HN7 vs tablet

[LandyAndy]

Hi guys.
I was ready to buy a HN7,but there seems to be plenty of negative posts on their sutability,here and elsewhere on the net.
If I was to buy a tablet instead,what are the better navigation apps to use????
What I want is a rolling map instead of a TomTom style map.I do require a TomTom style navigation for city use.
Been looking around fleabay,but as I dont know what Im looking for/looking at I need advice.
Andrew

[eddy]

Andrew.Not that I know much about them but they sound ok to those who are not too savvy in setting up some thing cheaper from ebay.
Check out Hema GPS - Hema Navigator 7 @ ExplorOz Shop (http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/Hema+Hema_Navigator_7.aspx)

[Rok_Dr]

Hi Andrew

If you already have an ipad/phone or android device there are plenty of apps out there, which can give all the detail/maps required. I'm using a 3g ipad on a ram bracket and the following apps depending on what I am doing:


PDF Maps. This is a great free app which uses geoPDF format maps or geotiff imagery. I use the free GA 1:250k topo mapping with it (free down load from ga.gov.au).
Mud Maps 2. Expensive but they do have specials and if you can get discounted itunes cards it is cheaper again. It has a large number of included maps, making it value for money, but waypoint and track log management sucks. They do have an off-line OSM based navigable map, but I haven't used it. Can import ecw format imagery so you can also use the GA 250k mapping as well in ecw format (rather than buying it from Mud map at a further $75 :) ).
Memory map (free), old App which I still occasionally use. I find the interface a bit better than Mud Maps but getting custom imagery in/out requires a paid PC app.
If I just need a track log, I run gps4cam ($2-5). It will export and e-mail a gpx file (which Mud Map has trouble doing) and I can geolocate my pics afterwards on the PC using their free PC app.It worked very well for me a few weeks ago over 10 days in Vietnam and Cambodia.

If you're in Perth at any time or we both make it to Dwellingup next month I'm happy to give you a run through.

Cheers

Steve

[LandyAndy]

Andrew.Not that I know much about them but they sound ok to those who are not too savvy in setting up some thing cheaper from ebay.
Check out Hema GPS - Hema Navigator 7 @ ExplorOz Shop (http://www.exploroz.com/Shop/Hema+Hema_Navigator_7.aspx)

The HN7 is the Hema Navigator 7 Geoff.When you look them up on other websites and here there are a few complaints about them.
I did have a play with one at ARB,in demo mode,wasnt hugely impressed with it.Salesman said they are OK.
Andrew

[LandyAndy]

Hi Andrew

If you already have an ipad/phone or android device there are plenty of apps out there, which can give all the detail/maps required. I'm using a 3g ipad on a ram bracket and the following apps depending on what I am doing:


PDF Maps. This is a great free app which uses geoPDF format maps or geotiff imagery. I use the free GA 1:250k topo mapping with it (free down load from ga.gov.au).
Mud Maps 2. Expensive but they do have specials and if you can get discounted itunes cards it is cheaper again. It has a large number of included maps, making it value for money, but waypoint and track log management sucks. They do have an off-line OSM based navigable map, but I haven't used it. Can import ecw format imagery so you can also use the GA 250k mapping as well in ecw format (rather than buying it from Mud map at a further $75 :) ).
Memory map (free), old App which I still occasionally use. I find the interface a bit better than Mud Maps but getting custom imagery in/out requires a paid PC app.
If I just need a track log, I run gps4cam ($2-5). It will export and e-mail a gpx file (which Mud Map has trouble doing) and I can geolocate my pics afterwards on the PC using their free PC app.It worked very well for me a few weeks ago over 10 days in Vietnam and Cambodia.
If you're in Perth at any time or we both make it to Dwellingup next month I'm happy to give you a run through.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve.
I dont have a smart phone or intend getting one in the near future.
I was looking at the tablets,or smart phones that arent a phone(I THINK) on EBay last nite.How do these things get a GPS fix??? do you need a USB GPS for them???
The more I thought about it today I thought I may as well just buy the HN7.
I dont think I will run a laptop or IPad just for navigation,there isnt the room in the front of the D4 to have it there.
Andrew

[Eevo]

just dont get a VMS.

[Homestar]

A 3G tablet will have a GPS built in, but a Wifi one won't. I run a Wifi Ipad, and use a bluetooth GPS receiver and a combination of PDF maps, and Memory map - both already mentioned.

[Bushie]

Our last trip I did with a cheap Aldi 10" tablet running Ozi for android ($25) and the seamless 1:250k zone maps from ga.gov.au.

As others have said there are other apps (pdf maps etc) that will function as well.

A tablet vs a single purpose device gives you other possibilities.


Martyn

[austastar]

Hi,
The Android Samsung 8 inch wifi tablet has a built in gps which works very well.
I run OziExplorer on it and a wide range of maps.
A couple of other apps handle voice and text communication, sun and tide info, music and entertainment, photos, video and our trip logs.
It does most of what we used a laptop for, and then some.
Would not travel without one now.
Cheers

[Rok_Dr]

Hi Andy

Most Android tablets will have a GPS built into them these days. Certainly the Samsung ones do, even if they don't have 3/4g data capability. A critical look at the specs will reveal all. Apple products are slightly different as the GPS is built into the phone/data chip. But the GPS still works if you are out of range of a phone tower. Confusing I know.

I do agree with you regarding the size of the iPad. My ideal would be a 7-8" tablet for navigation, not too large but not too squinty to read. So x2 Austastar's recommendation.

If you go for another Android brand though make sure that there is a slot for a memory card to expand the storage.

Cheers

Steve

[cjc_td5]

Hi Andy.
I use a Nexus 7 (android 7 inch tablet) which I find to be just the right size for legibility but not take up too much real estate on the dashboard. I run Memory-Map for vehicle based stuff and also use the tablet in the boat with a Navionics App. The benefit of a tablet is that you can run other programs other than the navigation ones, store your music etc.

The Nexus 7 is WIFI only and has a built-in GPS, which I have found to be quite accurate when traveling.

I had a good mounting system in the D2 where it was mounted up high on the dash and was easy to read when driving. Still looking for a solution for the D4.

Cheers,

[Disco Keith]

Hi Andy,

I have a Nexus 7 (with 3G) and I've also purchased the Hema Explorer app and the Mud Maps app for it (as well as the Tom Tom app).

I have found that the maps for the south west of WA aren't the best though. The Hema app needs to be on a 3G or Wi-Fi connection to see more info than basic tracks but there isn't any detail. I've imported some of the Hema maps into the Mud Maps app, though good quality maps under 200,000:1 are hard to come by.

Cheers

Keith

[austastar]

Hi,
The ExploreOz 1:200,000 whole of Australia is very usable.
Cheers.