Off Road Maps for Android Devices

[Disco4SE]

Hi all,
I have been doing some searching for off road maps for my Samsung Galaxy tablet.
Each company claim that theirs is the best.
Would appreciate others comments and / or experiences.

Cheers, Craig

[Silver bullet]

Been using ozie explorer for years have it on the galaxy now with the rasta and hema maps seems to work well and was cheap enough too.

Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk 2

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I have a Samsung Galaxy SII with cradle and inductive coupling to a phone antenna, unfortunately I believe that the inductive antenna coupling is preventing satelite reception. When the phone is in the cradle I get an average of 1 or less satelites. OziExplorer works fine in your hand but then fringe reception on the phone is poor and battery life worse.

[Silver bullet]

My tab has had no issues with satelite reception been very happy with it so far.

Sent from my GT-P6800 using Tapatalk 2

[Disco4SE]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Where and how did you purchase and load the maps??

Cheers, Craig

[OffTrack]

Thanks for the advice guys.
Where and how did you purchase and load the maps??

Cheers, Craig

If you want to run hema maps on OziE the only (legal) way is to buy the complete collection on DVD at around $170.

If you only need a couple of regions covered by the Hema maps MemoryMap is probably a better option. The Hema 2012 updates were available as a free update from late December 2011 via Memory Map map store.

I find that OziE is probably the better program overall but the mapping options are slightly better on memory map.

I'd suggest trying a 10 day of demo some of the memory map mapping for your area before committing either way.

Cheers
Paul

[Disco4SE]

If you want to run hema maps on OziE the only (legal) way is to buy the complete collection on DVD at around $170.

If you only need a couple of regions covered by the Hema maps MemoryMap is probably a better option. The Hema 2012 updates were available as a free update from late December 2011 via Memory Map map store.

I find that OziE is probably the better program overall but the mapping options are slightly better on memory map.

I'd suggest trying a 10 day of demo some of the memory map mapping for your area before committing either way.

Cheers
Paul
Thanks Paul. Much appreciated.

Cheers, Craig

[simoncs]

Tried ozi and memory maps. Settled for memory maps, on my phone. Not tried a tablet

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[eddomak]

I don't know about availability of maps, but I have tried (not for any serious purpose) the Androzic app, which seems nice...

It was a while ago since I last tried it out, but I think it supports most of the standard map formats.

[TeamFA]

I've tried a few, my favourite at the moment is Maverick. Source is free maps online, which you can either pre-load by browsing the area, or use something like Mobile Atlas Creator to pre-download them and copy to the device.

[zeroland]

I have been using Androzic with a few of the older OziE maps. Works well enough but the open street map (OSM) seems to be just as good using the cycle overlay. All testing had 3G data connection.

I did test a few other apps:
http://overland-live.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/android-gps-apps-for-overlanding.html

Let me know if there are other useful apps.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[zeroland]

I have continued my testing. Currently the apps Maverick & OruxMaps get my vote. Androzic is good for importing the old Australia n topo maps.

I am still testing OziExplorer so can't comment.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Utemad]

I use Oziexplorer. I have used Ozi on PC for about 10 yrs and Ozi CE for nearly that.
I still use both for home and work so it was a no brainer and one of the reasons I went Android and not ios.


The compatibility and wide acceptance is great.

[zeroland]

I have been using Maverick and OruxMaps.
oruxMaps supports the Garmin IMG file format as well.

See http://overland-live.blogspot.com for a few of my comments.

BTW, what car charger are you using? I have tried two different 2.1amp USB chargers and both fail to charge.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[DoctorJ]

I use VMS for the ipad and iphone is a bit pricey as apps go but when you consider how much a separate gps unit would cost I find it reasonable, quick note though it does sap the power out of your device so it is recommended that you keep it on charge whilst using

Cheers
Julian

[rmp]

Just get Oziexplorer then the Hema mapset and anything else you want.

Android devices can do a lot more than simply moving-map; they can also play/share Internet connections, multimedia, multi-task with Google maps, share GPS connections via Bluetooth and more.

There are also a variety of devices from 4", 5.3", 7" and 10.1" screen sizes.

[Fred Nerk]

I use Oziexplorer and am happy with it on my Asus tablet (internal GPS, Android ). I have lots of maps eg Hema and various topographic maps at different resolutions.

The most comprehensive map set is OzTopo. I find that there is almost no track that is not on it, but it does not work with Android. It is great on Garmin (eTrex Vista Cx). It is a vector map system.

I have received an email from OzTopo indicating that they are working toward an Android compatible version possibly in collaboration with another company. Bring it on.

[edddo]

I am a luddite when it comes to things GPS. I am looking for an affordable unit with australia wide off road coverage and I have many questions.
I dont really want to buy an Ipad as I dont want spend that much on something that I dont need for any other purpose....but I would consider a cheaper tablet.

I am currently planning a trip through the Flinders Ranges and across the Simpson etc....

1 With a tablet based setup...( I think I know the answer but...)..do you need mobile coverage for the GPS to function?

2 can you get suitably secure windscreen mounts for, say, a 10 inch tablet?

3 If I dont really need a tablet otherwise..would I be better off getting a dedicated GPS unit? Or is it the case that I might as well get a tablet as it does just as good or better job and can be used for other things?

4 I would be interested to see photos of peoples set ups if you would be so kind!

What would people suggest? If you were starting from scratch again, what would you get?

thanks

Lindsay

[DieselDan]

Hi Lindsay,

Like a few others I went with an android tablet running ozi explorer for android. You can download it from their website for $25.

I already had the whole of oz in 1:250000 topo in oz2f format which the ozi android can use so I've just added the hema high country download from hema's website. I wanted the Flinders too but unfortunately its not available separately any more.

I went for a 7" tablet, a Toshiba something (less than $300 from officeworks) mainly because I thought it was plenty big enough and I also had the worries of securing a 10" tablet properly. At the moment I've just got a cheapo sucker and cradle jobbie and it does bounce around a bit too much so I'm looking at something a bit better.
Its a wireless only with no 3g and the gps works fine.

So for less than $400 for all the hardware and software I've got a really good system that works great off road, takes pretty good pics, got my music on and when its not in the car I can use to read aulro!

Cheers
Dan
PS sorry not at home at the mo so can't take a pic of it.

[edddo]

Thks Diesel

It sounds like a good option. I see that I can get Android tablets like

eBay Australia: Buy new & used fashion, electronics & home d (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290783688357'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

for under $200

So it may be possible to get a setup for under $200. Is there doubt about the GPS quality on these cheaper tablets?

cheers

L

[DieselDan]

I suppose the GPS coud be a bit iffy on some of the cheaper tablets.
The screen resolution and speed of the processor may be an issue too.

I found this, it may be a bit better than the one you linked to:

Eroda 7" Android 4.0 GPS Navigator Tablet PC 1.2Ghz 16Gb Wifi 2 Cameras | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Eroda-7-Android-4-0-GPS-Navigator-Tablet-PC-1-2Ghz-16Gb-Wifi-2-Cameras-/130748246415?pt=AU_Tablets&hash=item1e7133e98f)

To be honest if I was doing it again, I'd get one of Google's own Nexus 7 tablets, cheaper than the one I've got and comes with all the latest and greatest android stuff.

Dan

[edddo]

yeh I have that one in my watchlist....definitely looked interesting and comes with mounting system as well....thanks

[ozscott]

If you have a big tab the best and safest way to mount is in my view a tough tray 2 by ram coupled with their steel flex arm that mounts via a seat bolt and big pivot joint made from aircraft alloy. I transfer this complete save for flex arm from my boat (Navionics) to my truck in 30 seconds.

Cheers

[Fluids]

If you have a big tab the best and safest way to mount is in my view a tough tray 2 by ram coupled with their steel flex arm that mounts via a seat bolt and big pivot joint made from aircraft alloy. I transfer this complete save for flex arm from my boat (Navionics) to my truck in 30 seconds.

Cheers

Pics ? Links ?

Researching options to mount iPad in the D2

How solid is the flex arm ? Does it move around when you're offroad ?

Sent from my iPad using Braille

[tastrax]

Here is one lead on RAM MOUNTS

RAM-Mounts-RAM-Vehicle-Set (http://www.ja-gps.com.au/RAM-Mounts/RAM-Vehicle-Set)

RAM Universal Tough Tray II (http://www.ja-gps.com.au/RAM/ram-234-6/)

[ozscott]

Memory Map allows downloads of Hema and oztoppo etc electronically - immediately to PC and/or Android devices. If you have 3G and are touring you could download maps on the fly if you needed them (including more detailed maps). Ozi on the other hand requires purchase of a DVD which you can then copy map files over to your Android...has anyone found it useful to download on the fly versus not having that convenience and trying to predict ahead of time what you will need?

Is there any other issues i need to be alive with before making the decision whether to go with memory map or Ozi?

Cheers

[Cannon]

Memory Map allows downloads of Hema and oztoppo etc electronically - immediately to PC and/or Android devices. If you have 3G and are touring you could download maps on the fly if you needed them (including more detailed maps). Ozi on the other hand requires purchase of a DVD which you can then copy map files over to your Android...has anyone found it useful to download on the fly versus not having that convenience and trying to predict ahead of time what you will need?

Is there any other issues i need to be alive with before making the decision whether to go with memory map or Ozi?

Cheers

Memory-Map has some good marine maps as well it seems. Might be handy for you:) (as seen on Ausfish)

[DieselDan]

Memory Map allows downloads of Hema and oztoppo etc electronically - immediately to PC and/or Android devices. If you have 3G and are touring you could download maps on the fly if you needed them (including more detailed maps). Ozi on the other hand requires purchase of a DVD which you can then copy map files over to your Android...has anyone found it useful to download on the fly versus not having that convenience and trying to predict ahead of time what you will need?

Is there any other issues i need to be alive with before making the decision whether to go with memory map or Ozi?

Cheers


Never used Memory map so can't comment, but for most places out of the major cities and away from the main highways, I've found the 3G signal pretty much non-existent so downloading on the fly hasn't been an option.
I've always known which area I was heading to so having the right maps beforehand hasn't been too much of an issue (although I'll admit that since I've been using digital maps this has been limited to Victoria, I used paper maps and an old magellan gps that just gave co-ordinates the last time I did a big trip interstate :o:D)

cheers

Dan