Hema Explorer North America Now available

[Slow]

Hema Explorer North America is finally available! I have been awaiting the release and as of last week is now live.
Having used MotionX, Backcountry Navigator, Hema Atlas and gaia although happy after playing with Hema explorer it seems to have been worth the Wait. Lots of great features and what should turn out to be a burgeoning community of user tracks.
http://www.hemamaps.com/News/Hema%20Explorer%20North%20America%20Available%20Now
Video
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmkT6uw30Zc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Shane4x4]

Hema Explorer North America is finally available! I have been awaiting the release and as of last week is now live.
Having used MotionX, Backcountry Navigator, Hema Atlas and gaia although happy after playing with Hema explorer it seems to have been worth the Wait. Lots of great features and what should turn out to be a burgeoning community of user tracks.
Hema - Hema Releases Hema Explorer for North America
Video
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmkT6uw30Zc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Glad you're happy with the initial release! Thought maybe I'd give a little more info for those that are interested

Full disclosure: I've been working with Hema Maps for the past year to help build their Explorer platform for our market.

This initial (NOT FINAL) release of the app & Hema Cloud system is really meant to:
1) Provide a place for 4x4/overland enthusiasts to plan, track, document, and share their adventures.
2) Create a global platform suitable for VEHICLE based adventure

The app & cloud work together and I think (I'm biased) provide a great start to something that's going to be amazing!

LAYERS
The app intentionally does not include every layer that everyone could ever wish for. Instead, the idea is to keep the system simple enough for normal people, yet powerful enough for map geeks.
There are 2 different US Topo layers: Modern USGS Topo and legacy USGS 7.5 Topo
The app includes the ability to download the Hema US Road Atlas in large chunks, which is a nice off-line reference for highway navigation
There are 2 Terrain Layers: HERE Terrain - great for elevation relief & Thunderforest Outdoors - great for viewing trails, waypoints, & tracks
HERE Streets and HERE Satellite are also included in the app.
For Canada: CanMatrix (Topo) or CanVector (Street) can be enabled.

OFFLINE MAPS
All layers (except the Sat view - we're working on that) can be downloaded for offline use.
You can download multiple layers (select the ones you want) for a specific area by drawing a box & downloading the maps.
You can also downloa maps for a specific trail/track with one click, again, multiple layers at once.

PLANNING
The app & cloud both allow creation of rough routes, placing waypints, and importing GPX or KML (web only) files.
You can organize everything into folders for specific trips or legs of trips.
The Hema Cloud shows other trips/tracks in the area you're exploring, and those the Hema Map Patrol has done & will do in the future.
All public tracks in the cloud can be saved to your profile & synced to your device(s).

DOCUMENTING
Record your track, add geotagged photos, waypoints, and notes.
When you're done recording all your data is synced to the cloud and can be made public (default is private)
Private trips can be shared with friends via a shareable link.

Yes, it does look very similar to another offline mapping app. No, it won't look like that forever. We have to start somewhere

No, Hema isn't paying me to promote this. I just think it's a really great start to my personal 'perfect' mapping & nav system for OHV use.

Yes, I want to hear what everyone thinks to help make the entire system better =)

Another video to help get people started:
App Overview

 

[mace.]

I'm not saying that Hema isn't worth it, but already having Gaia I wish I hadn't spent the $20. I'm not sure what is different between the two beyond the layers. Otherwise the UX/UI and app platform appear identical.

 

[Shane4x4]

I'm not saying that Hema isn't worth it, but already having Gaia I wish I hadn't spent the $20. I'm not sure what is different between the two beyond the layers. Otherwise the UX/UI and app platform appear identical.

You're right the the UI is similar, for now. Going forward the Hema Explorer system will become the standard for those wishing to explore via vehicle. Instead of clutter from every person that's ever walked in dirt, we'll be able to pick & choose the best tracks to follow (we can already do that - but the cloud is still growing).

Thanks for trying the app out, and keep an eye out for more updates!

 

[mace.]

You're right the the UI is similar, for now. Going forward the Hema Explorer system will become the standard for those wishing to explore via vehicle. Instead of clutter from every person that's ever walked in dirt, we'll be able to pick & choose the best tracks to follow (we can already do that - but the cloud is still growing).



Thanks for trying the app out, and keep an eye out for more updates!

I would say that the apps are more than "similar." Especially considering that Gaia has a Hema map layer listed. I respect your position though as you're probably limited as what you can speak to publicly.

I look forward to the future updates and benefits of the cloud. I'll be using the app on the 9th to map out some abandoned trails on a 1000 acre cut of private land. I'll post my thoughts and suggestions after that trip.

 

[mace.]

Here is a side by side view of Gaia and Hema if anyone was curious.

 

[Porqupine82]

Please forgive my ignorance when it comes to these edigital maps, but are map updates done periodically, and if so, are they free?

 

[mace.]

Please forgive my ignorance when it comes to these edigital maps, but are map updates done periodically, and if so, are they free?

You pay for the app not the maps. Each app provides different map sources which are free to use. The update frequency would depend on the map source and not the app. Honestly I'm not sure how often they are updated. With the majority being topo or terrain maps, I'm not sure I would notice many differences. Gaia provides additional sources for their pro users.

 

["krax"]

You pay for the app not the maps. Each app provides different map sources which are free to use. The update frequency would depend on the map source and not the app. Honestly I'm not sure how often they are updated. With the majority being topo or terrain maps, I'm not sure I would notice many differences. Gaia provides additional sources for their pro users.

And the "Pro" is worth the money. Not only do you get more map sources, you can view multiple sources at once with a base map of your choosing and overlays on top of that. You can change the opacity of the overlays to create a really cool custom map for trip planning and navigating. (Personal favorite: USFS raster base map with a public lands overlay.)

 

[mace.]

And the "Pro" is worth the money. Not only do you get more map sources, you can view multiple sources at once with a base map of your choosing and overlays on top of that. You can change the opacity of the overlays to create a really cool custom map for trip planning and navigating. (Personal favorite: USFS raster base map with a public lands overlay.)

Great points. I think the web based route planning and map printing may only be available to "Pro" users as well.

 

[Shane4x4]

And the "Pro" is worth the money. Not only do you get more map sources, you can view multiple sources at once with a base map of your choosing and overlays on top of that. You can change the opacity of the overlays to create a really cool custom map for trip planning and navigating. (Personal favorite: USFS raster base map with a public lands overlay.)

While some map sources (Such as the USGS National Map) are free to use, most require a license fee. Any app that legally uses USGS 7.5, USFS, Thunderforest, etc. Must pay a license fee if they reach a certain threshold.

While I agree the Pro features in Gaia are useful, I'll likely stop paying $39.99/year for those extra maps that I don't use.

 

[mace.]

Thanks for trying the app out, and keep an eye out for more updates!

Any updates on the horizon?? I noticed it hasn't been updated in a few months.

 

[yellowdog]

Hema Explorer North America is finally available! I have been awaiting the release and as of last week is now live.
Having used MotionX, Backcountry Navigator, Hema Atlas and gaia although happy after playing with Hema explorer it seems to have been worth the Wait. Lots of great features and what should turn out to be a burgeoning community of user tracks.
http://www.hemamaps.com/News/Hema%20Explorer%20North%20America%20Available%20Now
Video
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmkT6uw30Zc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Thanks for sharing