Overland Planning Tools

[Lifestyle Overland]

What tools do you use for planning and navigating your overland adventures?

I'll start:

1) Google Earth (For overview)
2) Hard Copy Map (Batteries never die)
3) Garmin Montana 600 (For current location and trip metrics)
4) Delorme inReach (Slowing phasing this into the kit, mostly an SOS unit but love the ability to text locations and share them on facebook.)

 

[Mad Garden Gnome]

1) Gaia GPS on tablet and phone (topographic maps, NFS maps, aerial views) & Google Maps
2) Printed Maps & Compass

 

[Wolvee]

I almost always start with Google Earth for long trips and new terrain.

 

[Jbourcier]

1) Google Earth
2)Garmin Basecamp
3) Garmin bird eye view
4) Garmin 62st
5) Iphone
6) paper maps

 

[jdunk]

I use my Garmin Rhino with Basecamp, Google Earth, paper maps, and a mobile app called "Maprika".

Maprika is a fantastic app that lets you download maps that people have uploaded. I try to always download the different paper maps that I'm taking with me. Once the maps are downloaded, the app works offline with your phone or tablets GPS.

It also has the ability to add friends so that you can keep track of each other. Of course, that requires some kind of access to the internet.

 

[Nomad]

Mostly just use my right foot till I get to the end of the road then head back and try another to the end and so on.....

 

[SLO Rob]

Google Earth to get my bearings. Gaia to download area. paper after that. cell phones while they can... Getting an older Garmin Rhino, which I'm excited to get to know.

 

[Michael]

1. iPhone w/ Waze (don't set it and forget it)
2. Paper Map (DeLorme)
3. DeLorme InReach Explorer
4. Google Earth - Just started this, but seems like a good option for creating and sharing waypoints in KMZ format! GPD Coord-sharing post

On a few occasions I have imported the kms format via the InReach Explorer website, and downloaded the route to our DeLorme. That's how we located the Spring Bottom Trail in Utah!

M

 

[deeker]

If I know the trail - I just go. I likely have waypoints stored in my GPS, a paper copy in my trail maps binder and the trail highlighted in my copy of the Backroads MapBook. Those three things go with me on almost all trips, if nothing more than conversation fodder.

If it's new to me, I'll look on Google Earth and get an idea of the length and terrain. Sadly, in most of the areas I go the satellite images are still really low resolution. If I can find a KMZ file, I'll look at it and load it into my GPS so I can keep an eye on things. I'll print out a copy of the map and stick it a plastic sleeve in my binder - for the same reason as @stringtwelve stated... never runs out of batteries!

 

[MA_Trooper]

My process:
1. Use Google Earth and MapsEngine to plot route
2. Turn route into .gpx / .kmz
3. Import .gpx into MotionX on iPhone
4. Download tiles required for offline navigation in MotionX from favorite map source
5. Follow route in MotionX on iPhone
6. Consult paper maps when necessary

 

[MOAK]

Maps, good old fashioned maps, especially the topo maps from National Geographic, and along with them a nice compass. I may google earth an area before we head out, but that's just a luxury toy, not anything I would depend upon while out and about on two tracks or hiking.

 

[Robert OB 33/48]

I use several ones;
1. Mappoint by Microsoft. Europe. It is great. We can cover about ninety percent of all our trips with
2. Google Earth.
3. Memory Maps
4. TTQV-4
5. Wikiloc
6. Travel guides
7. My eyes and instinct during the trip itself. ( this looks nice, just go there and see what happens)

For Morocco there will be some paper maps as well.

 

[gcg]

My planning tools are pretty old now (but, hey, so am I) but still work very well for me. I use software from National Geographic called TOPO!. Unfortunately it is no longer available but I still use what I have. It's based on USGS topo maps digitally stitched together seamlessly. I start planning for a trip by bringing up the map of the area and "drawing" my intended route on it and saving it. I then use a laptop in the Jeep (also running TOPO!) with an attached USB GPS receiver. I continuously track my actual position on the map using it and I can tell at a glance if I'm still traveling on my intended route (the one I drew on the map) or not.

I carry a backup computer and receiver "just in case" and I always have printed copies of the map along just in case all that fails. I also carry a compass in case I really need to navigate with the paper map.

These tools have worked very well for me over many years. It's too bad that NG has discontinued the software, but the general approach, I believe, is good and I'll probably need to look for similar, more modern tools in the future. I also have a copy of Backcountry Navigator on my phone but generally don't use it much.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Google maps
Paper maps
Turn-by-turn directions (Hand written using the route I want)
GPS (Garmin, don't know model)
I also have various topo maps of common areas i go on my phone and tablet....(All of them work offline also)

I don't trust GPS units (Like my Garmin) they seem to have a mind of their own at times. I always plan out route on paper then start GPS and use it as a last resort.

 

[RescueRangers]

For planning;
Google-
Forums/website trip reports/youtube videos-
Maps

For Execusion
Maps

All the maps I will need on the trip are stored in this canvas bag.
The nav system that came with the Jeep (730) isn't all that good so its mostly just a back up, "you are now at __-__-__ __-__-__".

We really don't worry about getting lost, getting lost is true exploration.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

For planning;
Google-
Forums/website trip reports/youtube videos-
Maps

For Execusion
Maps
View attachment 722
All the maps I will need on the trip are stored in this canvas bag.
The nav system that came with the Jeep (730) isn't all that good so its mostly just a back up, "you are now at __-__-__ __-__-__".

We really don't worry about getting lost, getting lost is true exploration.

What brand is the net you have to separate the cargo area? I am looking for something like this for my WJ.

 

[RescueRangers]

What brand is the net you have to separate the cargo area? I am looking for something like this for my WJ.

Motion-Tek JK 07-13, Adventure Series, Jeep Cargo Nets, Rear and Side Window Set, I got it from Northridge 4x4. It is a standard cargo net designed to follow the roll bar to the trailgate. I took it down instead, it follows the angle of the back seat. Take the middle tiedown and put in on the end, and the end tiedown and switch it to the middle. Only other modification is getting two d-rings and attach them to the seat mount to hook the end tiedown to.

 

[toxicity_27]

I use Google Earth and Backcountry Navigator. I want to get some paper maps, and learn to use those with a compass so I have a backup.

 

[maktruk]

I use Google Earth and Backcountry Navigator. I want to get some paper maps, and learn to use those with a compass so I have a backup.

We started the same way, G-Earth and BCNav, which were awesome for the limited areas we were traversing. As we found more and more different signage, the wife (my navigator) started buying paper maps. First at the various ranger stations we passed, then she got wise and started ordering fully updated USFS atlases.

G-maps now has offline maps available as well, same as BCNav, select area and save to phone/tablet

 

[maktruk]

As for compass...

I have excellent luck with Bruntons...

Watch and phone-based compasses are neat, but keep a magnetic or two around...