I-Pad and Hema App

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Up front I don't have either...was thinking about buying the Hema Navigator BUT I am far from a hardcore Four Wheel Driver, more and old fart Tourer who likes to get very offroad (ie did Simmo last year, doing Cape York this year and CSR next).

So I don't so much need the "bells and whistles, waypoints etc etc", just a "fark I am lost get me out of here"...or I want to go to Chilli Beach (example) how do I get there.

So considering that would an I-Pad (which could alo be used for other things), and the Hema app at $180.00 be sufficient???

Clearly I'd need some sort of mount as well.

Over to you experts!!

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

I can't comment on the Hema app, but I am running the Ipad with the VMS app and am very happy with it. The versatlity of the Ipad is great and the GPS function seems to be as good as the dedicated units at least in off road situations. I haven't used it with voice guided directions for city driving, buts that a whole different kettle of fish.

One of the really great features with the Ipad is the ability to have multiple systems if you want, as well as the VMS app I have another GPS app that I ahven't used yet (motionx) which cost $2 so I can't go wrong, and teh Maps app that came with the Ipad is also very handy if you have service, it gives you satelite pics of where you are which can be really useful on occasions.

You will need to make sure you get an Ipad with 3G capability in order for it to have a GPS reciever. You don't actually need coverage for the GPS to work but the bluetooth only units dont have the reciever. I was really pleased with mine being able to navigate across Madigans line in the Simpson recently where we were only following the GPS co-ordinates as there were no tracks.

I have a write up of how I mounted mine in my rig build thread, the first page has the post no. for each mod listed. The mount seems to be standing up to the rigours of outback travel no worries.

Cheers Andrew

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

Another option is to get the wi-fi only version of the iPad. Then you can run the 3G side of things through your iPhone by making it a "wi-fi personal hotspot" and pairing the two together. Contemplating doing this myself as we have just picked up an iPad. Think it's a better option unfortunately for me than going out and buying the new VMS 700HD that I've got my eye on... Food for thought?

Cheers,
AJ

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

Another option is to get the wi-fi only version of the iPad. Then you can run the 3G side of things through your iPhone by making it a "wi-fi personal hotspot" and pairing the two together. Contemplating doing this myself as we have just picked up an iPad. Think it's a better option unfortunately for me than going out and buying the new VMS 700HD that I've got my eye on... Food for thought?

Cheers,
AJ

Unfortunately I have bad news for you, this doesn't work. I am in the same situation as I have a wifi only version for work. The iPad needs to have a gps receiver and the wifi model doesn't have one.

Cheers Matt

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

Crap! 700HD it is I guess... Thanks for the heads up before I found out the hard way. Remind me to punch my mate who told me this would work.

Cheers,
AJ

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

Crap! 700HD it is I guess... Thanks for the heads up before I found out the hard way. Remind me to punch my mate who told me this would work.

Cheers,
AJ

No worries, have a look at the 3G tethering to iPad thread under the gps section there is external gps solutions that you can plug in to the iPad, however they seem expensive and bulky IMO.

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

Thanks guys (especially AJ120)......yes I saw that VMS had an App as well, I probably should have just said "with one of the popular system Apps".

I already have a Tom Tom for street nav, which is the reason behind the idea of the I-Pad which would also double as Internet on the go (although I alreday have an I-Phone) where 3G was available.

I think it might be the go, as long as I can find a mount (and I'll look at your build up now AJ).

Thanks all

[Fishin_Dan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fishin_Dan]

Can you use a bluetooth gps receiver with the wifi model only?

I have a 3G iPad2, so haven't tried it...

[AJ Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJ]

Unfortunately I have bad news for you, this doesn't work. I am in the same situation as I have a wifi only version for work. The iPad needs to have a gps receiver and the wifi model doesn't have one.

Cheers Matt

Apparently this will do the trick.

(just type this into your iTunes search)
Bluetooth GPS
Yali Software
Category: Navigation
Updated: 30 Jul 2010

Haven't tried it myself yet, but next time I head out I'll give it a crack. There's other GPS receivers that I have found on eBay that will do the same thing apparently, ranging from $15-$40.

I haven't given up hope yet...

Cheers,
AJ

[Fabes Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fabes]

Apparently this will do the trick.

(just type this into your iTunes search)
Bluetooth GPS
Yali Software
Category: Navigation
Updated: 30 Jul 2010

Haven't tried it myself yet, but next time I head out I'll give it a crack. There's other GPS receivers that I have found on eBay that will do the same thing apparently, ranging from $15-$40.

I haven't given up hope yet...

Cheers,
AJ

Hi Aj did you end up purchasingthis App and did it allow you to use your IPad 1 in the bush?
Do you need to have phone service for it to work?

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

Thought I'd throw in my 2c worth...

I use a Samsung Galaxy Note mobile phone/tablet running OziExplorer for Android, plus an external bluetooth GPS receiver velcroed to one of the back side windows. It all works beautifully. The Android version of OziExplorer is still officially in pre-release, but is quite stable, and is improving all the time. It's only $25. My GPS receiver is a Qstarz, but almost any bluetooth receiver will do the job. The Galaxy Note has a screen that is over 5" diagonal, so it really is like a mini-tablet. It's as big as I'd want to go for something that is also my mobile phone. You can get one now for about $600. For my taste an iPad is just too big to mount in the cockpit. And of course the Note can do all the other things that a tablet can do, like music on the road (via the AUX input on the Prado sound system), spreadsheets of all our costs, fuel figures etc etc etc. And it's a camera too! And oh yes, you can even make telephone calls on it! I love it to bits. It really is an all-in-one solution that suits me down to the ground.

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

For my taste an iPad is just too big to mount in the cockpit.

Thats interesting, one of the really big attractions for me with the Ipad is the large screen. It is working great the way I have it mounted.



Cheers Andrew

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

How have u mounted yours AJ

[braddo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close braddo]

How have u mounted yours AJ

It's in his build thread starting at post #214:

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...trailer/page22

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

A few queries around these setups:

Are the guys running Ipad and Hema using these as their primary navigation tool? (Obviously everyone should be carrying paper maps)
How accurate is the standard Ipad and Hema map?
Can you easily update the Hema software with new maps?
Are many people using the additional Bluetooth GPS unit?

Cheers

Dave