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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
5/5/2013
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Hi All,
Recently switched over to a Samsung Galaxy S4 after years of being an iPhone user.
That being said I am pretty clueless on good GPS apps for the Android OS.
What GPS software do you use that will allow youo to cache maps for off line use.
Thanks,
Bob
after years of being an iPhone user.
What GPS do you guys use that will allow you to cache maps for offline viewing?
Thanks,
Bob
edited by surfponto on 5/5/2013
edited by surfponto on 5/5/2013
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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mrkmc Posts: 87
5/5/2013
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Backcountry Navigator. It is the best gps prog I have ever used. Its the only app I have ever paid for (9.99 when I got it) If it wasn't for the limited battery of cell phones, I would say its better than a garmin gps. You can save all the maps you want (for free) at home on wifi. You can record tracks make waypoints, record trip data, import/export data in .gpx format. It is awesome. The only limitation is battery, but if you are using it for back roads driving, that doesn't matter because you can leave it plugged in. ( I keep it plugged in and rubber band it to the rear view mirror and set it to "stay awake") It is amazing for navigating desert roads. You can download both the topo map and the satellite view, and then see exactly where you are on either map. Very helpful in the desert when some roads aren't on the topo, but you can see them on the satellite view. There is also a map layer with a topo overlaid on the satellite photos. It so good it almost takes some of the fun out of trying to navigate the desert roads to the trailhead in the dark. 
\
It is ok for continuous use unplugged for about 4 hours or so, but anything longer than that I leave the phone off and only take it out when needed. It will last several days if you do it that way.
I am starting to leave the garmin at home more and more and only use my phone. (maybe because the garmin I have is just the basic breadcrumb and waypoints w/o a map)
Glad you gave up the over priced Iphone and came over to the good side!
Also, in the google maps app on the phone, you can also cache maps, which can be helpful for some remote stretches of highway where you may not have service.
edited by mrkmc on 5/5/2013
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
5/6/2013
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Great thanks.
I will checkout Backcountry Navigator.
So far I love the phone. Screen is amazing and the speed is awesome.
Bob
mrkmc wrote:
Backcountry Navigator. It is the best gps prog I have ever used. Its the only app I have ever paid for (9.99 when I got it) If it wasn't for the limited battery of cell phones, I would say its better than a garmin gps. You can save all the maps you want (for free) at home on wifi. You can record tracks make waypoints, record trip data, import/export data in .gpx format. It is awesome. The only limitation is battery, but if you are using it for back roads driving, that doesn't matter because you can leave it plugged in. ( I keep it plugged in and rubber band it to the rear view mirror and set it to "stay awake") It is amazing for navigating desert roads. You can download both the topo map and the satellite view, and then see exactly where you are on either map. Very helpful in the desert when some roads aren't on the topo, but you can see them on the satellite view. There is also a map layer with a topo overlaid on the satellite photos. It so good it almost takes some of the fun out of trying to navigate the desert roads to the trailhead in the dark.
\
It is ok for continuous use unplugged for about 4 hours or so, but anything longer than that I leave the phone off and only take it out when needed. It will last several days if you do it that way.
I am starting to leave the garmin at home more and more and only use my phone. (maybe because the garmin I have is just the basic breadcrumb and waypoints w/o a map)
Glad you gave up the over priced Iphone and came over to the good side!
Also, in the google maps app on the phone, you can also cache maps, which can be helpful for some remote stretches of highway where you may not have service.
edited by mrkmc on 5/5/2013
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
5/6/2013
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Not sure I understand why the switch but....yea!!
Ditto mrkmc, BCN is worth the $10. Be sure to switch into "Airplane" mode when using it to get the longest battery life. I can get 8-9 hours out of my 4 year old Droid.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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DesertWRX Posts: 135
5/6/2013
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We use My Tracks from Google. It's free! You e-mail your track to whom ever as a .kml file. You can view it in Google Earth or in Google Maps. There's a placemark feature and all travel stats are there for you to review. Here's My Tracks of one of my mustard removal trips... https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=214727587460963019902.0004d97bc33cd4fa57466
If you click on the end icon all the info will be displayed.
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ziphius Posts: 911
5/6/2013
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So all you Android users..... what does your monthly bill average? I still don't have a smartphone and am thinking of making the leap, if only to combine phone/GPS into one package. Daren, is that what you use for your longer backpack trips, or do you bring a conventional GPS with you?
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http://www.coyotelearning.org
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dsefcik Administrator Posts: 2609
5/7/2013
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To use the GPS on the phone does not cost any money so the bill is the same no matter how much GPS you use. I don't use the phone much anymore for a GPS, only sometimes for short day trips. The reason mostly being is because of the battery life and I can't carry tons of extra batteries for my phone.
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http://www.sefcik.com
http://www.darensefcik.com
http://www.carrizogorge.com
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
5/7/2013
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Thanks I will check that out also.
Bob
DesertWRX wrote:
We use My Tracks from Google. It's free! You e-mail your track to whom ever as a .kml file. You can view it in Google Earth or in Google Maps. There's a placemark feature and all travel stats are there for you to review. Here's My Tracks of one of my mustard removal trips... https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=214727587460963019902.0004d97bc33cd4fa57466
If you click on the end icon all the info will be displayed.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1362
5/7/2013
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Just wanted to change it up , plus the screen is sooo much better on the Galaxy.
What's nice is that the battery is removable so you could carry a spare and I can also add a Micro SD card for storage
iPhone is great but I think Apple will need to rethink their smart phone strategy.
dsefcik wrote:
Not sure I understand why the switch but....yea!!
Ditto mrkmc, BCN is worth the $10. Be sure to switch into "Airplane" mode when using it to get the longest battery life. I can get 8-9 hours out of my 4 year old Droid.
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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