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GPS HOW-TO

 

Most of us are familiar with the GPS functions of our phones. Some have also used dashboard GPS devices in our cars or dedicated portable GPS devices from Garmin, Lowrance, etc. They can have shortcomings for the off-highway trails we do in the club.

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Phone/Tablet as a GPS Device:

 

  • If you want a device for tracking we highly recommend using a smartphone or tablet, Android or Apple, along with a store app. Android devices should have SD card capability. Apple tablets that are WiFi-only will need an external GPS antenna. Apple tablets with cell capability have internal GPS antennas. Make sure any Android tablet has built-in GPS, not all do.

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GPS Basics:

 

  • Since cell service is rarely available on trails, online Google or Apple maps may not be available on your phone or tablet, and might not include your desired trail anyway. The apps listed below make map downloads possible that will work without cell service. The GPS radio in your phone/tablet receives GPS satellite signals and does not need cell service, but the background maps do.

 

  • Each app works in a different way. Some provide background maps at low or no cost, some provide background maps by annual subscription, and individual maps can be expensive on other apps.

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  • Some apps provide GPS tracks for offroad trails. Some apps do not provide GPS tracks for trails and depend on you to download and install tracks from other sources. Some allow making and saving your own GPS tracks as you drive trails; some do not. Some allow installing GPS tracks you might get from friends or other sources; some do not. We suggest you check for these things as you investigate GPS apps so you get one that is right for your situation.

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  • There is information below on some of the most popular offroading GPS apps to help you start to investigate them further. As with all things offroad-related there are club members willing to help. Just ask.

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Brief Introduction to GPS Apps:

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  • You may already have Google Maps. Google Maps has a feature that allows downloading map sections to be used off-line (where there is no cell service). The downloaded maps expire and self-erase after a number of days. Using your phone or tablet built-in GPS with these offline maps lets you see where you are on the map at any time. This is a low-cost GPS option for 4-wheelers who only occasionally need GPS. There is no capability to use downloaded GPS tracks.

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  • Avenza Maps is often recommended by the Forest Service to read their free downloadable maps. If downloaded to an Apple or Android device with built-in GPS, users can see where they are on the map as they travel using the free Avenza version. Recording and saving GPS tracks, or downloading and installing them from any source requires a recreational use subscription of about forty dollars a year. The subscription does not include maps. Free maps are available from a number of sources. There is also an Avenza Maps store reportedly with a million available maps of different types and levels of detail. The cost of background maps can really add up if you need maps for many areas.

 

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  • Trails Offroad is an app available for Apple and Android devices. The app appears to be easy to use. A notable feature is the “follow mode” that tracks your progress on a live map and offers details and pictures as you navigate the trail. Many trail GPS tracks are built-in and it’s not possible to download and install others or record and save your own. Trails OffRoad requires a subscription to be useful on the trail, about forty dollars a year. If you are satisfied with the built-in trails without the ability to save or download and install additional trails, this app may be for you. Your built-in GPS radio will show your current location on the background map even if you are not on an included trail.

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  • The OnX Offroad app is available for Apple, Android and PC. Background maps and trails can be downloaded. Trips can be recorded and saved using the Go & Track function. Saved trips can be shared with friends. GPS tracks for trails can also be obtained from friends or downloaded from other places and used in the app. Subscription is about thirty dollars a year. There is also a hundred dollar subscription that includes additional specialized features.

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  • Gaia GPS is a good, capable GPS app for Apple and Android devices. Subscription is twenty to forty dollars depending on the level of maps desired. Background maps can be downloaded in the app. GPS tracks can be created and saved by the user or downloaded from other sources. Gaia is said to work with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to display on your dashboard infotainment screen if desired.

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  • Some off-roaders with Android devices are using an app called Backcountry Navigator Pro. BCN Pro is not available for Apple. BCN Pro does not include background maps or GPS tracks for trails; they must both be downloaded. GPS tracks can be created and saved or downloaded from other sources. The BCN Pro app costs about twelve dollars one-time. Some background maps are available free and some newer maps need a subscription of twelve to twenty dollars a year. Menus are not intuitive and here is a steep learning curve.

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  • There is a newer, reportedly easier version of Backcountry Navigator called Backcountry Navigator XE. It requires an annual subscription of fifteen to thirty dollars depending on the level of background maps desired. Maps are included. Available for Android and Apple. Should be easier to use than BCN Pro as it is by the same people with many years of experience and feedback from the older BCN Pro app.

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  • There are other less popular apps available in the app stores as well.

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