Is anyone aware of an off grid mobile map app for the Boundary Waters with portages and camp sites marked?

Thanks

Not that I know of. I have used topo maps+ before. It works offline as long as you download the maps ahead of time. It has pretty detailed maps with some portages, but no sites though. I use it as a backup to paper maps in case I get lost.

quote KSK: "Is anyone aware of an off grid mobile map app for the Boundary Waters with portages and camp sites marked?

Thanks
"

What good would an off the grid electronic map possibly serve that a paper map wouldn't, not trying to be argumentative serious question?

quote starman: "

quote KSK: "Is anyone aware of an off grid mobile map app for the Boundary Waters with portages and camp sites marked?


Thanks
"

What good would an off the grid electronic map possibly serve that a paper map wouldn't, not trying to be argumentative serious question?"

The gps in the phone can locate or track your location on the map. That would be the functionality of a paper map and standalone gps combined.

quote muddyfeet: "The gps in the phone can locate or track your location on the map. That would be the functionality of a paper map and standalone gps combined."

Actually, doesn't the phone app offer the functionality of a standalone gps minus the ability to save waypoints or tracks? minus the waterproof feature? minus the battery life? I'm not trying to be argumentative, either; I have seriously considered a couple of different phone apps for use in the wild. I just can't see a huge advantage, much less bring myself to do it. (I suppose the additional cost for a gps would be the driving factor, tho.)

quote schweady: "

quote muddyfeet: "The gps in the phone can locate or track your location on the map. That would be the functionality of a paper map and standalone gps combined."

Actually, doesn't the phone app offer the functionality of a standalone gps minus the ability to save waypoints or tracks? minus the waterproof feature? minus the battery life? I'm not trying to be argumentative, either; I have seriously considered a couple of different phone apps for use in the wild. I just can't see a huge advantage, much less bring myself to do it. (I suppose the additional cost for a gps would be the driving factor, tho.)
"

As you allude, it depends on your baseline. If you're starting with a basic knowledge of orienteering, the GPS/Phone will only confirm what you already know. However, it's a new day and using my kids who are in their 20's as an example, they have absolutely no interest in learning how to ready a map (despite my numerous attempts at educating them). There are now apps available that do match the functionality of handheld GPS units (including waypoints/tracks-of course some cellphones are better equipped than others).So for them, sending them into the wilderness with only a map would be just like putting a technologically challenged individual with only a cellphone in the same situation. I would personally never enter the wilderness without a map, but I'll admit that I like the ability to nail down my "exact" position when I'm fishing. I have used the Navionics app with my iPhone very successfully on lakes where there is no cell reception, but haven't tried it in the BWCA yet (I'll get my chance next month and can't wait).

I use an app called motionX gps on my phone. This allows me to load custom maps, and use the phones GPS capability even outside of cell range. I can mark waypoints and routes, and easily locate my position just as I would with GPS. It gives me the added ability to use the phone as a camera with geotagging, and I can carry any resource reading material I want. I solve the waterproof question with a lifeproof case, and I carry an external battery for recharging. So, benefits are:

*gps unit without purchasing a dedicated device
*camera
*books/notes
*music if I need it to fall asleep by
*in a pinch, a flashlight
*i'd have it with me anyway for when I exit the park

quote charliez317: "As you allude, it depends on your baseline..."

quote Atb: "I use an app called motionX gps on my phone..."

Fair enough. Funny how I'm probably just as hesitant to pay $1.99 for an app as some others are in paying $199.00 for a handheld. :-)

I'm kind of a died-in-the-wool paper map user, but the technology over the last couple years has really won me over.

...maybe the powers that be at BWCA.COM could create an app with everything we need :-)

Maps, routes, ability to geotag photos and campsites?

...certainly someone smarter than me can do it?

With an android phone give Backcountry Navigator app a try. There are multiple map layers one being a US forest service that lists a fair amount of portages and campsites.

quote TwoByGreenCanoe: "With an android phone give Backcountry Navigator app a try. There are multiple map layers one being a US forest service that lists a fair amount of portages and campsites."

I use this as well.

I've used my old retired iPhone 4s as a GPS, the maps I've I used are navionics and paddlenav. It was more accurate than the handheld GPS someone else brought along. Plus I used it as a camera.

Just make sure ya shut down the wifi and cell signals or your battery will die quickly.

Pretty good for a phone that was basically free and weighs about a tenth of my GPS.

The negative is if you want to use it all day the battery will never last a whole trip, so ya better have a solar charger or battery pack along (sort of defeats the lighter option part about it :) ), but for me just taking occasional pics and occasionally checking my position it lasts an entire trip.

T

Here is a paddlenav pic

quote TwoByGreenCanoe: "With an android phone give Backcountry Navigator app a try. There are multiple map layers one being a US forest service that lists a fair amount of portages and campsites."

I loaded the same onto my Android phone, although I have not used it in the field, I find myself using it often when daydreaming about the next trip. Best part, its free.

Enerplex makes a great super light charger or extra battery booster.

Or you can recharge from your depth finder battery.

Thanks for the responses. Just curious if anyone has used the PaddleNav app? How did it work? Thanks

I have Gaia gps on a Samsung tablet and down loaded the national forest map that includes the BWCA. It has portages campsites and topo contours. Should be a good backup to confirm position. Would not use it as a primary resource, but as an addition to map and compas