Knowing how to read a topographic map is the foundation to any backcountry adventure. Make your iphone or android phone a full featured gps device. Commander compass is an essential offline gps app for outdoors and offroad navigation. We believe that the benefits of the features far outweigh the cost. Use your phone or tablet as an offroad topo mapping handheld gps with the bestselling outdoor navigation app. On a recent trip, i decided to give the popular backcountry navigator a try. Products mapfactor gps navigation for ios mapfactor. Jan 11, 2017 backcountry navigation with incomplete or outofdate maps philip werner navigation and trip planning the united states geological survey stopped sending field observers to verify and update the location and existence of recreational trails, power lines, rail lines, pipelines, remote roads, campgrounds, and property boundaries by 1990. I saw a post that said no garmin maps, but there was no explanation to the restriction. While the interface can take some getting used to, with bcn you have total control over your data and which maps you use. Its also super easy to import gpxkml information gps coordinate information heres a great guide to using it. Backcountry navigator has been on wm devices and preloaded on the trimble nomad outdoor rugged device.
It does not have the same selection of maps as the android version does and while it can import and export gpx files, its map files are not directly compatible. Hiking trail maps, hunting units, 4x4 offroad app gaia gps. Once thats changed, whenever you try to enter coordinates, it automatically formats the data fields for utm. I cannot say enough about how much better they look than on any garmin gps. A common question is can i use maps from or scanned images in backcountry navigator this tool will allow you to. Backcountry navigator is mobile mapping software for outdoor recreation. To add the big sur trailmap, under the map layers icon, select more map sources and tap its 3verticaldot topright menu to select custom map source. If you want to use your smart phone, you will often find yourself in remote.
Intuitive voice turnbyturn navigation in different languages, speed limits, camera warnings and many other useful features. Backcountry navigator mostly just covers the us and canada using sources like the usgs for their maps. The audio has been cleaned up some since the first version. Backcountry navigator has a custom map feature for displaying a userspecified tile map. Download backcountry navigator topo gps pro for the us and many other countries in advance, so you wont need cell coverage for navigation.
A custom map based on the same map series, digitally annotated and exported to a printready 11. The new format will work in any application that supports mapsforge vector format. What phone apps other that gaia, backcountry navigator, etc. The arrow pointer is very responsive to the direction you point your iphone. The gps in your android phone can get its position from satellites, and you dont have to rely on your data plan. Gps navigation, mapping and tracking software for ios iphoneipadipod. I have just converted all of my maps to work on android devices. Ive had gaia and backcountry navigator for a while, but trimble blows them away. For the past 2 years i have been using backcountry navigator pro, a gps app for most android smartphones. Gps navigation, mapping and tracking software for ios iphone ipadipod. Simple, seems best for recording tracks and trip data, and viewing my location on map. While backcountry navigator was only available on android, backcountry navigator xe is available on android, ios, and the web. Backcountry navigators developer will have a hard time matching the smooth, openglbased maps gaia now offers.
Create a customized personal moving map navigation system for your mobile phone. Compared to other free sources for the continental united states, these maps offer better contrast, better shaded terrain, and more up to date. Accuterra is already well known on the iphone and is the same data offered on magellan gps. Android wear support to see navigation at a glance on wrist. Create a customized personal moving map navigation system for your mobile smartphone or tablet. I was not interested in whether backcountry navigator is best app of this type. With membership, sync your trips to your device and save maps for offline use. Home forums general forums general lightweight backpacking discussion android map app. This remains a harveys map for the national trails or an os map for other walks, plus a silva compass. Mar 22, 2020 backcountry navigator has a custom map feature for displaying a userspecified tile map. The 20 best offline gps apps and smartphone gps navigation apps. From a calibrated image, nautical chart bsb, or some other format, there is software that will convert it to a mobile. Comparison of android applications openstreetmap wiki. Backcountry and navigator topo gps apk free download latest model for android.
The biggest feature difference that sets gaia gps aside from backcountry navigator is that gaia gps works across all of your devices android, ios, and computer. How to turn your android phone into the ultimate gps navigator. Maps are downloaded onthefly and can be preloaded so that they can be used offline. Backcountry navigator xe outdoor gps for ios and android the. Pathaway outdoor gps navigation, tracking, and mapping for. Use your android as an offroad topo mapping gps with the bestselling outdoor navigation app for android. Is it possible to download a 3d map of a selected area into a gpx file. The maps are downloaded by the app from a variety of public domain map sources. Backcountry navigator desktop edition free version. Aug 06, 2016 it is essential to have a good map with you when you hit the trail. Desktop version of backcountry navigator crittermap software. My persistence with this topic is because of the existing maps that have been created by individuals with public information. Try the best app for hiking, hunting, offroad, and professional outdoor maps. Offline gps and trail mapping with backcountry navigator.
Use offline topo maps and gps on hike trails without cell service. Navigate the backcountry from your phone with backcountry. Use free online maps or your own digital maps, cache maps offline for use in disconnected regions, track logging, route planning, personal point marking, location sharing, animated weather forecast overlays. Favourite free offline gps nav app finally also for apple smartphones. I could take some fun jabs at the usability and performance of these apps relative to one another, but maps make the rest moot. The developers appear to be interested in adding other countries with maps of italy and spain also supported but dont buy this app hoping they will eventually add a specific area outside of north america. While this is for android devices, there are similar options for iphoneipad devices. A paper smallscale overview map, paper largescale detailed maps, and. More feature rich, better for acutal navigation using waypoints and bearings. Sync your gps data and maps seamlessly between all of your.
In my first ever youtube video, i show a friend how to download offline maps in backcountry navigator on android. Android offline navigation mapsforge vector maps offline route calculation display maps with. Its the green button near the bottom of the screen. Backcountry navigator maps free download full version apk. Offline gps and trail mapping with backcountry navigator youtube. Here are four reasons why this appand the iphone in generalproved to be a very poor substitute for a paper map and backcountry gps unit. What phone apps other that gaia, backcountry navigator, etc do you all put on your phone to make it more useful in the backcountry. Backcountry navigator topo gps pro apk pro apk free. How to export a gpx track on backcountry navigator pro android app. Making your own backcountry maps, waypoints and route, and. The one thing i really like about the gps kit app, is that the map arrow pointer will point in the direction that you point your iphone when its flat.
I was more curious as to see this type of app used in real world conditions. Getting started with backcountry navigator pro gps. Basic orientation simply requires a few simple tools. Easy to use outdooroffline gps navigation app with access to the best topographic maps and satellite images for australia. Down full load apk of backcountry navigator topo gps cracked. Before i lose cell service i pull up the map to the area im headed and dont do a hard close of the app. If you have a map source in another format i can probably convert.
It is essential to have a good map with you when you hit the trail. Four reasons the iphone fails as a backcountry navigation. I am enjoying learning more about all these map data sources. In the past, gaia gps arrow pointer wasnt as good for this, but i think theyve since fixed the problem. Its awesome for planning trips, phototagging waypoints, and everything else you use a gps for. It is constantly checking gps which drains battery like no other, but ive been using it for a few years now and love it. Through the use of contour lines, topo maps bring a 3dimensional element to a 2dimensional paper map, allowing you to visualize the rise and fall of the land and see the depths of canyons, the location of boggy meadows, and the height and shape of mountain. When it comes to standalone gps navigation systems for atv trails the only what i found is garmin etrex 30x or garmin etrex 20x, but the best choice by my mind is trail tech 912301 voyager stealth black motogps computer. Apr 19, 2017 if you want an even more accurate map, download the backcountry navigator app on your phone and download the gps for the lost coast section of choice. Andnav atlas format tile image files regular images with custom.
With backcountry navigator, your android phone becomes a complete outdoor topo mapping gps device. Also, sometimes on shorter, day trips i forget to download before i leave the house. This tool was originally designed by crittermap software. If you want to use your smart phone, you will often find yourself in remote locations with no reception. The 20 best offline gps apps and smartphone gps navigation. Can be used with any app that supports mapsforge offline maps. Look for the import tracks function within backcountry navigator, and import the kml file from your cloud. This app doesnt work to the level of detail youll find in backcountry navigator, but for a free app, its not bad at all. Viewing 17 posts 1 through 17 of 17 total forums are supported by our merchant partners disclosure. I have converted all of my maps to backcountry navigator bcn. I am wondering, if the format cannot be supported, can the maps be converted to a useable format. Product description in amazon online shop is very informative.
The first time you run backcountry navigator, you will probably want to accomplish at least two things. Mark waypoints or record tracks as you navigate the outdoors. Advertisement those two are the main two you will need, but there are a few others worth mentioning. I fully charged my iphone 4s the night before i headed out and used it only a handful of times to make a few prehike phone calls, check my location a few times, and mark a couple of. Backcountry navigation with incomplete or outofdate maps. This app gives you similar mapping options as you might know from garmin or magellan gps handhelds. It will map out routes based on uploaded gpx files and records new tracks as well. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. Heres a comparison of two popular android hiking apps backcountry navigator and atlogis us topo maps pro. You can also tap the bar at the bottom of the screen and then tap details to view a turnbyturn list of the trips directions.
Along with every guide book purchase, either electronic or printed, you get a set of gps files in the open source gpx format. Visual appearance of the map can be adjusted via app settings or map theme. This offroad gps offers the ability to download maps to your phone to allow you to navigate. Ideal for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, speed cycling, kayaking, geocaching, scouting and other outdoor activities. I dont suppose i will mess with backcountry navigator just yet since oruxmaps currently meets my purposes and has been very reliable in the field.
The most popular version among the program users is 2. Packed with tools it serves as a hitech compass with maps, gyrocompass, gps receiver, waypoint tracker, speedometer, altimeter, sun, moon and star finder, gyro horizon, and coordinate converter. Backcountry navigator, a powerful android app that works outside of cell reception. Polish your map reading skills and practice the following navigational tips next time youre hiking or orienteering through your favorite natural area. If youve recorded your hiking or backpacking route using the backcountry navigator pro app, you can export it to any mapping service and do handy things like analyze. The hands down leader in off highway navigation apps for android, bcn has been around for a long time and is feature rich. Remember to waterproof your phone somehow i just put mine inside a pocket sized mec dry bag and bring some extra external batteries with you. Pathaway is useful for activities such as aviation, boating, offroad driving, hiking, cycling. Backcountry navigation with incomplete or outofdate maps philip werner navigation and trip planning the united states geological survey stopped sending field observers to verify and update the location and existence of recreational trails, power lines, rail lines, pipelines, remote roads, campgrounds, and property boundaries by 1990. Try this demo to see if it is right for you, then upgrade to the paid version. Cartograph pro can be used to view this format on a mac or windows pc.
Look for great deals on running watches, heart rate monitors, and more. Use your phone or tablet as an offroad topo mapping handheld gps with the bestselling outdoor. How to export a gpx track on backcountry navigator pro. Question i was curious what all do you do with your phone to make taking it more practical.
Mobile map software with backcountry navigator pro gps for. Backcountry navigator is using a premium map source in partnership with accuterra. Use gps waypoints from gpx or kml files, or enter your own coordinates using longitudelatitude, utm, mgrs, or grid reference. For a one time fee, this a great addition to the outdoor gear you bought at cabelas, rei, or another outdoor store. What is the best backcountry gps app for the iphone. Outdoor gps navigation, mapping, and tracking software for android, iphone ipad. Let your smartphone become your handheld outdoor gps to guide you to the backcountry. Doing so will map out your route with each turn listed at the top of the screen. Backcountry navigator is useful for a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, geocaching, hunting, fishing, camping, and exploring a variety of trails.
But if i make an iphone version of these toposm maps i need to figure the best most popular offline gps app for iphone. Mobile map software with backcountry navigator pro gps for android hunting for best location to visit or stuck with a new route, unable to identify where your destination exactly lies, then dont forget the 247 help service which you carry with yourself. I have converted all of my maps to backcountry navigator. Transparent map can be overlaid onto satellite imagery. Format file format comments aftrack osz one zip file containing tile image files alpinequestmap aqm proprietary aqm andnav atlas format tile image files regular images with custom. It basically lets you select a region on the map and then it will prefetch all the tiles before you go out. Elevation and speed are graphed see image and i could overlay my route on my choice of a traditional map or a satellite photo, all in real time. The android app is called backcountry navigator bcn. Bcn, and its clear that atlogis is a distant third. Get offline access to extremely detailed topographic maps.
Mark the waypoints on where to get onto the bluffs and where to come back down to the sand so you dont get cliffed out. The memory map app turns your phone or tablet into a fullfeatured outdoor gps or marine chart plotter, and allows you to navigate with usgs topo maps, noaa marine charts, and may other specialist maps, even without a wireless internet signal. Voyager is like no other gps you have seen on the market. On iphone, click on the icon in upper right that looks like stacked papers, scroll to the bottom to the saved section and click my maps. Let the smart games begin the backcountry ski touring blog. Backcountry navigator xe will be using a yearly membership across the web, android, and ios. Introduction the popular backcountry navigator app for android was designed to be an easytouse topo mapping gps that can be used virtually anywhere for all your favorite outdoor adventures, including hiking, backpacking, bicycling, hunting, kayaki. This is a difference from backcountry navigator pro, but necessary because of ongoing costs of creating custom maps, running servers, and using cloud features. If your android device is equipped with a gps, you can use this software as a full outdoor navigation device. Youll have breadcrumblike trails, called placemarks, on your inapp map.
Backcountry navigator topo gps andoid this topselling backcountry app has openstreetmap and opencyclemap information available for download, so its not just good off the beaten path. Use your own color digital maps, tracking, route planning, personal point marking, location sharing, garmin data transfer. Desktop version of backcountry navigator crittermap. Hopefully now you have a paper map from caltopo and an android phonetablet running backcountry navigator with your route and maps available offline. Oct 28, 20 in motionx gps and gaia gps, both iphone apps, there is a setting where you change the default coordinate format. Digital maps and sometimes additional imagery or data on a. Review of backcountry navigator and android as a gps. Turn your android device into the ultimate gps back. Use gaia gps as a hiking app, or even to download hunting maps, offroad maps, and special data info like public and private land ownership. This android version is more flexible, featured, and fun.
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