Best GPS App for iPhone?

[Big Beard]

I’ve heard a lot of guys are using their iPhones as their GPS with an app. I’ve been trying to search out which app is the best for our backcountry usage. Is anyone running an app instead of a Garmin? If so which one are you using? From what I understand the major pro to the apps is way more user friendly than the Garmins, if anyone has any comments about that I would be very interested.

Thanks,

Big Beard

[Weatherby Fan]

Yes I use Canada Maps, pretty basic topo maps but has a tracking feature and you can add flags with names as needed, it will give you a course to navigate to a flag, you don't need cel service for this app so you can run it while your phone is in Airplane mode so uses very little battery power.

Ive used it for several years now, its simple and handy, Dave "BiG Boar" Marsh got me going on it, Im sure there are better ones but this works.

Heres a Cpl examples of the maps,

https://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/WeatherbyFan65/IMG_8145_zpszlvxjxgi.jpg (http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/WeatherbyFan65/media/IMG_8145_zpszlvxjxgi.jpg.html)
https://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/WeatherbyFan65/IMG_8150_zpsx3u8xgnp.jpg (https://s1087.photobucket.com/user/WeatherbyFan65/media/IMG_8150_zpsx3u8xgnp.jpg.html)

[Weatherby Fan]

Also has a ruler function you tap and draw on the top map, here's an example between two flags of mine,

https://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/WeatherbyFan65/IMG_8148_zpsf0fnuokf.jpg (https://s1087.photobucket.com/user/WeatherbyFan65/media/IMG_8148_zpsf0fnuokf.jpg.html)

[Weatherby Fan]

https://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j466/WeatherbyFan65/IMG_ED2B8B3C3D1E-1_zpsmfexutke.jpeg (http://s1087.photobucket.com/user/WeatherbyFan65/media/IMG_ED2B8B3C3D1E-1_zpsmfexutke.jpeg.html)

[SF2020]

I have used both Gaia and Hunt Buddy... I don't even carry my old Garmin anymore. Gaia is used a lot by the backcountry mountaineer types... you can also use an in reach with Garmins earth mate app.... if I had to pick one it would be Gaia but I have both and depending on the area the sat images can be different quality

[Huntingtyler123]

I use the inreach mini paired to my phone with the Garmin map and I use hunting buddy. Hunt buddy is accurate and reliable let’s yiu see where you are when out of service. Garmin map for inreach I’m not a fan of but works.

[hazey1]

I use topo maps.Download area you will be in and it will work all the time.

[imack91]

Another vote for GAIA GPS on iPhone - spring for the Pro or whatever version lets you download the Backroad MapBook and you're good to go; lots of other map options also available

[Big Beard]

That’s awesome. Thanks for the input guys.

Big Beard

[TheTwelve]

I use hunt buddy, pre load the map before you go in, it tracks your gps even with no service so you can always find your way back out, also shows the regions so you don’t accidentally go into the wrong region

[Wagonmaster]

Does Canada Maps have an aerial or Google Earth type view as well?

[grantk]

I use OSMAnd+. Let's you download areas for offline use, with optional topo lines as well. It uses OpenStreetMap data, which I enjoy constantly updating with new roads and trails when out with the GPS.

[The Hermit]

Started using Avena Maps this year. ITs free and has a lot of great features. Only used my Garmin Rhino for a couple check ins when out of cell coverage. All the mapping detail was with Avenza. Great app

[nighthawk]

[QI ppUOTE=Big Beard;2117969]I’ve heard a lot of guys are using their iPhones as their GPS with an app. I’ve been trying to search out which app is the best for our backcountry usage. Is anyone running an app instead of a Garmin? If so which one are you using? From what I understand the major pro to the apps is way more user friendly than the Garmins, if anyone has any comments about that I would be very interested.

Thanks,

Big Beard[/QUOTE]

I have used ihunter for years on my android phone.It has sat map with all my way points .It tracks and measures as well as many other things.

[Drillbit]

I use Ihunter too.

It's like google earth and shows exactly where you are. One of the Best 7$ I ever spent.

[whitlers]

I am trying out Gaia this year. So far so good. You can overlay satellite with BRMB which is awesome. Download the area you are going to for offline use and have at it.

For a backup I have a inreach mini with the earthmate app.

[markt308]

I use Ihunter too.

It's like google earth and shows exactly where you are. One of the Best 7$ I ever spent.

Good to know! you used to be able to use google earth and just zoom in on an area and as long as you didn't close the app it would work offline. you would come up as a little blue dot on the screen and ti was really handy! Does not work anymore with google earth.
So Ihunter lets you this eh? If so I will definitely buy it

[joshbazz]

+1 hunt buddy, +1 Canada maps

I also use onX (free) for the measurement tool between waypoints (haven’t figured how to do this with hunt buddy... but I think you can do this with Canada Maps...

[MikeBord]

IHunter over hunt buddy. I have both but use iHunter to see private lands.
Fatmaps is by far the best 3D satellite imagery out there. It shows aspect, mountain shadows, trails, avalanche, gradient and elevation.

[TheTwelve]

Was just out the other day, and hunt buddy doesn’t have private lands and I can’t add the private lands map they have on their website... someone I was with had ibunter and he could see the private lands it was helpful

[backstrap]

Avenza is great, you can get all kinds of different maps. You have to pay for some of the good ones. I like that you can buy a single page from the B.C. backroads map book and then it gives you your gps location right on it. Makes it easy to navigate the mess of roads in some areas. Can also be a big help in picking a route to pack something out, get an animal down and then look on the map and realize there’s a road way closer than the one you came from.
Mid im really out there I like my in-reach mini and Earthmate.

[Jordan f.]

I use iHunter

Works great.

[BC Cruiser]

I use Avenza also. Then download the appropriate trim map free from the B.C. government.
http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/dmf-viewer/?siteid=5628311639164388216
works well

[123xyz]

IHunter. Worth buying the upgrades- private/public land identified, maps cached for use of grid, choice of topo or satalite overlays. And the customer service gets back pronto if you have any questions. Wish they’d somehow combine an sos function - I’d pay and get rid of the inreach.

[Haydenmk]

Check out "BaseMap". Better quality imaging than hunt buddy, and shows your location. Just doesnt show MUs. I also like how you can track your Path and set markers.

[brian]

An app I used on my IPhone was Root & Branch hiking app. It doesn’t have advanced gps functions but it does have great downloadable Topo maps for offline use. It’s free no ads and I haven’t found the same app for Android. I also used gps essentials for full gps functionality, I didn’t care for it much but had an annual subscription because of the great downloadable maps. Unfortunately they don’t have the great maps available anymore. So I wouldn’t recommend it.

[Salty]

I've taken a venture into this no service gps mapping thing. The boss bought me an inreach explorer for my bday in August. I used it on a couple trips the text anywhere function is what we got it for it works awesome. I've used the tracking function and it works good. The mapping though is just contour mapping and not that great I still haven't played with it all to be honest.

After reading this thread I downloaded iHunter on my phone a couple days back, its cheap why not give it a go. Used it yesterday it worked a charm. I've done the load up the map when your in service on the phone then use the mapping with your location in areas with no service but I find iHunter way faster, way more clear and a big improvement. A lot of features to play with that I haven't even started on yet. So looks like from now on the inreach will come along for the ride for texting and the panic button feature only I'll do my mapping with iHunter.