Hi Guys-with so many hunters using smart phones and such, I wondered which GPS apps are best to use and which ones are you using in mountains, remote areas etc.? I have a Droid Razr and wanted to hold off on buying a particular app until I find which one(s) are the best. Thanks for your help and advice!
I did do a search to see if there was any info on this subject and it came back with 'no search results' (3X)
Kenny :bigsmyl:
I use the cabelas recon hunt and find it pretty user friendly. The fact that it works off satellites is nice since cell service up here where i live is spotty at best. The public land overlay option is also nice (but costs extra). I used that feature ALOT while out in Wyoming last fall chasing antelope but don't think its worth it here at home for me since almost everything where i live is public land.
Thanks Brad...I appreciate your feedback! I wish this could be on 'Pow Wow' because it isn't getting much attention here. I don't think many guys know this computer chapter is here! Thanks again!
Kenny
Backcountry Navigator, you download topo and satellite photos of where you are going hunting while you are at home, and then you can use it without cell service while you are in the mountains. They have an add-on that makes private property/ public property boundaries display on your screen, works really really well. I don't even use my GPS except as a back up now. Usually Mark the truck with it and turn it off. Can't even describe how well it works bring able to have a touchscreen GPS and the keyboard function for entering descriptions and then knowing where property lines are for about thirty bucks total!!!!!
Global navigator is good too. I used it quite a bit last year during duck season.
I use the Cabela's Recon app.
We just did a remote area backpack hunt using our Iphones as GPS. I also own a Garmin CXS 60 with topographical maps but the iphone is miles better.
We used an app called GPS kit ( the functions are truly fantastic)then downloaded the hunting areas from Google earth in hi res it allowed us to locate the best looking areas for game which gave us the results we were after.
We also were testing a super thin solar panel and small battery which kept the iphones charged for the 8 days.
I will be selling my CXS 60 as I now have no use for it.
Love Cabelas Recon Hunter app on my Droid X2..... :readit:
I love my SpyGlass app. It has a HUD overlay and it uses your phone's camera for realtime navigation. It also has a range finder built-in.
But, I still bring along my trusty compass and map!!!
This is great info guys! Keep it coming because I have a decision to make! lol
Thanks guys!
Kenny :readit:
How do you mark a waypoint like home and then find your way back
QuoteOriginally posted by jax:
How do you mark a waypoint like home and then find your way back
you just mark it and then pick it off a list when it's time to return and say go to, it's just a gps function with a touchscreen
Are there any good aps for free? Ive heard if u change phones u have to buy them again...
I use the Backcountry app for my Droid Razr Maxx. The only downside is battery life of the phone.
I have the basic app but thinking about getting the pro version with boundaries. Does that really show private property boundaries?
Gaia for me, iPhone, It's awesome. Backcountry for droid phones. Both are super user friendly.
Gaia for me, iPhone, It's awesome. Backcountry for droid phones. Both are super user friendly.
How do you get the smart phone battery to last long enough for a 3+ day backcountry hunt?
Morphie
QuoteOriginally posted by horsehairhunter:
How do you get the smart phone battery to last long enough for a 3+ day backcountry hunt?
Buy extra batteries from amazon or other market stores.even try the local computer repair store that works on phones. and you can always get a small motorcycle battery( or a kids battery powered jeep battery) and a AC/DC converter(wont weigh more than 3-4 lbs).
GPS are nice, and i have just started to learn the smart phone thing(my old flip phone died). A app that worked in remote locations would be cool, but like someone earlier said, i use a gps to mark my truck then cut it off. Guess my days of using a good topo and a compass are just too reliable for me. I tend to use the GPS as a backup if i start to doubt my compass, but always find it is right and it is me and also the gps that are sometimes off.
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
QuoteOriginally posted by horsehairhunter:
How do you get the smart phone battery to last long enough for a 3+ day backcountry hunt?
Buy extra batteries from amazon or other market stores.even try the local computer repair store that works on phones. and you can always get a small motorcycle battery( or a kids battery powered jeep battery) and a AC/DC converter(wont weigh more than 3-4 lbs). [/b]
I have a Virbatim battery pack. It uses regular AA batteries to charge/extend my phone usage time. Ijust grap a handfull of AA and I am all set.
You can build an altoids battery charging pack. Bring some aas. Easily lasts.
What the .. Tradgang .. Bout like the gov. battery pry go dead on ya
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
QuoteOriginally posted by horsehairhunter:
How do you get the smart phone battery to last long enough for a 3+ day backcountry hunt?
Buy extra batteries from amazon or other market stores.even try the local computer repair store that works on phones. and you can always get a small motorcycle battery( or a kids battery powered jeep battery) and a AC/DC converter(wont weigh more than 3-4 lbs). [/b]
I have a Virbatim battery pack. It uses regular AA batteries to charge/extend my phone usage time. Ijust grap a handfull of AA and I am all set.
thanks guys...this is great info! it appears the'backcountry navigator' is the way to go for me. I know the bad part is how fast the batteries discharge. I am buying an inverter to help solve that problem out in the field. Also, a friend of mine is in the early stages of marketing a solar battery charger for these phones and when I was with him he figured he kept a 20% charge on his phone while using the solar charger all day! Thanks guys!
Kenny
ttt
QuoteOriginally posted by Brad Arnett:
I use the cabelas recon hunt and find it pretty user friendly. The fact that it works off satellites is nice since cell service up here where i live is spotty at best. The public land overlay option is also nice (but costs extra). I used that feature ALOT while out in Wyoming last fall chasing antelope but don't think its worth it here at home for me since almost everything where i live is public land.
X2...I really like this app. Cool Features.
Hey all,
Been reading this thread and am interested.
Can someone tell me what these apps actually do? Do you just locate your hunting area and download a topo for it and then pull it up when you get to your hunt and use the phone as a GPS then? Any other functions you care to tell about?
I have both an Iphone and a & inch Kindle Fire Tablet. So I don't know what one I would use right off hand.
Thanks
Nalajr
Got a chance to play with my Cabelas app today. Think I will really like it.
Marked a few blinds and other landmarks. Plotted the routes to each one, will be nice to follow in and out being in thick woods where I hunt.
Eric
View Ranger has a slew of neat functions. You can download topo maps, complete trail systems across the US etc. Basically a full featured GPS for your phone. I think the app is $7.99 if I remember correctly.
Wait.... Most mountains don't have cell service around here. How are you mountain guys using a phone as a gps?
My Cabelas and the others mentioned do not require a cell or data signal. It uses the GPS already in your phone, just has to connect to satelite.
Eric
I ended up gettin 'BackCountry Navigator Pro' which I used down in SE Ohio and it worked well. As some guys suggested, I downloaded the pages I needed and was able to mark waypoints and get around in general. I did notice that in some low areas there was no satellite service so it was of no use at that time, but I was able to view the pages I saved to mark some trails! Thanks alot guys you were very helpful to me, as usual!
Good hunting!
Kenny :bigsmyl: