Hema Hn7 navigators reviews?

Petella · Member

Hema Hn7 navigators reviews?

Mobi Condo · Guru

Thanks for this post, we will watch it with eagerness as we are at a stage to look at a decent unit as well. Our current one is giving up on us in a big way!

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I use one. Best thing since sliced bread for the bush.
Street navigation is so so.

Cheers,
Peter

Sarco Harris · Senior Member

I also use an HN7 and would say as a basic street navigator it is well adequate. 4X4 maps as loaded I have found to be inadequate and have purchased separately the Vic and NSW topo maps (1:25000 scale). These greatly enhance the functionality on/for the tracks I drive on most regularly.

Cheers

Sarco

-- Edited by Sarco Harris on Thursday 6th of April 2017 10:53:36 PM

Swoffer · Senior Member

I bought a cheap tablet and got the Hema app and loaded it .

Around $280 all up . The equivillent Hema was around $700 at the time .

No brainer eally .

Tones · Veteran Member

Hi Petella,

We purchased the HN7 but got rid of it very soon after. Personally, I found the 4x4 half of the unit to be un-suited to the small screen and very hard to see in detail but the biggest problem was the fact that you are either in 4x4 mapping mode or street mapping mode. Drives you nuts on a long road trip. I found the city Nav function to be very average and nothing close to A dedicated gps e.g. Garmin etc. Personally, I found the city mapping to be very hard to see and very out of date. Updates have to be purchased.

The biggest problem for us was the fact that you can only link the unit with a pc running at least Windows 10. It will not link with Apple devices and this (for us) made it useless because one of the main features of the unit is the ability to plan routes on the home computer and then download them to the gps unit for in-car use. If you use an IMac or Apple laptop, then forget all of this because it is not compatible. Also, if you use Apple at home, then you will not be able to update the mapping because you need a pc for this function also.

The other huge problem was the very short battery life when the unit is not connected to 12V external supply. Not suitable for taking into the van at night to do any planning for the next day unless you take the power lead with you and have a 12v power socket nearby.

Our solution was to purchase the 7 inch truckers gps with life time free map upgrades. That allows you to go into car mode or truck mode (either rigid or tractor and trailer) and set up the size profile of your rig to allow the device to make allowances for route guidance like low bridges etc. The other half of our solution was to revert to HEMA maps on the IPad and use as a gps as necessary. (I mean HEMA 4x4 maps and NOT HEMA explorer). The HEMA 4x4 maps app has the ability to give you the full suite of maps for all of Australia and by simply flipping over the page you are instantly in gps mode (assuming that you have an iPad or tablet that takes a sim card).

Having said all this, I must add that HEMA have now released a new model of the HN7. I cannot comment on whether or not it is a big improvement or otherwise. I know that the older HN7 model is being sold much cheaper than it used to sell for in order to get rid of stock but my advice would be to try before you buy. All I know is that the new model would have to be a hell of a lot better than the older one!

Hope the above helps you out. It cost us a few unnecessary dollars to find out the hard way but we are very happy with what we are using now.

Tones

-- Edited by Tones on Friday 7th of April 2017 08:04:15 AM

elliemike · Guru

Petella wrote:
Hi all, i was thinking of buying a Hema HN7 navigator as we are about to head on several 4wd tracks around our great country.
I did find some reviews which commented on the sound level not being good.
Anyone out there have one? Or a recommendation?

I use the HN6 and have always found it to be very good especially off the beaten track. Takes a bit of getting used to if you are not computer savvy I would imagine.

For better sound I just tune it to the radio in the car FM 88.7 I think ? The HN6 power lead acts as the antenna for the radio and the GPS announcements come through the car radio speakers. I think the sound from my HN6 is OK though (and I wear hearing aids), but also have no problem hearing the GPS without them in very well.

Is this available in the HN7 ?

Mobi Condo · Guru

Swoffer wrote:
I bought a cheap tablet and got the Hema app and loaded it .

Around $280 all up . The equivillent Hema was around $700 at the time .

No brainer eally .

Mm! Very nice clue here. Thanks Swoffer. (does "Swoffer" by any chance refer to Fly Fishing?)

Petella · Member

Thankyou all for your comments all valid and really appreciated.âº We have now opted to go with the hx1 so fingers crossed it will do all as promised. We will be heading over to Camerons corner from the east a bit of dilly dalying around the way and then going over west via central road to leonora, upto karinjini, cape leveque, gibb river etc so will be counting on this sat nav a bit. Does anyone know road conditions of the oodnadatta track and the central road? We are planning to leave Gunnedah end of this month.

mickle · Veteran Member

Hi, brought Hema hn7 , Street navi plus Outback maps , best bit of rubbish I have ever purchased, After a few months it started. Unit would go from navi forward to reverse than stop. Restart go for awhile then freeze , go and freeze . Stopped completly Would not charge . Since had Autobarn fit Clarion unit in dash , Works the way it is too. Blue tooth, navi, phone , radio , every thing I want . $1240 Fitted.