Off-Road Mapping App Thread

I know @raqball is a OnX trail guide also so he might be able to add on to the great info @JoergH has provided.

Michael_T

I maybe misunderstanding your second thought, but when you create a downloadable map in OnX, you can select which ones you want. You don't have to download every single one. Once I was done in Moab, I removed the maps from my device. But they are still available to be redownloaded.

In Gaia, when I want to download an offline map, it shows me a box with corners I can drag to any size. With onX, THEY tell me the size, and it is one size per resolution. Although I can download several of onX's boxes, it is WAY easier with Gaia. In one of the Masterclass 101 videos, Hunter said that enlarging that box was the number one requested change. Except, they just enlarged the box. They did not give us the ability to choose the size.

If I download several onX boxes to cover an entire route, will onX automatically cycle through the downloads? Or will I have to manually choose the next download when I move off of the first one?

JoergH

Check out the one that I linked in my previous post. That's the most recent 101 Class. That should be a good starting point for you. In general, they tend to make updated videos a lot, so just look at the dates and grab the most recent one for the topic you're interested in.

Ahhhhh. I get it. each Masterclass 101 starts from the beginning. I was thinking that they were additive.

Thank you!!

SocalBonanza

So, two questions:

1. Does OnX have such a feature, and if so, how does one access it?

2. How does OnX get its ratings?

1. onX lets anyone with a least a free account add a trail report to an existing trail that has been already been mapped and published to the system.

You can add a trail report to that specific trail that states why you believe the trail is overrated or underrated. You can also add in any specific remarks that describe changes to the trail that you observed, along with adding your own photos.. etc..

If the trail description / rating is woefully bad, you can contact onX and advise them of such.

Just recently, after getting onX admin approval, I went out and remapped an entire National Forest (15+ trails) because the previous mapper did a horrendous job. That persons reports read like a Yelp review, the trail descriptions were way off and terrible, and the photos listed were all personal type photos that showed no trail conditions whatsoever.

How did those terrible trails slip through review? They apparently were done at the very beginning of onX 'sTrail Guide program where they were still trying to dial in the process..

2. onX uses their own trail rating system. You can see detail of their rating system, with photos in my post here: (post #7)

https://thebronconation.com/trails-trips-n.64/bronco-trail-app-t.21435/#post-329926

Read through that entire thread if you have the time as there is some good info in it re: the various mapping apps.

Basically, onX Trail Guides go out and track / map trails. It is then uploaded to the onX system by the Trail Guide with trail description, photos and a trail rating. Once uploaded, it must be reviewed and approved by the onX mapping team. If the trail is approved, the trail is published. They have guidelines that Trail Guides must follow like trail length, photo requirements and trail description requirements. etc.

SocalBonanza

In Gaia, when I want to download an offline map, it shows me a box with corners I can drag to any size. With onX, THEY tell me the size, and it is one size per resolution. Although I can download several of onX's boxes, it is WAY easier with Gaia. In one of the Masterclass 101 videos, Hunter said that enlarging that box was the number one requested change. Except, they just enlarged the box. They did not give us the ability to choose the size.

If I download several onX boxes to cover an entire route, will onX automatically cycle through the downloads? Or will I have to manually choose the next download when I move off of the first one?

You can change the size of the box with OnX as well, Low detail max size is like 145 mile x 105 mile, Medium detail is like 40 miles x 28 miles, and High detail is like 11 miles x 8 miles.

Just pinch and zoom on the box to enlarge.

Deano Bronc

I know @raqball is a OnX trail guide also so he might be able to add on to the great info @JoergH has provided.

Not much to add, @JoergH did a great job explaining things..

raqball

Not much to add, @JoergH did a great job explaining things..

Thanks! But I'm sure that there's a ton more for folks to learn, but I have to say that the latest Masterclass 101 does a pretty good job. One of the newest features they added was cell phone coverage. Personally, I just go into offline mode as soon as I hit dirt. But is cool to look ahead of time to see what kind of cell coverage I'm going to have/not have during my run.

Lots O Fords

I've got Gaia, trails off road, onX and now the Polaris Ride now.
While Gaia doesn't give trail ratings. I use the Gaia the most when I'm just out in the desert in the bronco or sxs. When hiking and even finding my way back from a bar in Mexico.

I've just learned by trial and error.
I got a lot of help with onX in Moab from the folks we were with. Over dinner no less.
They all have so many options, I think you just focus on one and then just make it do one thing.

I'll follow this thread for sure.

Based off the number of apps you have, is it safe to assume that if you get lost it's USER ERROR!! :0)

broncorob3

You can change the size of the box with OnX as well, Low detail max size is like 145 mile x 105 mile, Medium detail is like 40 miles x 28 miles, and High detail is like 11 miles x 8 miles.

Just pinch and zoom on the box to enlarge.

When I pinch and zoom in the offline map page, it zooms the map but not the downloadable map area. The download area size is always (about) 11x8 miles in high detail. I want to make that 40 by 23 miles...

MIGeezer

Based off the number of apps you have, is it safe to assume that if you get lost it's USER ERROR!! :0)

HA! For so many things in the off roading I do, it is USER ERROR!!!

😀

raqball

1. onX lets anyone with a least a free account add a trail report to an existing trail that has been already been mapped and published to the system.

You can add a trail report to that specific trail that states why you believe the trail is overrated or underrated. You can also add in any specific remarks that describe changes to the trail that you observed, along with adding your own photos.. etc..

If the trail description / rating is woefully bad, you can contact onX and advise them of such.

Just recently, after getting onX admin approval, I went out and remapped an entire National Forest (15+ trails) because the previous mapper did a horrendous job. That persons reports read like a Yelp review, the trail descriptions were way off and terrible, and the photos listed were all personal type photos that showed no trail conditions whatsoever.

How did those terrible trails slip through review? They apparently were done at the very beginning of onX 'sTrail Guide program where they were still trying to dial in the process..

2. onX uses their own trail rating system. You can see detail of their rating system, with photos in my post here: (post #7)

https://thebronconation.com/trails-trips-n.64/bronco-trail-app-t.21435/#post-329926

Read through that entire thread if you have the time as there is some good info in it re: the various mapping apps.

Basically, onX Trail Guides go out and track / map trails. It is then uploaded to the onX system by the Trail Guide with trail description, photos and a trail rating. Once uploaded, it must be reviewed and approved by the onX mapping team. If the trail is approved, the trail is published. They have guidelines that Trail Guides must follow like trail length, photo requirements and trail description requirements. etc.

Thank you for the information. Regarding the thread on the Bronco Trail App, I had read it when I was looking for a thread on how to use the various apps.

SocalBonanza

When I pinch and zoom in the offline map page, it zooms the map but not the downloadable map area. The download area size is always (about) 11x8 miles in high detail. I want to make that 40 by 23 miles...

If you want to do an area that large in high detail you will need to do multiple maps. I will usually overlap my maps a little so I don’t have any areas that aren’t covered. I find medium detail works plenty well for my applications.

SocalBonanza

Thank you for the information. Regarding the thread on the Bronco Trail App, I had read it when I was looking for a thread on how to use the various apps.

There is a live onX Masterclass June 19th @ 7PM Central

They have a Q & A at the end of the class to ask any questions you have. They also give out some free gear / swag...

All you need is a free onX account to register and attend.

Register Here: onX Offroad 101: Master the App:

https://onxmaps.zoom.us/webinar/register/8917467282018/WN_9Bd9yeQgSTily8eBEBi8UA#/registration

MIGeezer

Based off the number of apps you have, is it safe to assume that if you get lost it's USER ERROR!! :0)

I never get lost, but sometimes I don't know where I'm going.

When you save the maps for off-line usage, do you need to save them on the device you plan on using?
I initially thought they were stored in my OnX account but that wouldn't make sense since you wouldn't have cell service to get them. Probably answered my own question.😆

I may be using a tablet instead of my phone on the trail so that's what got me thinking.

Deano Bronc

When you save the maps for off-line usage, do you need to save them on the device you plan on using?
I initially thought they were stored in my OnX account but that wouldn't make sense since you wouldn't have cell service to get them. Probably answered my own question.😆

I may be using a tablet instead of my phone on the trail so that's what got me thinking.

Yes, you'll need to have them saved on the device you plan on using.

You can set up the mapping area from any device and it will be saved to your OnX account, but if you plan to use the maps offline, you will need to download them to that specific device you will be using.

Deano Bronc

When you save the maps for off-line usage, do you need to save them on the device you plan on using?
I initially thought they were stored in my OnX account but that wouldn't make sense since you wouldn't have cell service to get them. Probably answered my own question.😆

I may be using a tablet instead of my phone on the trail so that's what got me thinking.

Make sure the tablet you will use has GPS. The iPad WiFi only tablets do not have a GPS chip in them... You do not need cellular, but you do need the tablet to have GPS...

Has anyone used Trails Offroad for trail navigation? https://www.trailsoffroad.com/
I've had a subscription for several years and used the website a lot for trail information but never on the trail. I just received an email from them announcing several new features.

Deano Bronc

Has anyone used Trails Offroad for trail navigation? https://www.trailsoffroad.com/
I've had a subscription for several years and used the website a lot for trail information but never on the trail. I just received an email from them announcing several new features.

I've used it for trail navigation, and for trail info, like you do. The new features seem cool, but I still tend to favor OnX.

JoergH

I've used it for trail navigation, and for trail info, like you do. The new features seem cool, but I still tend to favor OnX.

I may mess around with it and use it for the Colorado trip. It'll be a great way to compare the 2 platforms especially with these new features.

Edit - Just searched if they have offline maps and they seem to make it really easy. You can download an entire state and not just sections.