HEMA Explorer for Android and iPad

The mapping program for android is free.
I have been using the free android Memory Maps with my HEMA maps (purchased).

Not to defend HEMA but I know that HEMA utilise other provider maps, but their own are mapped by their own people for accuracy, I saw the HEMA vehicle at Cape York this year and they publish where they are and when those updates will be available.

Electronic maps are easily updated paper maps are yearly AFAIK.

Where is HEMA mapping?

These free HEMA Android maps, are they the same or similar to the Exploroz EOTopo 200K maps that come on a MicroSD ?

George

hema is a business, don't expect anything free! For those with an IPad, the app costs $49.99 and comes with a downloaded 250k topo map and a 1 million planning map. You also get access to online content, which I assume is POIs, camp sites etc and all the bells and whistles. other hema maps for specific areas such as Fraser Island and the desert tracks can be purchased.
the website says the android app will be available by Christmas. Might be case of wait and see.

Cheers

I have found the Hema GDT maps to be very reliable in 14,000km of outback touring including the Simpson Desert. I am using the Hema 4wd maps app on iPad and iPhone.

Yes Hema mapping data is good (for its intended purpose) and overall more up to date than the 2008 version of 250K Natmap (there maybe some exceptions but only small percentage likely)....plus they have an ongoing program of gathering info (their own data gathering and help from public) so if you see something "wrong" on one of their maps let them know about it..on the next edition it will be changed (whinging about it wont help). Hard job keeping maps up to date as roads are changing continuously.

Cheers
Greg

What The explorer said.

Andrew D, the maps certainly are very different to the 2008 250K maps unless you have the 2008 Hema maps I guess.

I have found some errors and sent an email to Hema. All of those have been corrected in their next release.

Just spoke to the HEMA office. Even they dont know when the Android version will be released. The best they could tell me was sometime before Christmas.

I find it very frustrating that there is info about the new product on their website including an android icon (with no link). Surely they can give a better indication of its release date.

Hi Zebra400,

There is no denying that in the past we have had many requests for an Android app, considering our 4WD Maps app is only available for iOS.

So along that train of thought, we didn't want to release 'yet another iOS app' without properly informing Android users that Hema Explorer will be available for both systems; that would have been even more frustrating for Android users if we did not mention the impending Android app.

We understand that it's frustrating to not know when the app is coming, however we don't have any more knowledge than you do at this stage. This is because the process of making, testing, optimising and then submitting an app is not completely within our control, and we will continue to control the variables we can on our end. However, this means we aren't able to offer a concrete date because we don't have one to give.

The only consolation we can offer is that Hema Explorer will be here for Android soon, and it won't be long now.

Thanks to everyone for their understanding.

Hi Hema, I have your Hema app on my ipad, I can't for the life of me work out how to put gps marks into it and being able to navigate to those marks. Is this possible or not??

Hi Pete,

I take it you're talking about the new Hema Explorer app? The app allows you to add waypoints, however it doesn't actually supply turn-by-turn navigation as such. If you're driving in the city and to known street names, then you can actually use Google maps inside the app to get directions, however for regional areas or for nondescript locations it won't be able to offer turn-by-turn.

The other option is to plot a route in the app and follow it using the moving map display (where your current location is locked to the middle of the screen while the map scrolls with you). Where were you looking to navigate to?

I'm in the same position as you, Gaz.

I just spent a fair sum on the Hema Maps app for ipad. The functions in the new app should have been integrated into the current one (or at least offered), IMO.

Can't see myself forking out for this. Not unless it were heavily discounted for existing users AND offered some integration for existing customers.

Hi

My understanding is that the original Hema app is a product of Memory Map (just badged "Hema" under license) - the new one is Hema's own creation...so can't see Hema passing on their features to Memory Map....plus assume the old program is now redundant from Hema's point of view but don't know? I also assume the maps are in a different format which also complicates the issue..slightly.

It is unfortunate that you have to purchase the same maps if you choose to switch programs. I am not sure if Hema can help in anyway. It is difficult, as part of the companies income required to keep the business afloat comes from selling maps. I can understand why interchanging maps between programs is restricted, though keeping existing long term users happy should also come into it.

Cheers
Greg

Hi Gaz, Greg and Jarse,

Hema Explorer is definitely not a replacement for 4WD Maps, they do quite different things. Here's a comparo link for the two apps http://www.hemamaps.com.au/home/hema-app-comparison

Greg, you're quite right in regards to 4WD Maps utilising the Memory Map interface, while the Hema Explorer app functions in a different way altogether. This is good because it means the people that purchased 4WD Maps aren't being forced into paying for things they already have just to stay in the loop, but it also means that the new features introduced by Hema Explorer aren't transferrable to 4WD Maps.

Us introducing Hema Explorer is not a sign that 4WD Maps is set to become obsolete either, as an update with more maps and some other improvements is coming in the next month or so to 4WD Maps.

Hope that answers some of your questions,

Safe journey...

Hi Ed B1,

The standard maps (250,000 topo and 1m road) are not suitable for somewhere like the Vic High Country. I already have the Vic High Country maps in the 4wd app but can't use it in the Explorer app which has some nice features.

I don't want to swap between the two apps so I purchased Vic High Country for Explorer to make life easier. This in a way is forcing me to purchase the same maps twice which I am not so keen about.

Sure the two apps use different mapping software, however to the consumer, the maps look the same so why pay twice. Loyal customers may not stay loyal as we are being penalised.

Gaz,

The benefit of 4WD Maps is that it contains the entire Hema digital map collection for serious 4WD tourers, while Hema Explorer contains more travel content for on and off-road getaways. We weren't able to include Hema Explorer's features in 4WD Maps, so including 4WD Maps's key differentiator into Hema Explorer would have been the most unfair route to take.

Safe journey...