I'm Ditching Gaia GPS...

...and going with OnX Off-Road. I also have Gaia paired with Trails Off-Road. What am I going to miss, or hate with OnX?

The reason I'm ditching Gaia is because I have an iPhone 16 Pro and I cannot get maps to download. I can stream 4k videos from YouTube without a glitch, but I can't get a map to download from Gaia.

 

Following. I've also had problems where I had to make repeated attempts to complete a download

 

I had an issue recently downloading offline maps but I'm on android. I think my issue ended up being my VPN. Can't tell from your screenshot if you are running one or not.

I do remember it appeared to hang up for a while and then suddenly finished. Maybe their % tracking just sucks and patience is needed

 

I've never used Gaia with an Android, but I know Android has the advantage over iPhone when it comes to downloading maps. With the iPhone, you have to keep the Gaia app open, or it doesn't download. Meaning, I can have multiple apps opened at the same time on my phone, and most of the apps will continue to do their thing in the background while I'm actively using a different app. But not Gaia. Gaia will NOT download a map in the background, it has to be active, on the forefront of your screen. So every night since May 7th, I leave the Gaia app opened on my phone so it can download overnight. You see how far I've gotten. lol

 

Oh well fuck that, you been trying for over a month? My patience barely lasts a day

 

FWIW, OnX is having an Offroad Masterclass webinar tomorrow, June 19th at 6:00pm-7:00pm MT.

Let me know if you want the link, if you didn't already get the email. I'll be logging on as I just started using it and would like the overview.

 

I have been using OnX hunt for about six years now. No issues at all. I imagine their offroad is carefree as well.

 

Perfect timing, yes please share the link, thank you!

 

Any backpackers ditch Gaia for OnX, thinking about swapping myself? No issues with downloading maps, I am on Android. I just feel the off-roading features of OnX are better than Gaia.

Does OnX have fire maps, snow level maps, private property, historical, USGS, MVUM map layers available.

 

I'm not expert in any of them but this is my .02.

Gaia v.s. OnX Offroad- Two different audiences, sort of... Gaia is a "catch all" and OnX Offroad (specifically) is geared to towards overlanders/ offroaders (backcountry for backpackers/ hikers)

I'm a backpacker, just getting into light offroading. I've used Gaia, Alltrails, Caltopo and just started with OnX Backcountry and Offroad. I always come back to Gaia. Maybe just because that's what I'm used to.

I like Alltrails more for their interface and user reviews. I use them to get information on areas where I might want to go. But Alltrails isn't much help in an area with no cell service (which is usually the case for me). Out of cell service, I can open Gaia and have basically no issues. While I know you can download the map to the area prior to going to avoid issues, I've never had a need to do that with Gaia. I just open it and it works.

Caltopo has a more "technical user" feel to it. Biggest issue I have with it is that it takes too long to load pages when scrolling or dragging the screen. Has always been a thing. Annoying.

My issue with OnX is that you can't just subscribe to "OnX". If you're a backpacker, you choose Backcountry. If you're an overlander/ offroader, you choose Offroad, Hunter etc. I'd rather be able to have one and then, pay more for extra layers if I needed them. Luckily, they have sales so an annual subscription to both Offroad and Backcountry is cheap enough to try and see if I like the platform.

I do like the feel of OnX so far.

Lastly, I haven't looked into it yet, but HikingGuy mentioned GoatMaps in a recent video. It was started by people who left Gaia so might be something to check out.

 

Thanks for the details. I tried to leave Gaia once then came back like you said. Will check out goat maps.

 

I found an OnX Offroad 50% off deal for veterans, so I signed up for the Elite plan tonight. I'm downloading maps now and it's much easier than Gaia because I can use my browser on my computer to select the area I want to download, and then open the OnX app on my phone, press download and the download speed is like heaven on earth. I've downloaded the entire Owhyee region of Oregon and Idaho in an hour.