I've been exploring options for a Trail mapping GPS set up. I've downloaded GAIA and paid for a year of the pro plan. I seem to like it but its a little intimidating to learn for me. Plus I am using it on my Iphone and would like it on an Ipad mini. The other option that I have always wanted to try is the Magellan TRX7. It seems rugged and more user friendly for my old guy mentality. Its loaded with trails and will give me directions to the trail head, easy functions and will take pictures along the way and store them showing where it was taken. If you go to trxtrailhead.com you can see all the available preloaded trails. They use to have a satellite imagery but no longer available. All the GAIA guys love it because its loaded with features, map options and whizz bang do dads. Maybe if I stick to GAIA and get a Ipad mini it will turn out to be the best in the long run? But I am still learning to download the maps for the area I want to go in case I loose cell reception, the Magellan TRX7 has the entire USA in it . What are you guys using.

thanks,

 

We've got a member here who has (and currently) thoroughly puts these solutions to the test with his journeys- @Mark Doiron uses them on multiple platforms.

 

This one:
https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app?...UaArrQEALw_wcB

 

Well, I down loaded the trial version and will give it a try. I like the map options and seem too navigate it ok but new to watch a tutorial or two to get it figured out. Gaia has a icon for "make route" and "record track". I am sure onXmaps has the same it just didnt jump out at me. I am in the Prescott AZ area and it lists very few off road trails to the west of us but I know there are many there as TRX Trailhead show dozens. I like the onXmaps trails that it does highlite in Blue that you can click and gives all the info you need. I will try it out and see how fast I pick it up.

thanks,
Chip

 

I ended up trying most of the off road mapping apps. Maybe it was because I spent more time with Gaiagps but it really seemed to offer the most and was easy enough to use with more in-depth features that if I want to learn I could. I purchased a refurbished Ipad mini 4 with 64GB so I can down entire states at a time and include Topo, MVUM, satellite and public land maps to the hard drive. I still have an itching for the Magellan TRX7 though. Maybe if I see one in person someday I will get one.

 

I guess I should break out my old tablet with Gaia and try it out when we go wheeling next. I have all of these apps (gaia, backcountry navigator, maps), I just tend to wander. It would be nice to know what I'm getting into though.

 

I recently got the GAIA premium membership and have created several routes using their website. On my iPhone12 I've downloaded maps and sync'd all my web routes. Today I used it in my truck for the first time with a downloaded map and cell data turned off. I think it's pretty awesome, although a learning curve on what steps to take. The big plus for me is that GAIA has all the off road trails in my area, where Garmin didn't. That's why I changed.

I just sent an email to friends who are learning GAIA, as follows:

I tried following a GAIA route from home to our property today on my iPhone12 and it was pretty awesome. A learning curve but can become easy with use. A few steps to follow. Note that my route color is blue so I use that in the steps. Your route color might be another color.

If I don’t log out of GAIA on my phone, it’s always there to open without signing in again, even if I’ve turned my phone off. That will be nice on the Silverton trip.

Always use the GAIA settings menu to sync your phone to your online files while you have the internet so you’ll have everything on the phone.

You can select the Saved Icon at the bottom of the phone screen and it will show saved items and folders. When there you can select the upper left icon to select whether you want to find routes, etc.

When you have internet, press the circled plus button on the top menu and select "download maps" for offline use. A square will appear that you can size to cover your route(s). Save it with “map” in the file name. You can save it in a folder, for example a Silverton folder. It will be in the Saved icon at the bottom of the phone screen.

Turn off cellular data in your phone settings.

In the saved folder, select the drop down icon on your downloaded map and select show on main map. The GAIA map will be your downloaded map and it will show your routes in that area.

My route to the property color is blue.

Press on the route and the name will come up with a circled “i” info button. Click on the info button and select “guide me”.

Then begin driving. Selecting "guide me" makes the route turn grey. It turns back to blue as you travel it. You can see where your vehicle is at all times. How many miles left to go, compass direction, etc.

When you arrive at the destination the route is blue, my original color.

Tap on the double circular swirly icon at the top of the map and it will route your return.

Then begin driving back, the route is grey and again turns blue as you travel it.

I tried driving off the route for a block. There is no vocal or popup alert that you’re off route. You just see on the map that you’re off route.

When I create routes in GAIA I just create the route without any waypoints. You’ll notice in the screen shots it created about 103 points for this 6.5 mile route. This way I can use waypoints for things I want to see or key locations along the route. Some of my text annotations got cut off in the screen shots, but you get the idea.

 

Awesome info! Your way more advanced than me at this point. I'm a bare bones take the easy path kind of guy but I can see the bonus with the info you provided. I want to take advantage of more of the features than I do now. But at least I have the basics for now. I'm working on mounting the Ipad mini and putting it to use this weekend!

 

The main reason I went with GAIA is that it shows ALL the roads in our Mesquite, NV area where Garmin had hardly any. You'll probably find that in your area too. I'll probably get an iPad too, but it was easy to see on my iPhone12.