App?

Any recommendations on a good GPS app for their iPhone/ipad? Looking for some where to track and store my trips and also something that has a pretty extensive trail map...thanks!

 

Are you wed to iOS (vs. Android)?

 

Yes, using iOS on an iPhone

 

I use leadnav on iPhone. It’s $20 but works really good IMO

 

I really like my Backcountry Navigator. I use it on Android, but there's an iphone version, too.

Plenty of maps, including forest service maps, which are pretty useful.

I also use the Avenza App. I'm pretty sure there's an iphone version, but not 100%. I like this one because you can download MVUMs or just about any other georeferenced PDF for free. The MVUM's are sometimes a little easier to navigate since they only show the forest service roads, so it's easier to see where you are.

I use both these apps. I don't really like the interface for Avenza for anything but the MVUMs, as looking at anything like a topo map doesn't scale well. The BCN is great for topo maps, and you can easily import/export gpx files.

 

I really like BCN as well - that's why I asked about Android.

I'm pretty sure that there's no iOS version yet. The creator is working on an iOS version though, funded through kickstarter, called Backcountry Navigator XE.

 

I could have sworn there was an Apple version (not that I spent a huge amount of time researching apps for phones I don't have, lol).. oh well...

That said, I would hate to be using my $600+ ipad/phone for navigating in the backcountry (dirt, bumps, etc...) - seems kind of overkill.

If you're looking for a dedicated device to use in your rig, might I suggest a Galaxy Tab E 7" checks all the boxes you really need for off grid navigation: internal GPS, decent sized screen, microSD slot, $100. Another $50 gets you an 8" screen.

 

I just use google map on earth view when I’m off-roading. Most newer tablets have a built in gps chip so you can use the offline map when there’s no service and still tracks you.

I overland though, so I don’t get signals where I go.

 

Gaia Gps is the best I've found

 

Google isn't exactly designed with back country offroaders in mind (likely never will be), so their coverage of trail maps aren't that great form what I've experienced, and their off-grid map interface is clunky. They don't always have forest service roads named correctly and certainly don't give you trail difficulty ratings.

With other apps, like Gaia, Backcountry Nav, or Avenza, you can download off-road specific map overlays like Forest Service MVUMs, etc...

 

I use their satellite view... no need for direction in back country. Just use an eagles eye view and plan it out on a paper map... but I am old school (even though I am just 23).

 

view ranger

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "no need for direction". That's kind of important to know...

I use google earth to plan my trips (along with a paper map or two, of course), then export the waypoints/tracks to gpx, or some apps even ingest kml files directly.

I just prefer to have USFS (or similar) background imagery and vector data because Google can't even get the streets in my neighborhood correct, I can't trust them to get backcountry/OHV trail maps correct, either.

I'm glad it works for you, but I've tried using google off-line maps, and it pretty much sucks where I've tried to use it.

 

What I meant was I don’t need direction from a nav. I like to use paper maps. More fun that way for me.

I did download Gaia thought to check it out. It seems pretty cool, I’ll probably incorporate it to my planning as back up.

 

-Gaia is cool but has a monthly subscription. I’m not into any app I have to subscribe to. They used to have a good offline Topo one but stopped supporting it.
-MotionX-GPS is awesome, takes a little getting used to, one time cost of about 4$ if I remember right. Let’s you download map areas for offline use. It lets you save routs and waypoints and backs them up to iCloud, I have them saved from a few phones ago. It also has a feature you can pay 4$ for too add 3rd party maps but I haven’t tried that yet.
-Avenza as mentioned this is another great option just a little harder if your traveling through more than one USGS Quad.

 

I don't know of any back country app that gives you turn by turn directions, if that's what you mean. You'll get compass directions to your next waypoint type stuff, but nothing I know of gives you a "turn left here" type thing.

 

Yeah, the interface when you cross a map boundary on Avenza is weird. You can end up with your position being displayed on the legend, or in the margins of the scanned map. I only use it because of the MVUM's. When navigating, sometimes all you want to see is the FS roads, and when on a small screen, all the extra junk form other map types gets hard to read.

 

Agree 100% and Gaia tries to make you pay to use maps that are already publicly available on here for free.

 

No I meant like tracking you. I just like figuring out where I am based on paper maps and landmarks.

Gaia is pretty cool though, the one I did is $40 a year subscription. Not a bad deal in my opinion for an all in one kinda map.

 

x2