I have never tried to use any of those GPS products that you have mentioned. I am currently using Garmin Drive 52 GPS Navigator.

I bought this on the road to replace an older GPS unit.

While the documentation could be a little more complete the unit was easy to use and served well. The right side panel showing upcoming cities or services (gas, restaurants, etc.) was very useful and could be tailored to display what you wanted to see.

The display and voice were adjustable to comfortable levels.

 

I recommend a Samsung Tablet, not only works as a GPS but a lot more functionality.

 

Do you have to download maps of each area you go to or is it like a reg GPS that shows most roads already?
And if you're just driving on a non road does it leave tracks like a GPS
Can you do waypoints

 

I just ordered the Elite 7 ti2 and a Ram mount and then the VVmappinng for wisconsin, hopefully this works out or wifes not going to be happy

 

Almost all Apps leave tracks, import tracks, export tracks. You can add waypoints. IMO the most best Android Apps are Gaia and BackCountry Navigator (BCN). I prefer BCN Pro.
BCN is one purchase of $14. Gaia is $20 or $40 a year. Both have many background maps (many more than GPS's)

I make free high quality highly accurate maps for WV/VA, Taylor Park, Moab, and all of Utah for Android Apps BCN and Orux. The link to these maps and instructions for installing them is below. For BCN all you have to do is copy the map file to a BCN folder, Orux requires two files. Instructions also have tips for settings and how to install background map.

MediaFire

 

Excuse my ignorance but
If I get a tablet and BCN App and drive out to the middle of nowhere here in AZ and turn the tablet on and drive down some trail somewhere I would be able to follow myself on the screen and then have a track back to where I started without any cell service?

 

Yes. Last month I rode the AZPT (779 miles in 5 days) and used BCN the whole time. I have made a AZPT map that is much better than the gpx tracks you can download from their site. Do you have an Android tablet or phone, if so BCN has a demo. I will take some BCN screenshots and post them later.

 

Thanks for the info
I don't have a tablet so I guess I'll start looking for one. You said awhile back that you recommend a Samsung any particular one?
Does the tablet need it's own service plan to use just as a GPS

 

Here are some AZPT BCN screenshots

 

Bobt- you recommend BCN over Orux? I loaded Orux and your maps and it works ok but never had any luck loading background topo. Is this easier to attain with BCN? BTW- thank you for the huge service you provide to the off-road community!

 

Yes, BCN background maps are much easier. The main advantage of Orux is that it can show dashed lines. I make all Pay to Play systems (Hatfield McCoy, Spearhead, etc) dashed to differentiate them from Outlaw trails. Orux also has a white background that is uncluttered which a few people like.

 

T/O- check the model but a lot of the Samsung tablets have a gps chipset in them and do not require any external service.

 

In BCN you will have to download your background map of choice before you go riding since you will not have internet service on the trail. The screenshots above are with two different background maps, Worldwide Imagery through ArcGis and Open Cycle. There are many more to choose from.

 

If I end up going somewhere that I didn't download a map for would I still be able to use the GPS to drive out and back, like on a blank screen?
Or is the download like a huge area

 

I paid for the BCN app and just loaded your maps, quick tutorial and I love it. I'm finding it much easier than Orux (just me). I love the sat imagery with the gradient lines and of course the trail maps overlay. Sweet!

 

Thanks for all the info I'll start looking for a tablet

 

Co driver for ultra 4 / king of the hammers here. Racing is life and we use tablets for all our nav.

I carry an Android phone but highly recommend an iPad. Gaia is significantly better on iOS as are many nav options.

Make sure you get a cell capable iPad if you go that route. The wifi only ones don't have a built in gps chip. We use the wifi only ones because we use the dual skypro GPS pucks. For non race application the internal one is plenty.

Gaia is great because you can download tons of different maps including sat imagery and even layer them. For trail rides I like to layer the Forrest service motor vehicle use maps over the national geographic base maps. Gives me lots of neat information on the area but at the same time I can just tap on a road and see what the seasonal closing or width restrictions are.

Standalone units are dead. Tablets and phones offer so much more functionality.

 

Offroad GPS Maps App: Find ATV, Dirt Bike, UTV, 4x4 Trails | onX
I noticed that OnX has just released an offroad GPS app that looks pretty good, have not tried it yet but their regular app was good

 

Offroad GPS Maps App: Find ATV, Dirt Bike, UTV, 4x4 Trails | onX
I noticed that OnX has just released an offroad GPS app that looks pretty good, have not tried it yet but their regular app was good

I wasn't a fan of their app or how much they charge for it. BUT I already had the private property information and everything they provide for hunting in GAIA.

 

T/O,
If you decide to go the Tablet route, there are a few bits and pieces that you might consider. I have BCN and have been running on a Samsung Tablet. I have one up from the least expensive and it works great. To keep it running, I bought a rubberized protective case off Amazon. It's not an Otter Box but it has provided adequate protection. We run in the desert and Sierra Nevadas so excessive rain is not a problem, but it is protected from the occasional light rain and mud splash. The other important protective element is a good screen protector. Again I bought it on Amazon. This is the one I use. Amazon.com: Supershieldz for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 inch (2017) (SM-T380 Model Only) Tempered Glass Screen Protector, Anti Scratch, Bubble Free: Computers & Accessories
In addition, I installed a USB charging port so I could power the tablet and not have to rely on it's battery.

In addition to the maps, the Tablet is also my technical library. I have manuals for my RZR, my cameras, and any other gadget that I play with.

 

T/O,
If you decide to go the Tablet route, there are a few bits and pieces that you might consider. I have BCN and have been running on a Samsung Tablet. I have one up from the least expensive and it works great. To keep it running, I bought a rubberized protective case off Amazon. It's not an Otter Box but it has provided adequate protection. We run in the desert and Sierra Nevadas so excessive rain is not a problem, but it is protected from the occasional light rain and mud splash. The other important protective element is a good screen protector. Again I bought it on Amazon. This is the one I use. Amazon.com: Supershieldz for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 inch (2017) (SM-T380 Model Only) Tempered Glass Screen Protector, Anti Scratch, Bubble Free: Computers & Accessories
In addition, I installed a USB charging port so I could power the tablet and not have to rely on it's battery.

In addition to the maps, the Tablet is also my technical library. I have manuals for my RZR, my cameras, and any other gadget that I play with.

I got a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1
Got a screen protector for it and a rubberized case to put it in, got a confirmation today from Ram that they shipped my mount. When it gets here I'll post a pic of it mounted.
Also started using ON X OFFROAD app like the fact that it covers AZ and a few other states. Checked Back Road Navigate but seems a little more complicated for my old mind.

 

Here is my setup. Ipad mini5, with waterproof case. High strength magnets on the back, Garmin Glo2 for g

ps navagation (blue tooth to ipad), then Gaia. Purchase the bezel from Polaris, about $30.

 

I just made the move from GAIA to Backcountry. I had an iPad which was the reason for running GAIA. Bought a Samsung tablet and put backcountry on it and it seems much easier. GAIA was limited to uploading 1000 tracks, so without a lot of GPS Babel work it was virtually impossible for me to get BobT maps on it that retained the color coding. I got a Samsung S5e which has an excellent bright screen.