Need trail gps nav app like garmin oregon or

[stkshooter]

I'm looking for android app for trail gps nav like the garmin oregon or colorado, etc.https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145

I have no prob. paying for this app / maps but can't find one.

Everything I have found requires you to download many diff programs and maps to cut this and save as that,etc. etc. etc. then use another program to perform another step, etc. etc.

I just want to buy something for my phone that will work like the oregon. The app should be much less than the whole garmin device, right ?

I would even be happy with the basic handheld models like this https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=6446
type of software for my phone.

The reason I won't purchase the basic $99 handheld device is they only provide room for 5 character names and I just can't provide enough waypoint info. but nav apps seem to offer more room for details.

Thanks for any help pointing me in the right direction

Jon

 

[TheAtheistReverend]

I use MyTracks. I dont go off road, but I like the app for running in the city.
My Tracks for Android

 

[spiz]

I also use MyTracks in conjunction with MyMaps. Both are from Google. I live in central Oregon where the mountain bike trails are endless and some of the best backpacking in the country.

MyTracks allows you to trace your tracks using GPS, and then when you stop tracking yourself, you have the option to save it in MyMaps. It keeps track of total distance, altitude changes, avg speed, max speed, etc... and the ability to place notes along the way. Then you can access MyMaps if you decide to use that track again.

I know you're probably looking for something with pre-installed maps/tracks/trails, but I'm not sure if you can download other people's MyTracks or not.

This is the best thing for the outdoors that I know of. Hope this helps!

 

[Fadelight]

It's been a while since this was discussed, so I thought maybe some advances have been made on this front?

There was a dev working on a GPS app not that long ago around here, and he was talking about adding topo support. He seems to have dropped off the face of the earth though... and taken his thread with him.

Mytracks - It makes no sense to me at all why google would do an app geared specifically toward outdoor activities and then only include road map and satellite overlays.

I've heard talk about google maps having terrain as a layer, but if its there, I can't find it.

There are literally at least 10 apps in market that all look nearly identical to google maps, and not one of them offers anything other than the standard road map / satellite overlays. Has everyone just simply lost interest in topo/terrain maps?

 

[Deleted User]

Go to G-map> Menu> More> Labs > add "Terrain" to layers.
It's still in beta I believe, so only available in labs section now.

 

[Fadelight]

Go to G-map> Menu> More> Labs > add "Terrain" to layers.
It's still in beta I believe, so only available in labs section now.

I love you!!


I never knew what the "Labs" thing was. Too bad My Tracks doesn't have the same option, though. No tracks (recorded) on gmaps.

... Or is that another hidden feature somewhere?

 

[Deleted User]

I don't think it's in mytracks yet... maybe they'll add it once it leaves beta.

 

[Fadelight]

I don't think it's in mytracks yet... maybe they'll add it once it leaves beta.

I really hope so. Either that or a dev finally creates a topo gps app capable of recording tracks. Hiking season is coming up.

 

[Scottd9000]

Anyone found a way to cache maps using google maps or MyTracks? I have a remote cabin with no cell service and of course it's just a blank screen with my position due to no network coverage.

 

[TambourineMan]

Check out Orux maps. It's free. The maps are free, including USGS. it does tracking. See my post #28 in this thread:

http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ll-gps-available-android-here.html#post476656

Here's the link to the website:

OruxMaps

 

[pwabbit]

Backcountry Navigator is being upgraded to the Android. I don't know when they will have it done. I used it on my Win Mobile phone and thought it was great. The WM version was ideal for hikers and offroaders. I am sure the Android version would be much the same if not even better.

BackCountry Navigator | Mobile Map Software for Outdoor Recreation

 

[DevinB]

I would love to find a gps app that has a terrain feature like google maps and/or topo and can import kml/kmz files that can be used offline.

A while ago I saw someone that posted about an app that's capable of all that on the iPhone, and the company said they're working on an Android app too, but now I can't find what company that was. Any ideas?

 

[DevinB]

If only Orux wasn't such a pita to upload offline maps and could import kml files, it looks like a solid app.

 

[Fadelight]

If only Orux wasn't such a pita to upload offline maps and could import kml files, it looks like a solid app.

+1

I downloaded the desktop software to give it a peak... it looks like if you want topo maps or anything, you have to basically build the overlay yourself. I am WAY too hyperactive, so intensive projects unfortunately don't keep my attention long enough to see any end results.

 

[c670809]

You might check out this - Trimble Outdoors application for Android: Overview

It has a lot of possibilities. I don't think it's ready for the prime time yet, but I guess it depends on what you want to do. I've had a REALLY hard time finding something that will allow me to do TWO things; enter coordinates manually in UTM format and show me a bearing in degrees to my next point. This program is supposed to do that but it really doesn't yet.

I hope it will soon but I'm not sure.

Right now I'm using 'GPS Status' and a notepad too keep coordinates in. The downside is that it will only keep one waypoint and doesn't have a map mode. One other option you might want to look into is rmaps . . . If you view an area it is cached so it will be there later even if you don't have service. It can be a pain to find the area, zoom in, and pan around but I guess it's all in what you want.

Matt

 

[Fadelight]

I just merged two threads with identical content. Hopefully it doesn't get too confusing for everyone.


Anyway... Backcountry Navigator looks VERY promising!

Android Development

 

[BuzWeaver]

Great info! MyTracks is awesome!

 

[stkshooter]

I would love to find a gps app that has a terrain feature like google maps and/or topo and can import kml/kmz files that can be used offline.

A while ago I saw someone that posted about an app that's capable of all that on the iPhone, and the company said they're working on an Android app too, but now I can't find what company that was. Any ideas?

I read a post some place where the guy used his iphone with this app which he claims is just like the Garmin colorado He claimed they both worked the same and he only paid $2.99 for that app.

found it http://gps.motionx.com/gps-activities/

I have not seen it, only read about it. But this is one reason I almost bought the iphone. It seems they have all the apps I like. don't like AT&T.

 

[stkshooter]

I just merged two threads with identical content. Hopefully it doesn't get too confusing for everyone.


Anyway... Backcountry Navigator looks VERY promising!

Android Development

Back country is close to what I am looking for. I downloaded the desktop trial and played with it a little. You have to download the area your interested in and save to file. You can then return to files and select map. The problem is maps are not detailed enough for hiking. I zoomed in but no good. My Garmin nuvi shows more details and it's for highway nav. plus the U.S. map is already there. Also the graphics, etc. always look 2nd rate compared to the name brand stuff.

I would gladly pay $100 for the program if it worked as well as my Garmin nav. I figure new software / maps cost that if you already have the device so it's fair.

With the new smartphones I"m surprised garmin doesn't offer this. I won't spend 3-5 hundred on their device but would give $100 for software /maps as I'm sure many others would.

My Tracks : It requires you record route then overlay onto map when you return. I'm sure some people have time for this but I prefer to record my route with device as I"m hiking / biking and save. Plus I mostly use waypoints to return to places I've visited in the past.

Example: I'm out bird hunting and find Quail. Let's mark that location with information so I can find it 2 or 3 yrs. from now. Trail GPS don't offer enough space for info. so I have hundreds of waypoints saved as GS243LS because that is all the info. my GPS allows. Do they really think somebody is going to remember what that stands for 3 yrs. from now or where it is located without map overlay.

 

[TambourineMan]

I have BackCountry Navigator for my Mogul. You can definitely zoom the topo view in far enough to use for hiking, but perhaps not in the aerial views. Make sure you slide the scale marker all the way to the right to "1/4" when download the map so you are getting the highest resolution.

I also can't wait until they make this available for the Android.

As for Orux, I didn't find obtaining maps to be that difficult, but all I used were USGS maps and I am not sure what other layers would even be available (aerial maybe?) or needed for what I want (hiking).

Why are .KML files so much better?

Has anyone tried MapDroyd? It uses Open Street Maps maps.

 

[DevinB]

Why are .KML files so much better?

I like kml files because they integrate with Google Earth. I can draw a route on Google Earth, save it, then import directly to a gps app, if only someone would make one that supported it. A lot better than having to export the kml to gpx as I haven't found software that can do this without making mistakes.

 

[Fadelight]

I like kml files because they integrate with Google Earth. I can draw a route on Google Earth, save it, then import directly to a gps app, if only someone would make one that supported it. A lot better than having to export the kml to gpx as I haven't found software that can do this without making mistakes.

I use TMX (Time Machine) to convert files... only because there is no way around it. It came with my GPS tracker, and it is the only software in existence that allows me to delete from the tracker. The software is mostly horrible... the UI is complete crap, and there isn't really anything worth-while to do with it. Never the less... Converting files is the one thing it can do quite solidly. I have never run into any issue at all converting kml to gps or kmz or any one of about 30 different formats TMX is compatible with.

My use of formats varies depending on my purpose. If I am doing anything with mapping, I prefer KML over gpx any day because it is easier to work with... but about 70% of the time, I am using my tracker for the sole purpose of geotagging pictures... at which point, KML just doesn't cut it. GPX is the only way to fly when it comes to that.

 

[Fadelight]

Just a heads up, but I found a new app that looks like exactly what we've been looking for. It is called "Trimble Outdoors". I found it purely by accident while signing up for a hiking forum.

Trimble Outdoors for Android - Travel

Trip planning, GPS navigation, fitness training using a GPS-enabled mobile phone or a GPS receiver.

It's $9.99 in market. I am flat broke until I get my paycheck on Friday, but this weekend is supposed to be *cough* nice (as far as this hellhole state is concerned anyway... 60 degrees.) so I will gladly be trying it out this weekend if everyone wants to wait for a guinea pig... Or you can try it out yourself.

I'm pretty psyched, actually.






Edited for better screenshots
http://portal.trimbleoutdoors.com/Default.aspx?TabId=377

 

[Fadelight]

Anyone looking for a job?


Jobs at Garmin RTP


This is a very promising clue.

 

[c670809]

I've tried Trimble Outdoors and it's a pretty decent program. It's laid out a little weird in my opinion but it's a good program. Part of its strength is their online map planning. If you haven't tried go to their site and sign up. It's free and your phone can sync to it later. It's very cool.

In the end I returned it because it didn't do two things it was advertised as doing . . . show the bearing in degrees and allow input in UTM. To their credit they were very receptive to my comments and are working on the problem now. You might check out their forum.

I don't know if it's ready for prime time but it will be soon.