Public interactive maps, thoughts?

[Hodge]

I'm just playing around with the new hema explorer app. I messaged hema to ask if I can use my hema hema raster maps which I already own. They said no.

Keeping in mind these maps in dvd cost me $199,and app was $49.

However me and a mate are pretty confident we found a back door way to be able to use them. So far so good. However a rooted android device is needed to disable and enable certain app modifiers which normally you would not have access to. Bit of mucking about but it works. Although much easier to use these maps on Ozi.

[Cuppa]

Drewboy I reckon your concerns are well founded. I’ve been using Camps Australiawide since Camps 3, they are now up to Camps 7. During that time there have been other free & low cost camps databases appear. The WikiCamps.app has become popular, Hema have the Camps 7 on their navigator with turn by turn navigation to reach the Camps. The CMCA have their own version called GeoWiki. For a while this was also produced in paper form (called the Wanderer’s Mate) & copies placed into all Kea hire camper vans.

I have witnessed over the past 14 or so years camps which were previously people’s ‘special places’ appear in these databases with the result that their use has grown exponentially. Today many camps are suffering as a result. Over use brings with it not just ‘crowds’, but their shit, their toilet paper streamers, their cans, dirty nappies etc etc. In short they are being spoiled by their popularity. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. Those nearest the bitumen are worst affected, but the spread is becoming wider ranging.

The CMCA are promoting a ‘Leave No Trace’ scheme - quite laudable - except for the fact that in conjunction they are promoting the conversion of existing camp spots to being resyricted to ‘complying self contained vehicles only, shutting out everyone else. I have no problem with this concept if these LNT camp spots are established on private land & in addition to existing public camp spots, but not to replace them.

I could go on, but won’t...... it’s one of my ‘soapbox’ issues.

My advice - keep your special places to yourself & close friends who you know will do the same - once someone makes public mention it is not long before it will end up in one of those databases.

[P4trol]

Sharing of all those 'secret' spots has always happened. Previously it has been on a small scale. Word of mouth and smaller forum circles eg this site, and other dedicated camping sites. Someone sharing their spot had to make a deliberate decision, and was unlikely to share it across every single forum/camper they see.

Now it's pretty easy to share. For those on fb, how often do you find out news/photos people wouldn't normally tell you in person, except for the ease of passing it on digitally/lack of understanding or use of privacy. (another friend liked it for example and it popped up in your news feed)

I suspect the same thing will happen with the digital maps. As already stated campsites will be littered and loaded over capacity.

Private properties will have problems with people trespassing, unless there is a clear note on the campsite in the map. I wouldn't want a site tagged on my property.