Overlanding Phone Apps

[cnynrat]

Dave - just a note, the newest version of Google Maps no longer requires a continuous data connection... It downloads and caches the data for your route. Still not perfect, but better than it used to be! (I loved getting/making a phone call and losing my navigation!)

I think I knew that, but don't you need to make those downloads in advance based on your route?

Of course, with Backcountry Navigator you need to download the topos in advance, but one difference there is if it's an area to visit regularly the map download is a one time deal.

[BKCowGod]

I think I knew that, but don't you need to make those downloads in advance based on your route?

Of course, with Backcountry Navigator you need to download the topos in advance, but one difference there is if it's an area to visit regularly the map download is a one time deal.

I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I do know that it downloaded all the maps for my entire route to my parents' house (which includes several sections of no cell coverage).

[sandalscout]

Great thread. OpenStreetMaps on Android is a proimising up and coming tool, and CraftyCoder hass expanded upon that creating a VERY cool application for motorcycle adventurers. Check out DualSportMaps for Android and DualSportMaps.com for the software ($20) and a ton of maps (free). Great site and with full integration to the site via the app, a killer combination (paired with Google Maps/Nav for free) that can do almost anything that a Garmin Montana can do.

I also like Car Music (http://www.androidcarmusic.com/) as an easy to use music player with large buttons. Makes it much easier to hit with gloves on.

[dirkdsoesdirt]

Spot Connect - the newest of SPOTs satellitte tracking has an app so that even without cell coverage you can see on your iphone where you are (google maps) and send custom messages back to the loved ones.
I upgraded a couple of months ago and just love this app and the way it works with SPOT.
The iphone connects via bluetooth to the tracking device so you see the progress as well as the person back home see it. If you have to send a message, just type it in the iphone and it sends the text back through the device to your contacts at home.
App Store = Spot Connect

[esh]

I was going to make an equivalency list for just Android, but I see we have a great start to it already-

Backcountry Navigator, check
OruxMaps, free and DIY.. equivalent to OziExplorer approach


Google Sky Map, check


Sun Surveyor, free and $6.49 version
I use this for photography and either choosing a camp site or orienting the truck when I want early or late shade in the morning.





aCurrency, free and $3.49 Pro version



aCar, free, and $5-$15 donation Pro version

One of the best cost and maintenance schedule apps I've found. Lots of data and nerdy graphs too!

[esh]

What's the name of the app that translates foreign language street signs viewed in camera mode?

Google Translate + Google Goggles?

I know also Translate + Docs allows you to do basic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for documents. Your 007 James Bond app.

[Lost Canadian]

The Photoraphers Ephemeris by far the highest quality and IMO best app for landscape photographers out there.

[cnynrat]

Also, is there an app that easily attaches text to images captured by the camera? I find I use the camera more and more for documentation, but I don't what those photos just thrown into the camera roll.

You might take a look at Place Memo for Android.

[dzzz]

Google Translate + Google Goggles?

I know also Translate + Docs allows you to do basic OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for documents. Your 007 James Bond app.

Found it. I was thinking of Word Lens

[DaveM]

I've stumped for this app on the forum before, but I'll add it here as well. The PDF Maps app from Avenza is free for iOS devices (and will eventually be ported to Android I believe). It features an in app map store that connects the user to a large database of free and pay maps. Free maps include all USGS topos and a growing supply of National Parks and BLM maps as well as some NOAA charts. There is also a library of other 3rd party created maps, some free and some for a fee.

The real power of the app comes form its ability to display the users location on any loaded GeoTIFF or GeoPDF which means any of you map hackers out there can generate your own specific route or destination maps and load them up. It's also a great place for digital cartographers to offer their professionally produced static maps in a digital format that allows for GPS overlay and waypoint plotting and export. It's not really a navigation app in the sense of some of the others, it's a digital map display with GPS overlay, but its ability to allow import of non proprietary maps makes it a great add on tool.

http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps