The central oregon s x s club uses tablets with built in GPS & avenza maps. Works well in our area.

 

So to be perfectly clear, that tablet system works with satellites & not cell tower triangulation or am I reading too much into that?

 

I think it's safe to say that all tablet based apps work the same. The user interface can be different but once you learn how to use it, there's not much difference from app to app. They all offer the ability to download maps for off-line use and most have moved toward integrating with a PC to make route planning easier. Depending on the level of subscription you want to buy, you can choose from a large variety of different map sources for your background map and can even overlay one map on the other.

The biggest difference is the base map that is provided by the app creator. And this is where Gaia GPS stands out. I use Gaia and a Magellan TRX simultaneously because no single map has all the trails in any given area. One other benefit is, Gaia will map an off road trail like any street type GPS. Place two points on the map and Gaia will follow the trail between them, both on the tablet or while using the home PC. Other apps have you click hundreds of times on the route and draw lines between your clicks. Gaia saves lots of time when creating routes. I was a long time Backcountry Navigator fan and held on as long as I could. Now I've switched.

 

In 2014 when I purchased my XP1K I purchased the Lowrance HDS 5 and loved it. Then I sold the popo in 2019 and bought my x3xrs and went the less expensive route with my 10 inch pad and Back country Navigation, it worked ok but wasn't the same as the Lowrance, it was hard to see and kind of a pain to operate. The benefits were the ability to bring it in the house to down load maps and other things during the heat of summer. I was constantly watching FB market place and craigslist for a good deal on a Lowrance and finally found a HDS 7 Gen 3 and bought it. I didn't realize how bad I missed it until my first trip with it. Long story short I would buy the Lowrance and at least a gen 2 but gen 3 is perfect. The carbon is the best IMO but way too much money.
BTW with the Lowrance you will need to buy the antenna or puck and a SD card with maps from PCI radios.

 

I use a 10" Samsung tablet with built in GPS and Lifetime Trailmaps app. It doe not require cell phone service.

 

Also people that utilize a standalone GPS Puck with a tablet, what are the better options for standalone GPS hardware?
Are there any good ones that can have external power and still be waterproof?

 

Amazon.com: Dual Electronics XGPS150A Multipurpose Portable Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver | Wide Area Augmentation System : Electronics

Amazon.com: Dual Electronics XGPS150A Multipurpose Portable Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver | Wide Area Augmentation System : Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

We also use the lifetime trail maps with the Samsung tablet, tried gaia and backcountry, didn’t like them.

 

My tablet does not have cellular, therefore no GPS antenna. I use BAD ELF and have for years, especially in aviation apps. Try this:

Bad Elf GPS Pro

Bad Elf GPS Pro. Best Bluetooth GPS for Aviation, Marine, & Outdoors. Next-Generation GPS Receiver and Datalogger for iOS, Android, and Windows

bad-elf.com

As for apps I use GAIA, along with AVENZA. Avenza because some maps from FS or BLM are only available free for use on that app. GAIA seemed to be the most flexible and works with Google Earth as well. You can plan a route on Earth and import it into GAIA. GAIA has a very extensive map base and has worked well for me for the last few years. They continue to update and support it which shows its popularity. The interface takes a little time to get to know it but worth the effort. If you have an intercom you can even get turn by turn directions with a little effort in route planning. I don’t use that because the visual representation is fine.

The Bad Elf can be powered although I typically get 8+ hours of run time and have not needed to plug it in on any ride. It fits in your pocket and needs no interconnect, it’s Bluetooth. It locks on lightning fast and is ridiculously accurate.

There are a few YouTube videos on Avenza but I agree the user interface isn’t the greatest. I have it when a specific map isn’t available anywhere else.

IMO the best option out there is LeadNav but it’s iPad only, and very pricey. It has more features than you could ever use but for me the cost makes it out of the question.

 

The thing I like about Lifetime Trailmaps as it has free maps from all around the country. The app is not cheap at 250 bucks however its a good system and all of my crew run it. The only negative is you can not see where your other riders are like some apps.

 

Another Avenza user here but I'm starting to think about Lowrance as the glare off an iPad makes it difficult to see in all lighting conditions. Since the USFS closed MOST of the trails we used for years up here in the Coconino, you need a good way to identify what trails are open to motorized vehicles and which are not. Avenza does a great job of that.

I looked at LeadNav but only long enough to start adding up the costs and backed away.

 

CLOSED???? Tell me more as I ride up there in the summer. As to the glare, I use a screen protector specifically designed for aviation use that truly is anti-glare. No issues whatsoever.

 

The public lands that you can ride on around Flag are USFS land. Can't remember how long ago it was, maybe 7-years or so the USFS requested public input on road closures. Instead of doing what BLM did in the SoCal deserts (use existing trails -- don't create new ones), USFS closed more than half the recognized trails (trails with a FR number), all the unnumbered trails, and strategically closed all the roads to the good cinder pits we used to shoot in. So if you ride on USFS land you better know which trails are legal for motorized vehicles or you could be subject to a stiff fine for unauthorized use.

Avenza has official USFS motorized use maps digitized for use on a smart phone or tablet with GPS positioning or you can P/U paper maps (free) from a USFS office. The trails have different restrictions on how far off the trail you can park.

Now, that anti-glare screen protector -- what are you using? I used an iPad with Foreflight when I was flying SAR. Had a knee board mount and never had glare issues. But in an open cockpit X3 the iPad has too much glare.

 

I typically ride a bit south of Flag and have not encountered closures. Even though it's Coconino I guess the location matters, like everything else. I use the Avenza for exactly that reason and it works fine for what I use it for, just not as complete or easy as Gaia. As to the screen protector, try this:

Armorglas™ for iPhones & iPads - MYGOFLIGHT

And for a great case that mounts with RAM, try this:

PIVOT PRO 105 | PIVOT CASE

It mounted so nicely in the helicopter I use it for the X3 as well.

 

I typically ride a bit south of Flag and have not encountered closures. Even though it's Coconino I guess the location matters, like everything else. I use the Avenza for exactly that reason and it works fine for what I use it for, just not as complete or easy as Gaia. As to the screen protector, try this:

Armorglas™ for iPhones & iPads - MYGOFLIGHT

Does the Armorglas utilize a smooth or "frosted" surface?

 

Thanks for the tip on the anti-glare shield, that's less expensive than going to a Lowrance unit. I'm going to get one and try it out.

I should have clarified what I mean by "closed". here were a few that were actually ripped up so you couldn't drive on and some with boulders or logs blocking them but most of the closed to motorized vehicles are still open for use by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. These trails have numbers and are physically open so you can drive on them as we have done for many years -- BUT they are closed to motorized vehicles and unless you have a map you wouldn't know they were closed. But the USFS LEO that patrols the area know they are closed and may cite you. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_004393.pdf

$5K or 6 mths is more than I'm willing to risk.

 

I completely understand. Thanks for the clarification. Consider the southern portion of Coconino. Good roads, good maps, and tons of good riding with plenty of "destinations" along the way.

 

It’s not frosted, more like a matte finish. Best anti-glare I’ve used so far.

 

I run with friends that use iPads and OnX app which seems to work well and has the satellite image style maps.

I am the only one using Lowrance HDS7 with PCI base map. Location accuracy and GPS strength are more important than satellite imagery to me.

Both seem to work very well. Rugged Routes has a good selection of training video and maps available.

Dwayne

 

Use a few different modes of gps but like LeadNav a lot.

Regardless of what I use I use the skypro gps unit. You cannot outrun it with 10 pings a second if you want and it works with just about every gps software you use. You can connect multiple devices to it as well if someone else is trying to breadcrumb on something like relive for their story (we have young passengers who must show the world everywhere they go 🤷🏼‍♂️)

 

Use a few different modes of gps but like LeadNav a lot.

Regardless of what I use I use the skypro gps unit. You cannot outrun it with 10 pings a second if you want and it works with just about every gps software you use. You can connect multiple devices to it as well if someone else is trying to breadcrumb on something like relive for their story (we have young passengers who must show the world everywhere they go 🤷🏼‍♂️)

Now that,.. looks interesting!
Butt, I must say that I am initially astounded with disbelief over the pricing I've seen so far in my searching! Holy Cr@&!

Am I looking at the wrong stuff or out of my league for my intended purposes?

 

Alot of pricey options, Whats the best app at minimal cost running on an ipad for trail use?

 

I have an ipad mini 4 that I run gaiagps, I purchased a 5 year subscription for all the available maps that was 60 dollars.

I am always looking for something better, easier, faster.

 

+1 for the Lowrance. I use an HDS-7 LIVE. I do not use the puck and have had no issues.

 

Anyone in the PNW or NW Oregon / SW Washington specifically have suggestions for what works best for them on iOS?

Seems like there are a few top recommendations like lifetime trail maps that don't have very good support from reports in the PNW? Are there alternatives that do have a high ratio of user/app generated data that might help new people find what is avalible and where locally?

 

Does anybody know a Tablet based app that allows overlaying of satellite imagery when using GPS map function?

I settled on a Samsung Tab A 10.1 with 64GB. It has an actually GPS locator in it which some of the newer version no longer have, unless you jump up way up in price of course.

Anyway, I would love to be using an actual satellite image when in the woods as the local land features like outcroppings, ridge-lines, openings & changes in forestry are all a big part of knowing where you're at in these mountains and it's nice to be able to see those location points on a real picture image instead of a digital map.

 

Here’s what’s on my iPhone and iPad - different apps for different purposes.

Gaia is AWESOME for planning and, with all the different overlays, is handy for running planned routes.

LeadNav is REALLY good for running routes - voice prompts help not to miss turns and the layout is simple and easy to read.

All Trails is nice for finding trails in unfamiliar territories. OnX is good for that too.

Avenza is simple - a bit more difficult to see any detail, but it’s been handy when asking rental places for nearby trails and all they know is Avenza.

Google Maps is the most overlooked - it comes in REAL handy at times. GPX routes can be imported into it and it CAN be ran offline. Best when set for non-Highways.

I usually use two apps simultaneously, one on the iPhone and one on the iPad - one zoomed in for detail and the other zoomed out for the big picture.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I'm specifically looking for a satellite overlay where I can select the satellite image because, I need a defoliated image that actually shows the terrain & features of the land without being obscure by leaf coverage.

Also, the trails will be uncharted & not any any map yet! I essentially need this mapping features because I will be creating the map with with GPS marking my trail!

So those are the features I really need to have here..
1. ability to overlaying defoliated satellite image.
2. ability to mark / map my path.

Google Maps has a satellite image & it can also mark the path I travel but the image Google Maps is currently displaying for use is in full green leafy coverage that obscures all the visible terrain one can see with a defoliated image.

 

Garmin just released a new off road unit. Wonder how well it works. Garmin Tread™ | Powersport GPS with Ride Radio

 

Here's a perfect example of what I'm looking for..
The google map satellite image looks like this..

Here is a defoliated satellite image of the same area from 2016..

As you can see there are so many more things you can now see! Roads & trails once hidden behind green foliage are now visible.
Interesting to note is that, with the ability to access older satellite images it helps tremendously to further look back in time to see roads, trails & other features that are just harder to see with the passing of time. Here's a perfect example of that. Here is an older map from 2009..

Just look at how that logging road in the center becomes plain as day to see. So, there it is in a nutshell. I'm looking to find & travel all the trail & logging road I can & map them out & I need an app that I can use overlays of various satellite images that allow me to see terrain & mark trail.

Do I ask too much or does the technology exist for a mountain traveler like me??

I should also mention (being it was suggested) that I tried the Gaia GPS app & the imagery is either green foliage or out of focus once you try to zoom closer.

Here is Gaia GPS aerial view..

Gaia GPS satellite view..

And the Gaia GPS Fresh Sat cloudless image, which as you can see is essentially useless..

 

I have used BCN for 5 years and pretty happy with the zoom-in for UTV trails. Everyone has their favs.

 

That was perfect when checked it out & I used it with my computer. Perfect defoliated satellite image for GPS use! So I downloaded the app to the Tablet & all those great satellite maps were gone! I mean, WTF huh?
I even joined (you got too to use it) and loggin in on the two different devices gives me two different experiences.

I would upgrade & pay yearly if I knew I would actually have access to the satellite images I want & have use for. If you don't mind me asking, did you have to up your membership & pay to gain access to additional maps such as the satellite image seen in your post??