Hunt x for gps vs iPhone

[jimkirk]

i started trying out the hunt x app last month. i had previously used trimble outdoors.  yesterday i used the app off trail and it worked great with downloaded maps. the weakness i have found is the phone battery.  if you put the phone in airplane mode you can get about a days hunt before recharge.  i carry a battery pack for recharging that weighs as much or more than a gps.  i am off and on with airplane mode because verizon has the most remote coverage in WA.  so software functions good and in fact provides some very nice features of various map types like topo maps and aerial maps with crosshairs on the screens to give you gps coordinates.  gps s are more durable than a phone in my opinion.  equitable replacement, phone battery is the weak point.

[jackelope]

The only downside I have found with the phone is that it sucks the life out of your battery. I also carry a small battery pack to recharge my phone if/when needed. Airplane mode is the key when you're out of service.

[jackelope]

I've noticed when geocaching with my kid that the phones GPS is only reasonably accurate when compared to an actual GPS. If that's a factor then it might bug you but typically I don't need "to the foot" precision when using onXmaps.

[Stickerbush]

Does anyone know if this app works better for iPhone vs Android? Or is one better on gps than the other? I would definitely base my next phone purchase on this

[jackelope]

The iOS app has been available a lot longer. That's all I know.

[Eric M]

I had a nearly identical thread to this a few months back. My 2 older Garmin's kept freezing up on me and they have gotten spendy. I bought the app. It takes awhile to get good with it. It's still a work in progress. The instructions say to only load 10 tiles per map for a faster download I guess. A lot of people seem concerned about battery life, but I only turn mine on when I'm unsure or confirming my position. No need to leave it on all day. Those little solar chargers are dirt cheap now. You can charge your phone up while you sleep. I think I'm done with Garmins. At some point I may buy the satellite one so I can text the wife.

[floatinghat]

Yeah you can save more than one map at a time and it doesn't take long to click on a bunch of tiles. So if you're not too lazy to click numerous tiles you will be fine.

Had nothing to do with LAZY, it was a storage issue wit their server and not contracting correct.  Caching Google Maps gives much better detail but doesn't provide ownership info

[Waycott15]

My apologies good sir I just couldn't help but comment when you said it was the worst paid app on your phone. Im sure you have some other apps that are far worse just saying, because this Is hands down a phenomenal app.

[floatinghat]

Actually, I don't have worse paid apps.   I will say the iphone version is better than android.    However, you make the call on the images, OP asked a question and I replied with my perspective.  The apps has potential and maybe some enhancements have improved it.  Compare it to Navionic's or anyother similar app outside of hunting and make up your own mind.

[floatinghat]

vs

[Waycott15]

Sounds good

[andrew_in_idaho]

If you are actively tracking all day with the onx app yes it will burn through your battery even on airplane mode, if you just use it periodically throughout the day to confirm location and heading and maybe mark the occasional point of interest and keep your phone on airplane mode you might burn through 10% of your battery in my experience


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[pd]

Floating Hat and I have talked about this issue many, many times.  His perspective is valid---the Navionics app seems to have its advantages.

He and I both bought a Garmin (same model, purchased at the same time).  I hated mine, returned it to REI.  I will never own a GPS again.  As a previous poster stated, the software on an iPhone is light years ahead of Garmin.  I use my iPhone 5 (more than 2 years old now) exclusively for hunting, climbing (with a back up compass).  The Hunt OnyX app rocks, in my opinion.  You do NOT need a cell phone signal for the software to work (my hunting areas do not have cell service).  The GPS chip works independently of the cell tower signal.  OS10 separated "airplane mode" from the GPS, so you no longer have to unlock airplane mode to use the GPS, which will save the battery a bit.

I also carry a backup battery, which I did use a week ago when climbing Glacier Peak; we were caught in 40 knot winds and a whiteout, and the GPS assisted us in a safe extraction.

Conclusion, sell your Garmin, rely on your iPhone.

[Waycott15]

Agreed pd. And I sold  my garmin rino already

[floatinghat]

I think you are aware I returned my Garmin also.  I could never go back to that small screen again.  I carry both an iphone 6 plus and a tablet when scouting.  There is significant space for improvement I think the Hunt X guys are working to close it.  The early product left a lot to be desire, I hope they close the gap and quickly.  Pd as you are aware I spend a good amount of time digesting data.  For me hunt x provides a piece of data that assists.

pd,  I tested those bino's and ranged a reflective target at 1826yds