"my network is fine, everything else works, so why do I have an issue downloading maps?"
Keep in mind that during normal use, the amount of data you are uploading and downloading from your mobile devices is fairly small.
The maps and data used within the Hema Explorer app totals around 2.5Gb, and sometimes issues only appear when you start to hit the network a bit harder than usual.
Some of the following may help...
Make sure there is sufficient free space on your device to contain the data!
You'd be surprised how many times this causes issues.
Incorrect Date / Time can cause problems with data download and Cloud syncing
For downloads and data syncing to work properly, it is important that the date & time on your device is close to the actual time. If there is a large discrepancy between the "real" date & time, and that on your device, it's possible that downloads will not work correctly.
To ensure you have accurate date & time on your device, go to your SETTINGS, then DATE & TIME
Make sure that Automatic date & time is switched ON (ticked etc.)
If your device is not capable of automatic date & time setting, and you have to set the clock manually, make sure that it is as close to correct as you can make it.
WiFi / Cellular Connection
Most mobile devices (tablets and phones) use WiFi to connect to the internet. WiFi is normally used on these devices while at home.
While out and about, phones will normally have internet access via their cellular connection. Some tablets may also have a SIM card in them which allows internet connectivity.
Another option is to set up your phone to be a mobile WiFi "hotspot", and allow your tablet to connect to this WiFi hotspot for internet access.
There can be a couple of issues with cellular connections which you need to be wary of:
- You often have a fairly small data limit (depending on your plan) and your mobile carrier will often charge exorbitant amounts for any excess data usage.
- The speed can be variable, depending on things such as mobile cell congestion etc.
- 3G connections may not be so good for downloading data, whereas a good 4G connection (due to it's higher speed) might work very well.
- There are also "free" WiFi hotspots at places such as shopping centers and various well-known hamburger outlets etc. These types of hotspots are usually fine for checking emails, or some web surfing, but they almost never allow downloading of large amounts of data.
The Hema Explorer and Hema 4WD Maps app contain and/or download some fairly large amounts of mapping data (around 2-2.5Gb), and therfore are likely to put a cellular internet connection "to the test". If there are any dropouts or flakiness, etc., you will likely have problems with failed downloads.
Some recommendations for setting up WiFi
Please note, these are our suggestions only. Feel free to disagree with them, or ignore them, they are merely suggestions. Please understand also, that figuring out what is wrong with a home WiFi network is beyond the scope of Hema Tech Support.
If you are having issues downloading the app or content, there may be a problem with your WiFi connection.
Even using WiFi in the confines of your home, there can be issues with your WiFi config which may not be apparent while casually browsing the net, or checking email, but which manifest as soon as you try something a bit more heavy-duty, such as large downloads etc.
As a general rule of thumb, if you are using a wireless-N router / modem / access points, you should define your WiFi Network as follows
Network Authentication: WPA2 PSK (Pre-Shared Key)
Data Encryption: AES
Also, be wary of leaving your WiFi router on the default channel setting.
A lot of WiFi routers and modems use channel 6 on the 2.4Ghz WiFi band.
This means that your neighbourhood can end up with a large number of WiFi access points within fairly close range of each other using the same channel.
It is better to change your channel to a less used channel for your area.
There are a number of Android and IOS apps which can be used to scan for channel usage of your WiFi, which can assist in choosing a channel which is less likely to be prone to interference.
There are PC applications which can also be used (providing the PC has a WiFi connection).
Search Google for "WiFi Scanner" etc. to find more information.
It is also generally sound advice to switch your Channel Width setting to 20Mhz for the 2.4ghz WiFi band, and leave the 40Mhz width set for the 5Ghz band (if your router / modem supports 5Ghz band). This means that there is a narrower "pipe" which will be used for the 2.4Ghz band, but it also means it will be less likely to suffer from interference.
Be aware that these sorts of settings can make a BIG difference to the way your WiFi performs.
It can be tricky, as "normal" internet activity (such as a bit of surfing, email checking etc.) do not tax the WiFi connection so much, so everything appears normal. When you start to hit the WiFi with some heavy traffic, it becomes noticable that the WiFi is not performing as it should.
As the app has to download some gigabytes of data after install, this can be an issue with failed downloads, etc.