GPS Handheld VS Cellphone GPS

[Bird-man]

Ok Planning for a trip out west. Thinking of OnXMaps. Let me know if you know of something better. Debating on Buying the chip or uploading it to my phone. My only worry is cell service. Also there is a decent price difference. Looking for some help on your experiences. Thanks

 

[Bird-man]

bump

 

[ChrisS]

I don't have Onyx maps nor have I used my phone as GPS in the western states. However, I do use my phone as a GPS in the east in backcountry wilderness areas without cell service and it works just fine. I have an iphone 5s and I use Gaia GPS. You have access to a bunch of different topo layers and aerials. I download the sections I need prior to going out and use my phone in airplane mode to conserve battery. Between that and carrying a small 6200mah battery, I can easily get 5 days.

I also use a Garmin Rino, but that's more for group hunting and if my partner and I are scouting together. If I'm solo, I just bring my phone.

 

[Eagle]

I'll second Gaia GPS for an iphone. It has worked well for me so far in areas with no cell coverage, I'll see how it does in Wyoming this coming week.

 

[NVCHUKAR]

Gaia GPS works great all over nevada no cell coverage. Just need to download the maps prior to the hunt.

 

[MuleyFever]

Is Gaia $20 a year or how does it work?

 

[Matt Cashell]

If you want the special layers on Gaia, you need the "PRO" subscription, which is yearly. Otherwise it is a one time purchase for the full GPS functionality and topos.

OnXmaps is a yearly subscritption that keeps you updated on land ownership, hunt units, etc. I use them both and download the areas I will need to my phone before the hunt.

 

[COlineman78]

If you have Android, check out back country navigator. It's a one time fee for any add-ons and it is a lot more flexible, but a little bit steeper learning curve. Also doesn't have the online interface Gaia has.

 

[Toyoland66]

I am giving Gaia on my iphone 6 a shot this year instead of my dated garmin. I have already downloaded the maps for my area and will be carrying a 5200 mah backup just in case. I was under the impression that you can get a monthly subscription to "pro" but I haven't checked in to it, supposedly you get more layers including public/ private boundaries but I am familiar with the area I am hunting in so don't need that feature.

 

[MuleyFever]

Do you need the pro version for imagery?

With my Garmin I really like using basecamp on my computer because it is so much easier than just using the gps. Does Gaia and back country navigator offer an interface like basecamp?

 

[Toyoland66]

The Gaia base program has aerial view similar to google earth (mapquest), and two different topos (cycling and US, they show slightly different data)

I am not familiar with basecamp.

 

[COlineman78]

Do you need the pro version for imagery?

With my Garmin I really like using basecamp on my computer because it is so much easier than just using the gps. Does Gaia and back country navigator offer an interface like basecamp?

Gaia has a web interface that is free to try if you want to check it out. Synchronization between the web and the app requires a pro license I believe.

BCN is more flexible but a little more difficult to use. It will import and export KML/KMZ which there are many tools for manipulating including Google earth (desktop application only). BCN also makes available for purchase a later with a particular states land boundaries (private vs public).

 

[ChrisS]

Do you need the pro version for imagery?

With my Garmin I really like using basecamp on my computer because it is so much easier than just using the gps. Does Gaia and back country navigator offer an interface like basecamp?

I don't think so. The aerials aren't listed under the Pro layers. I'm not sure how Gaia works now, but when I got the app a few years ago it was a one-time fee ($10) and I haven't paid for anything since. I have access to two different aerials, the topos, and a bunch of other maps. I guess because I was an early adopter I'm grandfathered in so that I have access to the Pro layers. I use Google earth for my waypoints. Basecamp is nice enough, but I use GE for everything else (and GE Pro is available for free now).

From what I can tell, the pro is $3.99/mo or $39.99 a year and allows you to add multiple layers to the screen at once and print maps. I'm not sure if the other adds are valuable, but I don't need them. The topos are standard USGS 24k maps and the cycling topo is a vector based topo (better at handling multiple scales than a raster like the USGS topo). Also can download google terrain (which is really helpful for visualization). If I'm hunting someplace new, I download the topo, aerial, and terrain. Most of time I just use the topo and aerial to identify open hardwoods versus softwoods. As far as hunting goes, the Pro layers have a CO GMU layer, and the MT Deer/Elk/Lion layer, plus a generic public lands layer.

 

[MOHunter]

I've never checked out Gaia, but sounds just like huntfishgps. It's powered by Trimble, and gives you a website to view various maps on your computer. I got the phone app for $5, and for $30/yr I have unlimited downloads to my phone. Also can create custom printed maps. I ordered a 4'x5' sat map that hangs in the wall tent. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

 

[mtnkid85]

I just put onxmaps on my phone this year and I'm impressed. I haven't actually used the gps functions but the satellite and map functions alone are worth it for me. One question I have though is if there is a way to down load large tracts of the smaller more detailed map sections. All I've been doing is zooming in and clicking all of the individual sections, which kind of sucks, when your wanting to load large areas on to your phone, or multiple basemaps.

 

[SHTF]

Another Gaia fan here. Question for the Gaia users can I share waypoints with other Gaia users? If so how?

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

Been using Gaia the last couple years. love it.

 

[ChrisS]

Another Gaia fan here. Question for the Gaia users can I share waypoints with other Gaia users? If so how?

Depends on how you want to do so. You can export them one at a time or you can create a folder and add the specific waypoints you want and then export the folder and attached it to either an email or text message. The user can then import into Gaia. It's pretty simple, but I haven't done it a ton. You can also export and open in google earth, which I do. There's also the Gaia cloud, but I don't mess with that.

I don't have any screen shots, but for folders:
Go to your file navigator (the three horizontal bars in the upper left hand corner)
go to folders and add a new one (folder with + sign in the upper right hand corner), name it whatever.
go to your waypoints or tracks and click one and then click the folder middle of the screen just below the map thumbnail and then choose your folder.
Repeat as necessary.
Go back to your folders and click on the one you want to export. Choose export and select text message or mail.

 

[SHTF]

Depends on how you want to do so. You can export them one at a time or you can create a folder and add the specific waypoints you want and then export the folder and attached it to either an email or text message. The user can then import into Gaia. It's pretty simple, but I haven't done it a ton. You can also export and open in google earth, which I do. There's also the Gaia cloud, but I don't mess with that.

I don't have any screen shots, but for folders:
Go to your file navigator (the three horizontal bars in the upper left hand corner)
go to folders and add a new one (folder with + sign in the upper right hand corner), name it whatever.
go to your waypoints or tracks and click one and then click the folder middle of the screen just below the map thumbnail and then choose your folder.
Repeat as necessary.
Go back to your folders and click on the one you want to export. Choose export and select text message or mail.

Perfect!! This is what I was after. Thanks FR.

 

[MuleyFever]

Are there any good online tutorials that would give a good idea of what the features and interface are to help a guy decide on one to go with?