gps mapping help

[david.lemke]

i am looking at getting a portable gps and mapping programs to run off a small laptop or tablet, do you guys do something like this, if so what map apps should i be looking into and what type of portable gps and hardware works good together??????

i want these maps to be downloadable to a usb or mini sd card for use when not in internet areas or phone service areas.....which i love but the wifey has to be on her phone every second.....lol

but anyways, i am new here and not up to date with todays tech savy people, im old school trying to learn new things, computers are not good with me but i ca fix your rig or fab stuff all day long

thanks in advance for helping

 

[Nomad]

Depends on the country your in for canada and android phones or tablets I find Canada Topo works pretty good...

 

[WUzombies]

i am looking at getting a portable gps and mapping programs to run off a small laptop or tablet, do you guys do something like this, if so what map apps should i be looking into and what type of portable gps and hardware works good together??????

i want these maps to be downloadable to a usb or mini sd card for use when not in internet areas or phone service areas.....which i love but the wifey has to be on her phone every second.....lol

but anyways, i am new here and not up to date with todays tech savy people, im old school trying to learn new things, computers are not good with me but i ca fix your rig or fab stuff all day long

thanks in advance for helping

I use the BadElf GPS antenna (available for iWhatever and Android). I have the Garmin app and "Topo Maps." I download the high res USGS topo scans by the sections. You can set waypoints, etc.

 

[david.lemke]

Thanks
but for hardware what is better and easy to use
apple or windows based

 

[WUzombies]

Windows based like a mounted laptop? That option has some great choices. This would be on the top of my list if I was running a laptop (which I might do in the future): http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtdItemDetail.jsp?item=33150&section=10091

The ipad solution was cost effective and painless as I had the mini sitting idle, so it was a good choice for now and I'm happy with the result.

 

[TxTerra]

im using backcountry navigator on a galaxy s5 (android). its great! it has a crap ton of features and a pretty good learning curve to go with it, but its def worth it.

you have a large selection of maps to choose from (some are free, and some you have to have a annual subscription to download). You can also record your gps track and upload it as a gpx file to view on another tablet, computer, phone, etc

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I need to get some form of GPS (other than my Garmin lol) I just don't visit very remote locations to really make use of it. Most places a simple compass can get me out of where I am, if i get lost. I do keep paper maps of places i visit often though, they stay in a small plastic tote in the Jeep.

 

[KD7WCD]

I need to get some form of GPS (other than my Garmin lol) I just don't visit very remote locations to really make use of it. Most places a simple compass can get me out of where I am, if i get lost. I do keep paper maps of places i visit often though, they stay in a small plastic tote in the Jeep.

I love paper maps. I use to make my own with "Topo" and a large format printer I have. But more and more I find myself just using Backcountry Navigator on my Android tablet. As long as you think ahead and download the areas you will be in before you get out or Cell or WiFi range. It takes about a tenth of the time than printing a map and you can add waypoints and tracks in real time.

Put I do still love the fell and touch of a real paper map.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I love paper maps. I use to make my own with "Topo" and a large format printer I have. But more and more I find myself just using Backcountry Navigator on my Android tablet. As long as you think ahead and download the areas you will be in before you get out or Cell or WiFi range. It takes about a tenth of the time than printing a map and you can add waypoints and tracks in real time.

Put I do still love the fell and touch of a real paper map.

Maybe i need to give Backcountry Navigator a try.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

I love paper maps. I use to make my own with "Topo" and a large format printer I have. But more and more I find myself just using Backcountry Navigator on my Android tablet. As long as you think ahead and download the areas you will be in before you get out or Cell or WiFi range. It takes about a tenth of the time than printing a map and you can add waypoints and tracks in real time.

Put I do still love the fell and touch of a real paper map.

Maybe i need to give Backcountry Navigator a try.

 

[KD7WCD]

Maybe i need to give Backcountry Navigator a try.

They did have a free demo version if you want to try it out. I think is it is pretty sweet and user friendly if you have played around with similar software. They do have a pretty good looking help section online. On one thing I do find frustrating about it is the file management. Moving files for different trips and versions of trips back and forth seems cumbersome but I think that has as much to do with the Android platform as this software.