Finally ordered up my iphone4, and am trying to get a handle on some of the useful apps out there for getting the most out of the trails, and getting to the trails.

So far it looks like the Navigon gps app is getting good reviews, with TomTom's app close behind. Anybody here have hands-on with these, esp on the new iphone, or could recommend other apps that are useful in the great outdoors?

Up till now I've used my Nuvi on the road, and then my Garmin Legend on the trail, since the Nuvi doesn't breadcrumb. It'd be nice to have an app or two to do this.

Then there's things like
http://www.apptism.com/apps/clinometer

and
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/advanced-level-inclinometer/id288338285?mt=8

and
http://appcomments.com/appdetails/Vehicle_Clinometer___Tilt_meter


Any experience with any of these, or others?

Cheers
Phil

I've had 'limited' experience using Tom Tom's software but only on their street gps units (not on the ipod). Based on this, my opinion is I like their software & interface far more than I did the Garmin, Mio or Magellan alternatives I tried.

I did find this since I've also been looking for a solution (except for the Ipad instead of the Iphone)... http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/09/iphone-navigation-shootout/

One thing I'll point out is that these programs are primarily for street navigation and not so much for the trail. Off road navigation is possible but the Iphone gps chip isn't as sensitive partially relying on cell tower triangulation to improve it's accuracy. In my research the 'preferred' gps chipset is the SirfStar III chipset.

Also, I don't know of specific topo navigation programs for the Iphone. I'm sure they exist. Just haven't looked for them. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Best app for GPS and maps? Ummm the stock Maps icon worked fine for me long before the app store was around. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I will have to get it from my brother, but their is a map app that is all hiking and geographical maps you download right to the phone itself so you're not downloading maps on the fly in the case your out of cell service. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I am interested in hearing about battery life issues you find when using the cell phone as a GPS; especially in fringe coverage areas.

My experience with Blackberry and now a Droid is using the GPS feature will shorten battery life.

my Droid2's battery life is killed by any other feature other than the backlight.

John,

I suspect this is by design since phones will typically go into Analog mode without a digital signal which burns through the battery power very quickly. Then without the presence of a cell tower it uses max power to effectively "ping" the surrounding area until it finds a tower it can connect to.

Couple this to their use of cell towers to help triangulate and increase gps accuracy, I suspect you will easily burn through your battery unless the phone disables pinging for a local cell tower automatically or you manually disable this 'feature'.

To combat this without turning off my phone I instead ensure my phone is plugged to 12v power when wheeling outside of the net. The moment you take it off power, you'll see how quickly battery reserves are depleted (hours instead of days).

If you're using it's gps features, better keep it plugged in. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The Droid has googlemaps in 2 modes. One uses GPS plus cell tower. It does suck battery power.

The other appears to have little drain and gives you an area location based on nearest cell tower.

I am not sold on the cell phone - GPS feature based on receiver sensitivity, battery life and small screen size. It may be useful for the occasional user; however, when I need to say routes, I find it cumbersome.

BTW, I do have the upgraded battery for my Droid which does help with battery life.

I agree John. Based on my own testing and research, I think a multi-device solution is best (if possible). In my case, the cell phone works but only for a short while when using gps or for a longer while with not so accurate cell towers.

An inexpensive hand held gps (ex. Etrex Legend) on the other hand will work for hours especially when coupled with a good old map and knowledge on orienteering with the GPS.

For street/direction routing, I have yet to find a solution that beats a street specific gps but perhaps the phone gps can replace that (soon if not already).

For off road vehicle navigation, I'm still searching for the ideal balance of screen size, UI ease, and software functionality/features. I thought I found it in the software from Overland Navigator (vector based topo software) built with a tablet or mouse/trackpad interface but unfortunately they don't currently support any of the Apple OS platforms nor do they have any plans to.

Perhaps I'll have to buy a windows based tablet to use ON instead of my ipad.

But I (as usual) have digressed a bit... back to Phil's question. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

For offroad, I don't think anything can beat TOPO maps. Can you even get a GPS app that does TOPO maps?

I'd mount up a 10.1" netbook with a USB or bluetooth GPS mouse and Garmin TOPO North America (which I know you have Phil!) Could be done for $250.

I'm aware of the alternatives, and have many of them, but I'm looking for hands-on experience with apple specific apps... I'm tired of carrying an electronics store every time I go out through the door. I have all my topo maps in the pocket behind my driver's seat, as well as road maps for all the western states and provinces, but I'd like some supplemental apps if possible to augment the paper.

Ray/John, you raise a good point with battery life. Both my 4wds have an ipod dock linked directly into the headunit, so I'll be plugged in while in the vehicle in any case, so for me it's not a consideration. If I'm doing travel on foot, I'll probably still carry the legend (my wife will steal the Nuvi for her 4wd, if I can find a good routing app for the road).

Ed, I don't want a netbook car-puter. I think the smaller platforms can do what I want them to do, with less hassle. Oh, and I can make a *call* if I need to, too! (I think the iphone4 does that - I'll have to check and make sure!)

I think the next few weeks will be interesting, in terms of app shopping.

RayRay, funny you should like the tomtom better. I liked the Garmin interface way better, in my limited exposure to tomtom. Wonder how the Navigon compares?

Already ordered the Otterbox defender, so the death grip and the glass front and back shouldn't be a worry. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />