Phone as a GPS

[HOCOMO Hunter]

I use OnX when I go out west. For a free one at home I use huntstand. It works pretty well for marking things

 

[sfdoc2000]

I have used OnX on my iPhone for several years now. Wonderful to show even small ATV trails that don't show on USGS maps. Has recording mode that can show you where you have been in case you get "lost". I can easily determine the owner of the land in county hunting areas, whether it is private, BLM, State or whatever. They can even pull weather data from the closest weather station to your location with no commercials. Only downside of OnX is on my screen I have difficulty reading some of the small print on the screen since I am 71 years old with 20/40 vision after retinal detachments. I may need to look at a larger iPad or Galaxy notebook for a larger screen. I agree to use in Airplane mode to save battery life and use on "OFFLINE"mode. I have 256 Gb memory so have half the state of Utah on 5 mile maps on my phone. For backup in rare case of emergencies I have a Yaesu VX-6 ham radio that hits any Ham repeater in the state, so there is very few areas without coverage. Much better than any cellphone.

 

[corsair4360]

I have used OnX on my iPhone for several years now. Wonderful to show even small ATV trails that don't show on USGS maps. Has recording mode that can show you where you have been in case you get "lost". I can easily determine the owner of the land in county hunting areas, whether it is private, BLM, State or whatever. They can even pull weather data from the closest weather station to your location with no commercials. Only downside of OnX is on my screen I have difficulty reading some of the small print on the screen since I am 71 years old with 20/40 vision after retinal detachments. I may need to look at a larger iPad or Galaxy notebook for a larger screen. I agree to use in Airplane mode to save battery life and use on "OFFLINE"mode. I have 256 Gb memory so have half the state of Utah on 5 mile maps on my phone. For backup in rare case of emergencies I have a Yaesu VX-6 ham radio that hits any Ham repeater in the state, so there is very few areas without coverage. Much better than any cellphone.

We live in Cache County, and I hunt with my brother over in near Vernal. He knows the area very well and I have learned the area we hunt. After years of working outside both of us do not use maps very often, unless in an unfamiliar place.

 

[redneckdan]

I may need to look at a larger iPad or Galaxy notebook for a larger screen. I agree to use in Airplane mode to save battery life and use on "OFFLINE"mode. I have 256 Gb memory so have half the state of Utah on 5 mile maps on my phone.

I have a saumsung tab2 active i use for search and rescue. The larger screen and higher capacity battery are great! I have a 512gb card in it, I have all of the MN arrow head, UP, northern WI, the black hills loaded on it and hardly made a dent in the memory capacity.

 

[kiwi49]

If you've got an Android phone, Play Store has an app called 'My Tracks'.
Brand-new from Google.
I've not had the chance/time to use it yet, so can't comment on features/usability yet.
Independent testers in the US give it a high level of praise.
Good enough for me.
My 2 New Zealand pennies worth.

 

[shooter7]

As a timber tech/wildland firefighter, I use OnX and Avenza a lot. There are a ton of free maps available for Avenza which the basic version is free. You can download free USGS quad maps of the area you plan to go into and use it on airplane mode to conserve battery. There are other maps you can buy too. They have USFS forest maps and some states offer detail GMU maps. Most maps cost 4.99 but then you own them.

 

[jasonco]

OnX user here. Droid phone, old phone and finally got a new Galaxy A7 tablet that runs it, to go in the vehicle.

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

I would use a compass and a map. Never got lost in the jungle with a compass, as I always knew I was in Panama.

 

[mpayne]

OnX user here. Droid phone, old phone and finally got a new Galaxy A7 tablet that runs it, to go in the vehicle.
View attachment 226593

I'm not too sure how your truck battery keeps up with all the electronics in your Rig!

 

[jasonco]

I'm not too sure how your truck battery keeps up with all the electronics in your Rig!

It came with a built in OEM inverter also and I'm a mechanic tech by trade. The only thing that requires full voltage, 13.8V, is the CB.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Anybody use BaseMap? I really like it. Lots of great features and overlays. Land owner, public lands, Montana block management, etc. I mark deer sightings, hunt points, etc. Has a great wind feature too.

 

[Slibey]

So I have a Garmin GPS. Works OK, but it is bulky. Since I am carrying a phone (Android) anyhow, can it be used to mark waypoints and do track backs? I see some programs offered. Some free, some not. Any experience with these programs, and would I even need a special program beyond Google Maps? Thanks in advance for your expertise!

Huntstand is pretty good

 

[ZAK13]

I use On-X on my phone, but still carry a Garmin with me, so as not to drain my phone battery down to much. I also like that fact that I can use On-X on my home computer for some online scouting, so I'm not completely blind going into a new area. I believe you get the complete lower 48 on On-X for $100 annual subscription, at least that's what I get for my plan.

 

[338 dude]

So I have a Garmin GPS. Works OK, but it is bulky. Since I am carrying a phone (Android) anyhow, can it be used to mark waypoints and do track backs? I see some programs offered. Some free, some not. Any experience with these programs, and would I even need a special program beyond Google Maps? Thanks in advance for your expertise!

Are used onyx on a DIY antelope hunt in Wyoming it works very well I like the larger screen compared to my GPS be sure to download any maps before you go to an area without cell service and as said earlier use airplane mode to save your battery