents and in front of middle console, and a backup iPad but that is definitely something to keep in mind.
I agree Matt , for the space a paper map takes up I don't know why you would discount them .
i go for the new garmin overlander gps. Now i am use garmin zumo and tomtom .We dont have hema.
still, have a Garmin for my back up but like multi-purpose devices.
Thanks steffan. You were talking about Australia maps what about Africa. And using GPS.
sorry mate I haven't been in Africa for ages could not give any comments.
Thanks again Stefan
One question.
Why would you choose to have HEMA explorer if you have HEMA 4wd maps
Cheers
Mick
yea thats long time ago would not have any Hema product atm and certainly not new Hema Explorer which I find horrendous
@@AlloffroadAu yeah I'm going to get explorer Oz. Thanks for your advice on that app.
Looks the goods
new Memory App for all will be out any day, also not perfect but great app with all Hema Maps and hopefully also Roof Top Maps
My HX1 has a broken charge port on the HX1 UNIT, and no one has any idea how to fix it, was thinking of a i pad or Android pad for hema
THANK YOU FOR DETAIL VIDEO
hi bud Im looking for a App for my Android , I have a Samsung Tab with so many apps (Hema) which one to choice ?
I unfortunately can't be much help for Android as I only have Apple so never tested any Android apps.
Don't you guys get GAIA in Oz? It's just the best that I've ever used. ZERO issues, never a crash or whatever. Highly intuitive. Free version is all that most need - I pay US$30 pa for top level.
It is available will need to look in to it
Yeh mate. As an Aussie, I've been using GAIA for about a year. Absolutely fantastic. Best I've used.
I will include Gaia and EOtopo and Part 3, but I had a look at Gaia and from what I have seen so far it has a lot of tracks missing for remote areas, for instance, Madigan Line, Canning Stock Route
@@spartanptbungendore8627 Gaia and from what I have seen so far it has a lot of tracks missing for remote areas, for instance, Madigan Line, Canning Stock Route
@@AlloffroadAu Don't forget to look into PocketEarth App for ios... it also has a few extra info features, but my one complaint about it is that u cannot individually colour each of your tracklogs. When u change colours - it changes all tracklogs to that colour...
Hi Stefan. I have an Ipad air ii. What do you use to hold the ipads while traveling?
RamMount with double suction cup
@@AlloffroadAu Wow..Did not expect such a rapid response....Thank You
Can anyone answer why Hema has two apps? I’ve never understood why an established mapping company would divide their focus between two conceptually similar apps with neither app ticking all the boxes!?
Regardless, a big thanks Stefan... Informative as always.
I would think because they wanted to develop their own app after licensing MemoryMaps for a while. Unfortunately their own app has some bugs and shortcomings. I don’t think Hema understands really what is required as for the first year you could not download maps for Hema Explorer only tiles.
Seems to be a disconnect between hema and the customer. A company with the ability to have such a fantastic product and really dominate the market and they just seem to be only doing half a job
yes 100% agree, they proclaim to be off-road enthusiasts but understand very little off what is needed to make a good app
AllOffroad 4x4 Adventures TV, Stephan, I reckon Hema’s UA-cam channel is further evidence that they have a massive disconnect with their customer base. They continue to post dated video content like today’s effort on ‘camper trailer of the year 2013 and 2014’. Who’s interested in that? A better focus, I would have thought, would be how to use their convoluted apps and some vids on featured trails that they have mapped!
Thanks
Welcome
Which ones have turn by turn navigation off road trails?
I don't use it for off-road navigation I find turn by turn does not work well off road, if I need turn by turn I usually use google maps
Where can I get a paper map
The Map shop in Sydney has most Paper Maps
Does the iPad need a sim card to operate Hema?
not if you have downloaded all maps but you need a GPS enabled iPad so it's needs to have a Sim Card slot
@@AlloffroadAu thanks mate. Great work.
In Australia we pronounce route root.😂
yes thanks I learned that since.
Lots of negative reviews in 2020 on the app.. Looks broken, not willing to spend the money to find out.
yes I could not recommend it anymore, bugs gallore since Hema was sold it just went downhill
@@AlloffroadAu Yeh, I thought as much. So what is the alternative? I'm going away in a week, such a shame...
ExplorerOZ is very good in regards to details POI, OSM and Maps is pretty good and cheap
Just search "SAS Planet" i use it with Ozi explorer. The maps you show have no detail to them and i consider them a waste of money and time if you are serious about exploring off the beaten track!
best maps for Australia for exploring would be OzExplor at the moment ua-cam.com/video/-e39Ix4iZcw/v-deo.html
@@AlloffroadAu Thanks for the link, i see what you are saying, but my need is to go to spots that tourists dare not to go! Where a track ends might be 10km from my destination, Hence i use mostly high resolution satellite imagery.
yes satellite great for that ExplorOz is guide and then we often just follow or nose especially on the Desert
OruxMaps is the best for my
It's sad that no one has yet to make a good navigation app, there all rubbish
You lost me at iOS…
hm most apps are also available for Android and work quite similar
Only for Apple ios, not even remotely interested in anything Apple.
most are also available for Android
Lost me after 5 min and the comparison hadn't even started
yep, that's why the shortcuts are in the description so you can go straight to the parts which interest you.
Who cares about IOS ...... ????
some do