iPad mini or HemaHN6?

[liney]

OK so heres something to stir up everyone on a Friday.
I have a chinese double din DVD/gps blah blah but after supposedly having offroad maps that didn't work for me my situation is this-
I want a standalone gps that wont tell me to turn left or go straight a head every 2 minutes interrupting songs/radio so at least with the hema or ipad mini I could turn them on/off or down when I feel the need.
2ndly I like the hema6 with the camp6 idea but its not cheap
3rdly the ipad mini 16GB is about $369 give or take and not sure how many mapping apps I need GB wise and I don't want another bl@@dy Telstra bill so-
What would you choose and why?

Steve

[bunyip]

We went with the iPad (the mini had not been released yet) so that we could use the other functionality. Most important of course is tapatalk so that I can keep up to speed with MySwag 

You do not have to have a sim in the iPad, you just need the 3G version to get the GPS so there is no need for a bill if you do not want one.

I will get the Hema app for the iPad so I can have decent mapping.

The down side of course is the additional size and not so convenient mounting options.

Bunyip

[KingBilly]

I can turn my Garmin voice directions off if that is your only concern about getting a GPS unit

[liney]

I can turn my Garmin voice directions off if that is your only concern about getting a GPS unit

Nah mate- whilst driving you don't want to be mucking around between screens of radio and nav to turn sound on or off when it suits cause they are like windows OS- slow to react etc...

I already have an iPhone so no need for the extra bells etc cause I have tapatalk on it. Is the hema6 unit better running its own maps or is the iPad hema app just as good even though its running on a "foreign unit" and probably always needing updates?

Steve

[evanw]

Will be watching this thread with interest as I am in the market for something as well at the moment. How much are the hema6 units going for? I was looking at the VMS700HD but the new Ipad mini might be another (and cheaper) option. The VMS700HD is about $650-700 when shopping around, and has 16GB storage as well.

Is 16GB enough space to load up maps/apps etc. on an Ipad once you start using it many other things as well or should one opt for the larger ones?

Good luck with the decision Steve.

Evan

[bunyip]

Is the hema6 unit better running its own maps or is the iPad hema app just as good even though its running on a "foreign unit"

Steve

A totally uneducated guess here but I reckon that an app running natively on hardware designed to run it would probably run better.

I am totally disorganised and would tend to forget to download the map that I need, so the iPad will be useful that way as well as long as I can get mobile reception.

Bunyip

OK, I will admit it before LB pipes in, I really just wanted an iPad and will use any excuse to justify it. Having said that I am very happy with the iPad as a unit.

[Hogie]

I have both the HEMA and Tomtom apps that I can run on my iPad, iPhone and even my iPod and find that they do what I want them to do, at least with the apps that run on my iPhone I always have it with me. All the maps are stored on the device itself so you dont need to be in mobile phone range for them to work.

HEMA is good for using when touring outside cities/towns and Tomtom does the job for turn by turn navigation in and around cities/towns.

Last night I also downloaded the Camps Australia app but I haven't really played with it much but it looks like it will do the trick.

Some will argue that the cost of buying individual apps is the more costly option but I certainly like the fact that I dont need multiple devices and I have everything with me all the time.

[achjimmy]

The wiki camps app is great and is $2.99. Camps 6 dont have an app yet but its comming. The downside to ipad is not enough storage, after a while you have so many maps. Anything that uses Gregory's maps is crap as the maps are crap, you can not rely on the caching to be correct (ie blue mtns and Snowy maps are between 10-35km out)

I love the Hema 6 for its simplicty and then it doubles for your reversing/trailer cam (which a tablet wont)  but i am thinking with the latest influx of apps and tablets and pricing that the arse is going to fall out of the Hema/VMS pricing and they will come back to <$500 soon (finger crossed)

Overall cant go wrong with most unless your like me and have Gregory's maps on a 32gb ipad.

[Fivid]

As a guide as for capacity needed for maps, I have multiple maps for all of Vic and most of NSW and SA.  I also have the whole of Australia in topo maps, all of the Hema desert maps, etc some rooftop maps and a few maps I have had scanned myself on an Android 7.7 tablet for OziExplorer and all those maps use less than 8Gb. 

I'm not trying to tell you to go for Android v ipad, just some info regarding capacity you might need.

 
Dave

[evanw]

Thanks Dave, that's the sort of info I was after.

[achjimmy]

As a guide as for capacity needed for maps, I have multiple maps for all of Vic and most of NSW and SA.  I also have the whole of Australia in topo maps, all of the Hema desert maps, etc some rooftop maps and a few maps I have had scanned myself on an Android 7.7 tablet for OziExplorer and all those maps use less than 8Gb. 

I'm not trying to tell you to go for Android v ipad, just some info regarding capacity you might need.

 
Dave

Dave are those the 1:25k maps of NSW and Vic aswell? 8 GB is not bad for all if it include detailed maps

[cyberess]

I have just done a write up on a  build of GPS nav device on a 7" Android tablet with oziexplorer http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=25989.0 all costing included that could be of interest.

Why I wouldn't go with a Ipad Mini

• No Oziexplorer Available
• No Google maps Available
• No Google Earth available (Google Earth is really nice as long as the satellite images have been viewed before the unit is used offline)
• Cost

Why I wouldn't go with Hema HN6 --

• Cost
• It runs Windows CE (extremely old OS, can't handle large files that well, Wifi network Connection etc)
• No good for viewing the Internet
• I have well over 8Gig of storage used when I include photos

 

[Matto]

Steve,

My $0.02. I have an el-cheapo Chinavasion 7" GPS currently. It's cheap, but as you've found out, ultimately annoying.

When I replace it, I'll be getting something like the Hema Navigator or VMS Touring. Reason being, they're dedicated devices and I expect them to do a much better job than a multi-use device. I just want something I can use, without needing to muck around with it.

I believe the Hema app for the iPad is very good, but I've never used it. I have been considering it also, but don't want to mount the big iPad in the car (and can't afford a second iPad mini). To confirm what the other guys have said:
* The app comes with all the maps, so you don't need to use your data connection when you're out and about. This avoids those telstra bills.
* You will need the 3G iPad or iPad mini - these include a GPS chip. The base-model iPads can't do GPS. You do *NOT* need a SIM card in it if you don't want to.

I'm sick of using my GPS as a rear-view camera - I'll be getting a proper dedicated rear-view screen at some stage.

I think you'd be pretty right with either the Hema Nav/VMS Touring units, or the Hema app on an iPad mini.

Good luck!
Matto

[fuji]

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=25829.

[liney]

Cheers fuji- been there read that.
Went into Opposite Lock today for a play with the new hema6 Gps and found it pretty much how I wanted it to be-2 choices road/street or off road. I'm not up there with opening and closing of folders and trying to get this loaded onto that so apart from the dare price tag I think that's the way I'm going to go.
Steve

[Estelle]

The iPad mini is new. I would wait as there have been some comments even at this stage. It is packed (chock a block) inside the frame. There may be issues with it in due course.

For me, it is hard to go past a dedicated device, ie, a GPS for gps work, rather than a tablet or PC (multi purpose unit) for knowing where you are.

[Skinnee]

iPad or nexus 7 (andriod) with appropriate software. I run metro view for street and memory map for raster maps on the iPad.

[fuji]

I have an iPad and will buy an android type next trip. I have used Oziexplorer on my laptop around Oz last year and worked a treat. So I will run OE on android next trip with my Global gps.

[knightlux]

I was looking at the same thing. But the Ipad mini doesnt have stand alone gps, it relies on wifi networks and 3g. so it would be usless out in the bush. that was my understanding anyway.

if its an ipad it needs to be the full size one with 3g and gps.

[TOPNDR]

I was looking at the same thing. But the Ipad mini doesnt have stand alone gps, it relies on wifi networks and 3g. so it would be usless out in the bush. that was my understanding anyway.

if its an ipad it needs to be the full size one with 3g and gps.

I don't believe that to be correct.  The Tech Secs for both the mini & iPad indicate that the 3G + WiFi models have Assisted GPS, which I understand means that the 3G capability allows the device to more quickly locate itself by using phone tower information.  I know I've used the GPS in my iPad 2 very successfully in areas with no mobile reception.

[inlowrange]

i use a Hema with memory map mapping, i also have oziexplorer but its maps compared to memory map are chalk and cheese. a small trick i was shown was when in the high country load the ozi card but instead of loading it as ozi i load it as memory map and it brings up all the 125000 TOPOS, and you cant do that with a tablet. We use our tablet when we get into camp each night.

Just my ten cents worth.

[Skinnee]

i use a Hema with memory map mapping, i also have oziexplorer but its maps compared to memory map are chalk and cheese. a small trick i was shown was when in the high country load the ozi card but instead of loading it as ozi i load it as memory map and it brings up all the 125000 TOPOS, and you cant do that with a tablet. We use our tablet when we get into camp each night.

Just my ten cents worth.

I use memory map on the iPad , not sure what you mean by you can't load topo ?? I have no trouble loading different maps

[fuji]

I don't believe that to be correct.  The Tech Secs for both the mini & iPad indicate that the 3G + WiFi models have Assisted GPS, which I understand means that the 3G capability allows the device to more quickly locate itself by using phone tower information.  I know I've used the GPS in my iPad 2 very successfully in areas with no mobile reception.

I was in Tolmie today and there is no reception whatsoever. The maps would not fully load on the iPhone. You are correct but don't hold your breath waiting for it to download. Even when I had full coverage on top of mt Sterling.

[Jason B]

I have an iPad for work, I have an elcheapo 7in GPS personally with every map known to man and running Ozi. I have UBDs, hema maps, 3 different styles of topos etc etc but the unit has grown to annoy me.

The hubby of the national sales manager for hema called in at home a while back and showed me the hema 6 which wasn't released at that stage, he also ran an iPad in the patrol with the hema app, which he gave a great rap, and I had look at. This would be the way I would go, but I have resisted because the iPad is simply too obnoxious to have mounted in the vehicle.

To me the iPad mini is a no brainer. I would go with it for sure, smaller size, great screen, great gps. Also you have the ability to run 4 or 5 different mapping apps so all bases can be covered. With a dedicated unit you have much more restrictions. Not to mention all of the extra functions you could perform on the iPad mini.

Regards

Jas

[cyberess]

Steve,

My $0.02. I have an el-cheapo Chinavasion 7" GPS currently. It's cheap, but as you've found out, ultimately annoying.

When I replace it, I'll be getting something like the Hema Navigator or VMS Touring. Reason being, they're dedicated devices and I expect them to do a much better job than a multi-use device. I just want something I can use, without needing to muck around with it.
<snip>

I know exactly where you are coming from with your  "el-cheapo Chinavasion 7 GPS" comment, as I used to have a indash DVD, TV, radio come GPS player in my old vehicle that ran WindowCE and I would totally agree with your comment.

The old 7" Unit that I had --

There were issues when a phone call came on bluetooth it would reset the audio story that I would be listening to, the painted on buttons were impossible to operate in the dark, radio reception was extremely bad (totally crap), the screen was impossible to see in bright sunlight, the resistive screen was a pain to use etc etc.

Now for the unit that talk about in my write up at  http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=25989.0 well that is totally different story, it's quick with capacitive touch screen etc, using the Android OS, and I am also using that tablet or Pad as a dedicated unit. I also talk about using a "Google Nexus 7" if someone wants a even better quality pad for the job. Still the solution is not for everyone, that's why the dedicated are still selling.