iPad - Memory Map vs Mud Map/VMS

[twr7cx]

Anyone used Memory Map and/or Mud Map/VMS on an Apple iPad want to share their thoughts and opinions?

I'm currently trying to decide between the two. From what I read the Apps themselves are fairly similar, so probably the maps offered by the two would have a large effect:
Mud Maps/VMS - iTOPO Australian Outback Maps, Gregory's Outback 4WD Maps, AusWay Touring Maps and Melway Australia Map.
Memory Maps - Hema Maps, Topo and AusTopo.
.
Price wise, Mud Maps with every area of my state is 1/3rd of the price (approx $110.00 vs $350.00ish) of Memory Maps with all their offerings of maps for my state and seems to offer an equivalent map product. VMS is about 2/3rds of Memory Maps (but since VMS and Mud Map are the same app and at the moment I don't need the whole country, I'd just stick with my State for now and purchase additional when required in the future).

With Memory Maps the licensing is more restrictive - if purchasing the mobile device licence (which only allows it to be used on one device, compared with Mud Maps which allows two) and the price is significantly more if I want to be able to use it on my PC. But I don't know if that means the maps are inferior?

Memory Map seems to allow more use for planning on the PC etc., but at this point I don't see myself doing this, I'd rather stick to bashing my own track and have the ability to get home than preplan.

I also looked at Bit Map, but that seems like more complication and that than what I'm after. I just want to pay my dollars and have something that works without me farting around on the computer.

So basically at the moment I'm leaning towards Mud Map, as worst case it's only $110.00 wasted, where Memory Map is significantly more outlay. Thoughts?

[trevorj]

I have VMS Mud Maps on my iPhone4, and slowly beginning to appreciate what they do/dont offer. I presume it would all operate same on the iPad?? Anyway, two things struck me: first, the system basically seems to work by simply placing your current GPS position over the (equivalent to scanned paper) map that is stored in the memory - of course its more smick than that - rectified etc - but basically thats how it seems to work. Second; there is no high level option to help you navigate in a normal drill down way to the map sheet you want from all of the sheets you have stored in your system. I have about 25 sheets, and have to remember which file name to use for each specific area, then call that one up from the menu list. All a bit limiting. maps themselves are great once you are locked in.
All said; Mud Maps have a new much better sounding interface out right now for beta testing, and I am hoping it will more or less solve all this above.
I suggest check where they are up to with the beta version.

[mikehzz]

I've got Memory Map on ipad and it works ok but the map licencing and cost are a pain. Also, the map format is proprietry so it only reads their maps. I have a heap of Oziexplorer maps and Bitmap reads them no problem so I tend to use it instead....5 bucks :-)
Also, I thought VMS was a rejigged Memory Map? Never used Mud Map

[RVR110]

I've got Memory Map on ipad and it works ok but the map licencing and cost are a pain. Also, the map format is proprietry so it only reads their maps. I have a heap of Oziexplorer maps and Bitmap reads them no problem so I tend to use it instead....5 bucks :-)
Also, I thought VMS was a rejigged Memory Map? Never used Mud Map

I think VMS switched from a customized version of Memory-Map to Mud Map a year or two ago. I agree with you about the proprietary format - it is a hassle, but I do like having the maps stitched together. The costs are cheaper if you buy from the digital map shop. Irrespective of the software you're using, the problem with all of the NSW topographic maps is that the NSW government hasn't released an update to the digital maps since 2006.

[twr7cx]

Also, I thought VMS was a rejigged Memory Map? Never used Mud Map

VMS is Mud Maps, but includes some Maps, which Mud Maps app does not. I can purchase these same maps, or at least just the areas of interest to me, and that is cheaper than VMS and just as effective (whilst in my purchased areas - were VMS covers whole of Australia).

I have a heap of Oziexplorer maps and Bitmap reads them no problem so I tend to use it instead....5 bucks :-)

I hear what your saying there. but I haven't purchased any OziExplorer or anything like that. I'm also not really wanting to fart ass around on the computer, scanning or syncing maps etc. I just want to get a package that works nice and simply (it's the reason I use most of Apples products - they're restrictive, but the basic stuff they're made to do, they just do with little fuss).

[mikehzz]

If you look on the gpsoz site you can download heaps of Ozi formatted maps for free...such as the NSW 25k series etc. Probably dodgy legally

[Ranga]

Hema has an iPad app only yet available in the US app store USA Road Atlas by Hema Maps | iPad App Details | PadGadget

not sure how good it is.

[twr7cx]

Hema has an iPad app only yet available in the US app store USA Road Atlas by Hema Maps | iPad App Details | PadGadget

not sure how good it is.

Memory Maps has the HEMA Maps available on it, plus it offers other maps, so not sure if I'd want to go with the HEMA program if it meant could only use the HEMA maps.

[twr7cx]

Today I purchased all the maps from Mud Maps that cover Tasmania. Total price was around $104.00, but a few of the maps also cover all of Eastern Australia too.
On first thoughts I was disappointed with the detail on them. But then I'm used to 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 maps and navigating on foot, so these are 1:250,000 maps for vehicle navigation, so should be fine for that I reckon.
Hopefully will be able to get out this weekend and test them.

I went with the Mud Maps package as I wasn't convinced that Memory Maps offerings were much superior, especially when I considered that the Memory Maps package was going to be $250.00 more. Maybe at some point in the future I might consider it as well though.

[mikehzz]

You can buy the 25k and 100k maps for Memory Map but I was sick of handing over money to them, especially when I already have them in Ozi format.