What's your navigation setup?

I've been utilizing Gaia GPS for a while now, but only on my phone which murders my battery after some time. I'm thinking of another method to use. My best thought would be to utilize Gaia on an iPad mini with a dash mount. I am not an iOS person, but the stability of an iPad vs Android seems like a better solution (aside from a dedicated navigation device). I only use iOS devices for work, so I'm familiar with it.

What do you use and what are the benefits for you?

 

What's your justification for the bold statement above?

 

OEM. Not perfect but convenient. Map updates from eBay.

 

iPad paired with Bad Elf GPS receiver.
Limited experience with GAIA and HEMA.
Use maps.me currently and am happy with it.

Standalone setup.
All systems running "off-line".
Can just carry Bad Elf when hiking to keep tabs on where I went and how far/long.

 

Also, this has been discussed many times.
The search option reveals them, and here's one: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-navigation-device-do-you-use.616316/

 

I'm an Android user and have been for years. I find Android crashes way more than any experience with iOS. With Android being spread across so many different sets of hardware combinations with so many different things behind it, I've had a better stability experience with iOS and wanting to use it for something specific other than multi-purpose, seems more logical to me. I could be totally wrong however, hence why i'm searching for input before I jump the gun to the wrong path.

 

Google maps Or a garmin mini but that's more for off grid comms

 

I may have missed them when I searched. Thanks for the link.

 

I use an old cell phone running Backcountry Nav Pro, typically with the U.S. Forest Service layer or the USGS maps. I also have Avenza with the FS MVUMs loaded. My phone is attached to a modified phone holder mount that I bolted to the switch blank that's usually for the airbag key (I have a double cab so no key):


I thought I wanted a tablet for mapping since the screen is so much larger, but honestly the phone does just fine, is WAY easier to securely mount to the dash (weight and size), and it doesn't over-clutter the dash. Simpler is better, IMO.

I also have a plethora of paper maps that I use in conjunction with Google Earth when planning a route. I really like the National Geographic Trails Illustrated series of maps. They are large format, and use waterproof paper.

 

For the clutter, i'm looking at installing this guy https://expeditionessentials.com/pr...owered-accessory-mount?variant=31326134468689. I hate dash clutter and this looks the most likely to help keep from blocking the vents and all the already existing dash components.

 

No, you want this, IMO....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-securely-mount-anything-to-your-dash.553442/


Cheers

 

I like that it has USB ports right there so your cables aren't laying everywhere.

The only problem, aside from the price, lol, is that you're putting everything high enough that it's likely to block a bunch of your windshield. The tablet on that link blocks half the windshield! I don't see how that is 1) legal or 2) smart. That's worse than having the screen down by the shifter. With a phone it might not be so bad, though.

There's that TrailRecon guy (a jeep guy) that gets a little overboard with his electronic gadgets. He's got a phone, a tablet, GPS, Spot, and a couple radios all dash mounted. Coupled with those tiny Jeep windshields, I don't know how he can see anything in front of him.

 

Yeah, that's pretty cool. Price is way more palatable, too.

 

I have one and love it. I have my phone and a 10.5" tablet mounted, and they don't interfere with my line of sight at all.


Cheers

 

I have a Garmin Driveluxe 51 with traffic. No built in GPS can come close to its abilities.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. First time I've seen that one. Does it ever seem like it would shake loose or seem insecure? I just watched the install video for it vs the TPAM. The TPAM bolts to the stereo head unit screws too, securing it a bit more. It looks like this is purely held in by just the clips that hold the dash trim in place. I'll have to see if there are cables like there are with the TPAM to charge devices.

I'd only be looking to use it for trails and whatnot with the smaller tablet lol. If I was interested in a full size, i'd just plop my laptop on the dash haha

 

Has anyone suggested a USB to phone charge cable?

 

IMO, it will never shake loose, and it's definitely secure.
You should take some time a read the thread. There's a lot of good info there.

Cheers

Edit... yes, you can run USB cables up through the mount as well. (It was something he added after I got mine, but I'm going to modify mine to do this as well.)

 

iPhone map app on roads and I use the OnX app when off.

 

Yeah, that's always been my primary concern: Line of sight out the windshield. Visibility is everything! But secondary is driver distraction. I see a lot of trucks that have multiple screens, radios, all sorts of junk up there (like that trailrecon guy).

The mount I have (pic in previous post) works perfectly. As high as you can get and not obstruct the view at all. It does block part of the vent when the phone is there, but not that much, and as an added bonus the a/c helps keep my fire prone Samsung cool, lol... (it's not the one that actually catches fire, but it does get warm if the screen is on a lot).

I tow a travel trailer with my '17 4Runner, and have a wireless rear view/backup camera that came with 7" screen. I tried a bunch of different ways to mount it without obstructing the view. Can't mount it low by the shifter as that's where by brake controller is. Can't mount it in front of the stock nav system/stereo. And the dash blocks some vision. It came with a suction cup arm thing and I was able to get it mounted on the dash just to the right of the dash cluster, so it only really blocks a couple non-essential items, and minimally blocks the windshield.

Now that I know the DMM is a thing, I'll have to check that out and see it it'll work for my backup screen.