I've seen some threads discussing GPS apps, but I'm still unclear. Is there an Android GPS app with maps that include portages, campsites, and lake depth contours?

I know...I still bring map and compass, but I'm intrigued by technology.

I have only used an old retired IPhone but Android should work just fine. Hopefully someone chimes in on free ones but PaddleNav and Navionicsshould work. Just check your App Store.



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I have used my Android as a GPS without any major problems. The two apps that I have tried are Gaia and Backcountry Navigator. Neither of these are free, but I think you can download a free version of BCN for a short trial (2 weeks maybe). With both of these apps, once you buy/download the app, you can download a large variety of maps for free. I have only done US maps, so I can't comment on Canadian maps. There are 24k CalTopo maps, mapquest road maps, USFS maps (which I like for the BW), aerial maps and more that can be downloaded for free. If you are going to be out of cell service, you must first download the maps you want. Some of these maps have lake contours, but since I don't really fish much, I haven't examined lake contours in depth (lame pun, I know). Although I haven't used it, Navionics is a popular app for fishermen, so if lake contours are your #1 concern, it might be worth checking out.

Anyway, the GPS apps allow you to import/export waypoints and tracks, so you can include campsites, portages, etc. They also show in real time where you are located and can record your tracks. Here's an example of the track recorded using Backcountry Navigator on a Samsung Galaxy S5.

quote cycle003: "I have used my Android as a GPS without any major problems. The two apps that I have tried are Gaia and Backcountry Navigator. Neither of these are free, but I think you can download a free version of BCN for a short trial (2 weeks maybe). With both of these apps, once you buy/download the app, you can download a large variety of maps for free. I have only done US maps, so I can't comment on Canadian maps. There are 24k CalTopo maps, mapquest road maps, USFS maps (which I like for the BW), aerial maps and more that can be downloaded for free. If you are going to be out of cell service, you must first download the maps you want. Some of these maps have lake contours, but since I don't really fish much, I haven't examined lake contours in depth (lame pun, I know). Although I haven't used it, Navionics is a popular app for fishermen, so if lake contours are your #1 concern, it might be worth checking out.


Anyway, the GPS apps allow you to import/export waypoints and tracks, so you can include campsites, portages, etc. They also show in real time where you are located and can record your tracks. Here's an example of the track recorded using Backcountry Navigator on a Samsung Galaxy S5.


"

Thanks for the response! I bought BCN, and just started playing around with it. I see how to download a section of a map to use when offline. How, though, do you import portages and campsites? Are you referring to marking them when you're actually on your trip?

Thanks again.

Yeah, both importing and exporting data is possible. The app can be a bit confusing "databases", "map folders", "trips", "tracks", "waypoints", etc., and figuring out where one fits inside another isn't always intuitive.

If you click the menu button, there's a place to choose the database, when you do, it gives you a bunch of options for importing/exporting. For example, I imported a gpx file that has all the bwca campsites and portage landings. The file "bwca-camp-port-wpt.gpx" is available all over the internet, but if you want, I can send it to you. You can also export (it's called "share") data, but I'm not sure how much control you have over choosing which data to export. Also, the USFS maps already have campsites and portages marked, but I think there might be some missing campsites.

quote cycle003: "Yeah, both importing and exporting data is possible. The app can be a bit confusing "databases", "map folders", "trips", "tracks", "waypoints", etc., and figuring out where one fits inside another isn't always intuitive.


If you click the menu button, there's a place to choose the database, when you do, it gives you a bunch of options for importing/exporting. For example, I imported a gpx file that has all the bwca campsites and portage landings. The file "bwca-camp-port-wpt.gpx" is available all over the internet, but if you want, I can send it to you. You can also export (it's called "share") data, but I'm not sure how much control you have over choosing which data to export. Also, the USFS maps already have campsites and portages marked, but I think there might be some missing campsites."

Thanks Cycle. I'm glad to hear someone found the terminolgy used a bit confusing. It's starting to sink in though, and I now see how to import gpx files. Very interesting stuff!