coastrider

The initial post said "trip" not "ride" so for sake of discussion I am assuming a multi-day ride covering a large distance. I like to at least have paper state maps with me. They give a good overview of a large area in a manner that using phone or even small tablet does not - the computer based apps lose detail when you zoom out while a paper map just consumes more table space as you unfold it.

If I am going to stop in one area and explore back roads when on a trip then a county map is great to get the detail of all the roads I am likely to see where a larger map will only have the major roads. For a long trip I don't find those necessary and can make do with a GPS or cell phone map to figure out the smaller roads that would not show up on a state map.

I normally figure out at least a general plan before I leave and then each night figure out details for the day and make notes to slip in my tank bag. I like riding with a GPS even if I am not using it to give me directions on the ride. I have never tried downloading a route to a GPS so don't know if I am missing anything by not doing that. I either just use my tank bag notes or program in a destination if needed.

The problem with a GPS - at least if you don't download a route - is that it may not choose the route you want. I may decide on "the long way" using small back roads to get somewhere and I don't want the GPS continually telling me to turn around. So I usually let it display my position but not use it for turn-by-turn directions for the big parts of a ride.

I had not heard of the "here.com" mapping application mentioned earlier but took a look. It seems very responsive. I see that for my neighborhood it shows the roads around my house as paved which they are not. I submitted a correction - will be interesting to see if/when that update commits. Sure would be nice if each county would update some database with the actual road surface for every road and make that available to all map makers. I also see that the here.com maps indicated that a road across the highway from my house existed where in reality it does not. Google maps has that correct. So at least in my one test case Google maps was more accurate.

GPD323

When I do trips I always have loaded GPX routes into my GPS. I make them prior to leaving and as I said my friend I ride with uses the Butler Maps to add cool secondary roads to the GPX files we load into the GPS. Unless something happens along the way we follow them 100%.

Only time I use my phone is to find gas and or food when we get to the destination. Friend puts his phone into airplane mode, me, I keep it on because its linked to my SENA and I can take a call from my wife if she needs to get a hold of me.

Lena

That's true, GPS doesn't always show you where you want to go. Also - GPS can't be used w/o using your head too - we all have read the stories of people stuck in SUVs in snowy mountains because GPS told them to go that way.

Speaking of gas stations, I use AAA app for finding those in the pinch, it has been quite accurate so far.

GPD323

GPS (Garmin) also has the ability to find gas and lodging and lots of other places like Medical. Yes, GPS is not perfect you cannot follow it blindly. But I do most of the time.

Mudslinger

I use my Garmin 885t with "Basecamp" route maker. it does everything I need. The Maps.me app is a backup only.

A2B

Thanks everyone for the input. I've ordered a couple Butler maps for states that we have rode numerous times over the years, but it sounds like Butler probably would show roads we've missed or didn't know existed. I'm also going to give the offline map apps a try. For specific destinations like finding museums, race tracks, hotels, etc. this might be a good option for "day of" pre-planning a trip in your mind before dealing with traffic in an unfamiliar city. I'm fairly new to traveling via GPS, but I'm basically hooked. Building a trip route in BaseCamp kinda marks the major points of interest and key stops, but when you willy-nilly detour because of accidents, weather or a sign for the two story outhouse, re-routing gets you going back in the general correct direction again.

Anyway good traveling.
A2B

Chrishil54

I'm looking for one that will let you input your tank size, MPG and automatically include suggested fuel points, kind of like the old Automap Streets used to do back in the 90s.

Any suggestions?

GPD323

My Garmin lets you do that, but then does not auto suggest fuel stops. You can add the fuel stops when making your GPX file routes.

McRider

Some of you are using Garmin Base Camp to plan rides, but I gave up on that complicated piece of crap a few years ago. I now use EnRoute, which is unfortunately an Apple-only product. In order to get a route into my Zumo I have to email the gpx file to myself from my Apple tablet and then download it into my laptop with my Zumo hooked up to it.

GPD323

I use Garmin mapsource for years now. It originally came with my Garmin Quest. It still works well and even allows me to update it to the most current maps so my 665 and 395 and my mapsource program are using the same maps.

Tyre to Travel is what some others use, I have tried it, its OK once you learn but I think they have stopped using Goggle Maps due to the cost so they use an alternative map program?

I have never used Base-camp, all I hear about it is its a PITA to use.

Mapsource is so easy to use and I can directly import routes.

Still bring paper maps though.

McRider

I used to use Mapsource also, but when Garmin quit supporting it I somehow got the feeling it wasn't useful anymore. It was much easier to use than Base Camp.

GPD323

I can update MS still with Garmin Express. I always can get all the most current maps. I won't touch BC.

Old dog thing