Thread: Hema Navigator 5

Picked it up from Johnny Appleseed in Brisbane for RRP about three weeks ago.

Went with it because it's got all the HEMA maps ready to go. Last off road trip I spent $100+ for maps to cover the area I needed, I can't remember the trips before that but I figure that will repeat plenty of times over the next few years. So I justified the cost on those grounds with the on-road capability being a bonus + it's got Memory Maps with a bunch of other stuff that I'm still figuring out.

In terms of usability, it's complex compared to the various Garmins I've been using for years. There is a lot of information presented on each screen and it takes a little while to get used to it all - once you are, it's very, very good; the 5" screen helps too. The GPS itself is quick to locate itself after start up and maintains a good lock wherever you go.

After a while I realised it had Bluetooth which actually works - pairing with my phone quickly and providing useable sound and mic quality. It's also got an FM transmitter so you can have the music player stream through your radio or even just have the road directions that much louder than the built in speaker. There's also a movie player, calculator, etc, etc. I'm not really across them but all in good time.

The touch screen requires a fairly firm press which give me the impression that it's reasonably rugged but only time will tell. There's a stylus mounted in slot on the back for fine control but I don't use it unless just tooling around.

All the accessories seem to just work. The screen mount is very robust and doesn't shake about. There's a nice leather/vinyl carry case for when it's out of the car and the box also includes a wall charger and the batteries go for about 5 hours, so you don't need all the clutter if going on a short trip.

There are DVD's with copies of all the mapping on the micro-SD card and OziExplorer-Lite so you can look at it all on a computer. I'll probably buy a full-license of Ozi so I can build tracks on the home computer and upload them.

In all, no regrets. SWMBO even said it was brilliant as it guided us through Sydney last weekend with no dramas at all - priceless.

cheers,

bidds

Admittedly I've only ever seen Vlad's older version once, but I still think the version in the 'cheap gps' thread is functionally just as good as the Hema, at about $130.

I've had plenty come through my hands, and except for mostly operator error or minor issues, they work fine. Importantly, I'm yet to come across a unit that couldn't be fixed without returning it to the vendor.

Yes, they take a little setting up, but I'm more than happy to help subscribers with that.

I'm still struggling to come to terms with the price of the Hema units. At half the current price, I'd start to consider one. Also, the hardware specs are suspiciously similar to the cheapies, including screen size and features including bluetooth, fm transmitter etc.

I bought a "cheapy" on e-bay and it has a 7" screen - plus reversing camera - and it runs NAV N GO IGO 8 software - version 8.3.2.79297 .........I downloaded an instructional PDF from the Nav N Go site last night and it "seems" to be identical to units that cost lots more .....so far I'm very happy with it, and it only cost $245 delivered to my door, and it fits in the hole in the top of my D3 dash quite well...I'll take some pics later today and put them up for you to see.
As to it's reliability...who knows...but at 200 odd dollars...as opposed to nearly 1000...I figure I'll take my chances. I am going to purchase some aftermarket "topo" maps and try it with them...if it works then I'll be pretty happy.

cheers.

Here's a few pics, taken down by the local footy ground - that's why it's labelled as an unnamed road. It's just sitting in the hole at the moment, I'll make up some sort of bracket to hold it in place - maybe something that hinges at the top and swings up so I can still use the little cubby hole.
I could use the supplied multi position suction mount thingy on the windscreen but they tend to attract the wrong sort of lightfingered people to your car and I'd rather avoid that situation.





This is what came in the box, plus a few suction cup brackets - chargers - etc, little reversing camera has yet to be tested.


the cameras box...

HI,
I run the same style of 7in GPS as oldsalt with ozieplorerCE to display topo maps.
This was set up by a friend of mine as you need to add some code to get the ozi button to show up on the main screen on startup.

The unit runs all the hema maps without a problem and a 250k topo map of all of Australia as well.
I also have a spare sd card with 50k maps of SA and another sd card for Vic and Tas.

The unit is well worth the asking price as I have had it for a while now and have found it to be reliable and robust enough to take out bush.

Adrian

Originally Posted by ianmclean

The Hema Navigatoer with 5" screen is advertised at RACV for $799 to members

RACV shop has this for $970 for members. Where did you see the $799 price ?

Deano

Originally Posted by DeanoH

RACV shop has this for $970 for members. Where did you see the $799 price ?

Deano

Unfortunately I was too late - the offer at $799 was only valid for February.

Originally Posted by DeanoH

RACV shop has this for $970 for members. Where did you see the $799 price ?

Deano

wow - Like Ranga I went the cheap route from China - a mate of mine spent well over 600 on his Hema - and it can only do half of what my 4.8" $79usd unit can do....

All that cash saved could have gone to getting you topo maps or something