Offroad Navigation Discussion Thread

I didnt see a good main forum for this, and knew it would get lost in the BS thread rather quickly. I know there are a ton of options for navigation out there, this is what I am using so far, what are you using and any tips/tricks?


@TacRo517 @ashrr213 @VLocos24
I know you wanted more info... figured I would post it up for everyone, and maybe someone will have more tips/tricks, better apps, ETC.

For the PDF Maps on phone/tablet, PDF Maps App
This app went from FREE to very expensive for how useful it is. $25/yr is too much IMO. $25 one time.. OK, but not each year. It'll still work but only allow you to put in three of your PDF's at a time. And it'll bug the shit out of you to pay up. Currently looking for an alternative.
http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps
It'll place you on the map and track your location so you know where the trails are.

Heres where to DL the MVUM's for Colorado in PDF form for the app
http://staythetrail.org/index.php?o...ayout=category&task=category&id=18&Itemid=222


This is the GPS app I was using that was tracking our trip, My Trails App
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogsparks.mytrails&hl=en

The website for MyTrails with some more info
https://www.frogsparks.com/

I was using Backcountry Navigator but it started having an issue with downloading new topo maps so thats why I tried My Trails. I like the My Trails app much better, its more user friendly and has a lot of options as well as different maps that you can download for free. You just need the time and space on your mobile device...they do take a while to download depending on your internet speed. One thing I really like about My Trails is that when you go to download more, it'll show you on the download screen what has already been downloaded. You will need to pay for the Pro edition, but its all of under $3 (good through 2026) and well worth it.


As far as the individual trails, Trailsoffroad.com has many listed, with detailed writeups that are updated often.
This is Yankee Hill. Under "Directions to Trailhead, you can download the GPS Exchange file which is the GPS track of the trail. That will upload in Backcountry Navigator, and show your position on the trail using your GPS.
https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/502-yankee-hill-to-central-city

You can download many older GPX files one at a time... or download all of the older Colorado ones through this link. Some have changed or been corrected since these were uploaded.
https://sites.google.com/site/fooswolf/home/colorado-google-kml-files/Colorado Motorcycle & 4WD Roads.kmz?attredirects=0&d=1

And all the Colorado USFS roads and sites through this link
https://sites.google.com/site/fooswolf/home/colorado-google-kml-files/USFS Sites Roads and Trails.kmz?attredirects=0&d=1

For what I am using, its just an older Nexus 7 32gb that I got for under $50 on ebay. It is a wifi only, no cell service on it. It works, but is a little slow since its older and I'll probably upgrade to a 10" sometime just for the extra screen area, and more storage, or expandable storage. Anything should work, you just want to make sure it has a GPS that'll work without cell service. You can also get a standalone, I have a Bad Elf GPS that will connect to the tablet to give better GPS accuracy as well as a quicker GPS lock. If I forget to get the GPS started on the tablet before I get out into BFE without service, GPS lock can take forever.

I also have the PDF Maps app with all CO MVUMs on my phone for when I didn't remember to pack the tablet.

Somewhat navigation related is a weather app.
Its a bit more advanced, but if you know what you are doing, it can tell you a lot about the coming weather. It costs $10 or so, but it is nice to have. Most of the stuff it can do is beyond me, but it'll pick up raw satellite data with minimal service and let you know if hail, tornadoes, rain, etc are heading your way, and how long you have to take shelter.
http://www.pykl3radar.com/


Mine are mounted with the Tech Deck HD using ram mounts...who would've known that simple plastic balls and springs could be so expensive, they are but they are useful.
http://www.birddawgindustries.com/tech-deck.html


Google Earth - creating overland routes.

 

Great idea! Here's another trail info site, similar to trail damage. This one does not have as many trails yet, but one thing I like about it is that it has a Google Map with all of the trails on it, making it easier to find a trail based on location. It also has a good search feature, and pictures/descriptions in the main list.

http://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/CO

 

Its been a minute since I've been back to the site. Looks like it is progressing nicely. The trail directions/pictures are awesome.

 

This is great information! Thanks bro I can wait to use this. That app was pretty cool. I have so many things on my list now thanks to you lol

 

I picked up a Garmin Montana off craigslist a few years ago.
I have it loaded with topos for Colorado and Utah and I typically download a .gpx file from Trail Damage.

Works great! It's not the cheapest solution though... I think the Montana is ~$400 new.

 

YES great information here! Thanks @aero3685 for listing and linking all of this!

 

FWIW...

I'm on the mapping team for TrailsOffroad.com. I use a Samsung tablet and Gaia GPS for both mapping and following tracks.

I'm still playing with different mounts. I have a suction/magnetic mount now. The magnet works great. The suction cup has failed a few times. But I want something I can cleanly stow when I'm daily driving.

 

Where do you put the magnetic mount? I'd be interested in one of them as I've been looking at the ones that mount from the floor secured by the seat bolt, but they seem a little intrusive.

 

It's a magnetic/suction mount. Magnet on one end, suction on the other. It's called "MagicMount." The suction cup sucks... well... doesn't suck. But the magnetic end of it is really great.



I have had success with it, but I need more experimentation. Seems like the suction cup needs to be super clean to stay on the glass. Last time I cleaned it with hand sanitizer and it did ok. Like I said, needs more experimentation.

 

@tex

 

With the tech deck, i only have the deck plus the little mount balls on there unless I'm using the tablet or ham radio mounts. So they don't get in the way while not in use.

 

I have tried this one in the past and liked the information it tracks, I think it was ps78 that showed it to me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.corecoders.skitracks

 

Im running US Topo Pro for Android on an older Acer A100 tablet. The ap works good so far and I paid for the pro version. Mounted in my 4runner with a ram mount and X Grip. I downloaded areas that I want and can choose the detail of the map.

 

Does My Tracks still work? I thought Google discontinued it at the end of April?

 

Nice info once again. Sub'd

 

anybody running a good nav app on iPhone? I can't figure out how to get any maps into an app without paying for them!!

 

Does anyone know if we can download trail maps onto the on board navigation? That would be so nice, since there's an SD card slot ready to take map data.

 

My trails works great, not sure about my tracks.

 

Nope, Toyota nav stays a pos. No easy way (or any that I've seen) to hack it to be useful.

 

I looks like my tracks still works though I doubt it can be downloaded anymore.