Oversimplification: many current units and apps

by brionic , Friday, May 30, 2014, 09:44 (3772 days ago) @ Gary G

create ongoing "tracks" without requiring you to input waypoints. This simplifies backtracking.

You can, of course, manually create a route, dropping pins etc to mark important features.

Essentially, newer "mapping" type units (and apps), which generally include ongoing updatable maps (via download from home) take a LOT of the old PITA out of use. Often you can load your own custom maps, including Google and Yahoo maps, as overlays to include your route. You can also view photos, useful via Google maps terrain and lighting features. Newer units are beginning to include projections that allow terrain visualization from various angles.

As others point out, Google and Yahoo maps and aerials cannot be depended on for current accuracy. I've noticed that they even use different images for different elevations.

Hope that's not too much info.

Bottom line: I use a combination of MotionX apps, along with MapMyRide, the native iOS nav app, and a series of Pocket Ranger apps. I removed Google Earth from my iPhone, due to it's massive size and resource hogging. If I feel the need, I use it at home to customize a map, and save it as a document to view on my phone as needed.