Portable GPS

[Dabeanian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dabeanian]

Hi boys,
Looking at getting a new GPS , got the Toyota one in the dash but the disk is only 2012 bit out of date now and to expensive to upgrade Never thought it much cop anyway , head for a destination and returning completely different route,thinking of portable one, heard the Navmav escape is a good choice with free updates and voice control . Any suggestions.
Cheers Alan.

[stevep84 Find all posts View Profile Close stevep84]

We have been using Garmin unit for the past 4 years and are very happy with them. My only complaint would be the suction cups go a bit hard I think and they fall off quite often.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Kapitan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kapitan]

I have the VMS 700HDX portable GPS (with Outback Adventure Pack map package) which I bought from GPSOZ (http://www.gpsoz.com.au) in Sydney. It came with lots of maps e.g. in 1:25k scale NSW, Vic, Qld, and WA Topo maps, Camps7, Hema maps, Gregory's touring maps. OziExplorer, etc.

Works very well. Off road maps are very good (Topo maps at 1:25k are very good and I use them most often). Happy with the purchase.

GPSOZ sell now via phone or online.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

I've got a HEMA Navigator 7 (HN7), and so far, unfortunately, I must say I'm not really enjoying it....but I will keep giving it chance. The first fright I got was the user manual, and I like to read user manuals, I still haven't got through it, honestly.
And setting up...Its needs to be in "mass storage mode", turn on, select the tools symbol, select the USB option, select the "mass storage" option....huh? That sounds like computer speak from years ago.
Then when you want to use it, turn on...wait wait...select street or 4wd mode...wait wait...then select map (now that is tricky)..and then wait wait...mmmmm, I'm being patient with it, and will keep trying, and have started looking at the HEMA on line user videos....but on more than one occasion now, it has nearly had a flying lesson...out the window!!!
Their tech support folk are fantastic. I had a problem with the in car charger....When all is working well the HN7 in built battery only lasts for a maximum of about an hour without power connection, yesterday it was lasting less than 30 seconds before "battery critically low, shutting down in 5 seconds" message appeared. Right when we were trying to navidate through the city. Turns out out the in car battery charger had failed. A phone call, two emails and a new charger is on its way...so thanks HEMA tech support, very friendly and helpful.

But, this device is not particularly user friendly, in either street navigation mode or in 4wd mapping mode. If you were someone who doesn't read manuals or if you aren't particularly techo savvy, it would be really tricky to use to its full extent. Honestly. Also, the on-board battery has a short duration (so if you wanted to use it bush walking, forget it) ...would I recommend it or get one again....mmmm, no, I don't think so. Its a shame. Will I keep using it, yes (until I throw it out the window in frustration)...but I hope it doesn't come to that.

I didn't look at the portable VMS GPS device, but that may be a better option...I'll have a look one day and see if I can compare them...out of interest.

[Justinvv Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justinvv]

It all depends what you want out of it.If it just street navigation then just take your pick of the 100s out there. If its off road or touring then my choice would be the Hema.

The Hema is only OZi Explorer with a skin, its not the best software around, but it is the defacto standard, and the Maps are the defact standard as well. If you want to start making your own maps then there is a lot of info around on how to do that. (I make my own maps from Google earth captures) Couple it with the desktop version that comes with it and you can just about do anything (even if it is a little complicated at times).

I made my own "Hema" from an industrial tablet, and use the same Hema maps, and I have relied on it to get me all around WA (off road, scrub, stations etc). I do take a back up GPS and paper maps/compass as well.

[Dabeanian Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dabeanian]

Hi Justin,
Sounds a bit of hard work for me , not that savvy really, but good for you ,
Want something to get me around day to day in the best direction but also the dirt tracks when we go up north, tow a caravan so can't really go to far of the beaten track ,
Even Brogers with his Hema is finding it not to user friendly,
I will have a browse and see what takes my fancy,
Thanks boys.
Alan.

[StormyKnight Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close StormyKnight]

I'm looking for a 7 inch GPS, perhaps the Hema HN7, my only concern is is it still viewable in direct sunlight? The day someone makes a GPS with the display of a Fish Finder I think they will be on a winner!

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

I have the VMS 700HDX portable GPS (with Outback Adventure Pack map package) which I bought from GPSOZ (http://www.gpsoz.com.au) in Sydney. It came with lots of maps e.g. in 1:25k scale NSW, Vic, Qld, and WA Topo maps, Camps7, Hema maps, Gregory's touring maps. OziExplorer, etc.

Works very well. Off road maps are very good (Topo maps at 1:25k are very good and I use them most often). Happy with the purchase.

GPSOZ sell now via phone or online.

I have the same unit and have found it quite good.
The only issue is with the topo maps when you move off the existing map and onto the adjacent map it does not update to the new map at times.
Have you found that problem.
I had an issue with the screen which VMS had a firmware update for and their service was excellent.

[Kapitan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kapitan]

Yes I have and I would call it a minor bug. When going to next map VMS system takes a little time as it "travels to the edge". Feels like there is some distance from the actual visible map edge to another invisible edge before it switches to the adjacent map. Always switched for me after short time and when I want immediate view I select next map manually.

How did you arrange and do the firmware update? What is the process?

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

Yes I have and I would call it a minor bug. When going to next map VMS system takes a little time as it "travels to the edge". Feels like there is some distance from the actual visible map edge to another invisible edge before it switches to the adjacent map. Always switched for me after short time and when I want immediate view I select next map manually.

How did you arrange and do the firmware update? What is the process?

I rang them when the display died and they sent me an SD card.
you can also download it from their website.
backup the GPS then remove the SD card, put the firmware update SD card in and it should do the update.
depending on how old your device is it may not need the update.
if the screen does not have any issues no need to update.

Fred