Do you use an off-road GPS?

Been doing some research on some GPS units for off-road trail use. Had an old TomTom stored away that i yanked out and tried to put some downloadable park maps on, but can't seem to get any to work. I know a lot of people use iPads/Phones, Garmin's, etc. What do you use? I would like to find a few downloadable park maps to download.

 

I will use a handheld and then use that to find on a topping map.

 

I use a Garmin.

You can load topo, road and/or marine maps depending on the model.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-gps-for-off-roading.391795/

 

Garmin has loads of add on maps and easy to add them. Not having the same luck with TomTom. I'm wanting some eastern KY, TN park maps to add.

 

www.megagps.com

is where I've researched and purchased. Their customer service has been a good experience for me.

 

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/46-Mapping-Navigation-GIS-(Software)

 

Hmmm... offline maps can be downloaded from Google Maps by clicking on the area. I wonder how good this will work on some trails. Interesting.

 

Works well for trails people have already loaded or you can add your own track. Moab https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zwAusS0LL4nM.k0PbV0S1dKHo&hl=en, Rubicon https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zgLleoOMUQX0.kvjCDYRZu_5A&hl=en_US.

 

I've tried Google searching some for Eastern US with no luck. Maybe I'll read about how to make my own and do it that way. I never heard about Maps working offline until now.

 

For hiking I have a big Garmin 650T. Google the features and you'll see why. The rechargeable battery last 10 straight hours. I have 2 of those. I don't get lost and I go dead in the forest. I really like the camera. You can find tons of free maps online to install. You can also use it like a Nuvi but I don't. I have a separate 3790 for vehicles. Also the computer interface app is as important as the device. Check out Basecamp. I love how it interfaces with google earth.

 

I have a Nexus 7 for the truck. Downloaded all of the CO MVUM PDFs which used through PDF Maps app will place you on the map with your GPS.

I use PDF Maps, Avenza, Back Country Navigator and My Trails apps (all free).

I have tried to download some TOPO maps, but they are just so large that they take up so much room if you try and DL huge areas at a zoomed in resolution. So I am still trying to figure that out, other than just downloading the individual areas when I go.

 

i have also been digging around and thinking of picking one up ever since my buddy and i did a mojave trip he had a handheld garmin the breadcrumb feature is nice just in case u gotta go out the same way you went in or give you an idea of were you are since its flat with trails going everwere. and something that saves your previous trail trips is nice.

 

I downloaded Back Country Navigator yesterday not sure if i like it or not. I've heard of all kinds of people using it but idk. I can't find any TOPO maps for what i'm looking for so i'm just zooming in like i would just do with downloading maps from Google Maps. I'm specifically trying to use a good one for offroad and trails and the TomTom is not the idea for anything but road.

 

I just found the trail system for North Cumberland Trail System which is Windrock, Royal Blue, Brimstone, etc. if anyone is interested in downloading it for offline or anything.


https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zjMPpnjAz-r4.kwNl8UjlCW5A&hl=en_US

 

For iPhone / iPad, definitely check out MotionX GPS. You can save maps for offline use and it gives a wealth of data for you to review about your trip. I'll paste a small review I posted a while back:

I'd been using EasyTrails for about 2 years but was very disappointed that even after a couple e-mails to the developers they still haven't implemented decimal format for grid coordinates. Also the app left me stranded in the middle of no where with no direction on where to go forward because my offline maps didn't save correctly.

MotionX-GPS is more user friendly and has an awesome offline map feature. I love that I can just download a map area, save it to the phone, then put my phone in airplane mode when I hit the trail and never have to worry about loading/losing map data. It's pretty much fully functional with all of your standard tracking/saving tracks, waypoints, trip data, etc. I also like the audio updates it provides every 5 minutes giving you an idea how far you've come on the trail without having to constantly check the GPS. Also this app seems to be a lot more forgiving on the battery than what EasyTrails was. Exporting my saved tracks into Google Earth is really cool too.

A couple drawbacks: you can only save select map formats for offline viewing and none of those formats includes satellite images (like Google Earth for example). That can be a major drawback for some areas that don't have roads explicitly labeled but that you could see if you had a satellite view. The post-track data is not quite as detailed as what EasyTrails offered. Also there are a few simple improvements they could make to navigating the app with less gestures, but that's just me being nit-picky.

I've used it on 2 off roading trips so far, and really like it. I'd definitely give it 2 thumbs up if you're planning on doing a lot of wheeling in areas where you have bad cell service.

 

I have Android but would definitely be helpful for Iphone/Pad users. I do like the thought of voice function coming through my radio while on the trail though!

 

I have a Garmin Oregon 400t. It's older now, but I love it. Bought it years ago for hiking. My main complaint is the screen brightness, but apparently they fixed that in the newer ones.

You can load it with topo, political, or satellite maps.

 

Try GPS Essentials. It's a fully-featured GPS app that is free. I used it quite a bit before I switched over to Apple. That's been 3 or 4 years ago, so features may have changed. The ability to save offline maps is an absolute necessity for me and I don't remember if GPS Essentials has that function, but it's worth it to try it out for free.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mictale.gpsessentials&hl=en

 

I have a Lowrance HDS-7, I don't really recommend it unless you're into BITD/SCORE off-road racing.. (They are quite expensive, I use mine for personal use and for our 1700 JeepSpeed). But my dad has a garmin handheld that works wonderfully on trails.