The maps suck

Download here maps. It was started by Nokia and was later purchased by a consortium of car companies to use in their vehicles. Its updated regularly and can operate using data or without it. It takes up about 3 to 4 gb of space I believe but works quite well.

 

with gmaps, you can download a specific area to store offline... then cell signal isn't required.

 

If you really want good off pavement GPS, you're going to pay for it. I use onXmaps for my garmin, laptop, and tablet. It has almost every dirt road and trail imaginable.

My maps show every unmaintained logging road, one and two track trails, hiking trails, bike trails, etc. I've yet to see any free maps show close to the same detail when you get off maintained roads and trails. It also shows which trails are seasonal so you dont end up at a locked gate in the middle of nowhere.

 

Thats interesting. Is it a one time purchase, or is it a monthly fee? Does it operate off an iPhone/android device if there is no cell signal off GPS?

 

It works on any format. GPS unit, phone, tablet, etc. Many different base maps and several different satellite images. One time fee for the states you want.

What i like is there is a program on my laptop that uses the maps and allows me to customize them and add waypoints before leaving the house. I download the custom maps to the gps unit so i have everything i want once I'm out of cell range.

You can download a free 7 day trial to see if you like it. I find it useful when leaving forest service roads for old logging roads and 4wheeler trails that arent on most maps. Its great for mountain biking off the beaten path.


I have the hunting maps as I'm needing the game management areas and private/public land info. The maps even tell me who owns the property. If you don't hunt, check out the Roam maps. Same info without the hunting aspect.
https://www.onxmaps.com/
https://roam.onxmaps.com/
https://roam.onxmaps.com/get-the-app

If you don't leave the pavement, onX is not for you, but if you want to explore off road, I've yet to find better. Off road trails, mountain bike, hiking, etc. all in one program with almost every map available to choose from. Completely customizable to fit your needs. You can overlay trail/topo maps with satellite imagery, etc.

 

I use back country navigator Pro with downloaded maps and layers for scouting/guiding

 

That sounds good. One final question just to clarify. You may have already answered this, dunno. Does it show your current location in realtime even if you are out of cellphone range?

 

That looks good also. Thank you.

 

Well, it does on my GPS. I have a dedicated Garmin for when I know I'm going to be far from any cell tower. I guess it depends if the device you use it with has a true GPS receiver or not. I think most phones do, but not sure.

 

OK. So thats an app for maps to use in conjunction with a GPS unit. I looked into an app for Garmin that does that. I guess thats the route Im going to have to go. I just am not thrilled with spending 400 some dollars for a GPS unit when the fricken truck has one.

 

Ya, I guess.

 

Ah no big deal. Just another thing I have to spend money on.

 

Best map ever... I'll probably try the mirror your iPhone/android solution.

 

A refurbed Garmin at Amazon $98:

Garmin nvi 55LM GPS Navigators System (Renewed)

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Navig...5&sr=1-3&keywords=gps&refinements=p_89:Garmin

You can download a free topo coverage at https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

 

Does anyone else have issues with the predicted time of travel to destination. I often am driving across multiple states and even though the in dash shows the same route and mileage as google maps on my phone, the time is way off. For example, driving from elko nevada to SW colorado, in dash said 12.5 hrs to destination, phone says 9.5 hours. Phone is always right. The in dash consistently over predicts the time it takes to drive a route. It's frustrating as I basically need to pull out my phone to make sure I arrive places on time which defeats the purpose of in dash nav. Why would it be so off? Even on short (20-30 min) trips it will estimate 5-10 mins longer than it actually takes.

 

The first test would be to see if both devices choose the same route. If so, I wonder if the phone's database has the correct speed limits on the route to calculate the travel and arrival times. Maybe the Entune uses a default 55 mph?? Also, at the start of a trip, record Entune's arrival time. During the trip, is the arrival time being updated or does the head unit's original arrival time stay unchanged through the trip? Another point, does the phone's app also include estimated traffic delays or clear sailing?

 

Majority of the time it is the exact same route and same mileage for both in dash and phone. I think it does have something to do with speed limits. This issue occurs regardless of whether there is traffic or if its 8 hours of straight desolate highway. The arrival time does update, which is interesting. As in, if there is a 3 hr gap between the phone and in dash at the beginning of the route, halfway through that same long drive, they will only be approximately 1.5 hrs apart in estimated time of arrival. So it does kinda catch up or update. The longer the trip the bigger the gap which makes sense.

 

I noticed this too. My truck Nav showed 4 hours when Google showed 3.5 and I know it is only a 3.5 hour trip.

 

Waze is rarely wrong (in my experience).

The only time I ever beat waze arrival time was driving between Bend OR and Kalamath Falls CA. They changed the speed limit the day before from 55 to 65 MPH and I drove it at 75 MPH. Beat waze by 30 Minutes FTW.

Otherwise Waze is frustratingly accurate.

*Waze fanboy*

 

What do you use when cell signal drops out?