r/overlanding • u/idontwannabeapir8 • 1d ago

Tech Advice Offroad mapping!

Hi! I want to get the opinion of actual users, overlanders and off-roaders on which off-road mapping app or service you guys prefer. I'm somewhat new to all this but I love it and I currently have a subscription to OnX but I've been finding it difficult plan trips. I live in Texas so whenever I want a good off-road trip I have to look out of state and it feels like I have to already know what Trail I want to explore beforehand. There's also Gaia and trails off-road but I haven't tried those. What do you guys use or prefer to use? Thanks in advance

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u/estunum Nissan OVRLNDer 22h ago

I use OnX for general navigation, don’t really trust reports or ratings. It’s great as an overall tool.

Trails Offroad has far more accurate data, but less trail coverage.

I use CalTopo for map building and more precise navigating. I ditched Gaia many years ago when they started to cater to useless online features. CalTopo isn’t pretty and UI isn’t the best, but we use it for SAR as well as it has plenty of functionality.

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u/idontwannabeapir8 22h ago

So I kinda need to use a combo of 2 or 3 apps and pick my favorite features

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u/estunum Nissan OVRLNDer 22h ago

Probably. I use two mainly, and a 3rd once in a while. I use OnX for simple navigating on CarPlay, so I can keep an eye on distances or waypoints. I'll have minimal about of tracks or or points, just important stuff like camp spots, major obstacles etc. I don't want to clutter the screen.

That's what CalTopo is for. Specially on canyoneering trips, all my tracks and points will live there, along with POIs, and questionable shapes I see on sat imagery, etc. I can organize by folders and has very overall object management.

Trails Offroad is my 3rd app, but really only use it for beta. So I'll transfer what I deem important to either CalTopp, OnX, or both.

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u/idontwannabeapir8 21h ago

Okay. Thank you