Cool New GPS
- Thread starter packetstormin
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I like it. I'm considering ordering one. Lots of very cool features (especially the solar charger). Love that it leverages the Android platform. Customization anyone?
murf
Lifer
pretty nice set up - thoughtful design for the backcountry use
Droid, eh?
Wonder if you will be able to use one of the droid specific commerical GPS apps - TomTom, Miomap, etc. that is more designed for on-road use. If it allows for that, then this is pretty much the all in one solution.
Will be very interested in seeing how this works out. They've made their kickstarter goal, so it should be in production by August. Would love to see a review where someone has actually gotten their hands on one to play with - everything so far is just people repeating the stuff from the website.
Glenn in Tucson
Wonder if you will be able to use one of the droid specific commerical GPS apps - TomTom, Miomap, etc. that is more designed for on-road use. If it allows for that, then this is pretty much the all in one solution.
Will be very interested in seeing how this works out. They've made their kickstarter goal, so it should be in production by August. Would love to see a review where someone has actually gotten their hands on one to play with - everything so far is just people repeating the stuff from the website.
Glenn in Tucson
- Thread starter
- #6
I'm going to order one. This device looks great. My only worry is with the topo maps. From talking to various guys in the club it seems that roads shown vary from topo map to topo map. Not really sure how that works though. I thought all topo maps came from the same source that being the gov. I was under the impression that the vendors would purchase all the maps and then customize to their application.
my phone is pretty much my all in one device now, other than a slightly larger screen i'm not seeing the benefits of this for me.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
I bought a iPad 1off craigslist...great features in super cheap apps that do more than you will ever need...I'm in it for $225 and it does tons more than just maps...
we do the iPad thingie, too, mostly for local drives (meaning within 200 miles or somesuch)
we know it won't work if we don't have continuous connection - as long as I can remember about 5 or 6 turns in the grand scheme of things . . .
we know it won't work if we don't have continuous connection - as long as I can remember about 5 or 6 turns in the grand scheme of things . . .
But does the iPad have a built-in GPS receiver and a solar charger?
I see using an iPad and the tons o' apps too but as for true customization and open source programming (if you're into that) an Android device is the ticket.
I just like all the little things they've thought of. I have a old school Kindle with the E-Ink screen and I can attest to LOOOOOONG battery life. Pretty much every touch-screen (and many other non-touch) device (phone, tablet, etc) the screen is the main battery killer.
I have a new ipad that will be used for off-road nav duties
Downloaded GAIA and MotionX . I will try them both. GAIA has faster downloads for preloading maps , but we will see which one does better. As far as Battery life? Who cares, it's plugged in to my truck while I use it I was told the new ipad had true GPS that only shares circuitry with the 4lte system. It will work off the grid
Downloaded GAIA and MotionX . I will try them both. GAIA has faster downloads for preloading maps , but we will see which one does better. As far as Battery life? Who cares, it's plugged in to my truck while I use it I was told the new ipad had true GPS that only shares circuitry with the 4lte system. It will work off the grid
I love GAIA GPS. It works great with both Android and iPad/iPhone. Although currently the iPad version is better with GaiaCloud and GaiaGreen features (tracks automatically synced/saved to cloud and the ability to layer maps). However, I was told Android will get this soon. There are also a lot of maps options to download for free... with a good interface to do it (USGS Topo, CALTOPO, Aerial, Google Terrain, etc.)
As far as hardware, most Android devices have GPS, as well as iPhones. However only iPads with the cellular carrier option has the GPS chip embedded. You can however get a separate Bluetooth GPS sensor to use with any iPad.
The other thing that I think is really important is to have a device that also uses GLONASS (russian) satellites. This effectively doubles the satellites you can lock, increasing speed and accuracy. Especially in canyons, mountain valleys with trees etc, where you don't have full sky. Or the device is in your car under a metal roof... Or both
My galaxy S3 has this, and so do the new iPads (w/carrier) and iPhones.
As far as hardware, most Android devices have GPS, as well as iPhones. However only iPads with the cellular carrier option has the GPS chip embedded. You can however get a separate Bluetooth GPS sensor to use with any iPad.
The other thing that I think is really important is to have a device that also uses GLONASS (russian) satellites. This effectively doubles the satellites you can lock, increasing speed and accuracy. Especially in canyons, mountain valleys with trees etc, where you don't have full sky. Or the device is in your car under a metal roof... Or both
My galaxy S3 has this, and so do the new iPads (w/carrier) and iPhones.
I run 4 GPS mapping programs all at once. I find each one shows different detail depending on where I am. Screen size matters when it comes to GPS maps and Earl has a little one. When I move from my netbook it will be an iPad mainly because the screen size and there are apps available that run the same multi map set up as I run now.
- Thread starter
- #14
What app is this you speak of?
PM skyehunter on MUD Jamie runs the app and sent me the link but I cant find it
With his iPad set up he also would screen capture the maps from Google earth on the travel area and was able to track on them real time along with the ability to toggle to other maps. Very cool IMO
bwesty
SILVER Star
I've started using a Nexus 7. Built in GPS, combined with OruxMaps (free) and MOBACS to create custom maps, it works flawless and I have found it to be very accurate. I am a big fan of using the USGS scanned Topo maps for the sheer amount of detail available. Many of the other maps available omit quite a few trails/roads I've noticed.
Found the niche
Showed that to one of my friends who likes hiking in the mountains. She damn near drooled on the laptop. The solar panel charging option is great for those who aren't in a tough rugged 4x4 with 12v option.
All the radio options, as well as being able to run droid apps was icing on the cake for her.
$.02
Glenn in Tucson
Showed that to one of my friends who likes hiking in the mountains. She damn near drooled on the laptop. The solar panel charging option is great for those who aren't in a tough rugged 4x4 with 12v option.
All the radio options, as well as being able to run droid apps was icing on the cake for her.
$.02
Glenn in Tucson
Nexus 7 with Backcountry Navagator for me.still looking for a good mount though.
bluecruiser
SILVER Star
built in gps chipset, yes. You have to have the 3G/4G version to have that it but you DO NOT have to have any cellular connection for that to work. You simply go to a multitude of different places or use apps to download entire areas before you head out so when you lose cellular connection, the map just keeps on streaming. I'm definitely not a make my own program guy so the Ipad works fine when I am remote and I just charge in vehicle. Very simple to use and works well for me, so far.
re_guderian
SILVER Star
Black and white screen kills it for other Android apps. 
I have a 5.5" screen on my phone now, and decent battery life with access to OruxMaps 24k topos. Dust/waterproof would be nice, but cases available for that. Already have a goal zero solar charger. As to all maps being the same, not even from the government... I've found Forest Service topos to have the most current detail, though hard to get in a GPS-friendly format...
I have a 5.5" screen on my phone now, and decent battery life with access to OruxMaps 24k topos. Dust/waterproof would be nice, but cases available for that. Already have a goal zero solar charger. As to all maps being the same, not even from the government... I've found Forest Service topos to have the most current detail, though hard to get in a GPS-friendly format...
