Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Phones and GPS/mapping apps...

My phone is about toast, looking for a new one.

Which phones do best with gps and mapping? For that matter, which gps/mapping apps do you folks like the best?

I hear good things about On X but haven’t used it.

I have been using an IPhone 7 with a Mophie back up case for a few years with OnX. Works like a champ. My GPS gathers dust now.

Had a buddy talk me into getting OnX. Has its uses but it'll never replace my GPS.

Curious as to why, fremont?

Software or hardware?

Offline (non-cellular) connection doesn't work well at least for me
No ability to change map datum (so I can compare coordinates to a topo map)
Very kludgy "go-to" function (i.e., take you to a waypoint)
I want to keep my cell battery near max, as it sits off in my backpack for emergencies

I like OnX, I actually just upgraded so that I can get all 50 states data. Let’s me find lots of places to hunt I’d otherwise have overlooked. This area of NC is very flat but I like being able to switch between satellite images, topo, and hybrid to find small terrain changes that might funnel deer. I also like that I can save the map and use GPS tracking without having a cell connection. I will say though, it was a little difficult to use on my iPhone 6 IMO, because of screen size. The iPhone 8+ in general feels to big for me, but it’s great when I pull up OnX.

OnX and Samsung S6 with maps downloaded prior to hunt allows me to go offline (no cell coverage) and works well. Helped us out with property boundaries several times this year during antelope in Wyoming. Told us who the other property owners were and now we have permission for those parcels as well.

Still have my Garmin Montana but never turned it on this year.

It has completely replaced my GPS. The ability to toggle between Satellite, Hybrid, and Topo is huge! The land ownership is as well. I find I use it around home way more than I thought. Who owns that piece west of the Johnsons? Well, give me a second and i will tell ya!

Garmin Earthmate and an iPhone 6S, Samsung prior to that. Works like a charm. No cell needed,battery lasts days if I conserve. I usually run this on Airplane mode, and do not use to track routes. I do create and drop pins as needed. A stand-alone GPS is not on my shopping list. Garmin maps are good. Also, seamless and instant switch from PC mapping to iPhone mapping. Been running this for years.

I was using an iPhone 6s and just changed to iPhone Xr. I have used OnX and my GPS as a backup in the past. Using the GPS less and less. Key is to download maps in advance if you are going to be out of cell service. I am involved with Search and Rescue for my county and we have Gaia GPS app on our phones. it is pretty slick and yes there is an upcharge for added features. We have pretty much gone away from using GPS’s. Lots of areas here have no cell coverage. Standard gear includes a spare battery pack, just in case I am out for extended period of time.

iPhone 6S+ & OnX has replaced my GPS. Upload maps ahead of time and leave the phone on airplane mode, keeping an inexpensive battery backup. My phone lasts 48 hours on one charge so no issue and the level of detail on the clearer screen & increased functionality of the app is well worth the power issue.

I have an Iphone 7, with OnXMaps on it. Works really well. I have all 50 states on it, and it comes in handy when travelling as well as hunting.

I also have OnX installed on my Ipad Mini, with a suction bracket for my truck and RZR UTV. Great for navigating thru private/public lands, such as searching for walk-in pheasant hunt areas, etc.

I have a Garmin Montana, for navigating 'off the grid', and nothing beats it for battery life, navigation options, and other features that OnX simply does not have. Both Garmin GPS and Iphone apps have their uses, I kind of like having the option to use both.

Have OnX on my iPhone 8 and just bought the SD map chip to use this week. Wanted to be covered every way possible. I’ve used the service on my phone quite a bit for hunting and work. I live in the Upper Peninsula of MI in a remote area and have to make home calls for work searching for people. Some of these locations are in the true boonies. It’s helped a lot.

I carry both AND a compass because technology is great when it works, but batteries puke out in cold weather and I don't want to bet my life on a low battery. Day before yesterday out scouting at 29 degrees with 57% left in the phone battery and bingo, too cold to work even when riding in my right front pocket. I spent $20.00 yesterday for a take along charger and I'll have fresh batteries in my GPS come gun season, but that compass always works and is always recommended.

I have a question about the accuracy of the OnX property boundary maps. One of the things I need to be aware of in the area I hunt is making sure of property boundaries. How often are the maps updated etc?

Thanks to all for the comments and experiences.

I’m a big fan of Earthmate too. Definitely recommend it.

Yeah I hear ya.
I just bought a bunch of raw land and according to the survey my onX map is off by roughly 30’ in some areas.
That 30’ could get someone in a load of trouble somewhere.

In my experience OnX is pretty dead on. I wonder if the GPS reciever in your phone is the limiting factor.

It’s reading off my Garmin Montana...