GPS software that has maps on the device without caching

[Oldmancrash]

Good day everyone. I am looking for a complete mobile map system to use in my 96 tacoma for overlanding. I will be using it in the US only and wanting it for weekend/weeklong backcountry 4x4 trail seeking/finding/mapping trips. I am hoping to find a program that I don’t have to cache maps. I want to have all high res maps stored on my system so I am not dependent on cell service to update my locations or download more maps. I also want to be able to drill down to fine details of an area. I don’t mind having to pay for a yearly or??? Fees for updates. I hate going out to the woods and thinking I have good details only to find that when I try to drill down and view that the cached maps are blurry or just not detailed enough. I am not thinking I can get enough detail to count flies on an elk butt. But, I would like to be close LOL. I bought onxmaps (yes you have to download maps to where you are going) for my android note4 but when out hunting we continually came across roads that were not on the maps and I know dang well that have been there for a few years. Now in order to run this software what hardware do you recommend? Should I have an external USB GPS receiver? Is there a tablet that can run this software or do I need a laptop? After all I would like to not take up the whole passenger side and I know my wife will appreciate that. Thank you all for your time

 

[tarditi]

This is an excellent article to read first...

http://expeditionportal.com/head-to-head-gps-vs-smartphone/

 

[Oldmancrash]

Excellent write-up. I now understand more about GPS handheld devices and Phone GPS. From what I am seeing I guess there is no app or software company that offers a full blown download of everything so you don't have to cache without cell service.

 

[AFBronco235]

I run MapsPro on my surface 2 tablet. Its still very new and the developer is still working the bugs out of it, but he is very good. The variety of maps available is always growing. Just recently forestry and topography maps were added. For what you want though, you'd probably be better of using the google maps and downloading the area you're wanting to explore. The trick is that you need to download down to "street level" to get good resolution. Also, if you pair it with a Bluetooth GPS dongle, you can not only track where you are, but track where you've been and store that path for future trips. You can even mark out specific points of interest of your own.

I keep all my downloaded maps on a 128 GB micro SD card. It keeps everything nice and tidy. I used it on a trail run on my Bronco last weekend. Performed flawlessly. The turn by turn navigation feature still needs work, but it will get you to your destination.

Its definitely something you should look into.

 

[oscar the grouch]

cache via wifi. its easy and if you have a card big enough you can get it all done and on the device. I always cache a large radius of google imagery around the area im going in addition to the 4 different topos for the entire south east that are already cached.