Hema Navigator 7 vs Hema HX-1 vs VMS Touring 700HD X

Hema Navigator 7 vs
Hema HX-1 vs
VMS Touring 700HD X

Technical Stuff:

Feature Hema HN7 Hema HX-1 VMS T700HD X
Screen Size 7" 7" 7"
Street Navigation iGo Primo iGo Primo Plus iGo Primo
Street Navigation Mapping NAVTEQ Q3 2016 HERE (NAVTEQ)
2017.Q1
TomTom (WhereIS)
2017.03
Timed School Zone warnings Yes Yes Yes
CAMPS9 locations Yes with features Yes with features No
(optional)
Free Camp Site locations No No Yes
mSD card size 8GB up to 32GB not included 32GB
Off-road Maps Hema:
150K, Cape York, Fraser Island, 
Kimberley, High Country Victoria
 and Great Desert Tracks
Hema:
150K, Cape York, Fraser Island, 
Kimberley, High Country Victoria
 and Great Desert Tracks
Topo:
QLD, NSW, TAS, VIC, SA
HERE Street and Terrain mapping
VMS, Gregory & Westprint
NSW 1:25K,50K,100K Topo
Qld 1:25K Topo
Vic 1:25K topo
WA 1:25K Topo
Off-road Navigation OziExplorer (full license)
EziOzi interface
Hema Explorer VMS Off-Road
       
12/24v charger Yes Yes Yes
Case, mount Yes, Yes Yes, Yes Yes, Yes
240v Charger No No Yes
       
Street Map Updates 2 years included
via download
(Windows PC required)
3 years included
via Wi-Fi
download
5 years included
via download
(Windows PC required)
       
Offroad Map Updates $75 per time Unlimited 
via 
Wi-Fi download
not specified
Reverse Camera Input yes no yes
Windows PC software included not available not available
Wi-Fi/internal Camera no/no yes/yes no/no
RRP $699 $699 $549
GPSOZ Price
(limited time)
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
(if you need a 7" unit with
OziExplorer consider the
VMS T700HD X)

$579

$499
       
GPSOZ testing shows:      
Battery life 1-1.25 hours 5-6 hours 3-4 hours
Screen readability very good very good good
Route Calculation Times   40% faster than VMS 26-35% faster than HN7
Route Calculation options sealed/dirt/4WD tracks sealed/dirt/4WD tracks sealed/dirt/4WD tracks
Power up time 22 secs 25 secs 9 secs
Street Navigation startup time 16 secs 4 secs 18 secs
Off Road Navigation 
startup time
14 secs 4 secs 5.6 secs

Non Technical Stuff:

The VMS unit offers better value for money, more street maps updates, 240v charger, lower RRP
Hema HX-1 includes CAMPS locations
Hema HX-1 includes their own Hema maps so if you have their printed maps or atlases the combination of paper and electronic maps works extremely well.

Some topo maps on HX-1 require pre loading before your trip. All topo maps are preloaded on the T700HD X

If you are a dedicated 4WDriver and often do short weekend trips in your backyard then the VMS is a good choice.

If you are more touring orientated (dare I say Grey Nomad) or going away for that annual 4 week trip to say Cape York or the Simpson,  then the Hema would be a good choice.