Gaia GPS - a turn for the worse.

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Old-Raptor-guy

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Man I have really liked OnX OffRoad the last couple years. But I am sure someone will tell me how it isn't any better than Gaia.
 
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Old-Raptor-guy

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How’s it work for hiking? Topo maps with reasonable resolution?

That would be more in line with On X BackCountry I think, On X OffRoad is 90%+ for vehicles, even has just motorcycle trails. But hiking trails it just mostly shows trail head location.

I am not sure If one subscription covers covers all three products (they also have On X Hunt)
 
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GordoJay

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That would be more in line with On X BackCountry I think, On X OffRoad is 90%+ for vehicles, even has just motorcycle trails. But hiking trails it just mostly shows trail head location.

I am not sure If on subscription covers covers all three products (they also have On X Hunt)

I don’t hike trails, so I need contour lines.
 

Old-Raptor-guy

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I don’t hike trails, so I need contour lines.
They have a free version, you should try it. It probably ain't perfect.

On the offroad side. They have thousands of trails with 1-10 ratings. So I know based on description what I am getting into, or what to prepare for.
 

ACE

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Ugh that’s too bad. I really liked the app back in the day. Idk if I’ll switch but I put a lot of maps and routes I designed in there and I like the apply car play function. I got the 5 year plan back in 2020 (I think) so we’ll see what happens there. I did notice it wanted to make my new waypoints and stuff public. Gonna have to look into how to stop that unless anyone here knows?
 
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GordoJay

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Ugh that’s too bad. I really liked the app back in the day. Idk if I’ll switch but I put a lot of maps and routes I designed in there and I like the apply car play function. I got the 5 year plan back in 2020 (I think) so we’ll see what happens there. I did notice it wanted to make my new waypoints and stuff public. Gonna have to look into how to stop that unless anyone here knows?

I think uou can edit your profile. It asked me after the new download and required login to Outside
 

Bracamonte

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Price hike is a disappointment, and the app invasiveness is even worse. The problem is there is no other mapping system like it.

I use it for all the other layers like avalanche danger, smoke and fire areas, cell service, forest service roads and NatGeo trails. Haven’t found any other service as comprehensive.

Interestingly: I noticed my phone was getting ZAPPED in battery when I did the update. Thanks, I now know why. However, it stopped after a few days and has returned to normal.

I also use the app mainly on a dedicated iPad that doesn’t connect to personal accounts or any internet service. I only hook it up to a hotspot when I need to download maps to it. I run the iPad with no cell service (doesn’t even have the capability) and pair it with the Garmin inReach. The app can do all it wants to report my location but it will never be able to; no Wi-Fi or cell service attached to the device.
 

amREADY

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Price hike is a disappointment, and the app invasiveness is even worse. The problem is there is no other mapping system like it.

I use it for all the other layers like avalanche danger, smoke and fire areas, cell service, forest service roads and NatGeo trails. Haven’t found any other service as comprehensive.

Interestingly: I noticed my phone was getting ZAPPED in battery when I did the update. Thanks, I now know why. However, it stopped after a few days and has returned to normal.

I also use the app mainly on a dedicated iPad that doesn’t connect to personal accounts or any internet service. I only hook it up to a hotspot when I need to download maps to it. I run the iPad with no cell service (doesn’t even have the capability) and pair it with the Garmin inReach. The app can do all it wants to report my location but it will never be able to; no Wi-Fi or cell service attached to the device.
I've been on the fence to run yet another device, but I really like this approach.
This thread was timely for me. About to do some trips and hadn't signed into Gaia to see the new integration. I just did and turned off default public sharing, switch to private profile and turned off Analytics (more app chattiness).

I'm in a bit of mapping hell right now between my Gaia which incorporates my Back roads mapbooks subscription, Strava, Trailforks(linked to Outside too), my new Garmin watch which is suggesting Outdoor Maps +, I think. I also have waypoints saved on my phone on Google maps as a backup.

Oh, I forgot, also have the inReach explorer and now that it is in the Garmin ecosystem there is some crossover there too. The Earthmate app is just a backup in case all other apps die. I save key POIs on there and can navigate using the inReach alone, but very utilitarian. I guess my Garmin watch has downloaded maps that work offline, so this will work too. 2 is 1.
 
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