Sorry I'm so late with the notes from last Friday. I just completely forgot to post them. They are raw, i.e. I didn't edit them.
Also here is the list of navigation software that Don VA2EEK e-mailed to me:
Here is my list of Navigation Tools with links and some comments as appropriate. It really boils down to how much you want to spend for subscriptions that include different map layers. Some platforms are leaning towards the "social" aspect with sharing routes/tracks, and sharing (geo-coded) pictures, and reviews of routes, etc. So it comes down to what features are available on the platform and what mapping functions you want to accomplish. Keeping in mind that is't a good idea to have a backup, pick your favourite GPS tool for phone/tablet, but be aware of what happens with you lose cell service and need to have previously downloaded maps, or have another system that has the maps in them already for offline use, and have paper maps as a backup.
1. GaiaGPS "Premium" membership -- App and Website
Layers I like:
"Outdoors" combines topography and roads and trails. OpenStreetMaps has trails, but no topo. The Gaia topo layers are ok, and I use the metric flavour being in Canada.
Backroads Mapbook Canada - lots of roads, trails, old logging roads, etc. that may not be on most newer maps.
Canada Topo (see also below)
A couple of different satellite views, resolution is sort of "Meh" ... Google Maps satellite view is sometimes better.
2. ViewRanger -- App and Website
Quite a "sociable" app (share hiking tracks, etc.) We are examining this app for capturing tracks on cell phones when SAR team GPS might not be available, or for spontaneous volunteers to capture tracks.
3. Garmin Montana GPS with large micro-SD card for a bunch of maps: Canada Topo, OpenStreet Maps, TrakMaps Topo maps, Ibycus Topo v4 (a bit dated, but free)
Garmin BaseCamp coupled with Garmin GPSes (obviously).
4. Maps, paper maps, fold out maps, mapbook maps, even printed maps from Google maps.
5. Google Maps -- App and Website
Handy doing recess, nice to jump into StreetView and check out highway exit ramps, or get different locales (handy for exercise planning-- if the Google Cam Car has been out that way!) and satellite view is quite handy as well.
6. Canada Topo maps -- App and website
www.atlas.gc.ca
These are digitized 1:50,000 and 1:250,000 maps from the Government of Canada. Really old school, especially with the likes of GaiaGPS and other vector type mapping systems out there now, but you'd be surprised what you might pick up from these (old) maps. e.g., railway tracks, recently abandoned, but have been removed without a trace from newer maps, not even labeled "abandoned".
7. Avenza Maps -- App
This app uses geo-coded .PDF files and takes a lot of storage (some maps get large), but with good maps you can zoom in and out and get good detail. Downloaded and used this app a few years ago for a backroads recce the SAR team did where the only maps available were these .PDF, so this was the app to use. Not something I currently use, but it is another tool.
8. OsmAnd - Offline Maps -- App
Downloaded and experimented with at about the same time as Avenza. Not something I currently use, but it is another tool.
9. CALTopo / SARTopo -- App and Website depending on which subscription version is used. Some members of our SAR team use this for exercise planning, annotating maps for search tasks, and its ability to print maps. Different map layers which are the same/similar to those found in other platforms.
| Check In | Call Sign | Name | Loccation | Notes |
| 1 | w7br | brent | packwood wa | uses Gaia Pro. Have it on Android and Samsung Galaxy notepad mounted on a ram mount. Has phone setup as a hotspot. He will download maps ahead of time to have the maps when out of cell range. He's been putting in waypoints which allow him to share with others. When he with the dogs they like to turn off the navagation system and randomly go somewhere and then find their way back home sometimes even the next day. Also doing a trip through Utah and AZ in the beginning of October. Meeting in Moab Oct 4 & 5th. |
| 2 | km6gwu | dan | fountain valley, ca | Use Gaia on his laptop which is symced to his ipad and iphone. Then uses the Garmin media center and uses that to zero in within 200 yrds or so. Also used waypoints a little bit. Waiting for his new end fed antenna that's on order. Getting his general at the end of the month. |
| 3 | ki5kff | rich | central tx | motor vehicle maps. Have download gaia gps. Also has Onyx off-road. |
| 4 | w8ill | will | just outside of Detroit MI | just settin back and takin it easy. |
| 5 | n7phy | ed | edmonds wa | Has Gaia Pro running now for planning. In the truck he can run it on the infotainment screen. The built in maps in the vehicle show the FS roads. Google Earth as well. Challenges are secuing the iPad - bounces around. |
| 6 | k5tin | shane | baton rouge | Uses Gaia Pro. Has it on a Galaxy Pad. Also carries a Garmin GPS with large screen. That will show more fine detail. |
| 7 | k7xpo | brien | tuscon az | If you have been using the OB app on android. There is a new version out. If anybody is interested in helping out with the communication group. Uses Gaia as well as w |
| 8 | vk7vwk | Randall | Hobart Tasmania AUS | Discussed how to get on Echolink through your local repeater, if available. Also mentioned that HTs are very handy when you have a spotter out in front for them to communicate with the driver of the vehicle. |
| 9 | va2eek | Don | Ontario Canada | He has a large and will send a list. I will post in the forum. Gaia and Garmin Montana are his main go to apps. I will post Don's list in a separate posting in the forum. |
| 10 | KE8GFR | Persa | Southern Idaho | Planning phases are a little more important for her. The planning phase relies on Google searches. Uses paper maps and Gaia on her phone. Thinking about CarPlay device in her truck. For canoeing she QGIS on the computer to download maps for the specific terrain and then print them. Wants to know if AARL has any ideas that on-line testing will be a permenant thing. Do most people carry handhelds. |
| 11 | vk2dy | robert | Sydney AUS | Late checkin, but mentioned that spring is coming around in Sydney. |
