MudMaps 2 DON'T WAST YOUR MONEY

[Steve223]

Just though I share my view of Mud Maps 2 which I bought yesterday and just applied for a refund.

Completely useless (in my eyes)

You get all maps you have with Mud Maps HD minus the topo maps, the "new" THEMAP engine they advertise is based on OpenStreetMaps which is useless off road, has no topo and details are sketchy at best in the woods. No locked gates and many tracks missing.

I compared THEMAP, vs the MudMap Geoscience vs My Hema 25k Topo NSW (additional purchase with Hema or if you don't want other Hema maps get Memory Maps for free and only pay for Topo maps) and the 25k topo wins hand down. The "new" Mud Map engine are basically street maps.

The route planing online is done via google maps or open street maps, ( in my eyes not sufficient especially for $99)
larger GPX file uploads fail.

I tried to use Mud Maps HD for over a year but every trip switched back to Hema, since I bought the NSW Topo 25k for Hema I haven't even opened Mud maps.

I really tried to like mud maps as the Hema maps application also is lacking some features and has not seen an update since I have it, I really did not want to pay another $99 to update to yet another mud map application I don't use but the sales hype and the advertised features made me bite the bullet.

Fortunately iTunes refunded the $99

While the open Street map concept is a good idea I don't think that maps will be ready with the details required for another two years, the other features like route planing
are so rudimentary there is plenty of much better software around.



Have a look also here


http://kb.mud-maps.com/help/discussions ... 6-mudmap-2 (http://kb.mud-maps.com/help/discussions/questions/1716-mudmap-2)

Hema / Memory Maps 25k topo
59860

Mud Map HD and 2 geoscience
59861

MudMap 2 THEMAP
59862

[dustymonkey]

Thanks mate. I though long and hard about getting the mudmaps, now I'll give it a miss and keep looking at hema stuff

[Ranga]

http://kb.mud-maps.com/help/discussions ... 6-mudmap-2 (http://kb.mud-maps.com/help/discussions/questions/1716-mudmap-2)

"This discussion is private or deleted"

[Steve223]

yes so is my knowledge base account, I guess just shows what kind of company they are.

they don't like to have their maps actually compared

[OffTrack]

It's a bit misleading to call it an "upgrade" apparently. If the apps are so different you'd have to wonder why the company was stupid enough to use naming that implies MM2 is a new improved version of the original.

This was posted by MM support staff:


Mud Map 2 is substantially different to Mud Map HD, they can compliment each other rather than been just another mapping app.


Mud Map 2 and Mud Map HD are two different apps with different map engines. Each map engine has different features and advantages.

Mud Map HD uses SmartTOPO, based on NAVTEQ commercial grade data and has auto routing.

Mud Map 2 uses THEMAP, a map engine we have developed as part of a community mapping project. It allows community members to contribute data to THEMAP and allows for monthly map updates.

...

We are no longer offering SmartTOPO to new customers, however we want to continue offering Mud Map HD customers the product they paid for. We have a number of free updates planned for Mud Map HD in the future. These updates include access to new maps, as well as the usual maintenance updates.

Mud Map HD users choosing to also purchase Mud Map 2 can do so if they wish. This will allow them use to both apps and map engines. It will also allow for importing of existing maps and data between both apps.


No matter which way you polish it, it's a turd if you are looking at buying the app for the first time.

[Steve223]

yes they went from a map engine which had the data if you are all the way zoomed in but you could not see minor roads when zooming out so route planing was impossible to a "new" map engine which does not have the off road details in the first place. would call that a downgrade.

But in all fairness it seems like you can import many other maps but personally I will stay away from these app As I can't see any benefits over something like memory maps and that is free

[mattyg]

I am an existing mud map HD user. I happened to see mud map 2 on the App Store on Friday last week before its launch. It was $10. I searched for some info on it on their website as I had no idea they had a new product. I bought it because it was $10, not knowing much about it - don't know if I'll use it or not but it seems to have been at an exceptional discount. I do have some hema digital maps so that could be useful as I can now use them on mudmap.

Mudmap 2 seems to merge mudmap HD with Campee ( a community contribution campsite database that allows users to upload GPS co-ordinates and pics of campsites and collates them on a map allowing other users to find them.) - made by the same developer.

Will see how it goes.

[Discomark]

So it sounds like Hema maps are the way to go. Its still a bit confusing though as you can buy the Hema app for $149 or the Memory maps for 99 cents without maps.
I want the NSW 1:25k topo but would also like the regional 4x4 maps therefore.

Hema App $149 - Comes with 77 regional 4x4 maps + 1:250k Aus map.
NSW Topo 1:25k is an extra $149

Memory map $0.99c - No maps but you can apparently download the 1:250k Aus map for free.
NSW Topo 1:25k is $149
But what about the 77 Hema regional 4x4 maps, are they available for memory map? and at what cost.

Cheers
Mark

[OffTrack]

But what about the 77 Hema regional 4x4 maps, are they available for memory map? and at what cost.

Cheers
Mark

Yes, they are. You can buy different licenses: $139.00US for 2x mobile licenses or $199.00US for 2x mobile and 2x PC licenses.

You can also buy the Hema map coverage for regions individually. The Australian coverage is broken up into East, West, North, and Great Desert Tracks packages. These are each $40US for 2x mobile devices, or $60 for 2x mobile and 2x PC.

Hema Maps | GPS Software: PC, iPad, Android | 4WD maps | Memory-Map Aus/NZ (http://memory-map.com.au/digital-maps/topographic-maps-australia/hema-maps-australia-4x4-maps.html)


The Hema app can be installed on 5 mobile iOS devices but the mapping is not licensed for PC so you can't use with Memory-Map Navigator on PC for route planning.

Hema 4WD Maps app - If I purchase the app, can I use the included maps on my PC or Mac computer using Memory-Map - Powered by Kayako Resolve Help Desk Software (http://hema.helpserve.com/Knowledgebase/Article/View/64/29/hema-4wd-maps-app---if-i-purchase-the-app-can-i-use-the-included-maps-on-my-pc-or-mac-computer-using-memory-map)

Hema is based on Memory-Map and uses the Memory-Map store for additional map purchases.

cheers
Paul

[boobook]

Further to this point, It appears that Mudmap uses Openstreetmap.org as the map source for their detailed mapping.

Openstreetmap is a community map wiki where users add to and correct the map. It is based on old data and contains possibly tens of thousands significant omissions and errors across Australia.

In a small sample of 3 areas in the high country I found approximately 30 significant errors in about 20 mins. Not just minor errors, but main roads missing or wrong.

As an example, the roads North and east of North Licola just stop. This includes Bull Plain Rd and Middle Ridge Rd. Not exactly unused tracks.

A map user relying on Mudmap in the Licola fires a few months ago would be told that the only exit from North Licola was back through closed roads and through the fire when this is clearly not the case.

Other examples are - shows Mayford spur open ( which closed 20 or more years ago) but there is no King Spur and others on the Sth side of the Dargo. The start of the Dargo is about 30km out of place to the SE. It goes on and on. I highlighted to Mudmap that they should not promote this as a 4wd map and their response was that they are helping improve the tracks. They are very coy about the process but their website does refer to Openstreetmap.

Great for well used areas, but a possible threat to life in remote areas IMHO.

Try openstreetmap.org in an area you know well. Unbelievable that it is sold as a Navigation product especially when they get the unreliable data for free.

[Discomark]

I've had some success getting 1:25k Topo maps I wanted onto the IPAD using the an app called Bitmaps, cost was under $5 on iTUNES and on the test map I downloaded for home it showed exactly where I was on the map so I'm it appears to work well. I've downloaded all the 1:25k maps to the IPAD that I need for the next trip in the Lithgow area so will try it out in a month or so.
I've not been able to get the Hema maps I had to work (displays them but no coordinates) however the maps from here all seem to work.
http://maps.festy.org
Cheers
Mark

[djam1]

Thanks saved me the money I was thinking it might be OK as I listened to the advertising:confused:

[mikehzz]

Yes thanks. I have the original Mud Maps and have found it pretty useless. The topo maps are a joke. I was wondering if they improved it...sounds like a no :D

[Steve223]

Yes thanks. I have the original Mud Maps and have found it pretty useless. The topo maps are a joke. I was wondering if they improved it...sounds like a no :D

No they have removed the topo maps altogether, as useless as they where

[phl]

the maps from here all seem to work.
http://maps.festy.org
Cheers
Mark

Mark,

Does the Vic maps work for you? For some reason mine came up with Vic somewhere off Greece...

[Discomark]

Mark,

Does the Vic maps work for you? For some reason mine came up with Vic somewhere off Greece...
I must say I didn't try the Vic maps yet.
So the map loads ok but the coords are wrong?. Did you zip up the 2 files (.map and .ozf2) into one as thats what I had to do to get the coords to work.
Cheers
Mark

[phl]

I must say I didn't try the Vic maps yet.
So the map loads ok but the coords are wrong?. Did you zip up the 2 files (.map and .ozf2) into one as thats what I had to do to get the coords to work.
Cheers
Mark

It spat the dummy when I loaded it directly, so as per Nick's advise, I converted them with BitMap converter before upload.

Suspect something incompatible with BitMap converter in the .map file.

[turps]

All of them seem very expensive if you want mapping for all of Aust.
The Hema does seem to be the best priced. But Since I live in Vic I assume the Vic topos would be needed. So that makes the purchase $300. The standard set covers all the main areas. But not the closer areas to me in Victoria. Or $19.99 to import my own.

Mudmap looks like it costs $0.99. But you cant do anything with it. $30.99 to import your own maps or $149.99 for the state based maps.

So even by using 25% of itunes cards for the inapp purchases. It gets expensive quick for a GPS that is still no where near as good as my old Magellan Platinum.

What needs to be done to import my own maps into memory map or the hema map?

Really thinking I should just buy a new car stereo that will run OziExplorer with a 7" touch screen. Its far from perfect as well. But I get a a better stereo out of it.

[NovaRover]

Both Apps (Hema , Mud Map) have their pro's and cons, Your not paying for the app , your paying for the MAP"S, you'll pay for these wether they are paper or digital, what sets these app's apart is that Hema is just Raster maps (scans of good paper maps) and maybe a little more user friendly.
I think what Mud Maps is trying is awesome , Mud Maps is vector based ,which means the closer you zoom the more detail you get without the image pixelating, they are smart maps which can return information by touching a trail or campsite etc. MM2 can also use raster maps I uploaded my Hema maps without a problem. you get to have the best of both world,
But to me the icing on the cake is how MM2 has stuck its neck out and incorporated open source maps, the peoples map, created from people just like us with an array of different interest. its only going to get more powerful as more and more of us share the trails and tracks that we have experienced.
looks at what the community of 4WD enthuriests just like yourself's has added just in the first month .(quoted from there blog)

3,196 - New - 4WD / Off-road vehicle Track segments
5,610 - New - Road segments
1,614 - Less - Hiking trail segments
5,694 - Campsites
715 - Caravan Parks
Its only gong to get better, though in saying this I have only done minor testing on the accuracy since purchasing MM2 a couple of weeks ago , though to date I have no complaints. I have MMHD and MM2 and I think they complement each other compliment each other,
I don't know of any other way we can share our maps with such detail, stuff google maps. Next month I heard they are planning on releasing an addition to add to the power of sharing where we can click on each others tracks and see who created it.
I also love how simple it is to plan your trip on your PC and upload it to MM2.

[Steve223]

So far I have not seen an area where THE MAP was sufficiently mapped, last weekend Lidsdale State Forest and Marrangaroo NP pretty much 0 coverage
But yes the idea is great and if they continue in a couple of years will be a good map

[mikehzz]

On my Mud Maps, Blackfellows Hand trail, the main road through Zig Zag at Lithgow isn't even complete and it was advertised as a 25k map. And now they've even dropped that. Are they saying buy the app but provide your own maps because their's are crap?

[Shakey]

I'd just like to add my thoughts to this - I brought MM HD a couple of months ago and have only used it on a couple of 4WD trips on both it was useless not having any of the trails on it. Memory map with Hema was slightly better.

What really surprised me was how good Google Maps on the android phone was. Vector graphics all the way and hands down had far more tracks marked when I was offroad in Pemberton than either (I wonder if google work out tracks from the satellite imagery).

I do like where MM are going with the app but agree with the earlier comment that it will take a while to get there.

As somebody relatively new to Australia and 4WD I want an app that marks tracks I can go exploring on - TOPO etc. is useful addition but when an app doesn't even have sign posted tracks/roads (Hema/MM) you've got to wonder!