Offroad mapping, Oziexplorer on the iPad

So far Oziexplorer has been ported to Android, and it works very well there.  However, there's many Apple devotees who are also offroaders, so what options do they have for an in-car moving map? Quite a few, and here's some of them:

Mud Map

Huge range of maps, ability to upload data into the cloud, lots of features.  You can see which maps are available for which area here -> http://www.mud-maps.com/maps

• http://www.mud-maps.com

Bit Map

An application designed to for raster maps used offline.  It will load Oziexplorer .ozfx* files.  At the time of this blog post Bit Map looks like the best option if you've got a lot of Ozi maps.   I have not yet used this app.

• http://nixanz.com/ios/bitmap/
• http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/bit-map/id337172542?mt=8

Memory Map

This is a competitor to Oziexplorer, and a very good one.  It has a fully-functional iPad/iPhone application.  However, if you have a lot of Ozi maps you'll need to convert them from the original images, not just the OZF files.  Happily, Memory Map has a large range of maps.  I have reviewed the PC version of Memory Map and considered it an excellent product.

• http://memory-map.com.au
• http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-apps/7497-memory-map-app.html

Hema

Hema have released their maps for the iPad, based on Memory Map:

• http://www.hemamaps.com.au/mobileapps/tabid/162/Default.aspx
• http://www.hemamaps.com.au

Converting Ozi maps 

It is possible.  Some tools:

• DrgMapCal
  
• Ogf2tool

Ozi can also save its maps to an image file ("File", "Save Map to Image File") and from there the map can be calibrated in another mapping programme.

iPad specs for offroad

If you buy an iPad for offroading get one with the largest possible memory capacity, as there's no memory card expansion and you won't be accessing any networks out in the bush.  There are numerous 12v power supplies so that shouldn't be a problem.

At the moment my assessment is that if you wanted a tablet just for offroad mapping you're better off with an Android as there's both Oziexplorer and Androzic for your mapping needs, and a wide choice of hardware from 3" to 10.1" displays.  More here.  However, the iPad can work very well and as it's just the one device there's lot of accessories you know will work - you don't need to chase around after specific kit for your special Android device. 

But it doesn't even need to be an either/or decision, these things are now cheap enough that you could buy one of each, particuarly if the Android device is a cheap one.