What is the best GPS to get for off roading. I need it to be able to be used in the U.S. And Canada. If your going to suggest apps what device are you putting them on and the app can't require use of data as it will cost a fortune I. Roaming fees in Canada. Current plan is the lowerance elite 5m baja. But it says the map is for the U.S. So will it work in Canada?

 

I know all the local racers ran a lowrance, but i do not know about the Canada aspect. I swear i even saw an old local had a lowrance for the king of italy also, but i could be wrong there...

 

I use a Nexus7 2013 edition tablet and run Locus pro maps. you can download maps or layer maps. I strictly use this just for my off-road mapping.

 

Do you need to have a wifi source or a data plan to use this or does it have a built in GPS??

 

If your looking for the best i wouldnt go tablet, but i suppose its an option. Youll have to charge it alot aswell as a good mount. The best probably isnt needed in your scenario though...

 

It has built in GPS, no WIFI needed unless you want to update something, I keep it plugged in all the time with a USB cigarette adapter.. I use a universal tablet RAM mount made for the 7in tablets. in total I have about 200.00 in the whole setup. You can find nice used ones for 150ish

some good reading
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...Nexus-7-tablet

 

I use an iPad mini with GPS chip (cell capable) and Gaia software ($20 purchase). It works with Android, too.

This combination works really, really well. If you're within cell signal range, it will download the topo maps on the fly. If you're out of cell range, you pre-download the areas that you need. I always take the time to download before I go on a trip and it's very easy to drop waypoints at trail junctions and name them whatever ("turn left here"). In the U.S., the main source of maps is USGS topos, but there are others, too.

In the JK, I fabricated a bracket out of a piece of wood with a slit just wide enough to hold the bottom edge of the iPad, and it sits in the storage tray on top of the dash. Obviously, there are plenty of device brackets on the market, but this works well for me and cost nothing.

The beauty of the iPad is that it is so easy to pinch or zoom the map on the fly in order to get to the level of detail that you need. And the mini has a good amount of screen space so that you have enough overview of the trail and what's ahead.

I used this on a recent trip in the Sierras where there were lots of forks in the trail that, in some cases, were difficult to see (as the trail was rocky and not well travelled) and every time I took the wrong turn, it was clear from Gaia that I had made a mistake.

I've also used this app in Europe to download cities or areas where I was visiting, so getting maps is easy and free.

One more advantage; Gaia will sync across Apple devices, so the maps and waypoints that I download to the iPad will also appear on my iPhone, so if I want to hand-carry the smaller iPhone, I've got the maps I need.

 

I have experimented with a lot of different maps and Google Maps have improved there downloading feature a lot. Locus Pro in May on 2017 does not require data connection to view maps that you have purchased and downloaded (very reasonable) . It is my favorite because it has Topo and a great tracking feature. It also has an easy way to share just the trail without all the map data or you can share GPX files .This app has worked as it should many miles from a signal / data connection. I have used it from the Ocala National Forrest, FL, the Colorado Rocky Mountains and the high plain dessert of Utah.(With downloaded Maps)
With all maps you plan on using off road, learn and use it's features before you go.