GPS and Coms Advice Needed

[MVOffroad]

While using Google maps on my phone connected to android auto, I was offroading in an area with a lot of trail offshoots a few weeks ago. Im a new offroad/overlander so of course I ended up getting sorta lost because my phone GPS wasn't really updating as quickly as I needed it to and I made some wrong turns. I realized that my phones GPS may not be the best way to navigate in the wilderness. I also now know that I should be using something like OnX or Trails Offroad for trails instead of google maps. Here's what I'm looking for:
1. I need accurate and reliable navigation for very remote areas.
2. It would be great if I could still use the jeeps screen with android auto and just boost my phone or car's GPS.
3. I need satellite communication for family check-ins and emergencies. It would be good if my family could also see where I'm at if they're at home and not with me.
4. Ideally I'd get just one device that boosts GPS, has satellite communication and can work with my phone apps. It seems like most things I can find really do one or the other or are kinda pricey.

So far I'm looking at Garmin Glo 2 and a Garmin inreach messenger. If I got both of those, would I be set? I could just get a garmin tread overland that does all this stuff but that's probably more than I want to spend and I feel like I don't need another screen when I already have the phone and Jeep screen to look at. What would you recommend?

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[GATORB8]

I see TOR as more of a trail guide, Gaia is straight mapping, and OnX is mapping and solid built in trail maps with some trail reviews. Gaia is probably the most used for mapping, but I’ve been happy with OnX premium. Make sure you download the off line map for the area for either before losing service.

We use OnX premium car played and an inreach mini for emergency sat comms and tracking. It can be nice to have a secondary screen like your phone on a mount, allows an overall view in addition to the zoomed map on the screen.

Edit: the inreach mini pairs with your phone and allows sat tracking and texting via the Earthmate app. Also, the service adds up quick, so you may want to factor that into your decision.

 

[INCRHULK]

An iPhone 14 and GaiaGPS or OnX will meet your requirements. Apple introduced satellite messaging with the 14. The important thing to remember is to download local caches of the areas you intend to explore so you’re not relying on data connections to show map content.

 

[GATORB8]

An iPhone 14 and GaiaGPS or OnX will meet your requirements. Apple introduced satellite messaging with the 14. The important thing to remember is to download local caches of the areas you intend to explore so you’re not relying on data connections to show map content.

It allows actual satellite messaging, not just SOS?

 

[MVOffroad]

An iPhone 14 and GaiaGPS or OnX will meet your requirements. Apple introduced satellite messaging with the 14. The important thing to remember is to download local caches of the areas you intend to explore so you’re not relying on data connections to show map content.

I have an Android Galaxy Note 10. I don't think I'm going to get an entirely new phone right now. GPS works on my phone, but like I mentioned, it's not quite as accurate as I need. I'm looking for a way to make it more accurate. Maybe I just need something like the Glo 2 to boost it?

 

[GATORB8]

I have an Android Galaxy Note 10. I don't think I'm going to get an entirely new phone right now. GPS works on my phone, but like I mentioned, it's not quite as accurate as I need. I'm looking for a way to make it more accurate. Maybe I just need something like the Glo 2 to boost it?

I’d try downloading an offline map in Gaia or OnX and putting your phone in airplane mode. I’ve never had Significant issues with GPS tracking that way. If it’s not satisfactory, then go for something like a Glo.

 

[MVOffroad]

I’d try downloading an offline map in Gaia or OnX and putting your phone in airplane mode. I’ve never had Significant issues with GPS tracking that way. If it’s not satisfactory, then go for something like a Glo.

Hmm yeah after reading some of the comments here I looked up my phone and it's supposed to be accurate to 3'. I also read that maybe the phone case is causing issues.. I didn't think about that. I'll have to give it another go and hope I don't get lost again!

 

[GATORB8]

Hmm yeah after reading some of the comments here I looked up my phone and it's supposed to be accurate to 3'. I also read that maybe the phone case is causing issues.. I didn't think about that. I'll have to give it another go and hope I don't get lost again!

You can do the airplane mode test at the house, that way you eliminate the cell tower assist in the test,

 

[MVOffroad]

You can do the airplane mode test at the house, that way you eliminate the cell tower assist in the test,

I'll try it out! You might be right that since my phone wasn't in airplane mode it was occasionally picking up cell towers last time I offroaded and that caused a delay.

 

[Mx5red]

There are way more technical, more accurate solutions. I’ve been happy so far downloading the offline maps to google maps and using that with my iPhone, because I really like the interface and the satellite imagery, that helps me navigate. I would love the extras that Gaia and onX maps offer but have not taken the time to try to learn how to use them, or see if they are inaccurate.
So in other words, they can be more powerful but have a learning curve.

as others have said, the key is downloading the map before your trip. You have to do that regardless of what app you use.

 

[INCRHULK]

It allows actual satellite messaging, not just SOS?

It is meant for emergency services and to provide location updates, which is what I imagined he was asking about. That being said active sat comms via iPhone is coming thanks to deals with Starlink and some cell providers (Rogers in Canada).

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT213426

 

[GATORB8]

It is meant for emergency services and to provide location updates, which is what I imagined he was asking about. That being said actI’ve sat comms via iPhone is coming thanks to deals with Starlink and some cell providers (Rogers in Canada).

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT213426

Yeah, that's the good thing about Garmi's in reach series. It's not cheap (device or service), but depending on service teir, it includes an amount of basic text services. On ours, it works though an app and the family gets the text from one of Garmin's numbers.

 

[INCRHULK]

I have an Android Galaxy Note 10. I don't think I'm going to get an entirely new phone right now. GPS works on my phone, but like I mentioned, it's not quite as accurate as I need. I'm looking for a way to make it more accurate. Maybe I just need something like the Glo 2 to boost it?

How accurate do you need this? I’ve never had accuracy issues more significant than a few meters, barring extreme latitudes where satellite coverage can be spotty at times.

 

[Cycle11111]

I’d try downloading an offline map in Gaia or OnX and putting your phone in airplane mode. I’ve never had Significant issues with GPS tracking that way. If it’s not satisfactory, then go for something like a Glo.

Weird I have not really had position update issues wrt my iPhone 13 and CarPlay into the Jeep head unit. I have heard of people having Issues with an aftermarket head unit with its own GPS conflicting with the phone mapping and its GPS. The one issue I have with CarPly is if I scroll around the headunit screen while tracking I can’t get tracking up back or not easily center the vehicle location - that is likely a S/W issue with CarPlay

 

[dchemphill1]

As others have said...Gaia works well and can be run on your Jeep screen. It is part of Android Auto apps now. Not sure if it in Car Play App??? In Gaia you lay down routes and then you can download the area with different map overlays...works great on the trail.

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