Hema HX-1 or IPAD mini with HEMA maps

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Swifty101

New Member
Hey hey everyone! Glad to be here and looking forward to interacting with people. My first question!

looking for advice on a new off road GPS system and like the HEMA maps. Was looking at either the HX1 or getting an iPad mini and purchasing the HEMA maps and getting a quality mount. So those who have done both or have either can you please let me know what works best for you and pros and cons. I have normal gps in the car already.
I am planning a big trip to Cape York next year and want to have a better system.
Regards and thanks in advance.
Rob
 
Albynsw

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
I personally prefer a tablet and use an iPad . You then have the option to look at other programs like Wiki camps or google up something etc
 
S

Swifty101

New Member
Albynsw said:
I personally prefer a tablet and use an iPad . You then have the option to look at other programs like Wiki camps or google up something etc
Click to expand...

that’s where I’m leaning to heavily. I just need to look at what size iPad I’ll need and if one that’s a few years old will work well enough. Thanks heaps mate
 
John U

John U

Well-Known Member
I got the Samsung linked in this thread. Was about $200 new.
4x4earth.com

Mapping on 7" Android tablet

My car, a Land Crusier 200 has a grill/mesh panel above the navigator on the dashboard. It pops out with a bit of force. I bought a spare one for about $60 from Toyota and am mounting the touring stuff to that - HF radio head, phone mount, and VHF / UHF ham radio head etc. Plenty of space for...
4x4earth.com 4x4earth.com
Downloaded memory map and purchased Vic topo maps($60 I think). Has worked well. Doesn’t give turn by turn guidance but I got my 13 year old son to navigate for me using it. Wokrked out awesome. I got him to also use it to research towns we were passing through.
Also purchased a ram mount which has worked well when it’s needed.
Full set up costs with Vic topo maps was about $350. Future purchase may include hema maps. They were about $100 for all of Oz.
I think mine was an 8. I would consider going for a bigger size next time.
 
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mikehzz

Well-Known Member
Get Memory Map, free on all platforms, Windows, iOS, Android, and buy the Hema map pack. The same maps work on every platform. I've got them on a PC for planning, Android tablet and phone. I used to use iPad and iPhone and the maps worked on them but I gave Apple the flick.
 
CTL

CTL

Well-Known Member
@Swifty101 welcome to Earth. Be aware that only the cellular/mobile enabled iPads have a GPS chip, the more basic wireless only iPads don’t. You don’t need to have a SIM card in it for the GPS to work, it’s just that the GPS chip is attached to the cellular/mobile chip unlike most Android tablets.
 
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Swifty101

New Member
CTL said:
@Swifty101 welcome to Earth. Be aware that only the cellular/mobile enabled iPads have a GPS chip, the more basic wireless only iPads don’t. You don’t need to have a SIM card in it for the GPS to work, it’s just that the GPS chip is attached to the cellular/mobile chip unlike most Android tablets.
Click to expand...
Mate thank you so much that’s incredibly useful information and I would’ve fallen into that trap. I’ll make sure it’s a SIM card capable iPad. Then a ram mount to suit and bam she’ll be sweet.
Thanks again and glad to be here.
 
CTL

CTL

Well-Known Member
I use an iPad mini, 7 years old now and still good for Hema 4x4 Maps, don’t get the useless Hema Explorer. The iPads chew the battery when using the GPS so you need something to plug it into whilst travelling.
Started with a single suction cap RAM mount, wasn’t strong enough on corrugations so upgraded to a double.
 
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Swifty101

New Member
CTL said:
I use an iPad mini, 7 years old now and still good for Hema 4x4 Maps, don’t get the useless Hema Explorer. The iPads chew the battery when using the GPS so you need something to plug it into whilst travelling.
Started with a single suction cap RAM mount, wasn’t strong enough on corrugations so upgraded to a double.
Click to expand...
That’s awesome. I will def go a couple suction caps reading that. Hopefully an iPad mini 3 will do as they pretty well priced second hand these days. Will be great for planning in the future whilst on the couch. Thanks again mate.
 
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RODEODAVE

RODEODAVE

Well-Known Member
Swifty101 said:
That’s awesome. I will def go a couple suction caps reading that. Hopefully an iPad mini 3 will do as they pretty well priced second hand these days. Will be great for planning in the future whilst on the couch. Thanks again mate.
Click to expand...
SWIFTY you wont be able to use a standard 12v usb charger for your ipad they chew the battery when using your maps.
.you will need to invest in a 12v ipad charger i think mine is a 12 watt charger cost me about $30
 
Albynsw

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
I run mine off a standard usb point and it keeps up for the day
It has permanent power to it so it does a bit of a catch up charge overnight
 
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mikehzz

Well-Known Member
One of the reasons I ditched Apple. Having a flat ipad to watch movies on at night was a drag. I run a 12" Samsung tablet all day navigating and end the day fully charged. To be fair, my Android phone loses charge if I have it navigating while on the charger yet an iphone 6 that I had running as a test on the last trip remained at full charge after a full day navigating. That makes it hard to judge anything eh?
 
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Swifty101

New Member
RODEODAVE said:
SWIFTY you wont be able to use a standard 12v usb charger for your ipad they chew the battery when using your maps.
.you will need to invest in a 12v ipad charger i think mine is a 12 watt charger cost me about $30
Click to expand...
Oh wow ok mate that’s great to know. This is why I joined this site. I want to do it right so that’s a great help mate really appreciate it.
 
S

Swifty101

New Member
CTL said:
I use an iPad mini, 7 years old now and still good for Hema 4x4 Maps, don’t get the useless Hema Explorer. The iPads chew the battery when using the GPS so you need something to plug it into whilst travelling.
Started with a single suction cap RAM mount, wasn’t strong enough on corrugations so upgraded to a double.
Click to expand...
Can I ask why not the explorer upgraded to pro? So many people have differing opinions for the 2 apps! I want to get the most detail and happy to purchase in app maps to get the best out of it! Am interested to hear your thoughts on the two. Thanks mate
 
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boobook

Well-Known Member
Just get Memory Map, try it for free. The software is free and the maps can be used on a 3 day trial basis for free. Try it on your phone, your PC or better still get a moderately priced android. Android's file management is simpler and easier than Apple. If you do that make sure it has a GPS. Unlike Apples. the GPS is not tied to the Cellular versions and you need to check. You don't need to pay more than about $250. And what ever you do, do not buy a lenovo ( anything)
 
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