MUD MAPS 2 - The rip off continues!

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I have mud maps. I don't think it's even worth $99.
The reason is, their seamless 25k maps still doesn't show all tracks, it has nothing but green background & a white line for the tracks, no p.o.i, or anything.
Go to the 250k map, well it's ok but don't show all the tracks.

Memory map is free and the 250k map is generally pretty good, but is only 250k.
From what I have seen hema isn't worth $149 either, there are too many places they have not covered.
I'm told by some older/experienced blokes, hema isn't the best for the high country, they think rooftops are the go.

[Matt01 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt01]

MLC - when did u buy your version of mud maps? If not recently (i.e. within a couple months) how long did you expect support for? Definitely, you expect support for the version you buy, but you can't expect free upgrades to newer platforms (you don't get free windows upgrades or MS office upgrades). Clarify the issue and exactly what you want to happen. Oh, and then go with OziExplorer

When is oziexplorer coming to the iPad???????????

[John Member Find all posts View Profile Close John]

I use Avenza Maps. Free

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

When is oziexplorer coming to the iPad???????????

It is apparently being developed. But why would you go apple when Android is better

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

I don't bother with mud map as I found it to be basically useless after I bought it . I already had the hema paper maps and books . Yep I wasted a bucket of dough . Be warned people. I don't Facebook so I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about . But I still know that mud maps is crap IMHO .

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

It is my pleasure to recommend HEMA! Don't pay anything for Mud Maps 1, 2 or any version. BUY HEMA.

as we all know Hema do not actually write any mapping software products, they are just a provider of maps, whose software are they actually using?? according to Mud Map, Hema uses Memory Map app on the ipad for its mapping software and according to Hema will also be using Memory Map as the mapping app on Android once released (also Hema skinned)

For example the HN series used Oziexplorer (may still use it) with a layered skin to give the HEMA experience.

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

MLC - when did u buy your version of mud maps? If not recently (i.e. within a couple months) how long did you expect support for? Definitely, you expect support for the version you buy, but you can't expect free upgrades to newer platforms (you don't get free windows upgrades or MS office upgrades).

I asked MLC the above in a previous post, but didn't get a reply, and so I'm asking Bendman, see below, a similar question

So for me to upgrade I have to buy another already expensive app.

The way I see this, is they have a new version which is quite different in terms of programming etc. I don't quite understand why everyone thinks they should have free access to this newer version? NO software company offers you never-ending upgrades to their newer software versions. I bought Windows Vista about 5 years ago. They haven't given me a free upgrade to Windows 7! I never received a free upgrade for Microsoft Office either (within version, you get upgrades, but not across completely different versions).

If I am misunderstanding something here, then please somebody correct me. But if the versions are functionally different, then I think you're all being a little harsh. Would you be happy if you could pay an upgrade fee? Or would you all still complain, with the only resolution being a free upgrade?

[Guest Close Guest]

Ian,
I think the issue here is that MM had a sale on the old version without releasing info on the upcoming new version. This appears to be the main gripe by users on the FB page. Whereas with Windows, there is usually rumours/announcements leading up to the release of a new version. And also, with the imminent release of say Windows 8, MS or retailers were offering a free upgrade from 7 so that users won't lose out if they choose to go to 8.

[mullerwh Member Find all posts View Profile Close mullerwh]

IMPORTANT NOTE - Mud Map HD version is no longer available in the Apple Store. If you delete it from your IOS device or replace the device and you have no backup on a computer it is gone forever. You won't be able to reinstall. How would Mud MAP support an app if it is no longer available in the store !!!!! It also seems like they have not given their new business model adequate thought, there is APP and then there is the MAPS - why not sell it separately.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Anyone that bought Mudmaps hasn't had it very long. I have only had the Ipad 15 months and bought the VMS app shortly after that. Can't recall when but some time later VMS became Mudmaps and we got an upgrade, which IMO was a downgrade. It must be less than a year since this change so I expect there will be no more development or upgrades to the MM HD version which we all have. Thats not very long for a product to be out before it gets discontinued, even in the technology field.

I am not too fussed about the change as I already bought the Hema app and as I have said before it seems better to me, but I f I bought the MM app less than 6 months ago and now find out its outdated I would be a tad Miffed.

At the end of the day, so long as I have something that can point me to my destination and back home again then I am happy, between MM, Hema, Google Maps, Motion X, ego 8, my Australian 4wd Atlas, Assorted Hema map books, National Park maps, compass, road signs and my eyes, If I can't find what I am looking for I don't deserve to find it

Cheers Andrew

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

The new version does use a different engine which is to enable them to use a different topo map (SmartTOPO (HD) vs THEMAP (MM2)) but essentially it does the exact same thing... Everything else is identical with every other component being the same as before.

I have had Mud Map for approximately 6 months, i bought it to go the Fraser late November 2012.

When I buy Windows, I generally know exactly where it is in the life cycle of the product... Same with Apple products. I make a decision when to buy knowing approximately when the next version comes out...and there is always a new version coming out. With MM, I went with an App rather than a stand alone unit in major part due to the constant upgrades that would be available as advertised on their own website. I also made that decision knowing that in the past that when MM was rebranded and changed mapping packages, they upgraded all users for free, not making everyone pay for the new version. That was a change that actually had a significant number of modifications in comparison to this one.

Mud Map HD as it is, is less than a year old (I am relying on memory there so happy to be corrected)...I don't think I am being unreasonable that upgrades etc should be offered for longer. Even Windows supported XP for longer.

That is my perspective and why I feel the way I do. Furthermore, whilst it doesn't directly relate to me, the Easter 'sale' is terrible...if I bought it then, I would be even more ropable.

One other thing for a laugh only, I did get a free upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 (legit and legal from Microsoft) but that was purely good fortune.

I agree exactly Bendman, ignore DoctorZ (Ian) he is a shite stirring intellectual with a doctorate (aka licensed to talk shite)

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

It is my recollection that Mud-Maps has been around about a year. Prior to that it was VMS. There was a whole lot of "polony" about renaming reprogramming for ipod, ipad, etc etc but my take on it then was a change in platform or software to rush stuff through that worked and fix issues in some way. Anyway, it was free, sortof. The download costs were still there.

I would be willing to bet they wont maintain the current platform for any decent period of time. Reinvention is good, 3 times in 3 years is a joke. Once every 10 years like the Prado model is sound and well thought through.

The change should be free for all existing users. End of story. Until that changes I wont be supporting them other than in every negative way possible until i feel i have justified a waste of $150.00 ten times over.

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

ignore DoctorZ (Ian) he is a shite stirring intellectual

Nah, not shit stirring. I'd be pretty pissed if I bought it during their 'Easter Sale', when they were obviously trying to make a quick quid. Though, if you had the software for a good year or more, I don't think there's much to complain about.

I do think, though, that an upgrade charge of sorts (i.e., much cheaper than an outright purchase) would be a good customer service initiative. I'm not sure if this is an OS issue. I don't know how they could offer this through the Apple App Store to select customers only. I think all the licensing and install is governed by Apple's policies.

I still think OziExplorer is an excellent mapping package. It will read any maps (Hema etc; Geoscience 250k) that you can get your hands on. Granted, it isn't available for Apple OS yet. I would like it to be, as I have an iPad Mini which is the perfect size for using as an offroad GPS system in the prado.

[Harkenreader Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Harkenreader]

^^ I agree about OziExplorer, very decent mapping package. As for MM... Although i've got no issue with it, the company ''ways'' are obviously not focused on customers anywhere near as much as you'd like to expect, but business will be business i guess.

[Mud Map Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mud Map]

Gday everyone, I'm Li the founder of Mud Map.

Everyone's has expressed their opinion about the decision to release Mud Map 2 as a separate app so I would like to put some context on these comments.

1. Mud Map HD was released 2.5 years ago, in Oct 2010. Back then, it was under the VMS brand. About a year ago, we rebranded the app to Mud Map HD, however at that time it was exactly the same app, just with a different brand. Customers who bought the VMS app can continue to receive free updates and maps as they became available.

2. During this time, Mud Map HD received 16 updates including new features and new maps. For example, the original app did not have a SmartTOPO, search and other features that came about from the SmartTOPO vector engine. BackCountry and Westprint maps were also provided as a free update when the app was rebranded from VMS to Mud Map HD. Not to mention heaps of features and the huge iPad optimized interface update that came with version 3.5.

3. Mud Map HD will continue to receive free updates, which will include bug fixes, minor features and new maps. Version 3.5.9, which will be available tomorrow for free includes a new Fraser Island map, iPhone 5 support and fixes an issue with SmartTOPO text size on retina devices. You have on going access to what you paid for, which is Mud Map HD and we will continue to provide updates and customer service.

4. The decision to put Mud Map HD on sale was a mistake, because internally we knew that Mud Map HD was an on going product, we felt it was a good thing to provide a easter discount. As previously mentioned, this was the wrong move. To compensate those that felt mislead by this, we encourage them to contact us with a copy of the invoice and we will do our best to look after them.

5. Unfortunately, Apple does not provide the ability for developers to charge for updates or offer multiple prices at the same time. Mud Map 2 was launched with a $50 discount, the idea was to reward existing customers for their loyalty should they choose to buy Mud Map 2. Because of Apple's rules, this price was available to everyone, however we felt that discounting on launch is the simplest way to award our loyal customers.

6. As previously noted, Mud Map 2 uses a completely different vector map engine and data source to Mud Map HD. The main drive behind this move is to provide the 4WD community the ability to create potentially the most detailed and up to off-road map of Australia. So for the past 18 months, our engineers have spent thousands of hours to build a completely new vector map engine from the ground up using OpenStreetMap data.

As we all know, map data has traditionally been collected by various federal and state gov departments. Due to budget cuts see over the past 15 years, most state govs are no longer updating their map data. For example, QLD topo maps from Sunmap have not been updated for over 25 years. Infact, the only states that are actively collecting and releasing new maps is victoria. The trend is not reversing so map data is getting more outdated everyday. For private companies, it simply doesn't make business sense to focus on regional data gathering. It's an edge case, they simply cannot justify the investment.

The user generated and open nature of the OpenStreetMap platform is a great fit to this vision of building a detailed and up to date off-road map of Australia. Anyone can do their bit to collect and map out Australia, every contribution benefits the entire community.

We launched the Mud Map project 3 months ago. It's an initiative to encourage 4WD enthusiasts to get involved with mapping out Australia. In just 3 short months, the amount of Off-road vehicle tracks in the Australian database has doubled in length, an amazing achievement in such a short time. We believe that map data will be extremely detailed, complete and up to date in no time if we all band together and work towards the same outcome. After all many hands make like work. We thank those that have taken the time to make contributions and encourage everyone to get involved. If you are interest, click here to see how you can get involved.

If you have any other questions about this topic or Mud Map 2, you are welcome to post it here and i will do my best to get back to you quickly.