What apps / devices do you use in your 80 series?

[musthave]

We all use a variety of apps and devices in our 80 series, and perhaps with life in general. I’m interested in finding out which ones others are using while driving their Land Cruiser. Here are just a few that come to mind that I have/had. Hema, OnX, Osmand Maps, Apple Maps, Google maps, Wais. Then Scangauge, ultragauge, and maybe others? Life 360, or other similar apps?

 

[Dragos80]

I mostly use the steering wheel and on occasion the OEM clock it came with.

 

[cahill]

I use old school paper maps if I need them or draw out the map before a trip. I haven't gotten lost yet. I can see their utility, especially for identifying public vs private roads and for seeing where a dirt road leads before driving down it but it takes away some of the adventure/exploration. In answer to your question, the only app I use is one for my obd2 blue tooth diagnostics when I am doing maintenance or want to monitor coolant temps. It mostly stays unplugged though.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

I use old school paper maps if I need them or draw out the map before a trip. I haven't gotten lost yet. I can see their utility, especially for identifying public vs private roads and for seeing where a dirt road leads before driving down it but it takes away some of the adventure/exploration. In answer to your question, the only app I use is one for my obd2 blue tooth diagnostics when I am doing maintenance or want to monitor coolant temps. It mostly stays unplugged though.

I was brought up in the trucking industry I was taught at a young age you know are we there yet are we there yet.... to use a map to figure how long it was gonna take to get from one place to another so I prefer a map for long trips.

 

[Marvelicious]

I spent the first two thirds of my life navigating with paper maps, and you know what? I like not having to fold maps!

I'd love to go to away from the big G entirely, but it's hard to replace their traffic data and their database of businesses. I'm perfectly fine to navigate without a GPS telling me what to do, but I love having a map centered on my position (north at the top, thank you) within view. I should stress that Google Maps SUCKS for that since it seems to want to zoom too far in to be useful.

I've used Organic Maps in the past and I'm trying OsmAND. Organic Maps is great for having that centered map on my dashboard to glance at, but I'm starting to think OsmAND might do everything it does, plus a lot more.

OnX is pretty good at specifically what it's for (trails). I also got the "Pro" version of Torque at least 15 years ago and it's still pretty handy. They have totally earned that ten bucks.

 

[Shoredreamer]

I lean on my paper Map Bag if I’m out on a trip or traveling for planning or research, but I do use Gaia mainly if I need to see where I am in real time. Regular driving I reluctantly use Google maps to “help” in urban areas or to get an idea of travel times. I use google maps also if in convoy on the grid to share meeting locations and keep the group on the same page. Also use on occasion iOverlander, Caltrans Quick Map.

I prefer physical dash displays since you can easily access them and they don’t require me looking at my phone and dealing with opening up an app, but I do have a few apps with the gear and equipment installed like Redarc TVMS, my LiFePo4 battery app, fridge app, switch pros app, heater app. I hate pulling up these and only use them on a mandatory basis.

 

[george_tlc]

Torque pro for when I need to find an OBD2 issue (with the vehicles that have OBD2). Maybe once or twice a year.

Google maps, handy for traffic problems - until you escape the hordes.

Life360 is handy for a family (that trusts each other).

I run backcountry for navigation - downloaded sat/plane imagery and downloaded topos. Run it in the US and in Oz. Works good both places. I typically run it on an android tablet, but have it on the phone when on foot.

Use to run oziexplorer years ago, still have it on my laptop, but gets used rarely these days.

I grew up with petrol station maps and then discovered paper topo maps which opened up exploring the oz bush and mostly knowing where I was Then in 1989 bought my first GPS (Magellan single channel unit for just under $3k). The Magellan reported lat/long and you used that to figure out where you were on a paper map. GPS coverage was also spotty, you got a 2D fix for a few hours sprinkled across a 24Hr period, 3D was even more spotty. Selective Availability at that time (I think it was Clinton's adminstration that phased it out) meant that accuracy was +/- 100metres (or worse).

Sometimes having access to modern map technology means you no longer look to find stuff, and can drive past neat things because you "aren't there yet"....

Don't rely 100% on modern tech, a compass and navigation skills are still useful things when the tech fails - and if it fails at the wrong time you can be dead.

cheers,
george.

 

[musthave]

Thanks to everyone who shared, I am still hoping to get some more additions to the poll. Some great information to share soon.

 

[Fosters]

Garmin tread overland
Midland gmrs
Icom ic 7000
Garmin powerswitch
My radar weather app

 

[MUDZLLA]

Apps: Topo GPS, Canada Topos, UAV Forecast, Commander, Speedometer, Compass, Gas Buddy.
Devices: Turbo timer. Ram Mount for phone/ipad, Auxiliary tank with dual filler(?), Boost, EGT and Trans Temp gauges.