Now what I initially was asking was for some help on what other people use when scouting new areas. I purchased the new premium version of onxmaps sd card for my Oregon 450t and works great. I also have app for iPad from them as well. Problem is the app has a bug and right now you can't transfer waypoints to your GPS or desktop from the app.
So I really wanted to know if others had success with myopo.com and or the usgs web site. I have spent the last week and half studying on which map to buy and I still don't have a good paper map. I must be making this harder than what it actually is.
SmoothieJonez's Link
Attached supporting link.
Bing maps...."Birdseye view". Lots of pics with foliage down...rotate map to alter pics which alters shadows etc...
There are areas not in the system with the Birdeye feature but when they are it's the best image I've found
For field use I use GAIA GPS app on my iphone exclusively. I've had several GPS units and as far as I'm concerned they are outdated compared to iphones and apps like this. The app is not cheap, $20, but that's the one time price, then all maps are free. They way it works is you download "layers", which can be USGS maps or even ariel terrain (sat photos like google earth), when you are home and have great cell reception or wifi. Then when in the field you can access those layers without cell reception. The GPS functions works incredibly well, but requires airplane mode to be turned off. I often switch back and forth with airplane mode when using the GPS in order to save as much battery as possible. The iphone (or other smart phone) and these apps are so good I ebayed all previous GPS systems and rely on this almost exclusively. Most of the time I carry a paper map as well, but I've even gotten out of the habit of that.
Battery life can be an issue when using your phone in the field. There are many ways to conserve battery life and I wont go into all of them here, but airplane mode is a big one. Also, I have recently purchased an extra battery called a MOPHIE. It's about the same size as my phone, a little lighter and allows me to completely charge my phone 3 times. With these 2 devices I feel confident I can have navigation software for up to a week if not more in the field... now if they will just make a SAT Phone app for smart phones and/or a Personal Locator Beacon app, then we'd be set!
Smoothie, I haven't used caltopo as an app on my phone, just on my computer at home. I prefer GAIA GPS for the phone app. The topos are what you'd expect and more and the GPS is so good.
I'm currently in Chamonix, France for some work and turned on GAIA GPS on my phone and it showed me where I am down to the exact house I'm staying in. Pretty cool.
Regardless of what app you choose, the one time fee is pretty reasonable if you consider USGS Topos are $8 each! Often times you have to buy 2 or 3 for an are because you're traveling off one map to another...
