Can someone please explain how to use F’n Gaia

Before I throw my phone through a wall please help. I can’t figure out how to find Off Road trails. It only shows hiking. I paid the 40 for the upgraded amd so far it blows. Is there an actual off road gps

ugh,
Josh

 

https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051309953-Find-offroad-trails-and-maps-in-Gaia-GPS

 

Hahaha!!! Where are you located ?

 

Idk. I find GAIA to be a pain to use. I can’t ever find shit on there unless I know the exact trail I’m looking for.

 

Click the "layer" icon in the upper right.
If you paid for the $40/yr sub, the MVUM (USFS) trails layers, it should show up there.

I have the free version, so I don't think I have it.

 

I’m in Phoenix Arizona.

I’ve put the layered map on and it still sucks. Like someone said above unless I know the trail I can’t find it. Also it only shows them as hiking trails. Lame af. Is there an actual piece of hardware gps that I can use?

 

While you're looking at layers, add the Gaia Topo, Gaia Streets, and USFS Roads & Trails as well. Downloading maps for off-the-grid use is the biggest issue I see new users having. So check out the Gaia help section on their website: https://help.gaiagps.com/hc/en-us

I've used Gaia extensively since ~2013 for Search & Rescue and once you get the hang of it it's a fantastic app in the field.

For trip planning, map printing etc. I mostly use Cal Topo: http://caltopo.com/
Great set of maps, mapping, and printing tools. The Mapbuilder Topo map pulls map information from many sources including USFS, USGS, Mapbox, and such.

 

I know that you already paid for Gaia, but I've been using the onX maps recently and really enjoy them. OnX Hunt does a great job of showing public vs private land, and a pretty good job of displaying back roads and hikes. OnX Off Road goes into detail about various off road trails. If onX Off Road shows it, then it's probably a pretty legit trail.

Looks like there's a lot for you to explore around Phoenix.

 

I'd get my $40 back

 

so I downloaded the off road one and I like it one question. Is it a GPS? will it give me turn by turn to a location? If so how do I start it?

 

It shows your location on the map, but it is not a turn by turn gps. You have to specifically check where you are on the map in relation to the trail. I usually use Google Maps to get me to the trail, then use OnX Off Road while on the trail.

 

Gaia isn't the best for discovering new trails, but I've found it leaps and bounds better than all the others for on trail navigation.

Once you get the layers (MVUM, Gaia Streets, USFS, etc.) start importing GPX files. I get most of mine from sites like trailsoffroad.com
Import the GPX files to GAIA and you're good to go.

 

I was going to get that app for dirt biking but I’m not buying anything that is an ongoing subscription.


When or if the company changes direction or shuts down you’re hosed.

I had neo-trex and it went away.

MotionX-GPS was pretty good But they stopped supporting the map app, which means no more map downloads from their servers. Thankfully I was able to pay to unlock the custom map url feature in time. They should have just unlocked that for everyone since they’re quitting.

 

Screw it just drive on the hiking trail lol ... well officer this app told me to go here .

 

The only thing I like about the free version is I can record waypoints on the trail and then follow that map the next time I go out instead of wondering "did I turn left or right here"?

 

Have you watched this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQeIgkAN1AE

 

Gaia is the jam but if you’re not savvy with that type of software it just won’t be right or you. OnX is probably more your speed. It’ll point you to the trails that everyone does. Gaia will give you ALL the options for you to explore on your own. If you want to explore and adventure, Gaia is the tool. If you want to drive what everyone else drives use OnX or google maps

 

Gaia on android was glitchy as hell to use for the first 5 months I had it. If I wanted to import a trail onto Gaia, I had to do it 5 times before it would actually show up in the app. It would also randomly lose my location and I would have to restart the app every 20 min or so. They FINALLY fixed everything a few months ago with one of their updates.