What's a good portable GPS?

[kolelt]

A lot of places, don't have good cell phone service. And so the phone becomes useless. Can anyone recommend a small GPS? that is more for off roading.

 

[Sleeter]

A lot of places, don't have good cell phone service. And so the phone becomes useless. Can anyone recommend a small GPS? that is more for off roading.

Most phones have a GPS receiver so all you would need to do is download a map on google maps or use a map app that allows you to download maps. Gaia GPS, HemaExplorer, google maps to name a few.

 

[kolelt]

I have iPhone 7 plus.

What about something that can TRACK your route. Even when you don't have cell phone service ?

 

[Sleeter]

I have iPhone 7 plus.

What about something that can TRACK your route. Even when you don't have cell phone service ?

You have the same phone as me. Gaia GPS app works great.

Here are some videos https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCWXYVFq3MeGbxfRzbPwLaEQ

 

[RonJR]

If you just want to know where you are, the cell phone GPS with the right app should be adequate.

If you want backcountry communications, I would recommend looking into the Garmin (was Delorme) Inreach SE or Inreach Explorer. It provides 2-way text messaging to any SMS phone as well as emergency SOS services from literally anywhere in the world via a global satellite network. Both models have GPS location services - the Explorer adds moving map display. Requires a monthly subscription (about $12/month for basic service).

If you spend a lot of time in the backcountry out of range of cell service, the Inreach is great for peace of mind for you and those who care about you.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I just took a look at the Gaia maps, and they lack a lot of the details that a USGS topographic map has, such as mines and ghost town sites. There are also a lot of roads and trails missing. Even the road between Silver Peak, NV and Fish Lake Valley, over the Silver Peak mountains, is incomplete on their maps, and that's a fairly significant route.

Are there any other iPhone GPS apps that use USGS maps? Or at least something with more details?

 

[Sleeter]

I just took a look at the Gaia maps, and they lack a lot of the details that a USGS topographic map has, such as mines and ghost town sites. There are also a lot of roads and trails missing. Even the road between Silver Peak, NV and Fish Lake Valley, over the Silver Peak mountains, is incomplete on their maps, and that's a fairly significant route.

Are there any other iPhone GPS apps that use USGS maps? Or at least something with more details?

What are the coordinates? I'll look through Hema and Gaia pro and see if either pick up the details.

 

[RonJR]

For my money, if you want detail, go paper. Digital maps are great for tracking routes and moving map displays, but nothing compares to a good Trails Illustrated (now National Geo) map of the area in question, assuming they've mapped it. I probably have $500 worth of the Colorado ones in my collection, and the pertinent ones go with me on all of my trips. Plus, there's something satisfying about spreading a couple out on the kitchen table and dreaming of future explorations or reliving past ones. It's just not the same on an iPhone screen.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

I've got plenty of good paper maps, including USGS topos, and I know how to use them. But I want a GPS that will show me precisely where I am on the map. Sometimes it's hard to tell just by looking around, and nearly impossible after dark. I've often wasted hours trying to find a specific mine or other destination at night.

 

[Sleeter]

I've got plenty of good paper maps, including USGS topos, and I know how to use them. But I want a GPS that will show me precisely where I am on the map. Sometimes it's hard to tell just by looking around, and nearly impossible after dark. I've often wasted hours trying to find a specific mine or other destination at night.

Did you pay for the Gaia app or were just looking at what layer is available free online? Gaia has at least 20 different layers that are not available unless you pay. DM me your email and we can work together to try to find a solution.

 

[propain]

A lot of places, don't have good cell phone service. And so the phone becomes useless. Can anyone recommend a small GPS? that is more for off roading.

Currently I am using a Garmin Inreach Explorer+ with EarthMate app on 10" tablet/ and on android phone. I also use Gaia GPS. I like the Garmin just in case of emergency, being that is has SMS/SOS and is a great navigator.

Your friends/family can track you via website while you are out on the trail.

Sent from my STH100-1 using Tapatalk

 

[theoutbackdream]

I just use my phone and currently use Maps.me since it's free.

While it doesn't show every off-road trail, I am able to download the maps, and it has most/if not all well used roads.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Did you pay for the Gaia app or were just looking at what layer is available free online? Gaia has at least 20 different layers that are not available unless you pay. DM me your email and we can work together to try to find a solution.

I was looking at the maps they have online. It seems to me if they are showing these as an example of what their product can do, they ought to at least provide a still shot showing just how much detail is actually available.

 

[reelamin]

A lot of places, don't have good cell phone service. And so the phone becomes useless. Can anyone recommend a small GPS? that is more for off roading.

Garmin 60CSX if you can find one...fried it doing one of the BS uploads....they gave me credit....so I replaced it with a 62.....not as good so tried a 64....not as good. Of the 62 or 64 get the one that is the best price.

Run them on my dirt bike, boat, car, hunting, and they are awesome and super easy to use. Lots of maps and easy to add and swap waypoints routs off your PC if you into that.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I have a Dual XGPS 150. It works very well. It's small (2-3"square), under 100 dollars, links w at least 10 or 12 satellites, and the battery lasts several hours. Paired it with Gaia (bluetooth) on a tablet, which is an ok app. Some trails were mapped completely and some weren't. Did some trails in AZ during the holidays and where the Gaia USGS topo maps were thorough, the GPS was dead on when navigating the trails. Im going to look into a better nav app tho.

 

[Airmapper]

GPS and cell phone signals have no correlation. I see people confuse it all the time and it's a nasty rumor. I think it stems from the fact that some Apple devices were equipped with a GPS receiver only if the were also cell network capable. One had nothing to do with the other as far as function goes, it's just how they packaged the hardware.

GPS works off satellites, cell signal works of terrestrial antennas, BIG difference.

Your cell phone is a small handheld computer. It has no need for a data connection of any kind to do computer things or use it's own internal hardware. If it has an internal GPS receiver, and an appropriate app to interpret and display information from it, then you have no need for any other connections. Most phones and tablets now have a real GPS receiver in them. Needing a cell signal to use navigation is a software problem if you encounter it.

The reason loosing cell signal is an issue is you lose the ability to download maps or look up information as needed from the internet on the fly.

GAIA is a good app, never used it myself but heard many positive things about it. What you will want to learn how to do is save maps offline for use when out and about. Aside from that though it should still function as a navigational tool, show your position and record your track, even if you don't have maps.

For vehicle use, I have an iPad mini for navigation, it's a much larger screen to work with and it's easier to manipulate than a typical GPS interface. My preferred app on it is MotionX HD. Honestly though at some point I'll probably go to a larger screen Android tablet, because Apple is very limiting.

That said in situations where navigation is more critical, I do have reliable dedicated GPS units on standby, and most times good old paper maps as well.

 

[4runnertrdgirl]

Delorme

I have a Delorme...

i got it some years ago shortly after i bought my FJ back in 08...
we used it on the trail and it was great for geocaching...now Delorme is part of Garmin and their GPSs have lots more bells and whistles...

 

[kolelt]

I have a Dual XGPS 150. It works very well. It's small (2-3"square), under 100 dollars, links w at least 10 or 12 satellites, and the battery lasts several hours. Paired it with Gaia (bluetooth) on a tablet, which is an ok app. Some trails were mapped completely and some weren't. Did some trails in AZ during the holidays and where the Gaia USGS topo maps were thorough, the GPS was dead on when navigating the trails. Im going to look into a better nav app tho.

What's the point if this ? Being able to have GPS signal when you have no cell phone service ?

And I agree 100% about that cell phone service and GPS are two different things. A true GPS in a cell phone will still locate you without cell phone service

 

[A.Wilson013]

I was looking at the maps they have online. It seems to me if they are showing these as an example of what their product can do, they ought to at least provide a still shot showing just how much detail is actually available.

Ray, I shot you a PM. I think that with the pro version you'll find it's quite a powerful app.

I love it, personally. Have used it for a few years now.

Here's a shot of Rhyolite (the only ghost town I know of in that area) with USGS Topo as the base, and MapBox Street HD lightly overlaid.

Here are my tracks... I need to get out of the PNW =D

 

[Bumbo]

MotionX

I highly recommend you check out MotionX GPS.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/motionx-gps/id299949744?mt=8

I use it when off road and adventure camping... Good waypoint and track management. Easy import/export of GPS data...

I have a good trail book a friend recommended and they have waypoints packages that import with ease.

We also use in my friends UTV on an iPad mini... flying down desert trails and it tracks pretty quick too. Lots of options in menu and if you read up on it you can import satellite images into it. It makes for a really REALLY nice experience when you can actually see terrain detail like that.

Yes, you can download and cache them for off-line use... many of the places I go I just download a 50+ mile radius from where I know I am going to be...

After buying it it was well worth the price... it kept me away from a lowrance gps units.

Here are a couple screen shots... you can really zoom in for some good sat detail too if you have the space on your device.

Here is a sample of the Motion X terrain maps.