Guru Maps Pro - Offline Maps & Navigation

[Chucaro]

I am looking for a simple and easy to use (geriatric mode [biggrin]) navigation/mapping software to use on our trips. I have to get a small tablet (my MS Surface Pro is too big) so the OS is not important but the money it is so perhaps an 8" Lenovo can be the one if it has good reviews.
Is the Guru Maps a good option or there are some better software available out there?
Our plans, at the moment, are to use in Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria.
Inputs are appreciated [smilebigeye].

[austastar]

Hi,
From just a quick look at Guru Maps Pro on the web, (I have not downloaded it), I wonder why you have not considered the Hema App?
It served us well on our last trip and did pretty well everything we needed it to.
Google maps/satellite does well tool as long as you can get mobile data,
Cheers

[Chucaro]

Hi,
From just a quick look at Guru Maps Pro on the web, (I have not downloaded it), I wonder why you have not considered the Hema App?
It served us well on our last trip and did pretty well everything we needed it to.
Google maps/satellite does well tool as long as you can get mobile data,
Cheers
Tnak you for your reply
Which operations system are you using and the size of the screen? An 8" tablet will be sufficient?
Are you using the VMS MAP EXPLORER 3D or the basic Explorer?

The reviews in this link are a worry Hema Explorer on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/au/app/hema-explorer/id657454400)

[austastar]

Hi,
Yep, 8" screen Android Galaxy Tab running the Hema App.
Some features I like.
Maps of the same scale cover all of Australia so you get a uniform representation of the topography at that scale.
Change to a different scale and you get more or less information but it is the same visually Australia wide.
The built in maps (you download the states you want) cover 98% of what I need BUT there are additional national topo maps you can subscribe to to view on line (parts can be pre-downloaded along a route) as you want. Some are 1:25,000.
You can join cloud.hema.com.au and view your tracks that automatically upload after a day or so and share or use as you want.
There are classes of waypoints (fuel, food, camping monuments, scenic lookout, or private) that you can show/hide to your needs.
You can record, pause, stop, or restart your track as you want.
Track colours change day to day but are editable as you want.
Waypoints are editable, both position and appearance. The icons however are changeable but not editable, the set supplied is the only option. It is usable, but many are just not what I would use.
I'm happy to let you play with mine if you would like to see a working installation, I can pm you my address in Taroona,.
Cheers

[Chucaro]

Thank you again for your help.
I will get a Lenovo 8" tablet then which perhaps can talk with my Samsung S10 just in case that's is needed.
I will get the software as soon as I came back from the Scamander trip.
I live in Kingston so we are close by if I need help to "clean" my rusty brain [biggrin]

[Fattima]

I've got a Galaxy 8 inch tab and Hema maps, works well for me. I also have Sygic for offline navigation around towns, works OK so far.
Have found the Galaxy has randomly rebooted a couple of times, but not that frequent.

[Robmacca]

Couple of other ios Apps that u could consider (not sure if they are available on android) is:

Mapout
PocketEarth
WikiLoc
NewTracs (Aussie App)


some are free and some req a subscription

[Robmacca]

It's been a few years since this post has been updated so I thought I would raise the quest again....

I'm starting to look into see if this App is worth the once off Cost for the PRO version. Just wondering if there is now more people that use this App now and whether they have found it (good or bad)?

Over the years I've been running the following Navigation Apps:


Mapout - used for navigating
PocketEarth (mainly just for track recording)
OSM&Maps (paid version) - used for navigating
HEMA4WD App (just used for the on screen Info (ie: Track Distance; some POI's)


Along with this I have a Garmin ZUMO XT GPS that is my go to & backup GPS as well. I run a iPad for App navigation and upload my proposed Trip (.gpx track & Waypoint file) and mainly following my proposed Trip on the OSM & Mapout Apps as these actually show the NAMES of the POI's (ie: u don't have to click on them to bring up the name of the POI).

To date, this all works well but I also want to keep my eyes out to see if there is anything better out there and this PRO version of Guru has me interested...

Looking for Pros and Cons....
thanks in advance


Couple of other ios Apps that u could consider (not sure if they are available on android) is:

Mapout
PocketEarth
WikiLoc
NewTracs (Aussie App)


some are free and some req a subscription

[shack]

I know you aren't asking for different apps to look at, but I've been using Exploroz traveller, the latest 2023 version is pretty good, worth the money I think.

[Robmacca]

I know you aren't asking for different apps to look at, but I've been using Exploroz traveller, the latest 2023 version is pretty good, worth the money I think.
Yeah I know about EOT but having mates that use it on our recent trip and the issues they having with it I would prefer to stay clear of that. There is still bugs with that app and the blue screen of death… I wouldn’t rely on that app as your only source of navigation

[simonmelb]

Ozi Explorer the way to go and works great on the Lenovo Tab 8 HD I have.

Then you can load just about any maps you like including:

Hema ( purchased from Ozi Explorer site)
GetLost maps FREE which are being updated regularly.

Cheers

[Robmacca]

Ozi Explorer the way to go and works great on the Lenovo Tab 8 HD I have.

Then you can load just about any maps you like including:

Hema ( purchased from Ozi Explorer site)
GetLost maps FREE which are being updated regularly.

Cheers

Yeah thanks for that - I know about Ozi as a good mate of mine runs that and is a whiz when it comes to creating his own maps, etc BUT Ozi doesn't use Vector Maps and therefore u are limited as to how far u can zoom in (map scale depending) NO "real" Routing either I believe?

[Redtail]

Yeah thanks for that - I know about Ozi as a good mate of mine runs that and is a whiz when it comes to creating his own maps, etc BUT Ozi doesn't use Vector Maps and therefore u are limited as to how far u can zoom in (map scale depending) NO "real" Routing either I believe?

Yes, raster maps only, but with something like the commercially produced Hema maps, zooming in isn't an issue. Ozi also has the option of setting "travel direction up" which can help for the compass-directionally challenged.
If you really want routable maps, or turn-by-turn instructions, you can download Google Maps for offline use in the area you're going to visit, or purchase something like Navigon as an app. In either case, I would definitely check the route proposed by the app against the raster or your paper travel maps. You never know how current or accurate the underlying database is.