Hema approached me with a few corrections, which I'm happy to post. This does not change my opinion of the app or affect any of the shortcomings I mentioned. Hema clarified that there had been no recent changes in ownership. The founders of Hema the Boegheim family sold 75% around eight years ago and retained 25%. Henry Boegheim is still on the Board, and no changes in the last couple of years or sell-off of any assets. mumbrella.com.au/adventures-group-merges-with-hema-maps-524274 To be honest, this is even worse in my eyes as it means you can't excuse all the shortcomings of the Hema 4x4 Explorer release because of a new team or management who may not understand the new product acquired. I have also been informed that the new Premium Vector and Touring Maps are not based on OSM they are Hema maps built up over the last 30 years.

I have just recently purchased the new HEMA HX2 to replace my Garmin. I am currently in South Australia and have tried to use the on-road mapping to get into and around Adelaide. After 6 separate attempts (entries), I found this GPS leading me astray and telling my I am at my destination but reviewing google maps I was miles away from my destination. For now it is in the glove box until I decide what to do with it. Disappointed to the factor of ten.

Your review exactly reflects my own, less structured, experience with Hema. I have spent thousands on HN5, HN7 and apps, angry and confused that I had to buy the whole Hema map set again every time. Confused always about what they offered, what their different confusingly named apps did, the relationship between their navigators and their apps, the relationship between them and Memory Maps, the relationship between their vector and raster maps, what maps and features were promised but never materialised (notably off-line sat maps), the failure of apps of all kinds to live up to their actual advertised features. I contacted them many times about app functionality with only partial results. My biggest complaint was the usability of their new “grey and pale green” maps. These are ok if you are sitting at a desktop or iPad in good lighting, but useless for on-road navigation where you have to stop the vehicle to peer at the map to see any details, sometimes even to see roads and tracks. I never liked ExploreOz though, so differ from you there. Far too many non-existent tracks and the ergonomics are as bad as Hema but in the opposite direction. Those ultra bright red tracks and roads, all the same weight and colour, are confused, lack detail and hide other info. And still plenty of errors. One thing we should give credit to Hema for is that they put considerable effort into ground-truthing their maps - at least they used to, not sure if this is still happening. Anyway now I just use the Memory Map app and Hema maps, which I’ve upgraded several times. I think I still have the deleted maps accessible but not sure. Whatever their reasons, Hema have failed completely to provide good quality functional digital map ecosystem to their customers. Basically good maps, but poor ergonomics, terrible apps, terrible value for money, ineffective support. Incidentally it is interesting that rooftop maps, which are fantastic for the areas they cover, also had troubles bringing their maps into the digital age. The owner made some maps available on disc for a while but they were instantly pirated so he swore off digital for life. Eventually it seems he sold them to Hema, maybe so Hema could release a digital version, but they were still paper-only last time I looked. So Hema and Rooftop have both failed to successfully transition from paper to screen. Such a waste.

I moved away from hema while back with no regret. I'm surprised they are still running.. they are just money grabbing company with no result or improvement on app.

I purchased a HN7 many years ago just because I needed something straight out a box that worked, not a tech savvy person, buying a table and downloading apps/maps was not an option. That HN7 has been tremendous, always aware of our location at all times. In the last month I purchased a HX2, and yes out of the box I was initially disappointed, constantly locking up, losing location, truly thought it was useless, but seems as the more use I've given it, for some reason it's just got better & better. Updating maps, downloading maps via HEMA Cloud is so simple even I have achieved downloading the maps a HX2 purchase subscribes you to, paper maps onscreen. The premium 4X4 mapping is far superior to the Explorer 150 map the HN7 came with, far more detail and so much clearer on screen than the HN7. On a recent trip in central tablelands NSW, I ran the HN7 and HX2 comparing each. Premium map far more detailed, I'd be trying hard to lose my way with all the detail on screen. Initially I was disappointed, but now I do consider it a vast improvement over Explorer 4X4 mapping. The IGO road mapping on the HN7 I considered totally useless, hence didn't utilise it, but ha, we purchase HEMA for off road mapping, right. The HERE on road mapping on the HX2 is also a vast improvement, hence it may get utilised. My view differs to yours, but HEMA mapping is all I've ever know, either paper or digital, so I can't compare to other applications, other than to say I've followed many other users using other mapping, and I can usually determine we are going off route by monitoring my HEMA digital mapping and sure enough, eventually a comment comes over the radio, "I must have missed a turn", or "don't know where we are" so all mapping systems have their issues. I'll be sticking to my new HX2 and the simple Cloud map updates. Another view, I am not advocating anyone should rush out and buy the product, but it serves my purpose.

I enjoy your reviews, it's nice to see actual 4x4 reviewers instead of shills that just push their sponsors products

I agree with you on Hema, I bought a Hema hx-1 two years ago and after a year when my warranty expired it started to freeze all the time making impossible to trust it anymore, finally I thrown it in the rubbish, it was the worst $600 spent. Thank you for sharing your experience I have found very useful information in your videos.. cheers

Totally agree. I just cancelled by auto renew for Hema and purchased EO.

Great video love the no nonsense Saffa review!!Just subscribed!! I already made my mind up with HEMA when they wanted $40 for a “sun shade” bit of plastic that should of being included with the GPS after spending over $500 😎

I have the hema hx1 which is buggy and slow and am now looking at changing. The support was terrible when I had an issue a few years ago and recently all the maps on the cloud stopped loading except on Firefox. Took days for them to get back to me and then no recognition of the problem. Very sad but I used to be a hema supporter and now I'm looking to jump ship to exploroz too. Thank you for the honest review. Can't understand the one person above hammering you for your review. Thank you for the honesty.

Agree 100% Stefan. Hema has told me their new 4x4 Explorer app is their new “flagship app” moving forwards (!) but it is far inferior to the old Hema Explorer app. Hema really is trashing their own reputation at present. I actually have no problems paying $100 per year for a reliable, high-functionality, user-customisable off-road route planning and navigation app assuming it also has a windows browser-based interface, can provide downloadable offline maps, and cloud-storage for backup and sharing between devices. But their new app is so far behind their old one. It’s embarrassing actually and to call it their new flagship is a joke. Both their flag and their ship will be going rapidly down the gurgler if they don’t urgently take a long, hard look at themselves...

Yep absolute disgust and shame that such a famous Australian icon has ended up down this path. The app is not even good enough for my bin.

The HX-2 appears to be the best Hema navigation product. Sometimes you just have to pay for it. Thanks for warning me off the apps. Saved me some heartache and frustration.

Agree 100% mate and after years of using the Explorer Pro app after my last trip where there was a catalog of issues with the app on my iPad, i have made the switch to ExploreOz Traveller. One quick mention; i get your review focuses on the app but i think Hema’s paper maps are still worthy a mention

AusTopo Map with Open Street Map (OSM) Cycling (yes!) loaded. Free and got everything even small single tracks

Well done for producing an honest review!! Looking forward to your next videos.

I whole heartedly agree with your summary of HEMA as using HEMA myself for many years, most of the cons & issues you describe is also my own experience. I use a HX7 these past few years, and it cannot be updated (on a MAC) and using the device is almost unusable. Try using HEMA support ...utter useless and a complete waste of time.

Explorer crashes on iPad. They offered me a free one year Premium on the 4X4 app, as long as I buy that app at the full price (no chance I will gamble more money there). Hema support has advised me that if I cant work around the problem I should buy a different product! Still works on iPhone but I wonder for how long. Sad to see a good service ruined.

HEMA took on a partnership in 2018, Rob Gallagher. He owns a shit tonne of media. Caravan World, Campertrailer Australia, Motorhome, Caravan Trader, Travelin, Turu, Trade a Boat) He is now the CEO of HEMA. Rob Beogheim, son of HEMA founders is now CXO. In an interview in 2018 Rob Gallagher spoke openly about staff reduction and "re-setting " the business.. I comprehend that as, do what has to be done to cut costs and get that bottom line looking better. The people that get hit by that type of attitude are the sacked employee's and the consumer, and that's what we've all been experiencing for some time. He had also been involved with HEMA for 3 or so yrs before that. I believe this is when they started to fall off the perch. I feel sorry for the Beogheim family as for a long time HEMA was a bench mark in my opinion . It would kill them to see something they built from scratch over 30 yrs ago getting dragged through the mud. I hope they got a good payout for their troubles.

I’ve had great use out of the $99 app on my iPhone and iPad over the past 5 or so years. I’d say it’s definitely paid for itself.

Thanks for this review, I love your unbiased approach.

Fraser island is amazing detail.... but as you say S.A. is almost pointless even with extra payment... Also without Internet it seems like they also are not avaliable I just don't get how they map pre downloaded maps now faulty..... seem deliberate to me... 100% the detail unless zoomed in has been lost.

I wish I watched this before I spent $150 on a useless app, thank you for sharing

Thanks mate, explains now why my Hema app has been playing up, i have been blaming on my phone. Will need to find out how to cancel my subscription, paying $$$'s for several years down the drain. Now thinking of ExplorOz Traveller and GAIA.

absolutely fantastic information - honest and straight down the line...thank you

Good video explaining the Hema products as I found their multiple application offerings confusing. Perhaps they should focus on producing high quality maps rather than half baked applications.

Initially , after watching this video I was convinced that Hema was not worth bothering with. This disappointed me as I was a big fan of Hema 4WD for years. So based on this bad review, I spent a lot of time and money exploring Gaia and Explore OZ. I found that Gaia was difficult to view ( whilst easy to use ) and ExploreOZ was ugly on screen & felt home-made. I then returned to Hema Explorer 4WD and gave them a phone call to see where there development is at. They have been easy to get in contact with / very helpful and very honest about the short-comings of the app...whilst offering work arounds most times. I must say ' I'm back on board with Hema' and very happy about it. The Maps are excellent and once you get the hang of 'how' to edit tracks & on which device...you're all set.

Well said I dont think Henry or Margret HeMa ever fully got it right, And not even a thankyou when I advised them of a map error I totally agree with your comments

Saved me some money here ==>Thanks.

I updated my Hema Explorer App and absolutely destroyed it .. However I still had the 2017 version on my old phone, so I deleted the updated one and transferred the old app back on to my new phone .. The same update popped up again, the one that destroyed the app ..🤔🤔?? App updates turned off now

Respect your opinion and will definitely take it onboard when updating my mapping equipment. Gread vid as always

Yup agree! The ExplorOz App is king! Forget everything else!

Mine is less than 6 months old and has now failed twice with no info, just blue screens. Not happy with it.

Hema used to be the absolute best option for 4wd touring maps in Australia. Long before they went digital. Unfortunately their Hema Explorer app (which used to be their only option on Android) was never any good. They mucked about with it for years but it was always poor. As someone who bought the Android Hema Explorer app as soon as it was released it has left me very disappointed and that has only been compounded by the fact that they have now dumped that app having never really fixed it. I am certainly in no hurry to be giving Hema any more of my money. They should have just stayed in partnership arrangements to supply maps and data while allowing people who actually know how to make and maintain software to do the rest.

Why the blazers would you Not add to CarPlay??? Ridiculous and won’t use unless this is the case

I was thinking it was just me forgetting how to use this expensive piece of crap that originally worked fairly well

I dont get Hemas approach, they have the opportunity to do so well with such an iconic Australian brand yet they seem to keep missing the mark and have what seems like no want to rectify clear issues.

Good info mate and thanks for sharing. I purchased the VMS 700HDX a while back thinking it would be this awesome GPS for off-road use, finding new campgrounds etc. Honestly found Google Maps to be better in same cases for example campsite locations & even track routing (VMS tried to take us through private property, Google Maps gave us the right directions). Over all for off road & hiking I'm much preferring GAIA GPS but haven't trialed the one you mention. Its pretty sad how these big name brands seem to be dropping the ball on their products.

I mainly do weekend trips in Victoria. Naturally I have paper maps but have Avenza maps on my iPad which is free and hema maps downloaded on it. I’m not interested in saving data etc. I just like to know where I’m going.

Thanks for yr opinion, if I know before , I wouldn't hv bought it, very hard to operate

and yes I raised a support issue, that took nearly 20 days to get a resnpose to about the issues re-installing etc, was told it is a dead end product even thought they would still have support etc and recommended to use the new one which had the $50 try out price, plus two annual subscriptions which were more than the old app and no there was no trial available. uninstalled the broken app, got rid of CamperX as it is a poor wikicamps clone with lots less capability Yes I still like their 4WD and Desert maps, run on Oziexplorer, maybe I need the westpint maps as well, or back to Memory Maps which I left for Hema Explorer (now deadish)

i was told they removedit from google because they didnt support android 11 etc, and hema told me directly that the old app they couldnt update it to android 11, (no idea why, as its pretty simple as changing about 3 lines of code) so they made the new hema 4x4 one with that camper x app as well, which even f you had the old version you still needed to pay for everything again

HEMA are rubbish! Rumours were the old boys left it to a younger generation that didn't care for it and as such, sold it off bit by bit! Totally agree with the lack of support, as hema technical support are horrendous at replying and getting back to you, and the buck is always passed onto someone else. No one takes responsibility! I even asked the customer support rep, 'if it's tech support is so backed up, why has it still take 15+ days for someone from customer support to get back to me to say that there is a hold up?' Their answer........took another 15 days and was again, someone else's fault!

I’ve being using memory map for over 15 years , and it is still my pick these days.

This is just sad. HEMA was once a great Australian company with great mapping solutions. Their paper maps are still some of the best, but when it comes to their electronic offerings, they've definitely dropped the ball big time. I have the HX-1 and when used in explorer mode, it frequently has issues rendering the topographical map overlays. Frequently I have to zoom in and out to get the unit to display the maps or complete the render to the entire screen. And in some occasions, it renders in various resolution - ie. not consistent. I don't know if its the topographical map, or the unit. But a "premium" priced product like this should perform much better. So very disappointed that a once great Australian company is now producing sub-standard quality products. They're an embarrassment to Aussie ingenuity. Anyway, thanks for the honest review.

its great they brought out another $50 app to replace a $50 app that they managed to break and not fix...they have lost my business. Back to old faithful oziexplorer.

Really good thorough review, I agree completely with everything you said. Hema used to be the stand out company and product when it came to off road navigation but have unfortunately become the worst. Newtracs is outstanding, couldn’t recommend it more

Totally agree Hema has dropped the ball, still like their paper maps Ive had Hema Explorer on Android for years and its so buggy. I did 6 days 4500km around NSW last year and ended up with 17gpx files due to crashing all the time

Bugger, I only paid my annual subscription for Hema Pro last month. Won't be renewing.

Thanks for saving me $150. :) Appreciate the honest feedback! Refreshing in this day and age of sponsored, paid content.

Brutal but fair review. Thanks.

I agree with your 100%! Hema used to be the go-to map provider for me. I to logged many trips and countless points of interest on the old app and all that data is now null and void! Way to piss costumes off Hema! It seems ironic that you lost your way... Good bye!

Thank you for this helpful review 🇩🇪

I believe Hema deliberately sabotaged the old Hema Explorer so that you would have to buy their new 4x4 Eplorer. After the latest updates to Explorer, most of the features stopped working on my android tablet. I sent a service request to Hema and they acknowledged the problems with the latest upgrades. They didn't say it was going to be fixed, they just offered me 12 months free subscription to the map package if I bought the 4x4 Explorer app. This is criminal! I would not touch ANY Hema product again. They could do exactly the same thing to any of their products at any time. Please evaluate all the mapping apps, including Exploreoz, before buying but I would recommend keeping well away from Hema.

Very interesting review. Thank you...

Completely agree, bought the hx1 in 2018. Hated it. Even wrote to them to suggest issues, never got a reply. Ditched it.

That is a Great video, thanks.

don't think need to wait to watch your review, the comments below pretty much sum it up ...but will watch anyway

Neat review. I had an early unit that just confused the shit outa me. In the end I put it in a cupboard and put it in the bin a few years later....waste of my money. I used my google map today when out near Sheepyard Flat. Too bloody small for guy who wears glasses to actually see, not look good. I'm thinking of a small(ish) iPad and run something or another. Your recommendation would be useful. regards Peter. Loved the vid too, very interesting, thank you.

Well Done Been using OsmAnd for years... Hema turned money hungry 5 years ago.... I had no idea you had to pay for OsmAnd these days... sad

Thorough review mate, and sadly very accurate.

Thanks to this video, I just dodged a small financial bullet.

Yep Hema was great in 2017 and I used it all around Australia, but now both the app and the website dont work at all for me. Sad face.

I cant remember the last time HEMA Cloud worked.

Thanks for a genuine review, we use the original version on iPad it’s ok with down loaded maps

what really disappointed me was when hema removed offline satellite maps years ago can anyone recommend another app for that ? i know of australia topo map on android , but i run ios

Thanks for the review. Would love to see a review and your thoughts on the Garmin Overlander as it seems to get rave reviews

Oh goodness!! So glad I watched this before parting with my hard earned cash. So what does everyone recommend? Think I’d prefer hardware over app but open to all suggestions.

Great Video Stephan 🙏

It all comes down to the people running the show. Another example of a great Aussie company and product destroyed by poor management and cost cutting ideas. Had two Hema gps devices and would never buy a product from Hema ever again apart from the paper maps that I think are great.

It seems that no matter what app you choose...the business model doesn’t last too long. If it’s cheap....the updates don’t happen (no one is paying, so the developer doesn’t keep updating) If it’s too expensive,.,no one wants to pay for it. It’s really easy to complain about most 4wd apps...but the Software as a Service model hasn’t really taken off well with personal / individual use. You get what you pay for.

The other massive issue with 4x4 Explorer is that even with all the maps downloaded off-line, once you have no Internet access (ie. Most of the time when offroad) all track and road name/labels disappear, so you have no idea where you are or how to get anywhere. Utterly useless!

I don't agree with all of your review. I ran Gemma for years and yes in the last 12 months its been disappointing so I downloaded and paid for Exploroz. We ran up many miles on tracks with both apps running side by side. Not sure if Gemma has done some quick fixes but it worked a treat and zoom in clarity was amazing compared to Exploroz which frankly was rubbish.. One big flaw of Exploroz was it showed many tracks the simply don't go through or even exist where Gemma was really accurate showing where they terminated etc. That said a lot of tracks are missing locked gates but at least Hemma shows far more then Exploroz. I am a solid view and Patron but am worried you have really done Hemma some injustice. Happy to send you all the screen shots from both apps and photos we took as proof of this. Hey come and spend a day with us on the same tracks with both apps running in my car if you want then relate that back to your followers. I think we owe it to Hemma.

Has HEMA responded to you as to why they have gone backwards? I’m also totally frustrated with hema I find frustratingly un useable. I find myself doing a Google search when looking for a destination as the hema search function is so useless. My othe biggest gripe yes was lack of detail but when zooming in the found size was too small. I like the oztraveller apps, although not perfect but far superior to hema. I find gaya’s app nice thought is is an app on a diet here here in Australia as all the features of the app cannot be used here in Australia.

Can you tell me what the grey circles are with different numbers within? I have no idea how to use the 4x4 explorer app, i need to be able to get a walk thru it doesn’t seem to have any introduction I just want to know how to use it and what the various icons displayed are for, anybody out there able to help , ps. What is a raster map ????

Hema! Listen up!

Agree, Hema has dropped the ball big time

I recently blew $100 on the Hema 4wd Maps. Its appalling. The UI, the UX... all of it. Particularly for a premium-priced app purchase. I sent them an email ('submit a ticket') with a list of questions on how to get achieve some of their basic features listed in their app description. I never heard back. Google maps is head and shoulders better in every way, and free. I'd never bought a Hema product and will be sure never to make the same mistake again.

I have been using and paying for Hema mobile explorer app for quite some time and im at the point with it I don't think I will ever use their product ever again. I seemed to have no trouble using earlier renditions of the app but it just keeps getting worse and worse. Not a fan at all of their product

Its been a year, has it improved?

Dammit. I just found this video after pressing “purchase” on the new app because of another reviewers recommending it. Ffs.

What do you recommend now?

Hi Mate i,m about buy a set mud tyres for my Patrol what sort of mileage are you getting for your BFG,s mud tyres i,am after 33x12.5x15,s you advice would be great ,love you video,s.

A one off purchase product is not a sustainable business model where ongoing support and updates are required

Stephan may I suggest to you to have an equally unbiased look at how Android users have had frustration after frustration with gme xrs software.

I hope they send you a HX2 for review

thanks for the reminder, i have now canceled my hema pro subscription

will the explorOz Traveller upload .gpx files?

Could you recommend the best gps for vic high country in your experience? I do use the hems rooftop maps, however as a solo traveller it can take up a lot of time pulling over to navigate, im really after a device that has the most tracks and no frills necessary. Thanks for the video

Well, I've used a Hema since 2015, not the app piece; not the smart, touch screen type; updating with the Naviextras tool box. I have no problems. That said, I use paper maps and can do a resection; I have a Silva and a quality prismatic compass. I have a protractor. I can also navigate map to ground and know the the difference between MN and TN. If you don't have any of things and don't don't how to use them, or know how navigate map to ground, you're a danger to others.

What do you think about Garmin overlander

Such a shame.....Hema used to be the best.

The Hema app team is incompetent. They destroyed their user base with the Nov 2020 update of the app that is now pulled from the PlayStore. Worst point is their piss poor excuse. If there is any proper substitute, I will never use Hema a again.

Have you tried oziexplorer ??

I just try my new hema and its shit you are right ended up using my Phone on google maps

Too many eggs in the one basket. Instead of making one good system, whether standalone and/or App, they have too many to keep up with and obviously don’t put enough resources into any of them. I feel sorry for the staff who are at the front line copping all the shit. They used to have a good name but not anymore. I have been looking for an off road/4x4 gps system for the past few months for when we travel the centre hopefully this year. Hema is not even on my list now. Looking elsewhere.

I have found similar issues with Hema, it's a shame as they used to be the go to service for off road maps, but I always have paper maps as a backup though. Also can you talk slower in your videos mate.

. Pretty simple isn't its all a ploy to generate more revenue. I mean you don't make money on spending money to fix and upgrade old apps, nobody's paying for the updates. However if you make a completely new app and make old one obsolete then its a new revenue stream

I was disappointed to see your review having KZfaq searched excitedly looking for tutorials. I know you are very particular, and speak your true opinion, so I instantly regretted my purchase. I can only assume they have updated the app since, because whilst a agree with some of your criticisms, you seem to only use the On Road mapping in your review where you say it doesn’t have information. I found being able to easily switch between OSM, Hema Premium and Satellite really user friendly, but I genuinely would love some clarification on what I’m missing that makes the map incomplete? When you looked at Fowlers Bay, I had every bit of information on my screen that you showed Oz Explore to have. I’m not disagreeing, I’m just a little confused as to what I’m missing, perhaps I’m the simpleton this app is made for. I was able to import and GPX map, not directly from email, but when saved to files from email, then was fine in the app. The cloud I believe is different because the last one was based with Memory Maps, which had upload complications, file size limits and daily waypoint limits.

this is a big disappointment from Hema, they above all else should have it right