Hema HN7

[powerband]

Hi, I have an HN7 that has been away to be fixed 3 times but still no go.
Can I put the map card out of it into some other GPS? Then I can still keep the maps (which are great) into a better made GPS unit?
Is there a GPS on the market that has the same quality (or better) maps? I only want it for outback trips.

Paul.

[l00kin4]

Hi, I have an HN7 that has been away to be fixed 3 times but still no go.
Can I put the map card out of it into some other GPS? Then I can still keep the maps (which are great) into a better made GPS unit?
Is there a GPS on the market that has the same quality (or better) maps? I only want it for outback trips.

Paul.

An ipad (with cellular / mobile and therefore GPS capability) and the Hema explorer app will do the same job, perhaps better, won’t it?

David

[trout1105]

I have used the Hema card to put the maps on a laptop and use OziExplorer to view them without any problems, I have also had my HN7 for about 4 years now and it hasn't missed a beat.[thumbsupbig]

[loanrangie]

Depends on the map format, Hema/ Ozi Explorer app on a suitable device would be your best bet.

[Wallaby Ted]

Or better yet an android tablet with the app. I use an old Motorola Xoom with the app, no cellular but has a GPS built in. I downloaded all of the maps via my home wifi onto the tablet.

I was considered buying a HN7 but when I see all of the issues people have reported with overheating, I didn't want to take the chance.

Richard


An ipad (with cellular / mobile and therefore GPS capability) and the Hema explorer app will do the same job, perhaps better, won’t it?

David

[trout1105]

My HN7 has Never overheated or had any other issues with it and we get plenty of 40C+ days here[thumbsupbig]

[harro]

My HN7 has Never overheated or had any other issues with it and we get plenty of 40C+ days here[thumbsupbig]

x2

[Wallaby Ted]

My bad i was thinking of the HX-1 which has the overheating issue not the HN7.

I still use the app on the tablet when I go away.


Richard

[123rover50]

x2

I have two HN7 and never had a problem with either of them.
I am not smart enough to muck about with downloading maps and stuff to computers etc.

Keith

[powerband]

Hi, Thank you for all the replies. I am glad that some people are having a good run out of the HN7. I was starting to think that I had found a fix for mine. I left it plugged in but not turned on, turn it on with the button on top & it would start up & away we would go.
Ok for a week. On the weekend back to the same old thing. Within 1/2 hour just turned itself off.
Stopped for fuel sometime later, hit the reset button & got it going again. A little time later the screen goes to black & white stripes. Usually when it goes to stripes I cannot get it going again and have sent it to Hema, but unfortunately I still have the problem.

Paul.

[trout1105]

I leave mine plugged in and when i start the truck it fires up each and every time, I Never turn it off and it has been faultless for at least 3 years.
Maybe leaving the unit idle for extended periods has buggered the battery in the unit?

[debruiser]

I love my HN7, it must be 5 or more years old now (can't remember exactly when i got it). It used to live on the windscreen of the 90 here in Mackay, had lots of 35 deg days. For a while it would be left on and each time the truck started it would fire up. the poor old battery has given up on it now, so wont run without power, doens't seem to affect it's operation other than the car needs to be on to use it.

I had lines like you speak of once - maybe a year ago. I thought it was the end.... but after I unlugged it and left it for a few days it started up again and no more problems. (I've lost some faith in it now and I've been very tempted to replace it, I even looked at prices!)

I would have loved to go to an in-dash unit but that is too expensive at the moment. I really can't fathom how you guys use a tablet on the windscreen of a defender, there would be no view of the road left! I do however agree that the big screen would be nice to use.

[trout1105]

I have also got the Hema maps on a laptop that i use when going off the main tracks.
You cant use it while you are driving but the big screen on the laptop is fantastic to use when you need to have a really good look at where you are and where you want to go[thumbsupbig]

[austastar]

I really can't fathom how you guys use a tablet on the windscreen of a defender, there would be no view of the road left!

Hi,
Being tall helps a bit.
Cheers

[debruiser]

Hi,
Being tall helps a bit.
Cheers

I'm not really short at 6 foot. Maybe I just like an uncluttered view.

[DiscoMick]

Just guessing, but my first thought was also to replace the battery and see if that helped.

[RANDLOVER]

This week I found out my HN-7 has an automatic "Congestion Avoidance" function, as I had to go to some training at 8 am, normally I schedule my travel so that I avoid rush hour, so twice along the way it suggested alternate routes.

[oka374]

I too have had nothing but trouble with my HN7, it works fine for a while and then the stripey screen and that's it.
Has been back to Hema 3 or 4 times and still much the same, despite new screens, new batteries, new power cords etc etc.
My previous "navigator" a $90 7" Chinese unit running Win CE and Oziexplorer worked really well for over 7 years including 12 months overseas and around the world trips with an SD card full of most countries turn by turn mapping.

[austastar]

Hi,
The batteries on my Chinese Cheapie died, meaning the name and password for OziExplorer needed entering every time it was switched back on.
It did work well.
Cheers

[shack]

Hi,
The batteries on my Chinese Cheapie died, meaning the name and password for OziExplorer needed entering every time it was switched back on.
It did work well.
CheersWhat are the Chinese ones? I've never really looked into it.

I've been using exploroz for a couple of years, seems pretty good ...but ties up your phone. I could put it on a tablet of course...but was wondering what else was available.

[austastar]

Hi,
EBay used to list them as navigators running a knockoff turn by turn application. Some legal challenges arose, so they advertised them as not having that program, but it was still there.
They ran Windows CE, and a fairly low res screen.
Ozi CE worked well on it, but the new Ozi Android is so much better.
I run a 7" Samsung tablet, but am running out of disk space trying various mapping programs.
Not sure what I will use next trip, each platform and App has differing features, but I am warming to the idea of one of the 7" Garmin RV units. They can be configured to run the Hema maps and the full version of Oztoppo from an internal SD card.
Cheers

[biggin]

Hi,
The batteries on my Chinese Cheapie died, meaning the name and password for OziExplorer needed entering every time it was switched back on.
It did work well.
Cheers

I just replaced the internal battery with an external 18650 battery holder and battery. Works a treat and lasts much longer when unplugged.

[austastar]

Good thinking.
To access and replace the built in battery, I believe is a very difficult repair.
Cheers

[biggin]

Honestly, it couldn’t be easier:
Undo four screws to get the back off.
Cut the wires off the old battery, and discard battery.
Attach the battery holder to the back with double sided tape.
Drill a hole through the battery holder.
Feed the holder wires through the hole and solder to the old wires.
Insulate with tape, screw the back back on, job done.
15 minutes start to finish.

[trout1105]

An update on my HN7 after nearly 6 years.
Still working perfectly [thumbsupbig][biggrin]

[RANDLOVER]

My bad i was thinking of the HX-1 which has the overheating issue not the HN7.

I still use the app on the tablet when I go away.


Richard

I was wondering if anyone has had both the HN7 and HX-1 and if they think the HX-1 bluetooth to mobile phone sound is any louder than the HN7. I think my HN7 is bit quiet, but I'm used to a Parrot car kit normally.