Bushwalk Australia

The Boss just bought me a new phone because the old OPPO was on its way out.
So I now have a new Samsung Galaxy A54
I'm wondering now what GPS system app I should download and what's currently considered a reasonable price point

I like Pocket Earth.
I think it’s about $10 for the “Pro” version which you’ll need for off-line maps.

I have the full version of Australia Topo Maps.

I just googled Pocket Earth and to me it looks like an Apple app and not going to work with my Android system on the Samsung
Not that we'd really need any navigational system to go where were are headed. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are after all now pretty much main roads

Free:

Osmand - offline maps and monthly updates available. Can be configured to show road/path surface and if 'private' tracks/paths

GPS Status - checks on what satellites you have and gives you an idea of accuracy. Also monitor some other sensors.

Stellarium - star map ...

There are paid versions for some of the above.

I use the Android app QField and downloaded GetLostMaps tif files.

"The mates who rely on phones for digital navigation swear by Avenza.

Moondog55 wrote:Not that we'd really need any navigational system to go where were are headed. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are after all now pretty much main roads

You want to know where the petrol stations, cafes, bars and IGA are and hwy rest stops .. ... and where the walks start. The osm maps give you that...

That and people have lost the track and died out there .. take an offline map with you and keep your phone charged and that will help.

I'd do Kings Canyon while your out there.

GaiaGPS was not the original, but definitely the best. Feature rich and the competition like Alltrials et al. have probably caught up.

I don't want to go down that rabbit hole again other than to say GaiaGPS is a solid option.

GaiaGPS integrates nicely with your PC/Laptop for planning. Downloads maps onto your phone, which is important when walking outside of reception. It also allows you to add 3rd party maps, so you can add historical maps (and download onto your phone), which can enrich your walking experience.

Costs about $30/year. With the price of petrol, that's nothing.



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One of the reasons I've asked is that my Gaia subscription has expired and I was wondering if I should pay another $30-USD for another year

Moondog55 wrote:I just googled Pocket Earth and to me it looks like an Apple app and not going to work with my Android system on the Samsung
Not that we'd really need any navigational system to go where were are headed. Uluru and Kata Tjuta are after all now pretty much main roads

Oops - sorry!

Well the Boss uses an i-Phone so I've let her know about it, although she usually uses Goggle-Eye maps.
The GPS system in our model KIA is pretty much useless and can't be upgraded at a reasonable cost

ChrisJHC wrote:I like Pocket Earth.
I think it’s about $10 for the “Pro” version which you’ll need for off-line maps.

Same here but I don’t think it’s not available on the Android platform when I last checked. Fantastic on an iPhone/iPad, handles my bush and non-bush domestic and international general travel needs.


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The discrepancy between these two recommendations is massive, in terms of cost:

GaiaGPS ... about $30/year.

Pocket Earth ... about $10 for the “Pro” version

There are literally hundreds of Adroid and/or iOS mapping applications out there that cover all the requirements. I don't understand what is the extra value in $30 per year, in GaiaGPS vs a (one-off, I presume?) payment of $10 for Pocket Earth. And I know of others that are even cheaper, but still have all the functionality required.

What's the value of the $30 per year subscription? That really adds up, over time. But even just in the first year, it is several times the cost of many other apps that do all that's required.

I assume that includes access to some sort of special maps that can't easily be used in other apps, perhaps?

But then are those maps really worth $30 per year, when there are many free map services about these days? Not just OSM and related, but actual high quality government generated map services in most states that are available using open standard map services for free. And these can be loaded up into any standards-compliant application for viewing (and/or downloading).

This is a genuine question, as I've never used GaiaGPS, so I really don't know.

(Disclaimer: I am the developer of another iOS mapping app, not mentioned yet in this topic, so I am VERY biased.)

I think mine was the free trial version so I was also wondering if it was worth a $30- subscription fee but the Falls Creek ski area map which I used all the time seems to have dropped off my phone when I upgraded to he new phone

I'd rather pay $10 than $30/year but being a Windows and Android user, Pocket Earth isn't an option. It only supports iPhone.
The reason I use GaiaGPS is after spending quite a lot of time checking out the various offerings, I decided on Gaia because it was a fully featured/supported solution that integrates nicely between my laptop and my phone.

I know there is a lot of competition in this space now, and there could well be better options but... I'm to lazy to go down that rabbit hole again and go through the learning curve of using another product. Also I have found GaiaGPS to be faultless. Not perfect but reliable.

Plus I use it quiet a bit so the $30/year isn't a big deal for me. Plenty of people seem to get around fine with just Google Maps.

Backcountry Navigator Pro is hands down the best app. Soo many features and you can add any custom map or map service.
Basically free high quality maps for most of Australia and opentopo for the rest of the world.
Works well and only one upfront cost.

Terra Map app works great on iPhone used offline no signal

anyone else use this app?