Outdoor Adventure USA

Navigation in the Back Country

With camping season quickly approaching, it is a perfect time to visit the many ways that you can safely navigate to your favorite new spot, and back home again. There are an increasing number of new navigation tools available, as well as some very well time tested ones that will serve your needs.

Phil W6PET will be our navigation guide for this net, and we encourage participation on the net from all who have information on this topic.

It's time to discuss some of the different products that are available for use who want to travel off the grid. I know this has been discussed in the past but in recent years there has been a proliferation of new products.

We will be looking at some old and new products here tonight. As we discuss the various devices I encourage anyone with experience on these devices to jump in with their comments and opinions. If there is something I didn't cover please jump-in and add your device and thought.

When looking at the various product options you need todo your do diligence. For instance can you import or export tracks, wave points, etc. Say your friend has a track you want to import into your unit, can you easily input the track or are their multiple steps. Is there a yearly subscription for software updates, etc.

Our first produce is the:
MAGELLAN TR7 CS PRO DUAL MOUNT TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR WITH A CAMERA HIGHLIGHT
Price: $629.99

Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation

Rotatable Built-in Camera with Sony’s Premium STARVIS Sensor

Optional Gauge Overlay or Time-Lapse Modes for Adventure Video

Pre-loaded with over 160,000 4WD, ATV, Motorcycle, and Snowmobile Trails in the USA

Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Free Updates


Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing

Free Map and Software Updates

Pros:
Buy and done. No annually subscription fees.
Multiple mounting options
Preloaded maps
Older product with proven track record

Cons:
Small 7" screen size
Display limited to device only


MAGELLAN TR7 CAM TRAIL AND STREET GPS NAVIGATOR WITH A CAMERA HIGHLIGHT
Price: $369.99

Turn-by-Turn Trail and Street Navigation

Rotatable Built-in Camera with Sony’s Premium STARVIS Sensor

Optional Gauge Overlay or Time-Lapse Modes for Adventure Video

Pre-loaded with over 160,000 4WD, ATV, Motorcycle, and Snowmobile Trails in the USA

Hi-res (10M) 2D Topo and 3D Basemap of the USA and Canada with Free Updates

Track Recording and Community Publishing, Crowdsourced Track Database, and One-Touch Social Sharing

Free Map and Software Updates

Pros:
Buy and done. No annually subscription fees
Preloaded maps
Older product with proven track record

Cons:
Small 7" screen size
Display limited to device only
Not H2O proof like above unit.


Garmin Tread® XL - Overland Edition
10” All-Terrain Navigator
Price: $1499.99

Navigate unpaved roads and trails by using turn-by-turn trail navigation1 with OpenStreetMap (OSM) and USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Custom routing for the size and weight of your rig2 and preloaded iOverlander™ points of interest (POIs) help you find where to set up camp.
This rugged navigator is IP67 weather-resistant and has an 10” ultrabright touchscreen display.
See vivid aerial views of terrain with downloadable, subscription-free BirdsEye Direct Satellite Imagery.
Use the Tread® app on your compatible smartphone to sync data across your various devices and plan routes.
Peace of mind comes built-in. With an active subscription, you can use inReach® technology for global satellite communication.

Pros:
One and one. Free updates
Large 10' Screen
Preloaded maps
inReach Built in (needs separate subscription. Standalone inReach mini cost is $399.99)
Established company.

Cons:
Display limited to device only
Price
Garmin Tread® - Base Edition
5.5” Powersport Navigator
Price: $599.99

Take your side-by-side off the beaten path with topographic mapping, private and public land info, forest service roads and trails.
The rugged Tread off-road GPS is IPX7 weather-resistant and features a glove-friendly 5.5” touchscreen display.
Use the Tread® app1 to sync data across your various devices.
Direct-to-device BirdsEye Direct Satellite Imagery can be downloaded to Tread without a computer.
Easily install on your powersport vehicle with the included powered mount and wiring harness with tube mount.

Pros:
One and one. Free updates
Preloaded maps
Established Company

Cons:
Designed more for Side-by-Side's but can be used for overloading.
Display limited to device only
Smaller 5.5" screen

Garmin also has Satellite Messaging devices and here are a couple. For more information see the Garmin Website https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/outdoor- ... unicators/.

Here is one model, check website for additional ones.

Garmin Montana 700i
Price: $699.99

Pros:
Great as a duel purpose device for hiking and overloading as a backup unit.
Has built in inReach functionality.
Preloaded base map, additional maps have to be purchased.
Established Company

Cons:
Small screen.
Topo Maps have to be purchased separately.

Along with dedicated devices there are several applications that run on both iOS and Android phones and tablets.

The applications below require you to download your maps, tracks, wave points etc for offline use. For most of us going off grid this is a necessity when out of cell coverage. This task requires planning and allowing time to download the map information for the territory your are traveling to ahead of time.

All of below applications also use their own mapping program for route building. Using the route building program, the software will build you a track or route between two points using existing trails. But they also let you export and import GPX, KML, and GeoJon files.

Here is a route generated between two points using Gaia GPS.

OnX

Website: https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app
Pricing: $34.99/ year premium or $99.99/ year elite.
Premium: Feature Trails, Unlimited Saved Maps, Photo Waypoints 3D Maps, and more.
Elite: Premium Features + Property Boundaries, Landowner Names, Lot Info, and Elite Benefits.

Pros: Runs on Apple and Android hardware
Host devices not limited to application
Syncs with Apple CarPlay and Android Play

Cons:
Annually subscriptions
I believe you have to purchase the Hunt, Backcountry, and Offroad separately (not explained on website, appears the each feature has it's own priceing.

From their website:
Our mission is to awaken the adventurer inside everyone.

Key Features:
Discover Off-Road Trails
Find trails for SxS, 4×4, ATV, dirt bike, and snowmobiles across the nation. Tap any trail for details such as open and close dates, difficulty ratings, and trail photos. View 500K rec points like campsites, trailheads, and boat launches.

Save Maps for Offline Use
Save maps to your phone or tablet, including all interactive land and trail data. You’ll still be able to view your location on your saved maps using your phone’s internal GPS.

Track, Save, and Share Trips
Easily track your trips, including location, distance, speed, and elevation with Go & Track’s GPS capabilities. Save your trips for future reference with Folders, and share them with friends so they can add them to their Offroad app.

Public and Private Land Info
Quickly know land ownership information across the nation. Tap anywhere on the map to see public land, like national parks and forests, as well as private land owner names, boundaries, and acreage with Elite.

Customize With Markups
Your maps, your way. Add Waypoints to mark campsites, where you parked the truck, and intersections on the trail. Add lines to create routes, and share everything with friends.

Sync with CarPlay and Android Auto

See the land and trails come to life in your vehicle’s dash using onX Offroad with CarPlay or Android Auto. Discover spur trails and campsites as you drive, and see public and private landowner information with Offroad Elite.

Here are a couple of pictures from their onX website.

Trails Offroad

Website: https://www.trailsoffroad.com
Pricing: Free account and All-Access Member $39.99/year
Free:
Limited access to specific trail guides and basic information. Check out our All-Access Preview trail guides or start a 7 Day Free Trial.
Trailhead map view
Directions to trailheads
Camping regulations
Highlight description and photo
Community reviews

All-Access Member
The easiest upgrade you'll make for your adventures. Get access to every track, photo, video, campsite, trail review, and more.
Trailhead map view
Directions to trailheads
Camping regulations
Highlight description and photo
Community reviews
Advanced search features
Detailed route description
Detailed technical rating
Upload tracks to Gaia GPS
Robust maps showing all tracks
Trail details with waypoints
Detailed .gpx track with waypoints
Printable trail guides
Campsite details
Ask questions to the guide author
All-Access Member Only Trails
No advertisements

Pros: Runs on Apple and Android hardware
Search for trails by name.
Advanced trail ratings with wave points, descriptions, and videos of trail
Upload to Gaia GPS
Directions to
Host devices not limited to application
Syncs with Apple CarPlay and Android Play

Cons:
Annually subscription

From their website:
Mission: To provide the best, most accurate, relevant, and current offload trail information fostering personal adventure for many.

Trail Guide application
Every detail you could possibly want and maybe even more. The Crew at Trails Offroad hits the dirt in person to map offroad trails for every kind of adventure.

Find Offroad Trails Near You
Find 4WD trails near you and across the country. Quickly understand trail difficulty with our color-coded tracks to find the perfect trail for you.

Advanced Rating System
Understand trail difficulty with a numerical technical rating, vehicle recommendation, list of concerns, and written rating summary.

Waypoints and Camping
Marked locations for obstacles, points of interest, directional turns, camping, and more. Each Waypoint includes 3 photos and a description. Additional camping regulations, permitting, and details are also outlined.

Trail Guide Videos
Every trail guide comes with a short video, filmed by the author, to help you gain a reference point of what the trail is all about.

Community Reviews and Voting
Member trail reviews provide dated information and photos of trail conditions. Votes are cast toward the Community Consensus to help keep difficulty ratings correct and alert Trails Offroad to necessary updates.

Save Details for Offline Use
Download an entire state on your mobile device with a single tap. Trail guides and base map information will be available even when cell signal is not.

Sync with Apple CarPlay
The perfect partner to the Trails Offroad mobile app. Connect to your CarPlay compatible vehicle and launch Trails Offroad on your in-dash headunit for a guided on-trail experience.

Gaia GPS

Website: https://www.gaiagps.com/
Pricing: Pros:
Owned by Outside Inc.
Has over 300 maps, Overland, Topo, Satellite with labels, Gaia Topo (feet), and Mines and Minerals Resources nto name a few
Runs on Apple and Android hardware
See above for features
Directions to route starting point
Host devices not limited to application
Syncs with Apple CarPlay and Android Play

Cons:
Annual Subscription

From their website:
Navigate like a pro with a 300+ map catalog. Get detailed trail guides curated by experts at National Geographic. Camp in peace thanks to public and private land boundaries. Discover the classics like USGS and USFS topos.

Plan a trip along existing hiking or biking trails and roads with snap-to-trail modes. Measure point-to-point distances and map out off-trail adventures using the Straight-Line mode. Generate elevation profiles and calculate the length of your route.

Be prepared with weather, wildfire, and avalanche forecasts. Make more informed decisions thanks to terrain details like snow depth, slope angle shading, and cell coverage.

Here are some of the map overlays available
There are various ways and methods to mount you devices in you vehicle. All of the standalone devices come with a suction mount. The suctions cup mounts are not strong enough to hold the devices when offroading.

Here is how I've mounted my iPad running Gaia GPS
Which is the best way to go and what is the best device for you depends on what you are planning todo. I believe that the best device is the one that you are using whether or not is the an older or new one as long as it gets you safely to your destination and back home.

Check in please, KC6JGZ Russ

OAUSA SHOOTIN' SHACK

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South Carolina has now become a Constitutional Carry State. South Carolina Senator Shane Martin issued this statement:

Soon, freedom-loving South Carolinians will wake up to a new era of expanded Second Amendment Rights in the 29th Constitutional State in the nation.

WILDERNESS NAVIGATION

This is one of my favorite topics. Over the years I have posted numerous times on this subject, so I will not repeat all of my previous comments. For those interested, these comments can be found here:

• http://forums.oausa.net/viewtopic.php?f ... ion#p35547

• http://forums.oausa.net/viewtopic.php?f ... ion#p31368

Navigation equipment is not necessarily required for every outdoor adventure, depending of course on how deep one wanders into the wilderness, and how familiar one is with the terrain. For the sake of safety however, it can be a wise decision to carry at least some form of navigation equipment, especially when the pavement ends and the dirt trail begins. The other compelling reason why navigation equipment is vital, is to insure that we remain on track for the planned trip, making the most of the limited time we set aside to explore.

The ultimate validation of any navigation system is it's ability to safely, accurately and quickly get you to your destination and back home. One additional benefit, and in my opinion, an essential one, is the ability to assist in planning. I use my navigation program to discover new places to explore, to plan routes, to identify various destinations (campsites, scenic locations, etc), get mileage for every leg of the trip, and occasionally , to assist me when I am getting trail information from rangers and other park officials. This feature also allow you to do the trip planning necessary to select the best routes to travel, where to camp, what to see and in what order, etc. With a proper approach, your travel plans and mapping information should be shared with the other members of your group, even if they have a system that is different from yours.

This screenshot below is just one example of the value of a good navigation program.

My final point here is the recognition of the "fact" that the measure of the value and capabilities of any navigation system is NOT how new the technology is or how many options is offers, but how efficiently and effectively it accomplishes all the goals I've mentioned above. I've been using the same navigation now for over 15 years and it has, and continues to serve us in all of the trips that I have led. With the exception of one upgrade, to my extremal GPS, the system remains the same, and we have explored some of the most remote locations in the American Southwest.

As part of my final point here, I will heartly endorse any other navigation system that is able to accomplish all of these goals. In other words, select what ever system works best for you, and there are many.

PAPER MAPS

The continually evolving field of electronic navigation is nothing short of amazing. While navigating in the wilderness has changed significantly, there is one thing that has not changed - the need for paper maps. Although paper maps are not as prevalent as in the past, they are still available and are an indispensable back-up to your electronic tools, which can serve as a valuable supplement to your electronic methods of navigation. Off road, there are some absolutes that the wise and prepared traveler needs to acknowledge. Among these absolutes, especially when it comes to the new-fangled electronic tools we use for navigation, is the recognition that ALL mechanical and electronic devices will break OR FAIL, sooner or later. The other absolute is that you will never know when. All it takes for your navigation system to fail, is a glitch in the GPS satellite system.

This is why paper maps should always accompany you in the outback, especially when you are new to the area, and a long way from home. These maps should also highlight your expected travels and destinations, and an extra copy should go to family and/or friends.

The following are just examples of some of the maps you should carry. All USGS Topo maps, in digital format, are offered free of charge from their website.