GPS Units for Exploration

evdog said:
I seldom use MTB project as I find Trailforks is more complete for most areas I ride. But yeah, my understanding is you get more basic maps when out of cell service. They work fine in that case for following a route. But, if you want to see detailed topo map then you are often out of luck unless you have cached it ahead of time, as mentioned. I sometimes thing ahead enough to do that, but not always at high enough zoom. For my Garmin I can download a very usable base map, there is no reason why this shouldn't be possible with apps like Trailforks and MTB Project as well. It very well may be possible and I just need to do some digging. Satellite imagery would be nice too but that might be asking too much....


My Oregon 600 has a nice screen and easy touch interface that is comparable to my phone - for me, the screen is no longer a negative for the Garmin. My older Oregon 400t and my car GPS are hard to use by comparison.
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I haven't done much with this, but it's out there also... I just downloaded the entire Mount Pinos area to the phone in a little over 300 MB. The maps are temporary, and expire after one month, but it's an option.

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform=iOS&hl=en
 
Here's the answer for Trailforks - basemap download not available right now.

upload_2018-7-10_22-33-9.png
 
Gaia looks promising - does have the ability to download maps, though likely just map tiles for specific areas rather than whole states

https://www.gaiagps.com/member/
https://www.gaiagps.com/premium/

Premium has access to maps that could be very useful - property boundary/public lands. Trailforks has a land owner layer too but I've never found a legend for it, so outside National Forest and BLM its hard to tell who owns what.
 
Sidewalk said:
Personally, I am using an old Garmin 800 I found cheap online. It has base mapping that you can update with free services online. It isn't without flaw. Like all things, you have to be smarter than the machine and understand it is just a tool. But I do like it. At some point I will upgrade it to one with Bluetooth so I can connect it to my phone for other things.
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I've since upgraded to the 520 Plus. It has base maps and will route for you. I still need to replace the base map though with a better one, I don't like the Garmin base map. I did the same thing on my 800 with success. I just need to get my netbook out of storage so I can load it in (problem with being homeless).
 
doublewide said:
Hey @Mikie , my Social Media friend just put this out yesterday. Lotsa good info on the Gaia app.... Enjoy!

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Mark, When you say Social Media friend, are you talking about the guy in the video? He did an outstanding job. That was on very comprehensive video. Thanks Buddy, that was great! :thumbsup:
 
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