Thread: Off Road Maps for Android Devices

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.