GURU Maps & Pro & GPS Tracker App - Reviews?

rob_macca67

rob_macca67

Well-Known Member
Guys,

I'm starting to look into see if this App is worth the once-off Cost for the PRO version. Just wondering if there are people out there that use this App now and how they have found it (good or bad)?

Over the years I've been running the following Navigation Apps:
  • Mapout - used for navigating
  • PocketEarth (mainly just for track recording)
  • OSM&Maps (paid version) - used for navigating
  • HEMA4WD App (just used for the on-screen Info (ie: Track Distance; some POI's)

Along with this, I have a Garmin ZUMO XT GPS that is my go-to & backup GPS as well. I run an iPad for App navigation and upload my proposed Trip (.gpx track & Waypoint file) and mainly follow my proposed Trip on the OSM & Mapout Apps as these show the NAMES of the POI's (ie: u don't have to click on them to show the name of the POI).

To date, this all works well but I also want to keep my eyes out to see if there is anything better out there and this PRO version of Guru has me interested...

Looking for Pros and Cons....
thanks in advance

rob
 
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boobook

Well-Known Member
Rob, I have not tried it. To me it looks like YAOSMM ( Yet another OSM map )

I noticed you didn't include Orux maps which one Earther highy reccomends and Avenza which reads Geo PDF which is used my many national parks. Eg all SA park PDF maps are georeferenced.

I tried Orux pro many times and wanted to make it work, but it seems way too complex and buggy. Avenza looks ok but I am too invested in MM to change.

The key IMHO is that whatever I support has to display Hema and other open maps.

I'd be interested to see your findings. I would love to have a good Raster / Vector hybrid.
 
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rob_macca67

rob_macca67

Well-Known Member
boobook said:
Rob, I have not tried it. To me it looks like YAOSMM ( Yet another OSM map )

I noticed you didn't include Orux maps which one Earther highy reccomends and Avenza which reads Geo PDF which is used my many national parks. Eg all SA park PDF maps are georeferenced.


I'd be interested to see your findings. I would love to have a good Raster / Vector hybrid.
Click to expand...
Thanks Boobook...
I also have Avenza but never really used it as I believe it doesn't use vector maps.. The HEMA4WD App was good to use on my recent Vic Desert/Border Track trip but only for viewing the distance between 2 points. I tried track recording and also uploaded my proposed gpx route but viewing the tracklog was hard to see as it sort of blended into the map and it didn't stand out too clearly (not sure if u can change track colours). The Hema Maps didn't show a lot of POI's on the map so that was a bit annoying, but it did give u a good overview of your surroundings.
I usually spend a lot of time before the trip making waypoints for POI's that I want to visit, then upload this into my devices/Apps. To date, this has worked well, but if I had to change my planned route due to road closures, it would be nice to be able to view POI's that are in the area of the new direction I have to travel.

My concern with Guru (& paying for the Pro version) is that the sourced data seems to come from OSM (paid version) which I already use. Can't see the logic in paying for another App only to have the same Data (Tracks/POI''s) as I already have in OSM... but I am tempted for my own curiosity sake ;)
 
rob_macca67

rob_macca67

Well-Known Member
Albynsw said:
Anyone tried this

pocketearth.com

Pocket Earth App – Offline Maps & Travel Guides for iPhone & iPad

Offline Maps & Travel Guides - Pocket Earth is the travelers best friend. Giving you the most detailed, fastest and easy to use offline map on the market. Have fun getting lost with PocketEarth!
pocketearth.com
Click to expand...
Yes, I've been running it for the past few years (paid version). It's good for uploading &/or recording your tracklogs and has some flexibility in it but it still uses OSM mapping. One thing I don't like about it is any waypoints u upload &/or create show on the map as a symbol. U need then need to click on the symbol to show the name of the waypoint - I prefer not having to do this. I now find myself using the following more so (OSM&Map and Mapout) and just leave PocketEarth running in the background recording my tracklog

Mapout has a nice little feature where it will tell u the "track" distance (not as the crow flies) between 2 points on any of your tracklogs that u uploaded. Can be a handy feature
 
S

Savtriton

Member
Just wondering if you had any luck with Rob? I have been downloading and testing so many apps but not sure what one to commit to. I dislike subscription models so looking for a one off.
 
Albynsw

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
S

Savtriton

Member
I really wanted one that would work with Apple Car Play as well unfortunately the only ones I can find are the subscription ones Newtracs and Gaia.

Can anyone correct me if I’m wrong but if I buy the Hema maps license if the app is compatible can I use hema maps on an app and then if I decide to change to a different app I can or would I be locked in? Just trying different options.

Memory Apps for all seems reasonable especially because it’s a free app but the user interface to me seems clunky and unfinished. (This is just a Quick Look though haven’t invested a lot into Memory Apps for al yet)
 
Albynsw

Albynsw

Well-Known Member
Savtriton said:
I really wanted one that would work with Apple Car Play as well unfortunately the only ones I can find are the subscription ones Newtracs and Gaia.

Can anyone correct me if I’m wrong but if I buy the Hema maps license if the app is compatible can I use hema maps on an app and then if I decide to change to a different app I can or would I be locked in? Just trying different options.

Memory Apps for all seems reasonable especially because it’s a free app but the user interface to me seems clunky and unfinished. (This is just a Quick Look though haven’t invested a lot into Memory Apps for al yet)
Click to expand...

I have Hema 4WD app which cost me $150 back then and asked if I can use that license for those maps on Memory Maps but I need to buy them again
 
S

Savtriton

Member
So far I’ve downloaded and played with the following :

Gaia GPS
Dirt Map
Guru Maps
Memory Map
New Tracs
Offroadin
Avenza

Gaia - I think I agree with brianvicki more for hiking.

Dirtmap was $30 I think it has a decent amount of potential but the app developer is definitely not responding to queries like he used. If you go through the reviews, fb group etc etc At this point it’s definitely usable but without a knowledge base section on the website it’s lacking. Downloading the map for SA took over an hour. I’ll play around with it a bit more but I probably wasted $30

Guru - Doesn’t have any 4WD option focused on City, Hiking and Cycling

Memory Map- appears to be the most comprehensive but its map downloading and interface aren’t really great for a new user. I will be keeping it though as I think it has merit and it’s mainly my lack of knowledge with map software that I believe is the problem.

Newtracs- is probably my favourite so far interms of usability track information and camp site info. I’m going to look into the free version more the free version does NOT allow the use of CarPlay. But $20 a month is very steep for me to be able to justify. Maybe 10 years ago when I used to go off road every weekend but not now.

Offroadin - is for US people I wouldn’t bother.

Avenza - Not my cup of tea seems okay but the map downloads are a little convoluted.

I think from all of this I’ve changed my wish list a little.

- Easy interface I want to be able to pass my tablet or phone over to a mate and they can just use it with ease
- easy waypoint marking
- visible track names I’ve found in a lot of maps the more you zoom in the track names still seem to stay to small for my eyes.
- A way to plan my routes on my PC

If any of you feel I’ve got something wrong please let me know
 
B

boobook

Well-Known Member
Savtriton said:
So far I’ve downloaded and played with the following :

Gaia GPS
Dirt Map
Guru Maps
Memory Map
New Tracs
Offroadin
Avenza

Gaia - I think I agree with brianvicki more for hiking.

Dirtmap was $30 I think it has a decent amount of potential but the app developer is definitely not responding to queries like he used. If you go through the reviews, fb group etc etc At this point it’s definitely usable but without a knowledge base section on the website it’s lacking. Downloading the map for SA took over an hour. I’ll play around with it a bit more but I probably wasted $30

Guru - Doesn’t have any 4WD option focused on City, Hiking and Cycling

Memory Map- appears to be the most comprehensive but its map downloading and interface aren’t really great for a new user. I will be keeping it though as I think it has merit and it’s mainly my lack of knowledge with map software that I believe is the problem.

Newtracs- is probably my favourite so far interms of usability track information and camp site info. I’m going to look into the free version more the free version does NOT allow the use of CarPlay. But $20 a month is very steep for me to be able to justify. Maybe 10 years ago when I used to go off road every weekend but not now.

Offroadin - is for US people I wouldn’t bother.

Avenza - Not my cup of tea seems okay but the map downloads are a little convoluted.

I think from all of this I’ve changed my wish list a little.

- Easy interface I want to be able to pass my tablet or phone over to a mate and they can just use it with ease
- easy waypoint marking
- visible track names I’ve found in a lot of maps the more you zoom in the track names still seem to stay to small for my eyes.
- A way to plan my routes on my PC

If any of you feel I’ve got something wrong please let me know
Click to expand...
I agree about Memory Map until you get the hang of it. Try Memory Map for All. That completely addresses the issue of downloading. Its very flexible too. It's a complete refresh of Memory Map.

Memory-Map for All – Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps

memory-map.com memory-map.com
 
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rob_macca67

rob_macca67

Well-Known Member
boobook said:
I agree about Memory Map until you get the hang of it. Try Memory Map for All. That completely addresses the issue of downloading. Its very flexible too. It's a complete refresh of Memory Map.

Memory-Map for All – Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps

memory-map.com memory-map.com
Click to expand...
Will MemoryMap for All accept ".IMG" files at all?

I've got some detailed "img" file topo maps with great track details but need to find an App that will me to upload these img files into it
 
rob_macca67

rob_macca67

Well-Known Member
Savtriton said:
Just wondering if you had any luck with Rob? I have been downloading and testing so many apps but not sure what one to commit to. I dislike subscription models so looking for a one off.
Click to expand...
Not really...

I don't think there is really just one suitable App. The way I plan my trips, I usually plan them (Tracklogs and Waypoints) on my laptop in Garmin Basecamp then just upload the tracklogs into the various Apps I use on my phone/tablet. I then just generally follow the tracklog from there. The main apps I now use is:

OSM&Maps​
Mapout​
Hema4WD App​
PocketEarth (mainly for recording my triplog in the background)​
​
NewTracs looks the goods but too expensive for me atm.


If I could find an App that would allow me to run my old unlocked Garmin Topo Maps, that would be brilliant...
 
Cyberess

Cyberess

Active Member
My goto mapping app is "Locus Map 3 Classic" but only runs on Android, I use it everything, except for inner city travel which I Sygic Maps

What I use "Locus Map 3 Classic" for
  • Planning 4WD trips
  • Layout tracks and drawing tracks on off lined satellite imaging and maps that were created from Google Satellite Maps
  • track recording created while I driving, or bush walking
  • I have all the 250k Topo maps, and that are available for offline use, as through the app
  • I have the old 100K Topo maps, that I converted to use with the app.
  • Locus has excellent OSM vector maps available for download, I think they work out about $1 or $2 each
  • I have posted quite a number of tutorials on this forum,
  • The works extremely good with my 9" Android Head/stereo Unit that I have installed in my Ford Ranger
  • Works extremely good with old and new Android phone, I actually keep an old Android phone in the govebox to give to people when I am leading a trip, people want to walk.
"Locus Map 3 Classic" is available from the Google store for $10.99 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus.pro I purchased the app about 9 years ago, It was called "Locus Maps Pro" back then, these days "Locus Maps Pro" is different app, it is O.K. but I prefer "Locus Map 3 Classic", and it's still covered by the $10 or so purchase I about 9 years ago.

There are some nice things about app as purchased with Android Play store
  • The app is purchased for all of your Android devices with the single purchase, if you use your Google account
  • It works with Google Family Library, so that single purchase works with the misses and my son phone.so the single purchase can work for a number of people if you plan it right.
Yeah this is enough from me at this moment, just search this forum for the work locus you would be able to find some tutorials that I have posted over time, some are out of date, but they should still be of interest.

Cheers
 
B

boobook

Well-Known Member
rob_macca67 said:
The HEMA4WD App was good to use on my recent Vic Desert/Border Track trip but only for viewing the distance between 2 points. I tried track recording and also uploaded my proposed gpx route but viewing the tracklog was hard to see as it sort of blended into the map and it didn't stand out too clearly (not sure if u can change track colours). The Hema Maps didn't show a lot of POI's on the map so that was a bit annoying, but it did give u a good overview of your surroundings.
Click to expand...
Rob, just re reading your post here.

I am pretty sure if you have the Hema 4wd app, You can download Memory Maps and use the maps you already have plus buy or import others.. Better still you shoudl be able to do the same with Memory Maps for all. This has so much flexibility in the screen layout and functions. If you use the same account login as your Hema 4wd app then it should all be there for use.

Hema 4WD App – Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps

memory-map.com memory-map.com
 
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