onXmaps

[PA BEN]

I have some questions for you guys and gals who have tried this mapping software. I have a GPS and a smartphone, which one should I get? Also, does it eat batteries on your phone?

[cbond3318]

I have the APP on my IPhone, don't know about use in a GPS. The app has seemed easy to use and has a nice feature that allows you to download a selected area of your overall map.I recently went into an area that had no cell coverage so I downloaded the entire area (not sure of exact Size of downloadable area, 10 map tiles was recommended) and was able to use the map and features with my cell in airplane mode. Didn't notice any excessive  battery drain and the gps worked great tracking/locating my position throughout the map. With added GB of storage on your phone I think you can download more area for use offline.

[SteelheadTed]

I've not used onyx on a GPS but I have it on my phone and I like it.  If the functionality was similar on GPS as it is on iPhone and I was only going to get one, I'd get the GPS version.  More than anything so I don't risk my phone in bad weather.

[tjthebest]

it doesn't work in airplane mode/with no service on my phone. It just force closes as soon as I open it.  So I would definitely double check before relying on it in the woods. Screwed me over on 2 trips already.

[Don_D]

Used it last year on my iphone 6 and a tablet in the evening around the camp and it worked good. Just have to DL the tiles you want. I pulled most of the GMU I was hunting with some layers I like. I had no service and just put both into airplane mode. Great app.

If you are worried about abusing your phone in the weather just get an otterbox or the like. Some have an extended battery as well like the Lifeproof ones.

[Reidus]

I've used both. I prefer the gps with the chip. Its a pain downloading the areas on your phone and uses a lot of memory. I also hunt a lot of different areas so it'd be a pain if im hunting somewhere and want to check out some other areas......get service...download maps..etc. If you hunt one specific area you may be fine. Gps is also waterproof and runs on AA batteries....phone you have to charge. Both have their perks but if i could only choose 1 itd be the gps.    What i do like using the phone for is google earth. If i pull up the area im hunting up on google earth before i go in there, my phone will keep that area loaded and i can see cover and 3d topo while im hunting without service and also see where im at on the hill.

[VooVoo]

I picked up the OnxMaps this year after my son bought his last year.  Much better then the Garmin Topo and has a lot more back roads and trails.

Two issues with it though.  By itself, it will not route you to a point.  By this I mean if you only have the Onx map enabled it can't tell you how to get from A to B.  I contacted Onx and they said the routing was propitiatory to Garmin and they have no control over it. They said you would have to have another map enabled for it to work but it may not recognize all the roads if they aren't on both maps.

The other issue is that every once in a while it will lock up my GPS.  A Garmin 62s.  After a few minutes it will catch up but that it time I may need to do something else.

All in all I highly recommend it.  Being an old computer guy I found a way to get it to work on both my handhelds at the same time.  Haven't done an upgrade yet to see if it's any different but so far so good!!

[davk]

Ive been eyeing up the chip for my gps for awhile.  Ended up buy the Hunt app this year.  Figured it was a cheap way to get a feel if I liked the product.  Also its much easier to use, easier to see, and gives aerial views.  Running it in airplane mode helps save the battery.  Cant speak about the GPS draining the battery since I usually just turn it on to verify my position and then close it.  If you are worried about having issues, carry paper maps as backups ... which you should do anyway.