Mileage tracking aps for off the grid hiking?

LabAgility
LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Newbie here (as if you could not already tell). I love hiking with my dogs off leash, which limits me to areas that are completely off the grid. I would live to use an ap for Android that would suit the purpose of tracking our distance. Actually just my distance - they get a ton more miles in than I ever will!

Is there such a thing that uses GPS in a rural setting?

Replies

  • ze_hombre
    ze_hombre Posts: 377 Member
    The only ones I have used are Endomondo and Runtastic. I think Endo complains if there isn't a data connection but I do not remember Runtastic complaining about no data connection. Both have free versions so you can give them a try.
  • AllanMisner
    AllanMisner Posts: 4,140 Member
    I have an iPhone, but I imagine these apps are available for android as well:

    Runkeeper - Has GPS capability to track runs, walks, hikes. Also interfaces directly with MFP to log your activity.

    Polar Beat - Interfaces with a bluetooth compatible Polar heart rate monitor and has GPS capability. Best of both, but can be used without the HRM if you just want distance and speed.
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    I use a lesser known carrier that works in my area, most likely I would have intermittent data. I am sure it would disappear at times due to the terrain.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I used Runtastic on my iPod (so no GPS), and it was able to track my time and distance, but not the elevation, which then turned it from hiking a mountain to hiking cross-country. HUGE calorie burn difference!
  • Wuggums
    Wuggums Posts: 339 Member
    I use MapMyRide (not just for cycling - you can choose a variety of activities including walking and hiking). I use it regularly for hiking in some fairly remote and very wooded areas. In general, the GPS does a good job of picking me up, but occasionally it hiccups if I lose my cell signal. Even then, it can "guess" your route based on your last known positions and it does a pretty good job of tracking my distance accurately.
  • Nishi2013
    Nishi2013 Posts: 210 Member
    I use Mapmyrun.
  • JenMc14
    JenMc14 Posts: 2,389 Member
    I also use MapMyRun. I don't run in completely off the grid areas, though. It did continue working while I was in a fairly long tunnel during my race Saturday.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    If you're really "off the grid" then you aren't going to want to be using a phone app; it won't work if you are not in range of a cell tower. You would want to get a dedicated gps unit.
  • p2smommy
    p2smommy Posts: 64
    I have an iPhone, but I imagine these apps are available for android as well:

    Runkeeper - Has GPS capability to track runs, walks, hikes. Also interfaces directly with MFP to log your activity.

    Polar Beat - Interfaces with a bluetooth compatible Polar heart rate monitor and has GPS capability. Best of both, but can be used without the HRM if you just want distance and speed.

    Don't know anything about the Polar Beat - however, IMHO, Runkeeper is irksome. I'm unfortunately still using it until I can find something that works a bit better.. I don't know if it's just me & the way I swing my arms in my regular stride/run or what..but the stinkin' thing is CONSTANTLY telling me it's paused/resumed. Did a 10k trail run this past Saturday, and I swear that over half the course was paused.

    I'm seriously considering just getting a garmin..

    There's my 2 cents.. :) ... Hope you find something that works well for you, whatever you decide to go with! :smile:
  • freddykid
    freddykid Posts: 265 Member
    I use the free endomondo version for iphone and android. it has an interface directly with MFP. I like it.
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    I live right on the edge of 3000 acres of public land. My Magellan car GPS does not even have me living on a road. I literally have to drive a few miles away to make it register an actual street.

    I am definitely not in the bush or going for super long, "how will I ever find my way home" hikes. Perhaps one day, but right now I don't have the stamina. LOL

    I have to use United States Cellular for cell service as they are the only provider that gives me coverage here. AT&T and Verizon is improving, but really spotty.

    I just want to try something for the sake of bettering myself- longer, faster, etc.

    I just bought an entry level HRM so I can do calories that way.
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    Thank you all for the suggestions! I have a lot to research.
  • Joreanasaurous
    Joreanasaurous Posts: 1,384 Member
    You can always get an overhead map of your area and guesstimate. I do that all the time with hikes with my dog.
  • LabAgility
    LabAgility Posts: 120 Member
    I know there is an online map of the area, but I never looked at it for scale.

    Thanks for the suggestion. I will check it out.
  • _crafty_
    _crafty_ Posts: 1,682 Member
    My boyfriend and I use Endomondo when we hike the mountains near his home and he uses it when he mountain bikes too. It links up with MFP.
  • dlionsmane
    dlionsmane Posts: 674 Member
    What about getting a pedometer? You don't have to rely on a connection that way. I bought a Fitbit zip. Its small and works well.
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    Map My walk


    I use it in the city and in rural (where there is VERY spotty reception) but there is a hiking setting and I know a friend of mine uses it in the moutains and stuff so it might be worth looking into, its a phone app it tracks in KM or in Miles, it might be worth looking into.

    It is a free app, and I am quite happy with it.
  • mleech77
    mleech77 Posts: 557 Member
    Try out any of the free apps that are available: Endomondo, Runkeeper, MapMy(Run/Ride/Fitness), etc. As long as you have cell service they should work. If you're in an area that you don't have service while hiking for a prolonged time you will want to look into a dedicated gps tracker: Garmin, Polar, TomTom, etc.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    I use a lesser known carrier that works in my area, most likely I would have intermittent data. I am sure it would disappear at times due to the terrain.

    Runkeeper works well offline and can track several sessions without synch

    Haven't used the MapMy series for a while but I had consistent synch problems with those even on a solid WiFi service
  • wolfsvixen
    wolfsvixen Posts: 11
    Try "All Trails" http://alltrails.com/login or "My Trails" http://www.mytrails.com.au/index.php they both use GPS - I've had better luck with My Trails when I'm off the grid. My carrier works some places and not so well in others.
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    Try "All Trails" http://alltrails.com/login or "My Trails" http://www.mytrails.com.au/index.php they both use GPS - I've had better luck with My Trails when I'm off the grid. My carrier works some places and not so well in others.

    I've had good luck with All Trails too. It's not only handy for laying down new tracks, but it has also helped me find some really great new places to hike near my home in Colorado Springs.

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