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Bwcaorbust
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Ok, thanks. Any suggestions on free apps?
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Dammfast
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I have not used it im bwca yet but "Sygic" has worked well for me around home so far.
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muddyfeet
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I've had luck with topomaps+ as a backup.
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Ottertailvoyageur
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quote mapsguy1955: "Gaia GPS... It is great. "
+1
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mapsguy1955
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Any iPhone running software prior to IOS 8.2 may not work without being a battery hog.
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Bwcaorbust
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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
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Gaia Gps. Solid app, download maps before you go and use offline
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Ohiopikeman
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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
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mapsguy1955
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Gaia GPS... It is great.
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Bwcaorbust
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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!
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butthead
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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
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SourisMan
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I like maps.me a lot, and it's free. You just need to be sure to download the Minnesota map.
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jungro
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I'll second the Gaia
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quark2222
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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
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awbrown
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Don't you sort of like need cell phone service for these things to work? Not much of that in the BWCA.
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awbrown
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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.
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JJ47
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quote butthead:
I have no trouble with the smartphone GPS use, but that article is pretty much biased to favor smartphones.
butthead
"
+1
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Bwcaorbust
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Thank you for the great advice everyone!!!
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redoleary
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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.
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MBMW
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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.
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quark2222
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I just found this link, which seems to have a lot of pertinent info. Have to spend some time looking at it:
Tomster
Website
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Bones
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Wow quark2222, that's a lot of good information there, thanks for sharing!
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mc2mens
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quote Bones: "Wow quark2222, that's a lot of good information there, thanks for sharing!"
Yes - thanks for the link!
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barracuda
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Not free (its 1.99), but have used motionx-gps in the past. Kinda clunky UI but functioned well.
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Ragged
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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.
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Koz
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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.
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