GPS Trail Charting use while riding our sleds - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

DinoRossi · 12-11-2012, 08:26 AM

Backwoodsgpstrails.com sells a download that downloads its snowmobile maps into a Garmin Nuvi 500/550 (recommended unit as they are water resistant and operate in cold temps) that is supose to have all our NH snowmobiletrail maps in it. Does anyone have any experience with using a GPS on the snowmobile trails?? I would think that having one would speed up the fun and not require so many stops at junctions etc. Would love to hear peoples thoughts. I do realize that trails change every year so I guess you would need to download new maps each year. Have clubs been approached by these mapping companies?? Look forward to your replies!! I can also be reached at Dino@RealEstateMan.com

**RJ Gleason** · 12-11-2012, 12:27 PM

Here in NY, we are moving to have all road crossings and trail junctions listed with GPS location to aid riders and emergency services.
All the maps available through local clubs or issued by the state are as current as possible with the most recent GPS mapping tracks available.

rgoers · 12-11-2012, 01:24 PM

Trails in the NE are marked so well, I'd skip the GPS altogether! We're lucky if we find an orange pole every mile or so out West, and FORGET about EVER seeing a sign that points you to a town, gas, restaurant, etc. Signs don't exist... (neither do gas stations). So, out West, a GPS is really not an option. I have mapped all my own trails, since it's hard to find any GPS-ready maps for trails around here.

ridegreen · 12-13-2012, 02:07 PM

I down loaded an free app on my smart phone and shows all the trail systems in the United States, you zoom in and it shows where food lodging and gas is located along the trails.

smokingcrater · 12-13-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgoers

Signs don't exist... (neither do gas stations). So, out West, a GPS is really not an option. .

In that case, the gps isn't to find the trail, its to find the way back home!

powderripper · 12-29-2012, 06:00 PM

if you have a gps where / how do you mount it?

Polaris7984 · 02-04-2013, 01:49 AM

Minnesota DNR has our trails for free download to use on Garmin. I added the map file to my unit (that I use in my car; 255W model) and it works great! Turn by turn directions, estimates your time of arrival, etc. This summer I'm going to mount it near my other instrument gauges and hardwire it.

Sent from my Xtra Lite Tablet

powderripper · 02-04-2013, 08:19 PM

I have an older garmin that I used to use in my car before I got an iphone, so I could mount and hardwire in that, but it doesn't strike me as particularly weatherproof. How do you keep it from getting wet at all. Would it be protected enough mounted to stay completely dry?

rgoers · 02-04-2013, 08:31 PM

You won't be able to. That's why I use an eTrex... they can handle sitting in 3 feet of water.

Polaris7984 · 02-04-2013, 08:56 PM

I've seen some handlebar mounts (at least for a motorcycle) that encloses a GPS unit and has a clear plastic window, ironically similar to a tank bag with a map insert.

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TheFoxwasHere28 · 02-04-2013, 09:05 PM

That sounds like something that would come in handy during those cold, dark nights when you are low on gas and not quite sure where you are lol.

It seems like something that would be finicky because trails change yearly. Wouldn't that mean you have to update it every year to keep it current? I really don't have a lot of experience with those so i could be wrong.

T4Turtle · 02-12-2013, 05:40 AM

I use BackCountry Navigator on my smart phone. You can run in airplane mode to save battery, then you are just using GPS and a downloaded map of your the area you are riding in. Have not used in a while (little snow), not sure if they offer snowmobile maps, but it's nice to be able to stop and look to see where you are or what might be around you.

Saved me once when I looked at an old map and assumed I was going the right way, then I thought I should have been there by now, and was low on gas. Got off the sled and looked at the phone and there was a town within 1 mile. Turned around in a circle until the phone pointed at the town, and drove right to a gas station. That one time alone was worth the $10 for the app.

powderripper · 02-12-2013, 06:38 PM

if that smart phone app doesn't show snow mobile trail maps how is it any different from using google / iphone maps?

T4Turtle · 02-12-2013, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderripper

if that smart phone app doesn't show snow mobile trail maps how is it any different from using google / iphone maps?

First you must have cell signal to use those maps which is not always available. Second is if you do have signal and some is roaming it will kill your battery pretty fast.

With this setup you download and save an area to the phone, then run in airplane mode which still allows gps to be on. Battery will last 3 plus times longer.

powderripper · 02-13-2013, 03:11 PM

so the gps still works in airplane mode? I did not know that

T4Turtle · 02-13-2013, 03:20 PM

Yes it does, at least on most Android phones. And you can mark waypoints like gas, food, bar, etc.. and save the route for the next time you ride the same area. And it will track over your olde tracks.

Real nice if in unknown areas, don't see much for snowmobile specific map downloads at this time. But good bang for the buck.

powderripper · 02-13-2013, 03:33 PM

good to know! learn something new every day! Thanks guys

Polaris7984 · 02-13-2013, 03:38 PM

We use Polaris Snow Trails app - free download on Google Play Store. Haven't tried using it with the phone on Airplane Mode but I hope it works, the app tends to eat your battery.

Sent from my Xtra Lite Tablet

T4Turtle · 02-13-2013, 04:40 PM

Pretty sure you will need internet connection for that app. If you could down load a map and save it then have gps know the map coordinates then this may work. There are different map option like TOPO for US and a few more through the app and they are free.

They have a trial version, just look it up in your "store" on your phone. They charged me $10 3 years ago for the full version. Cheap insurance.

powderripper · 02-13-2013, 09:33 PM

thanks for sharing the info, looks like a good app