GPS/mapping units

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
Since you asked, I'm going to answer, knowing totally it's not what you wanted to hear. But this is what I use.

I have an old school Lowrance Expedition C handheld. I think more of it than Starfleet thinks of Tri-corders, in vehicle and out, on road or off, I always know where I'm at. Heck it even has a barometer. I use it in the vehicle to navigate highways to this day, even though it has no auto route capability. It's seen Nashville's interstates all the way to hiking in thickets, to being strapped to the dash of a kayak. I say old school, but this was top of the line only a few years ago, before "mobile devices" took off ridiculously as the jack of all trades master of none devices. While most people were dropping their phones and fancy tablets in the creek once and having to replace them, I was using my handheld in the rain, face planting it in the dirt, dropping it on rocks, and mashing it on my backpack for years, and I'm still using it every time I leave the region of Earth I know like the back of my hand. I doesn't loose signal in the trees, doesn't complain about no connection to load maps, and sure as heck never rings when someone thinks they are going to bug me while I am busy exploring.

Sadly though, I will probably watch this thread with interest, as I too probably need to upgrade to a tablet for in vehicle navigation. My netbook never was that great in the vehicle, and I ultimately stuck with the handheld for 90% of trips since it was click it in the suction mount and go. The netbook is a pain with cables and mounts.

For mapping software, a little time on Google earth to mentally familiarize myself with the area was usually enough to find a path, but not always efficient. As far as interfacing with GPS, I ran MapPoint 2006, a really high end corporate version of Streets and Trips I found cheap. I also ran a number of other now obsolete programs, that don't do me much good today.

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Xterraforce

<img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u7/ra
Founding Member
Location
Signal Mtn., TN
Man I love the handheld Lowrance Expedition. I never owned or used one but used to ride with a guy that had one. I couldn't afford one at the time but I sure wanted one. I'd be perfectly happy with an updated version of it if there is such a thing.
 

gorillamel

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
Idaho!
I have not heard of this system, but it sounds pretty fabulous to me. I'll have to look into it more.
 

gorillamel

Lockers Installed
Founding Member
Location
Idaho!
I was also wondering what phone/tablet apps people are using for GPS tracking and mapping? I will be getting a new phone in the next few months and want to make sure I get one ideal for off roading in the boonies and still being able to map/track me (as best it can).

I am not pro-iphone or pro-android, so apps for either one mentioned on here will be taken into consideration.
 

Silver dude

Sliders
Founding Member
Using a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 the Samsungs have a external SD card slot which helps as downloading map files can take up lots of space.

Been using the free app Oruxmaps with huge success. Tons of map options easy to use. I've tried the pricey options back country navigator and something else. But, I find oruxmaps to be the most effective.

I generally process and waypoint where I want to go in Google Earth on my PC. When its time to go I load my track and waypoints to the tablet and head out.
 

mudchet

Got Mud?<br><img src="http://i164.photobucket.com/
Founding Member
Location
Brentwood, TN
I use the MotionX GPS app on my iPad, its available on the iphone as well. I used it at nXm last year and I now have tracks (breadcrumbs of where I have been) of all the trails we ran last year. You can share those tracks via email, facebook, twitter. You can also attach images to points along the track for scenic vistas or whatever it is you want to capture. It also has a very cool feature that allows multiple vehicles to share their locations so that you can monitor other vehicle locations in real time. This feature requires a cell signal, so it may not be all that important to those Who are out west and truly get into some remote areas.

If you are thinking more of the Android route, smplone has postings somewhere here on XN where he talks about the app he uses on his Android.
 

SteeevO

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
fontana,ca
I run a lowrance hds 5m.
There are various map cards available for it depending on what you're doing. Im also in the process of making map cards specifically for different regions of blm and forestry service land with satellite imagery. (Up to 0.3M/px resolution)

The first map to market will be Johnson valley/the hammers then San bernardino national forest, and ocotillo Wells. These will have sat imagery, trails and trail ratings. And some points of interest.

Custom maps for your preferred area will also be available.

I wasn't going to let the cat put.of the bag quite yet but.I came accross this thread and couldn't resist. Ill have to post screen shots later as well. I think you all will be impressed.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.
 

SteeevO

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
fontana,ca
Sneak peek of the incomplete Johnson valley map card.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.
 

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Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
If you don't mind my asking, how are you going about the data translation? Outsourcing the work or have you bought the software to do it yourself?

I've considered trying it, but it's not worth it to me to buy the software for a one off job, and not knowing if the data I have even works with it.
 

SteeevO

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
fontana,ca
I have partnered with lowrance directly and which got me started but I now have 6 different pieces of software that aid in doing a handfull of different things to the data before converting it to lowrances proprietary format, AT5.

I can't say much more than that.
But yes im doing it all myself and pulling data from multiple sources. Including tracing trails myself.
Its not exactly a weekend project.

Im also going to be adding local repeaters , cell towers and noaa weather towers with the frequencies for each noaa and Ham radio tower.

Ill also be doing other areas after Johnson valley is done.
And im up for suggestions.

Im also working with funteeks to convert the guidebooks to a mapcard with all the information from the book.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.
 

Airmapper

First Fill-Up (of many)
That is pretty cool, I like the amount of data your putting in as well. I've casually worked with GIS software in the past and found it really interesting. Glad someone is working with that format, Lowrance is a bit underrated at times, especially by people too interested in playing with thier phones or want a dumbed down interface. Good luck with the venture, I figure all your stuff will be out west so it's doubtful I'll need any, but I think it's an awesome project.
 

SteeevO

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
fontana,ca
Just realized I totally jacked this thread. If a mod wants to split this thread. Please do so.

Sent while mobile, typos likely.
 

Kirzzy

Test Drive
Location
Doha, Doha Qatar
So I came across this thread and have .02c to add. I used android and iPad applications and after a few smashed devices, decided to get a mounted solution instead. I looked at the Lowrance stuff but decided it's just not for me. Too much marine and not enough off road. None if you outside of North America.
I instead went with the Garmin 276CX. It's a tough piece on tech and plenty on free map recourses out there for my adventures around the world.
 

TerryD

Total Tease
Supporting Member
Location
Covington, Va
So I came across this thread and have .02c to add. I used android and iPad applications and after a few smashed devices, decided to get a mounted solution instead. I looked at the Lowrance stuff but decided it's just not for me. Too much marine and not enough off road. None if you outside of North America.
I instead went with the Garmin 276CX. It's a tough piece on tech and plenty on free map recourses out there for my adventures around the world.

That's a beefy looking piece of tech.
 

meisanerd

Need Bigger Tires
One thing I do appreciate about a few of the Garmin's is that you can load your own maps on them. There are a few guys online that convert OpenStreetMap data for the devices that I use on my hand-held, and if you are somewhat technical, it is fairly simple to create your own if you can't find exactly what you want (ie: if you want topo data).
 
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