Gaia GPS Navigation

[JWL]

I just found out my Gaia annual subscription is going from $39.95 to $59.99. That’s a pretty big jump! I don’t use it that much (unfortunately) so I am canceling it. I usually use Google maps and I will mark out a route using back roads whenever possible on Benchmark Maps. But I would like to have something for off road and out of cell service. I’m going to see just how much if anything I can get off of just the Gaia app. I may try ONX (?) or something different just out of principle but from what I’m reading here I don’t know.

 

[rubberlegs]

The biggest issue with Backcountry Navigator is their use of a propitiatory .bcn file system. .

For future reference: It's possible to get the waypoints out of Backcountry Nav. The .bcn files are "sqlite" files, an open-source file format. Use the free software at SQLiteStudio to edit the file, which can display a spreadsheet of all the waypoints. Then you can paste them into your own spreadsheet, and add a cell in each row to create the proper GPX format from other columns. I used this:

="<wpt lat=""" & B57 & """ lon=""" & C57 & """><name>" & E57 & "</name><desc>" & F57 & text(G57,"YYYY-MM-DD") & "</desc></wpt>"

(oops, I forgot the time from column G... might edit this later...) used to build a GPX file something like this:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<gpx xmlns="GPX 1.1 Schema Documentation" xmlns:gpxx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/GpxExtensions/v3" creator="CALTOPO" version="1.1">
<wpt lat="36.12345" lon="-117.67890"><name>Some bogus waypoint</name><desc>2023-01-08 </desc></wpt>
<wpt lat="36.234567" lon="-117.0987654321"><name>Another waypoint</name><desc>2023-01-08</desc></wpt>
</gpx>

If this looks complicated, private-message me if you want one converted. It's just a few minutes.

 

[ski3pin]

rubberlegs is a computer genius and has set my waypoints free! Thank you sir.

 

[goinoregon]

ahhh yes, sqlite files. i should have known that.
but first i have to figure out how my cursor got locked..... wth...

 

[Gussie]

I'm a bit late to the party, but there it is, and here I am.
I'm looking for advice from seasoned Gaia users. I've purchased an iPad Mini with 256GB for the sole purpose of downloading Gaia maps strictly for offline use while overlanding.
Apologies if it's already been addressed, but I've searched across the forum and I couldn't find out which map overlays are most useful for this purpose.
If I want hi-res maps, there is a 10,000 tile limit Gaia imposes - which restricts each area I am interested in. There are a few overlays (USFS Classic, USGS Topo, Satellite Topo) that are real data hogs. Are they critical to overlanding while offline?
My current list of overlays are the following:
MVUM
USFS Classic
Us State and County boundaries.
USFS recreation sites
Historic Topo 1930
Native American native lands

Using these overlays, I have learned to create map areas between 3-4M acres. The USFS Classic overlay takes the lion's share of data for each overlay. I'm thankful that I'm retired and have the time to 'crash and learn' about Gaia, but I'm now wondering if my approach is sound?

 

[Occidental]

Personally I primarily use the Gaia proprietary layers (e.g. Gaia overland, gaia classic or gaia winter) to download a large area (usually an entire state or region) along with other light on data layers (e.g. USFS rec sites and state/county boundaries). These download fast and allow me to have a good base layer on my device no matter where I end up. Then if I am going to a specific spot where I want other more detailed memory intensive layers I download them for that trip. It's not so much about the space on my device, which has plenty, it's about how much of a pain and time suck it is to download this data from Gaia. In my experience I may need 3-4 days of lead time to be sure downloads finish before I depart on a trip (recent experience travelling all around BC last summer is an example, with 4 days of lead time I still couldn't finish downloading the maps I wanted), which is unfortunate and the major downside of Gaia usage in my opinion (which I otherwise love to use).

 

[buckland]

Agree overland base and the USFS. I have Gig fiber optic and it does still seem to take awhile to download. I would suggest also avoiding updating maps while on the road as that takes brutally long times on WiFi. Maps are great though.

 

[Gussie]

Personally I primarily use the Gaia proprietary layers (e.g. Gaia overland, gaia classic or gaia winter) to download a large area (usually an entire state or region) along with other light on data layers (e.g. USFS rec sites and state/county boundaries). These download fast and allow me to have a good base layer on my device no matter where I end up. Then if I am going to a specific spot where I want other more detailed memory intensive layers I download them for that trip. It's not so much about the space on my device, which has plenty, it's about how much of a pain and time suck it is to download this data from Gaia. In my experience I may need 3-4 days of lead time to be sure downloads finish before I depart on a trip (recent experience travelling all around BC last summer is an example, with 4 days of lead time I still couldn't finish downloading the maps I wanted), which is unfortunate and the major downside of Gaia usage in my opinion (which I otherwise love to use).

I like that idea. Going to implement it - thanks, Occidental.
As far as detailed data, I've got a full week before departure, if I start downloading NOW I should be okay.

 

[craig333]

Fired up the Garmin tread gps the other day. It wanted to do a map download. Three hours! Not sure how long it really took as I started it and went to bed. All I know so far is that it included some stuff that previously had been an extra charge. The map is great. I haven't played around with waypoints and such yet. You can sure tell what a litigious society we live in. It makes you confirm you will not play with it while driving every time it boots up.

 

[CraggyMan]

I tend to just download the Gaia Overland or Topo for covering large areas and will use USGS Topo along with Private Land boundary's for more specific areas of interest. I do quite a bit of pre-planning on the laptop beforehand and drop lots of way-points for possible campsites, trailheads, road junctions, etc. that then get sync'd to the phone downloads. Also in the pre-planning mode the Cell coverage maps can be useful.

 

[Gussie]

I tend to just download the Gaia Overland or Topo for covering large areas and will use USGS Topo along with Private Land boundary's for more specific areas of interest. I do quite a bit of pre-planning on the laptop beforehand and drop lots of way-points for possible campsites, trailheads, road junctions, etc. that then get sync'd to the phone downloads. Also in the pre-planning mode the Cell coverage maps can be useful.

Good info. I have no cell coverage on my device, just GPS. I'm assuming the GPS signal will orient the device to the app, which then uses the overlay(s) that I've already downloaded.
Does that sound right?

 

[CraggyMan]

Good info. I have no cell coverage on my device, just GPS. I'm assuming the GPS signal will orient the device to the app, which then uses the overlay(s) that I've already downloaded.
Does that sound right?

As far as I know that should be correct. As a double-check once you download files to your device put it in Airplane Mode and check to see if you can view maps/waypoints. Although this may only apply to phones??

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Things have come a long way in electronic maps. Wow.

Back in the day, I started with newly released Windows 3.1 on a 386 SX computer. Somebody told me about some new fangled map program, which I don't recall (Microsoft Streets & Trips sounds familiar) that would eliminate my topographic maps. It wasn't what I was looking for, as it only showed paved streets and highways.

At some point, I found and installed Delorme Street Atlas USA 6.0. It worked OK for my needs, as it did show many two track trails in my favorite areas. I kept and used it until around a dozen years ago for territory outside that of my later map programs.

In the 1990s, a friend gave me a copy of Earth Visions for California. It showed what amounted to paper topo map quads with no enhancements. It wasn't seamless, one had to physically switch between quads instead of transitioning one to another.

Later yet, another friends gave me a copy of National Geographic TOPO!, which was similar but featured enhancements, such as shading to enhance relief, as well as 3D Google Earth-like imagery but with the map and not like you are actually there as in GE.

I used those until about three years ago, when I obtained a used Windows 10 desktop, which replaced my aging Toshiba Windows Vista laptop; I still have the old software, but they won't work on anything newer than Windows 7.

Today I just play around with GE. I have navigation in my Outback and 4Runner.

I do have a Garmin eTrex, the basic one that only displays data, no maps. I do occasionally use it, the last time when making measurements and determining where I want to place things on my land when I first purchased it as raw land. I have the cables and software to upload and download tracks and waypoints, but is no longer relevant since the Vista computer is all but dead.

 

[Occidental]

Gussie, you are correct, if your device is gps equipped that is all you need to locate yourself. I don't have cell service on my device either.

 

[Gussie]

As far as I know that should be correct. As a double-check once you download files to your device put it in Airplane Mode and check to see if you can view maps/waypoints. Although this may only apply to phones??

Craggy, the advice is sound even though this device has no "airplane mode." In my case, I just need to turn off the WiFi on the iPad.
Thanks