Navigation Apps
While traveling into the unknown, you need to have a way to get back into civilization. Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps may be able to navigate you to the trail, but on the trail is a little more different. Here are the apps/devices I recommend for the days off-road.
Note: For the apps, either a phone with GPS or a tablet w/ GPS or linked with satellite device like an inReach
Gaia
Some sample layers available
This is the one I use personally since the beginning (they had 5 year plans before Outside) One of the best things about Gaia is that it has many layers with a bunch of different information.Want to see the satellite view? Curious about cell service in an area or historical snow levels? Gaia has all these layers you can see. Gaia also does a good job of recording your trail accurately.
Their route creation system is pretty good w/ magnetic following of trails. Adding waypoints or marking certain features are easy as well. If you have a membership with TrailsOffroad, you can even upload a trail straight into Gaia. Uploading other GPS files are also available through the website. There are a few downside I see with Gaia is that there is a learning curve. It takes a little while to figure out how to use the layers and other info properly. To download offline maps, you also have to pay for a membership.
Membership: Free, $4.99/mo Premium, $7.49/mo Premium/Outside+
Sample of a trail I created.
OnX Offroad
Founded in 2009 as a hunting app, OnX has quickly gained steamed in the off-road world with all the marketing and added features. Like Gaia, you can upload Gpx, track your ride, and add waypoints. The biggest differences is how easy it is to find a trail. In general, OnX is extremely user-friendly. Trails are clearly marked and when you click on it, it gives information on difficulty, miles, and other things. It is pretty similar to TrailsOffroad in that aspect, and it’s nice that it is built into the app. They also have a pretty neat 3D map rendering and overall the look of the maps looks better. It is also a little cheaper on the Premium membership than Gaia.
App view of OnX
Like everything, there are a few downsides. One is that so far it is only available in North America. For my planing in Iceland, I pretty much had to solely use my Gaia app. They also don’t have a lot of layers yet with info as of now, but I could see that changing. Their Elite membership is also more expensive than Gaias, and the Property Boundaries is only available on the highest level.
Some of the info given by OnX on a trail
Website
Membership: Free, $2.92/mo Premium, $8.33/mo Elite
Garmin Tread
Want to be old-school or have a dedicated navigation device? Then the Garmin Tread is for you, although way more expensive. Rather than switching from Google, Waze, or Apple to your trail app, you can do all the navigating from one device. Not only that, but the 8” and 10” version of the tread comes with inReach built in (needs subscription). You can even add backup cameras, communications, or a power switch to power accessories. You can download other maps as well if you need more maps and there are some 3rd party maps out there as well.
I personally haven’t used one, but I have always considered it. I have a few friends who I trust that have used it and love it. The biggest con to me is the price. It is more expensive than buying a tablet and satellite messenger to connect.
8” Overland: $1299
10” Overland: $1499