Last spring I was looking to buy a GPS. One of our members recommended to me to purchase the GAIA GPS app for my Iphone.
Cost was $20, so I thought what do I have to lose.
I messed around with the app on/off all summer. I have been planning a backcountry hunt in Wyoming, so I was constantly studying the app, marking potential "honeyholes", potential camp spots, water sources etc. Then on the 7th of Sept, I head out. I spent 8 days in the mountains, and the app worked flawlessly!!!
No trouble acquiring satellite signal, even on airplane mode and in the thick timber.
The topo maps were of better detail then my hunting partners Garmin, plus I could use the satellite imagery (just like google earth). I loaded this app on my Iphone 6plus, so the screen was much larger then standard GPS.
On airplane mode I got 2.5 days of battery, in cold weather. I took along an Anker portable charger (4.3oz), which would charge my phone 3X.
Total of around $50 for the app and charger. From my experience, I don't see the need to purchase an expensive GPS, this will do it all.
Great product, I highly recommend.
chris <><
That sounds pretty cool if it works when there is no phone signal!
Bisch
Good to hear. I've been using Gaia GPS for awhile as well.
I use the similar app for Android called back county Navigator. Same satisfactory results. I usually do day hunts or maybe two days and by staying in airplane mode the battery is never an issue.
Bisch, both these apps allow downloading multiple maps over wi Fi before you leave home. No service required when you hit the woods.
Also no service needed for gps signal. I have used gaia so long I forget when I got it. I have it installed on an old iPhone 4 that doesn't have cell access anymore. It is possible to work on Caltopo on my laptop and the export the file as a gpx and e-mail it to myself. When I open the e-mail with my iPhone it imports it into gaia. Much easier than working on a small phone screen. Great app for sure.
I tried navigator but dumped it because it wasn't user friendly.
Downloaded the GAIA app on my Moto-X in August and used it ever day in Colorado. Similar experience. I used it to track my routes, miles walked, altitude ascent, etc. A great app. Only time I turned my Garmin GPS on was to mark base camp when we got there - just as an emergency check and never turned it on again.
Before I left I downloaded all the maps I would need onto my phone/GAIA. Had my phone on Airplane mode most of the time. Used about 25-30% battery a day.
I just got it this year. I really liked it. I used it in the back country of Colorado with no cell signal and it worked great. Just remember to download your map and save them before you leave cell service.
I use it in what folks now call overlanding, which is just exploring in a 4x4 LOL but it really drains a iphone battery when using it not hooked to a power source. I love the app and its tracking and sharing those tracks abilities but have found for hunting and such I prefer a good GPS
Dave,
The trick is to download the maps you will be using before you go. Then you can run in airplane mode and use almost no battery. The biggest drain in airplane mode is the screen. Keep it off when you can and keep the brightness down as low as possible. I loaded basically half of Kodiak Island on mine for my early August trip and it used very little memory.
Chris, we have the exact same phone setup and charger (I think mine is 24000mA and 8oz)...great minds think alike!
I'm not ready to completely give up my Garmin yet. Halfway thru my trip my phone spazzed out and would shut itself off with 70-80% charge saying it was out of juice. I love my phone and it does just about everything for me but I had backup GPS, bible, camera, flashlight along. But it did give me pause...
I'm trying to figure out the cost of purchasing/using the GAIA application. I'm guessing the cost for my Android phone is $9.99 along with purchasing the individual maps. The website shows several versions of the maps (topographical, satellite, altitude, etc). For a given area do you get all with one price or are they sold individually and what is the typical cost? Is the $9.99 per year or a one time deal?
GAIA is a great app and saved us ALOT of time and energy in CO during an elk hunt. I use it back east a lot too
I have been using the app for the past two years in the Wyoming back country, and it works like a charm. My Garmin has been collecting dust since I got GAIA.
I dunno, maybe it's me but I like google maps app much better in my Galaxy S6 phone . Works off satellites and the screen shots of your location are so much clearer and sharper than gaia screen shots. I turn it on where ever I am and it looks like a helicopter just took my location picture from right above me.
Onions, I'm glad you are satisfied with the suggestion!
As I see it, why carry more (GPS unit, phone, camera) when you can carry less (smart phone with map app like GAIA).
When I shot my elk this year I took a picture and way pointed the location. Then I took the time to climb a hill to get cell service and called my buddy. He said he'd come help with the pack out and bring another friend. I texted him the coordinates and the picture. By the time they arrived I had the cow quartered and bagged and we managed to get all the meat out in one load between the three of us.
Now there's technology at work! Even though I choose to limit myself by hunting with trad gear, I was grateful to have my smart phone with me. I even got home in time to change my clothes, wash the blood off my hands and pick my daughter up from school.
Could I have done it with just a map and compass? Sure, but probably wouldn't have had help packing out and wouldn't have been able to pick up my daughter from school; which would have upset my wife, and I would have been packing out all night long in order to make it to work the next day!
Ziggy I think the cost for the app is $19.99 but that includes all maps except some additional overlays that are added in a pro version.
So heading out west this year and searched this thread back up. I plan on taking my GPS also but interested in the Gaia app. But which one? Seems to be a Gaia GPS: Topo Maps and Trails and then a bundle package Gaia GPS topo bundle. Both are 19.99. Any thoughts?
I too am interested and will be watching this for a response.
:campfire:
You should be able to get everything you need from one of those bundles, but I'm not sure which one! :confused:
When I look at the version offered for Android there is only one option.
Just put it on my phone last month. Have not got to use it, but playing with it makes it look user friendly.
Do the maps show land ownership/boundaries?
When I purchased mine there was not a bundle package. Only option was the GAIA GPS: Topo Maps.
That is the only "version" I have used.
chris <><
QuoteOriginally posted by kadbow:
Do the maps show land ownership/boundaries?
Sorry I cannot answer for this app, but I use onX Hunt for land boundaries.
If this app does boundaries, I would love to know that.
I believe boundaries per state is an additional fee. I learned real map reading using terrain association, pace counting contour lines and compass in the military as well as surveying. These maps have great map tiles that allow you to read contour lines just like having a map in front of you. Wish my phone screen were wide so I could have the detail, but over a wider area. So far i' m impressed
At the risk of showing my ignorance , how is this better than Google map ?
I navigate all the time with it , including finding my truck in a large parking lot .
And it's free .
I agree Graps. I have GAIA and Google Maps in my cell phone and Google Maps is way better that GAIA.
Roy, that works for you cause you never go any further than. Your back yard. :biglaugh:
GPS works great on a cell phone IF you have cell service! IF you don't have cell service your done as in a back country wilderness
trip! If Your hunting around a town in as Roy in PA then your golden! I only say that as a bow builder as he can take it from one bow builder to another!
The advantage of a app like this is you can download maps to where you are going and use your cell phone as a GPS which is turned off in airplane mode to save batteries
It doesn't require cell service to use!
As my understanding it Doesn't Include property boundaries. But there is another app for that. OXY does but it's costly and some folks say it crashes OFTEN.
I'm just hoping to get "honest" reviews from people I trust that have used it.
Google map on my cell phone works off satellites too. And I'm happy to call the ANF my back yard. I'll probably have to explain ANF to a WV and Colorado guy. LOL
Goggle maps work FINE IF you have cell service. But if your back country wilderness area you can load maps before hand, turn your cell on air plane mode, and look at maps. I don't think GIA has boundaries BUT there are other apps for that. OX does have boundaries but in my opinion is very expensive!
Roy u need to stick to building kid stick bows and I'll build real fiberglass functional bows! LMAO! You know I'm kidding! Besides you really should look beyond hunting the 1/2 acre lot beside your mobile home! lol
Anyone else reading this please I apologize , but you have to know Roy he's a funny kinda of guy who is a awesome bow builder for your info! Probably even a decent hunter! lol
You are not listening to me, LC. My cell phone does work with satellite signals in google map. I have a Galaxy S6.
I didn't know you made bow ties... LOL
Roy please AXE plain this to a dumb ol fiberglass bow guy! IF you turn off your phone to cell service( air plane mode for you stave guys) how do you suddenly get satellite service for your GPS! Please pray tell how! I'm all ears!
The Galaxy S6 cell phone has a built in gps. If it doesn't have cell tower service, it automatically switches to satellite signal for google maps.
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00038733/
Well there you go! thanks for the explanation! Man you are so smart! I always knew that but never knew just how smart! lol Thanks a lot from a company supplied Iphone dummy!
Back country navigator and Gaia work pretty much the same. You download your maps over wi fi for the area of interest. I usually have three maps of the area; a topo, an aerial with topo and place markup and a NF map.
You don't need cell service to open your maps or to use your phone GPS. You can put the phone in airplane mode to save battery.
When you create a trip you can then add place markers and tracks as you travel. Any map that you load as you are associated with the trip will display the tracks and waypoints. Even if you load an entirely new map when you are back home.
The Google maps will probably work great if you have service but in many places there is none available. The two screenshots below are from a bunny walk a couple weeks ago. I live in a heavily populated metro Denver area with great cell service. The screenshots are from a place 30 minutes from home. NO cell service! That's pretty typical for my hunts.
So, if you are going to be going into those kind of places, either the Back country navigator or Gaia app will work.
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac170/longcruise/bcn/14-02-17_01-29-24_zpsiuf3a1ua.jpg)
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac170/longcruise/bcn/14-02-17_01-30-04_zpsuqhy8knm.jpg)
Here's your ANF Roy.
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac170/longcruise/bcn/14-02-17_02-09-20_zpsebz5f20c.jpg)
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac170/longcruise/bcn/14-02-17_02-09-46_zpsi8kgc2ev.jpg)
(http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac170/longcruise/bcn/14-02-17_02-10-50_zpsltbu57kf.jpg)
I believe you have old information if you don't think you can download google maps for offline use.
Android:
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en
Iphone:
https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&hl=en
Didn't know they could be downloaded and there may be a place for them in my kit.
Mike, have the grand kids show ya,, LOL..
Guess I'll have to. Worked on it. For bit but not getting it yet.
What would be great would be the ability to download from Google Earth.