[Android] Back Country Navigator vs. Gaia GPS vs. Trimble Outdoor Naviagtor??

[yubert]

I'm looking for a comparison between those three (3) topo apps and wonder if anyone has experience with any or all of these topo apps and could provide the pros and cons.

From a quick glance, it seems BCN supports types of maps including satellite imagery but Gaia has a slicker, easier interface. But beyond that I can't tell the difference. And I have not had time to look into Trimble. Also, it seem like downloading maps with BCN is could be tedious since it's limited caopturing what's viewable on the screen. Or am I wrong?

Anyway at a minimum, I'm looking for the following features:

1. Free downloadable maps.
2. Topo and satellie maps for USA, Canada and Mexico.
3. Support for Nexus 7.
4. Ability to record tracks and waypoints.
5. Ability to import/export GPX tracks/routes/waypoints.
6. Support for maps of different resolutions.

Thanks.

--Yubert

 

[evldave]

I've used all three at some point or another, and have settled on BCM (on my Nexus 7).

I haven't used Trimble or Gaia for probably a year or more. The Trimble app was horrible at the time, it may have gotten better, but realistically, BCM does all that you ask. The interface is pretty good (has been upgraded a lot and the developer is very responsive to feedback).

BCM is a little bit of a pain to get maps, just zoom out and hit the download feature and select the zoom layer you want to download - I've done most of the off-cell areas of western Washington and Oregon...it is a lot of data, so do it over wi-fi and give it overnight for big sets

I like that BCM has the ability to download 'extras' - including AccuTerra maps (very detailed topo maps) and overlays, plus it's pretty easy to import gpx files.

With BCN, you can also use an offline downloader to get maps on your computer then copy them over to your Nexus. Get "Mobile Atlas Creator v 1.9 beta 1" - it allows you to download offline versions of google maps/terrain/etc and lots of other maps to use with BCN.

 

[AZXterra410]

Do you find the Accuterra maps worth the extra 21 bucks? Or are the standard topo's sufficient?

 

[evldave]

Do you find the Accuterra maps worth the extra 21 bucks? Or are the standard topo's sufficient?

Depends on how much money you have I would say absolutely yes, was worth it just because the quality of the maps were better (looks like Google Terrain, except even better quality). And in the big scheme of things, the $21 is was I paid for one of my not-on-sale Gazeteers, so really not a lot.

Make sure you have a lot of memory if you want to save a lot of maps, a full State might take 5-20GB

 

[AZXterra410]

Sweet. Thanks for the info! I will most likely be purchasing it, 20 bucks is worth it in the long run I suppose.

 

[yubert]

Questions on BCN...

Thanks for the info evldave. I downloaded the demo version of BCN to test and evaluate it over a Labor Day trip to the Eastern Sierras. And you're right about downloads taking a long time. I zoomed out and selected the area I was interested in but 6 or 7 hours later it was still organizing the tiles. So I quit and downloaded the same area but used the topo map instead of the aerial. That took about 45 minutes. I'm not sure if aerial data that much larger than topo, both were set to layer 15.

Anyway, here's some issues I had using BCN.

1. Deleting old map data doesn't seem to be working. Before using BCN, I had 9GB free, but after several map downloads and deletions of those maps, I had 1GB free and that caused a lot of apps to lock up. I tried deleting the BCN data and the app from within "settings" but that didn't make a dent. I also noticed in the "settings" program, apps took about 4GB, and I had 1.2GB free. So that meant there was 10-11GB that was unaccounted. I finally reset the Nexus 7 back to back to "factory" and reclaimed 13GB.

2. Waypoints didn't display the name when I pressed my finger on the waypoint. It seems 9 out of 10 times, BCN thought I wanted to add a new waypoint. It didn't matter what zoom level, the app just couldn't tell when I was selecting a waypoint.

3. Lastly, it seemed if I downloaded a new style of map for an area, it would overwrite the previous maps even though they were different types. Maybe it's pilot error but I wanted to nave both aerial and topo maps for the same area so I can switch between them.

Have you noticed any of these issues?

Also, I was about to install Gaia GPS but they just raised the price 100%, from $5 to $10!! So I'll have think twice before purchasing....

--Yubert

 

[zeroland]

I have been using Nexus 7 to test a number of GPS apps... read more via my blog on http://overland-live.blogspot.com

Personally, after days of testing, my feeling is that the best apps are Maverick, OruxMaps and Androzic.
BCN has a very poor layout but does feature a few US topo maps that I was not familiar with. OruxMaps has a US mapping system available plus the usual online maps. I have just tested the offline maps (garmin img maps) on the OruxMaps.

I plan to write up a summary in the next few days of the apps so will post something relevant here.

Let me know how you progress as it seems your requirements are very similar to mine.

BTW, what 12v in-car charger are you using for your Nexus 7? I have tried two different 2.1amp chargers and both fail to charge. I am thinking the only option might be an inverter.

 

[gahi]

I have just tested the offline maps (garmin img maps) on the OruxMaps.

Can you post some more details on this? How do you get the garmin maps to work with OruxMaps? Do you just drag them to the appropiate folder? Or are additional steps needed?

Thanks,

 

[yubert]

Personally, after days of testing, my feeling is that the best apps are Maverick, OruxMaps and Androzic.
BCN has a very poor layout but does feature a few US topo maps that I was not familiar with. OruxMaps has a US mapping system available plus the usual online maps. I have just tested the offline maps (garmin img maps) on the OruxMaps.

BTW, what 12v in-car charger are you using for your Nexus 7? I have tried two different 2.1amp chargers and both fail to charge. I am thinking the only option might be an inverter.

Hey I'll have to check out those map apps. I already installed Androzic but didn't have time to test it.

As for the 12V in-car charger, I have the same problem too!! I have a 2.1/1 amp 12V USB charger, both ports would not charge the Nexus 7. I tried different cables, still didn't work. Fortunately I brought a power inverter along for my trip and that worked with the Nexus AC adapter. I'm going to look into this further.

 

[zeroland]

Can you post some more details on this? How do you get the garmin maps to work with OruxMaps? Do you just drag them to the appropiate folder? Or are additional steps needed?

Thanks,

@Gahi - I need to clarify: OruxMaps support the IMG format that Garmin uses. My two alternative maps I tested which appear in Mapsource (an Australian Topo & vector map) have subfolders to the IMG files. I copied the folders into the OruxMaps map folder on the Nexus. When I opened the app, it said something about syncing the database. After that, I could choose which map to use by using the menu command 'Switch Map here'. It would then display the offline versions of the map which I had installed (in the above example, four maps - 2x overview & 2x detailed tiles of the area).

Let me know if you manage to take a copy of the maps on a Garmin device and load them up.

 

[gahi]

After some messing around, I got the garmin IMG files working.







The quality of the displayed maps isnt as good as on the garmin device. It displays alot of unnecessary info, and leaves off some. But overall, for a totally free setup, I like it.

 

[crismateski]

I am using the Samsung Galaxy tab 2 10.1, and the solution I have found for charging is this http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Use-Veh...UTF8&colid=QF5SDKU8U29C&coliid=I3BZO8U520JJ23 1 of the usb ports is standard, and will maintain the battery with the screen on, and charge when the screen is off. The second output is a high power, and will charge with the screen on. It also gives to 12v ports, and mounts easily.

 

[gahi]

What style mount are you using for the tab2?

 

[crismateski]

I currently have this mount http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055AZZ9G/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The arm is nice, but I am not impressed with the actual grip head. It is kind of cheap and being that it is universal, you have the have the galaxy off center so it is not hitting buttons. I am going to order the ram mount that is made specifically to fit the model I have. It is a bit more, but should be a much nicer way to go

 

[yubert]

Magnadyne Vehicle Charger with Dual USB Ports and Dual 12 Volt Sockets

I am using the Samsung Galaxy tab 2 10.1, and the solution I have found for charging is this http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Use-Veh...UTF8&colid=QF5SDKU8U29C&coliid=I3BZO8U520JJ23 1 of the usb ports is standard, and will maintain the battery with the screen on, and charge when the screen is off. The second output is a high power, and will charge with the screen on. It also gives to 12v ports, and mounts easily.

Did the charger state what is the amps for each USB port? Sounds like one must be 2 amps in order to charge a tablet but do you know if the 2nd port 1 amp or 2 amps? Certainly hope it's not 500 mA.