Off Road GPS Build Suggestions

Hey team...

I know some of you are running ipads on mounts with your offroad GPS, wondering if anyone has any feedback on how you did it and pros/cons? Or other places I can look?

I have access to a backroad map book here on an SD card and I'd like to come up with something that I can mount in the truck so I can wander confidently when I'm out exploring new areas.

I'm thinking of installing the to hold it, but I need some advice on basically everything else lol. Assuming I'll need an external GPS antenna/adapter as well.

Any thoughts or resources?

 

Anyone?

 

When I'm out exploring, scouting and hunting, I just use my phone with the onX map, I download the offline map area that im going to be scouting. I use MobArmour to mount my phone on my dash, I like it because it's super strong and it's magnetic, so if im in a rush to jump out the car i can just grab my phone. I also carry my Zoleo sat communicator also which gives me and my family a real piece of mind when I'm out deep in the woods.

Not sure if that's the answer you where looking for.

 

I'll throw my two cents in. If you like having the screens up high, then the DMM from taco garage is a sweet way to do it. Otherwise RAM mounts are a good versatile way to get screens anywhere you want if you dont mind screwing into your truck.

 

Lota folks in the offroad race series I staff use Mobarmor mount and iPads in their SxSs. If you really wanna go crazy, Lowrance units are what the big money trucks are running.

For my personal use, tablet of choice running Gaia is more than sufficient. Download the layers ahead of time for the areas I know I'll be in so I can have topo/sat photos for whatever reason.

I run an RAM mount off the passenger seat bracket. Handy for the times I have a copilot that can navigate for me while I'm in the chunk trying to not get run over by a trophy truck, but can swing it to me so I can see if we are discussing route, etc.

(*Install and race prep with no keys in the ignition, don't drink and drive)



Passenger navigation view, can also rotate towards him, we were pondering a route to a busted truck:

 

I use Gaia on my phone and it plays over apple car play. Simple.

 

Topo Maps app - free topographic map downloads of the entire US from USGS and no subscription fees:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/topo-maps/id306014271

It tracks your position realtime on the map (iPad or iphone w/GPS - even when off grid, or if your device does not have GPS use a Bluetooth one like a Garmin GLO). The maps are compact- I have the entire California and SW Arizona Mojave and Colorado desert saved on my basic iPad and phone so I have a map anywhere we go while off grid.

Screenshot from my phone:

 

Thanks everyone; I was thinking a tablet just for ease of use and seeing more of the map than a phone can give me.

Do folks have to boost the gps signal on their tablets? I can be in some pretty hilly/remote areas.

 

There is no way to “boost” a GPS signal unless you can attach and use an external GPS antenna or use a remote Bluetooth GPS unit and put it on top of your truck or on your dash like a Garmin GLO. You should be OK though- my phone GPS works fine even in the truck off grid, even with my cabtop RTT.