Best Mapping Software?

[Buk_Yeh]

I am a newbie to this group, and to off-roading in general, and so far, one of the most difficult parts for me has been navigation. After researching this topic online and in various forums, it seems like there are four-ish main options when it comes to overloading navigation:

1. On X Off Road
2. Gaia
3. The new Bronco Trails app from Ford
4. Purchasing some sort of off-roading GPS system (i.e. the Garmin Overland or Garmin Tread XL)

I am genuinely curious what everyone else uses for their off-road navigation needs, and if there are any sound suggestions as to which one I should try. Thank you very much.

P.S. - I am a newbie to this group so please pardon me if this has already been discussed in another forum or this discussion was posted in the wrong area.

 

[Dusty]

I subscribe to both ONX and Gaia but I find myself using ONX more. I've been sharing some of the BBBBXXII route info in ONX folders so if you want to be able to see those you'll need ONX. But GPX files can be loaded into any mapping app, even Google Maps on your phone.

I haven't checked out the Ford Bronco Trails app yet. If it can both download maps for offline use, and import route and waypoint data from GPX files, it should be fine. But I've heard that it doesn't have as much trail content yet as the more mature services.

The dedicated GPS systems are, in my opinion, a waste of money and space. You have a Bronco with a nice big screen already, a phone, and CarPlay. No need to add more hardware into the equation. It's just a matter of figuring out which software you like to use.

 

[Buk_Yeh]

Sounds good. I feel like OnX vs Gaia is akin to a Ford vs Chevy debate in that they're all great (although that may be a bad example - Ford makes the Bronco). I'll look more into OnX. Thanks Dusty.

 

[BadSquatch]

I'm with Dusty on this, I have both, and am now using OnX almost exclusively for route planning and sharing. I've looked a bit at the Ford app, but it's not yet feature rich enough to replace OnX for me. It does have some cool features, but I'm disappointed that it doesn't use the Bronco's trail cams and in particular, it doesn't have the ability in import or export GPX files. So that makes it tough to use for route planning. Normally I would plan a route in OnX, and then export it to a GPX file that I send to all the participan that are on the run. Then the participants can import it into the GPX tool of their choice (like Dusty said above there are a lot of apps that support GPX) and we are then all working off the same route/map. Personally, I wish that Ford had just bought OnX, or made a deal with them to integrate OnX with the Bronco telemetry.

 

[ntsqd]

I've used Gaia for years, but some of their recent changes have caused me temporary grief and I'm looking at OnX. Gaia's land ownership data isn't as good as OnX's, although it does seem to be getting better. Since OnX was originally built for hunting where you need to absolutely know if you're on private or public land I'd be surprised of anything else. I'm fairly fast at using Gaia for route planning and I find OnX's to be clunky (so far) so I'll likely continue to use Gaia for that. What I'll use in the vehicle isn't clear. Yet. Probably all of them.

An option worth looking at is Garmin's InReach devices. Their purchase includes a scrolling map GPS app that is sometimes better than either Gaia or OnX depending on what I'm trying to do. I don't know if you can get the app and have it work w/o an InReach. Since the InReach confirms for my wife that I really am in the CA/NV/AZ/UT/OR outback somewhere and not over at Snookies Topless Pool Hall it is always in the truck anyway (J/K, but it is always in whatever I/we take on a trip).

 

[Dusty]

They need to put a GPS jammer around Snookies!

 

[BadSquatch]

If you have an iPhone, location tracking should be turned off before heading over to Snookies as well.

 

[Dirtylqqks]

Anyone had multiple issues trying to use the ford app?
Seems like it starts working then pops up and tells me to login after i am already logged in.

As for ONX its always been a solid app with plenty of options and user friendly with not to much detail.

 

[BadSquatch]

Anyone had multiple issues trying to use the ford app?
Seems like it starts working then pops up and tells me to login after i am already logged in.

As for ONX its always been a solid app with plenty of options and user friendly with not to much detail.

Yeah, I don't think that the Ford app is ready for prime time yet. Yo need to be logged into it before you try to bring it up in the Bronco, and even then sometimes it asks anyway.