Comments for PMags.com

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:42:27 +0000

In reply to K C. I haven't done a named route in many years and Far out came after that time period. I used it for the GDT in 2018 but other than that, everything I the past dcDe has been DIY routes, modified non-thru hikes of others (Jamal Green), or Brett Tucker's NNML. No far out for those routes. :)

Comment on Austin Grandfather? by Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:39:10 +0000

In reply to Dæv. Oh I may have filed a complaint. :)

Comment on Austin Grandfather? by Dæv

Dæv — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:36:32 +0000

you took this well- many would be more upset if their image taken without permission.

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by K C

K C — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:13:11 +0000

“Vulture” capital, I am going to start using that description. I am still in Gaia grief and dropped my Gaia subscription. Been trying to use Caltopo for everything. Getting more and more use to Caltopo, the addition of the trackup vs north up feature in the mobile app accelerated the transition. No mention of Farout (limited to select trails, and pay per trail model)?

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:52:06 +0000

In reply to Thomas Rodde. I see you said it works with large data sets. A decade plus of tracks and way points in SE Utah is the sticky wicket. I'll have to check it out. Thx!

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Thomas Rodde

Thomas Rodde — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 06:13:10 +0000

As a frustrated ex-Gaia user (until it became totally enshittified) I can highly recommend Guru Maps (https://gurumaps.app/) as a replacement.

• A lifetime license sells for the outrageous amount of something like $50 and is valid for all devices.
• Works on iOS/iPadOS and that other mobile OS I shall not name.
• No dedicated desktop app but the iPad app works on macOS.
• Sync between devices is bulletproof and instantaneous (like CalTopo and very much unlike problem-infested Gaia). Has not failed me once in three years or so.
• Comes with OSM-based maps, some of which are only available for subscribers.
• Has much (much! much!!!) fewer special-interest maps/overlays than Gaia. But I’m in Spain, and 90% of those are US-centric and thus worthless for me.
• You can add your own maps from any WMS/WMTS source (Gaia: WMTS only)
• You can create your own overlays from JSON. I have some that are 140 MB large and contain tens of thousands of points or areas, and Guru handles them with absolutely zero issues. Easily created in e.g. QGIS.
• No GeoPDF support, however.

Not affiliated, just a very happy user. Recommend having a look.

QField as mentioned above integrates with QGIS and is geared towards geospatial data collection more than outdoor navigation. Personally, I’m not impressed with the user interface and general approach. Free is hard to beat though, and GeoPDF support (didn’t know about that) is a plus of course.

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Hikin Jim

Hikin Jim — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:52:09 +0000

“Vulture” capitalists. How true that is.

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:59:26 +0000

In reply to Mike Gunderloy. Have to check it out. I only used field maps as I already had it on my phone tbh.

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Pretzel

Pretzel — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 01:33:45 +0000

Still bummed GoatMaps never put out an android app. I have over a decade of Gaia use and it just keeps getting shittier. Which is so disheartening. Spent the last year trying to use Onx and simply don’t enjoy it outside of backcountry skiing related mapping.

Comment on Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026 by Mike Gunderloy

Mike Gunderloy — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:30:11 +0000

For what it’s worth I’m finding QField (https://qfield.org/) to be a reasonable free solution for working with GeoPDFs on Android. I’m totally pissed off with Avenza for limiting the number of GeoPDFs you can load even on a paid subscription – as they have zero impact on servers, that’s just a straight-up cash grab.