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Bwcaorbust
  
07/22/2016 01:48PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I am looking for an iPhone app to use for gps as a backup to my maps and compass. Any suggestions?
 
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redoleary
distinguished member (429)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/22/2016 02:00PM  
Gaia Gps. Solid app, download maps before you go and use offline
 
Bwcaorbust
  
07/22/2016 02:08PM  
Ok, thanks. Any suggestions on free apps?
 
Dammfast
distinguished member (404)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/22/2016 02:18PM  
I have not used it im bwca yet but "Sygic" has worked well for me around home so far.
 
barracuda
distinguished member (241)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/23/2016 08:58AM  
Not free (its 1.99), but have used motionx-gps in the past. Kinda clunky UI but functioned well.
 
Koz
distinguished member (102)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/24/2016 09:50AM  
I don't know if they have it for iPhones, but I use Backcountry Navigator Pro on my Android device. I use it all the time in the backcountry and even while working out around town to track my mileage and elevation climbed.

Worth ditching the iPhone and moving over to Android for. Just my opinion.
 
SourisMan
distinguished member(583)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/24/2016 04:32PM  
I like maps.me a lot, and it's free. You just need to be sure to download the Minnesota map.
 
jungro
member (48)member
  
07/24/2016 04:56PM  
I'll second the Gaia
 
07/24/2016 07:00PM  
Don't you sort of like need cell phone service for these things to work? Not much of that in the BWCA.
 
redoleary
distinguished member (429)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/24/2016 07:33PM  
quote awbrown: "Don't you sort of like need cell phone service for these things to work? Not much of that in the BWCA."


Nope, download maps before you go so they're on the phones hard drive, the gps receiver in the phone does not use cell towers it uses satellites.
 
07/24/2016 08:51PM  
Interesting. So - Do you put the phone in airplane mode while you are on your canoe trip? Thanks. The battery goes quick if it is constantly looking for a cell tower. I have an I-phone 4S.

Tomster
 
MBMW
  
07/24/2016 08:52PM  
I know you are looking for a free app but for anyone looking to tackle the waters in BWCA you will not be disappointed with Navionics. It provides full topography with GPS. I use it on an old iPhone I have laying around and ordered a water proof case with a wrist strap from Amazon and is by the far the most bang for buck utility. You don't need cell service since the maps are downloaded to your phone and only utilizes satellite communication to find your location and overlays that over the map. Always works, I even use it on airplane mode to avoid a email from civilization getting through.
 
07/24/2016 08:59PM  
I just found this link, which seems to have a lot of pertinent info. Have to spend some time looking at it:

Tomster

Website
 
Bones
member (38)member
  
07/25/2016 02:09AM  
Wow quark2222, that's a lot of good information there, thanks for sharing!
 
mc2mens
distinguished member(3311)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/25/2016 04:23AM  
quote Bones: "Wow quark2222, that's a lot of good information there, thanks for sharing!"


Yes - thanks for the link!
 
07/25/2016 06:13AM  
I have had pretty good luck using MotionX for the past 5 years or so. Not sure if its the best because I haven't checked out others, but I haven't checked out others because this has worked so well for me.
 
07/25/2016 07:22AM  
quote redoleary: "
quote awbrown: "Don't you sort of like need cell phone service for these things to work? Not much of that in the BWCA."



Nope, download maps before you go so they're on the phones hard drive, the gps receiver in the phone does not use cell towers it uses satellites."


Thanks for the information. I only recently purchased a "smart" phone and learn something new every day.
 
07/25/2016 08:24AM  
quote quark2222: "I just found this link, which seems to have a lot of pertinent info. Have to spend some time looking at it:

Tomster

Website "


As an owner and user of several handheld units and also use a smartphone for some apps as a mini tablet (primarily email, GoPro monitor and GPS, have no dataplan current with it but get good wifi when near a hotspot)). The comparisons listed are a bit overboard.
I just bought a refurbished Garmin 62st for $225, it takes easily found AA batteries and will run continuously and track for 20 hours. It is rated for water immersion and the unit is much more rugged.
I have no trouble with the smartphone GPS use, but that article is pretty much biased to favor smartphones.


butthead
 
07/25/2016 02:13PM  
quote butthead:
I have no trouble with the smartphone GPS use, but that article is pretty much biased to favor smartphones.



butthead
"


+1
 
Bwcaorbust
  
07/25/2016 05:22PM  
Thank you for the great advice everyone!!!
 
mapsguy1955
distinguished member(583)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/27/2016 11:58AM  
Gaia GPS... It is great.
 
Ohiopikeman
distinguished member (155)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/27/2016 07:22PM  
I've used an iphone app called Paddlenav that runs $9.99 for the past couple of years. I have been pleased with this application. It shows all of the portages and campsites.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paddlenav/id665699447?mt=8

Dave

 
Bwcaorbust
  
07/27/2016 07:45PM  
quote Ohiopikeman: "I've used an iphone app called Paddlenav that runs $9.99 for the past couple of years. I have been pleased with this application. It shows all of the portages and campsites.


https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paddlenav/id665699447?mt=8


Dave

Hi Dave--with paddlenav, are you able to download maps and save them prior to entering the BWCA? The reviews I read seemed to be negative, but it sounded like people were trying to open and access maps with cell service with no luck(duh). If they can be downloaded and saved, I think this would be perfect!
 
mapsguy1955
distinguished member(583)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/13/2017 08:10AM  
Any iPhone running software prior to IOS 8.2 may not work without being a battery hog.
 
Ottertailvoyageur
distinguished member (105)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/14/2017 02:42PM  
quote mapsguy1955: "Gaia GPS... It is great. "


+1
 
muddyfeet
distinguished member(742)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
07/17/2017 11:29PM  

I've had luck with topomaps+ as a backup.
 
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