GPS apps for phones?

[7mmfan]

I saw on another site a guy using a great GPS app on his Droid, had tracklines, SOG, and a detailed topo map of the bottom. Anyone know what app this is and how much it costs, or even any other good apps similar that you've had success with?

I have no want to go buy an actual GPS when I know my phone has all the same capabilities. I fish out of a small sled thats used mainly for duckhunting so also don't want to go adding a bunch of electronics to it if we don't have to.

[jackelope]

The onXmaps app is great. There's a Trimble Outdoors app that I hear is good too. I've not used it though. I have another one on my phone that was recommended that is www.topomapsapp.com. It works good as well, but just topo maps.
The important thing to know with these apps is that they suck the living daylights out of your battery when you're using them. I bought one of those extended battery packs for my iphone to use the onXmaps app with and it certainly helps. Just don't expect the battery to last very long if there's no cell service where you're at.
The other thing is, if you're going to be in an area where there is no cell signal, you'll need to preload the maps for your intended area before you leave the service area.

[L-ofalab]

Cell phone gps will only work close to cell towers. The real gps will work where you can see the sky, huge difference.

[luvmystang67]

So, I've got some interesting info on this.

I'm not sure which version it started on, but I know that the iPhone 4s that I have has a built-in GPS that works independent of cell towers.  I've used the Trimble app and it was decent, but here's what I do now.

1) Before I lose service, I zoom in on the google maps app on my phone on every place I plan on hunting (as long as it is in the same general area).  I make sure to get it good and loaded up with as much detail as is available.

2) Once it loads, put your phone in airplane mode.

3) CRITICAL: Don't "close" the app or turn your phone off while using this, just use airplane mode.  It saves significant battery.

4) Every time I want to know where I am, I turn it on regular mode, and whether or not you have service, your dot will appear within 1-3 minutes with great accuracy. 

Notes: Your GPS on your phone (for iPhone 4s and newer) will work independently of cell service.  You'll notice this if you hit the "find me" type button on your phone even when you don't have service.  If you have apps like Altitude apps that are based on GPS, they'll work just fine with no service.  Basically, your phone knows where you are, but the actual loading of the map cannot complete without internet service to download the map.  If you download it ahead of time, it stores the map in your temporary storage and it can be used for the entire hunting trip, just dont turn your phone off.

 

[Dbax129]

Huntx is the newest one that also has gmu boundaries and land ownership.  The land ownership feature is great. But the app itself is slower to use and is a bit buggy.  Still a great tool. In theory youcan pre ddownload every map parcel you want while you have service or WiFi,then when you are hunting you turn your phone to airplane mode to save battery, then turn your gps antenna on to track yourself.  I have never had great success with downloading the maps ahead of time. This feature seems clumsy and buggy, and the way you have to select each box at different zoom levels is not user friendly. You are right that your phone can do anything a GPS can. The GPS antenna on a phone has nothing to do with cell towers, and you don't need cell signal for your gps features to work.
I prefer another app called backcountry navigator pro.  It also allows you to store any map in offline mode and its easy to highlight any section and tell it how far in of a zoom level you want to download. It also has more options for topo and satelite imagery that you can switch between much easier than huntx.  Also, you can download the overlay for GMU boundaries including deer and elk areas, as well as downloading overlays for all state owned (public) land.  The only thing it doesn't have is the private land overlay, to see parcel size ans owner names on private land.  This is a minor detail for me though, because the app works so much better, without problems, and has way more other features than huntx.
Huntx is $35
Back country navigator is $10, then $10 for each of the two overlays, gmu boundaries and state land boundaries. There are also additional overlays, like for all trails in the state, and some others.  Both apps are great, and I would buy both again, but if you don't nerd private land owner info, I would go with back country navigator.  If you do need private land info, I would still buy both if you can.  But I know plenty of people like huntx. Its just not been very smooth for me.  First year its been out though, so with updates that might begin to change.

Good luck!

[fishngamereaper]

Since it appears you will be using it for fishing try the Navionics app. Works great in salt and fresh water, shows bottom contours/ speed etc...I use it as a back up and its really accurate. Cant remember the price, I want to say like $10.

[jackelope]

Cell phone gps will only work close to cell towers. The real gps will work where you can see the sky, huge difference.

Speaking re: the onXmaps app for iphone because that's what I have...If you download(cache) the maps of the area you will be at onto your phone before you leave cell service, GPS will work anywhere.
Cell service is completely different from GPS service on your cell phone.

[floatinghat]

Cell phone gps will only work close to cell towers. The real gps will work where you can see the sky, huge difference.

Wrong, cell phone (most now) have real GPS and don't require a cell signal.  However, you need the chart cached if you have no signal.

Navionics is a great app for what you are talking about.

[7mmfan]

I used my phone last year while hunting Rimrock with just the GPS and some preloaded maps and it worked great. Really helped me learn the area quickly.

I plan on using this mainly for fishing so thanks for the tip on the Navionics app, I'll look that one up. My main goal is to know my SOG, but if I can get a good bottom contour map to go with it, that will be nice too. Thanks for the suggestions guys

[hawksfan75]

I use a combination of a couple. I have Marine Navigator Lite, which you can download the NOAA chart library and use it just like the chartplotter. It's a good app, but is a bit clunky to use, though I'd trust it as a backup if I needed to.

Second one is MyTracks, great for SOG and can also show elevation gains and other information. I haven't seen a good bottom structure map, though. I'm sure some exist, but you could also download the bathymetric maps from NOAA to your phone as well.