Thanks for all the suggestions... I now have a plethora of new navigation apps to try out this year while training. I am trying something this summer and your suggestions are helpful in my experiments..

I am an architect and mountaineer and I would like to add a comment of another significant advantage of hard copy (paper) maps. It's the ability to see on a very big "screen" in one view. Not easy with little devices like gps devices. The ability to understand the characteristics of a big area in a single glance. On the hard copy you discuss strategy, not on the gps little screen. The gps will guide you in the route after the plan has been decided.

Great navigation information. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us Adventure Rider viewers. Muchly appreciated.

Always an informative and very helpful channel as usual Bret, also a shout out to Tim for production and editing.Cheers from Australia

Thai you very much for this valuable information. Vids just keep getting better and better. Congratulations.

Your videos are full of great information, delivered without a bunch of unnecessary chatter. Definitely my trusted, go to spot for off-road info.

How perfectly timed! I am right in the middle of trying to nail down my nav system. The suggestions in your vid, and those of the commeners are indispensable to me right now. Thanks so much!

For me, the best solution turned out to be one I accidentally discovered, OsmAnd. It's offline (and online), you can load a GPX file and navigate it, record a trail, and so on. It also has very complete information on road types and POI's. It's free with limitations (7 offline countries and no "plugins") but it is very, very useful. You can also choose map styles, like touring view, which is perfect.

As usual a great video . I have enjoyed your videos ever since I saw the one about U-turns. This navigation one, very interesting and informative.I'll be at the Overland Expo West this year and I'm planning to go to one of the navigation classes they have, we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the info and keep bringing those videos.

Without a doubt, you have the most informative videos for adventure riders! Thank you!

Appreciate the app info! You're the GO-TO !

Borch makes some excellent laminated folding maps with large easy to read information. I have several of them one each for each quarter of the U. S., but they make maps for Europe and other parts of the world. Survivable in questionable weather, and can be folded over multiple ways. so you can present them easily on the clear part of a tank bag for simple navigation. I've had GPS fail due to lack of signal strength before (Sand storm/ dust storm conditions), and I've been in whole countries before where I had no cell signal.

Another sort of map that I find very important is a satellite tracker. I can mark important activities like visiting scenic overlooks, but most important is that my loved ones can see on a map where I am. That gives them great peace of mind, but also allows me to use them as a resource to inform me of impending weather like hail, or even book hotel rooms for me. And of course, the send help feature could be a life saver

Killer video brother, thank you!

Again, another real world explanation! After a serious accident three and a half years ago, having to learn to walk again and finally getting back on bikes these videos have been helping me regain my confidence and new knowledge. I am extremely grateful for your efforts :) !!

Great video, love the drums on ending! Bought a Garmin 660, wish id stuck to paper!!

Best one yet!

One of those channels, where I put "like" before starting to watch. 😊 I have the same attitude towards paper maps - sometimes they are priceless and really helps to get out of nowhere.

Always great info. Thank you

Thanks I have downloaded on my iPad Pro as well as iPhone. This is really helpful. South Africa has many large open spaces where these apps are essential for the adventure biker

Thanks for the great informative video!

Very well done! Thank you.

Thanks for another great video. I also like the REVER apps and website, combined with Butler (paper) maps to help me find the most interesting motorcycle routes.

thanks for the VDO, helps a lot

Another great video.

Superb. New World ! 🙏💥😎

Good video. I think I've been a little too reliant on phone apps for navigating and am definitely taking both my GPS and paper maps to France this summer. Phone charging is occasionally an issue, so it's good to have a dedicated GPS that isn't doing background work like my phone does. And of course, nothing can beat the big picture that paper maps provide.

Very well articulated overview. I have stayed on the known path and plan to deviate to fire roads and some off-road, and your detail bridges the gap with the (GPS and [especially] phone) tools. I'll be back for more. I'm on the hunt for more detail on the ideal CC for mostly off-road (but street-legal) bike - but that's my task. I have a Yamaha FJR.

I am not an adventurous person but the only thing I might add is to show the viewers how to orient the map to where they are in the woods if they become disoriented and can't see the mountain or lake for a reference point. Informative video.

Always Good practical valuable advice Thank You

Just found this vid. Great job! Subscribed! Think I'll be using it for a resource for some time to come!

Relatively new to off-road adventure travel, I did a bunch of research on this a year ago, and settled on a solution that has worked great for me. I wanted to use my iPhone as my primary navigation device, given the variety of good apps available, but worried about its “off grid” capabilities to pinpoint my location. I also didn’t want on spend a lot of money on new technology. So, after some looking for options and reading reviews, I bought a small GPS “puck” device (roughly the size/shape of an old school stop watch) by a company called Bad Elf that doesn’t do much other than receive GPS info, but it’s capable of pairing with other devices via Bluetooth (up to six at a time). Paired with my iPhone (or iPad mini), Google Maps and other navigation/map apps use the GPS coordinates provided by the “puck” for pinpointing location. That part of it solved, I looked into a variety of apps and settled on one that has been pretty good called Gaia GPS (they have a free version, a version you pay for up front, and a subscription version). Gaia GPS is great in that (a) you can load a huge variety of maps from different sources (USFS, Nat Geo, and others) including street, trail, topographical and nautical - depending on your planned adventure, and (b) after setting up your account, you can do a lot of pre-trip planning and draw out a planned track using the large screen of your desktop computer. Once ready to roll, you can download the maps to your smartphone, then while underway you can record your track and save and/or export later. I also use the Google Maps app extensively, especially the “download for offline use” feature. I always have a downloaded map of the area within a few hundred miles of home for spontaneous day trips. For longer time/distance travels - the kind that are more planned ahead - I’ll download detailed Google maps specific to where I’m headed. With Google Maps downloaded and the Bad Elf GPS thingy, I know exactly where I am, even when I’m way out of range, navigating trails deep in a canyon or valley far from civilization. I’ve found that Google Maps has remarkably good detail on tiny little trails that don’t show up on other Maps. All said, I highly recommend looking for a (cheap?) GPS device that you can pair with your smartphone, then explore Gaia GPS apps, as well as Google Maps’ “download for offline use” feature. The only caution is the time it takes to download the maps to your device: do it when you have a good Wi-Fi connection, and do it a few days before your trip so you have all the maps downloaded before you depart. Happy trails.

Informative as usual.

Your content is just getting better and better....

Aspiring is something I know well . Thanks for showing me your maps . -)

I have a Quadlockcase Mount and Case on my iPhone. Really good case and mount, secures the phone reliable to the bike and the case is really slim. I only use this case since I got it.

Excellent ideas. I eternally need to add to my paper map stash - as I like the topographical, detailed one but I keep venturing further... "wonder what's down there?" - you know... I only have google maps on my phone and only on-line, it has lead me astray more times than I remember and it was always fun... BUT - it is Australia, it is vast and Wifey says I'm not allowed to die out there... so - I'll be looking into some of these :) Cheers man, always valuable watching, many thanks.

Excellent video, ty a need to know before you go.. very helpful..

Thank you! I really need to learn to navigate.

Great video as always. Great to see how you have grown. Was wondering about your opinion on the zumo 396lmt,

The cutting edge in moto nav is the DuraforcePro loaded with OsomAnd+ and LocusPro mounted in a Perfect Squeeze mount. They're IP68 submersible, MIL-STD 805G hardened, glove mode touch screen and run all day on a single charge. No need for a lap top and Basecamp and no need for cell service either. You do it all right on the device. Hop on over to ADV and hit the search button. Like you I also dig redundancy. Roll chart on the bars, paper map in the tank bag and a garmin, flip phone and compass in the emergency bag.

Hey Bret, you're a natural at this. :-)

I agree with previous comment -the quad lock system for all devices is a great investment and can be transferable.

Yes. I use maps me for 3 or 4yrs now. All you need is to enable your gps or as long as your data is on even without load, it will work. Best off line free app. You can add your own tracks and save them. Very2x useful and very user friendly..

I've used Calimoto. It can create voice guided randomised roundtrip from the faster route or curvy route. It also allows you to upload GPX tracks and guides you through the route telling you when to turn.

Some GPS devices can be paired to your phone so you can get more accurate GPS coordinates on your phone. I use InReach. It doubles as a communication device and backup navigation.

Great video!

Fantastic Info thanks

Great information

Don't forget about the stars, old, old, school... Great info by the way

Great video & ideas. Locus maps will give you most of what you want!

I remember the days of using a UK map. I had a book of the UK and using it was a nightmare when I took a wrong turn off a motorway in Bristol and couldn't find any signs for miles, to tell me where I was. Satnavs are a Godsend.

I suggest MotionX GPS for iOS which does everything you've mentioned for $2.99 one time purchase. This comes with topo, road, satellite & hybrid maps and then for a few dollars more they give you the option to import maps from other sources including USGS Topo, aviation sectionals, etc. Been using this for years, great app. Also easy to share your tracks with others via email.

3:30 when I listened to this, I checked the date when this video was published - I thought it was back in 2013 or so. 2018 : There are a choice of outdoor smartphones for many years now which are just as durable and have very good battery life. I.e. the Sonim XP7 which I bought in 2014 for a comparable price to the Montana 680. Its even more rugged (IP68 instead of IPX7), its less heavy, less bulky, and has a great battery life. It has a massive loudspeaker, you can hear the phone ringing even when riding or inside the bag. It has a good screen and you can use the choice (or several choices) of navigation apps. I use Locus Pro with topographic maps for tracks and Waze for routes. And you can use it as a phone...

Thanks a lot for this usefull information

Thank you for this detailed talk-through!

Very useful!

Great info - I wish you had listed the map tools in the notes as you said the names so fast I had trouble picking them up. Thanks

Bret, like you, I found an app like Maps.me to be very helpful for planning trips. However, another found an app that I like even better is Galileo. It allows you to download maps, download KML/KMZ tracks, displays speed and elevation, and does a very good job displaying general topographical data. If you want to create a track in Google My Maps you can then select your choice of background maps, one of which is Terrain, which provides elevation contours. For trips, I like to make a track and then just follow the line....easy peasy. Also, the track line in Galileo is more bold so easier to see on your smartphone.

Remember to use MapSeal on your paper maps. You will also need an Orienteering style Compass.

Hi Bret! You can try GPSies to plan your next trip :) It is very helpful. I use GPSies to plan and Scenic to navigate

thank you so much

Again helpful hints I did not know yet. I prefer "Calimoto" on my tours. Find the curvy trails and d tour planning is very easy.

HERE We Go is a great navigation app too. You can set it to be offline, although obviously you need to download the given country's or regions map for that option. I havent tried it for off-road use, but otherwise it is pretty good. I dont remember if it gives you any traffic information, but i think it lets you know of traffic jams.

Thank you!

Thank you.

Good work

MapsMe is just aweeeesome!

I used a Garmin 660 for years and purchased a 595 last year. I use Rever Pro as a backup; as I can import files into it, as well as the Garmin of course. I use Basecamp for route creation. Good advice to have paper maps with you.

Good information. Cell online maps don't always find me. I've used paper maps all my life, especially off road in National Parks. I like those apps.

REVER is a good app option too, history, share and community

Great video. Thanks! Here in South Africa, we have a product called Tracks4Africa which are maps that load onto the Garmin GPS's. They have Southern Africa well covered and include things like farm gates, hazards, camp sites and so forth. Really useful. A lot of the information they have comes from the 4x4 and adventure bike community.

Delorme atlas books are my fave. Here in the states

Really, really appreciate this post, I don't see many riders talk about nav, often turning to hikers for info I'm using garmin inreach (because that second battery is now a sat com in an emergency) and Motion-X offline in my phone If you haven't already i'd love a deep dive on this. Going through e2e Starting with planning offline with your computer, to accessing & using them in the field. Maybe a 2 parter

OsmAnd, beat that :)

Some great info. I'm in Thailand and download Maps.Me and it doesn't give the option to travel by motorcycle... is this correct? What should I do?

Thank you for a great video! I have recently gotten into adventure riding and have been learning how to use Gaia. It has all the things that you described in one platform. I live in the south sound and was wondering if you organize group riding or know of other groups that go riding in the area? Thanks much for your help

The GPS on my phone crapped out driving out of NYC from JFK. Only my 2nd time doing so in rush hour. I had to print a detailed map to get back to the airport. Spent 2 hrs trying to make sure the directions were right. They were wrong because there was a lot of construction in Queens. Made it tho.

i have a bubble compass mounted at the tip of the front fender on my wr250. the headlight illuminates it in the dark too. haha

Great episode (as always). I don't use to comment, but I would like to recommend you to try ( in case you haven't yet) an APP: it's called ViewRanger, and it's the one I use when trecking or mountain biking. With it you can do almost everything: follow routes, create track, download maps and navigate off line, and even share you position with fellow riders.

VERY helpful information for a navigation newbie! Thanks for putting this out. Subscribed.

Very informative. And nice of your to share you PIN for your iPhone if we ever need to use your map apps ;-P

Great informative video! On a side note what model is your Shoei helmet?

Maps.me has saved my ass so many times when I'm lost in the middle of nowhere without cell signal.

i use Locus in my phone, it can install different type of map and it can export log data waypoint and track

Can you please comment on why you prefer the Montana over the Zumo 395/6 or 595? What can the Montana do that the Zumos cannot? I don't know enough about these and I am in the process of selecting one of these. (I have a Zumo 550 and it is just too old to be useful anymore.) Please comment. Thanks!!

I'm really surprised ViewRanger wasn't mentioned. I've been using it for a couple years, it works fantastically and has nearly all the features of all the apps he mentioned. It also supports Google Wear OS (Android Wear). I just ordered a smartwatch mount for my handlebar so I can get track arrow directional guidance while I keep my smartphone in my pocket or tucked in my tail bag on a charger.

A very nice combo that is steered towards the Moto crowd is Butler Maps (paper) (www.butlermaps.com ) in which they actually have people on motorcycles diving around checking the roads and then rating them according to type, (pavement, dirt, etc) and difficulty. They also have a mobile app and website that uses the data called Rever.com. (BTW - Pretty fascinating conversation with the founder of Butler here: horizon.bmwmoa.org/episode-18-court-butler/ )

Yup. Always carry a paper map with you. That way, instead of just following a dumb arrow without even knowing where you are, the maps gets you the "big picture". ;-)

I use Oruxmaps App and allows you to record a track on the go and gives you maps with elevation, etc

Love your videos!! Just to throw in the mix....if you should be "separated" from your bike (say, in an accident), it is wise to keep your phone on you and not attached to the bike. May need it to call for help. Just a thought.

Thank you for your work. I prefer the Guru Maps instead of maps me - for offline map browsing, search and navigation as it also allows to add custom map sources as well. I would be interested in your opinion ☺️

Thanks for this valuable information! And I would like to know where can I buy the same paper map you used on this video?

I am looking to buy an additional GPS to my actual GPS Motorrad IV, so I can take unpavement routes in Mexico or the USA, driving my motorcycle BMW ( R1200GS ). ¿With your experience which GPS are you believe could be better to use: The Garmin Montana 680 or Garmin GSMap66i? because the Garmin Navigator VI doesn't work on unpavement road and I am looking to use these when driving and not find any signal on cellular o do not have enough battery on my cellular.

Motorouter is a new app. Travel planner, route weather and a nice dashboard are all in one...

hi bret, do you have an updated version of this episode? googlemap now are accurate now. maybe you can share the video?

Thanks. The place I usually go in the summer has no data at all and I'm there for a week, so any app that won't work offline is totally useless to me there.

Hi Bret and thanks for this. I bought Ritwick's GSA and am loving it. I might get a tablet, tether it and use Google Maps. What size would you say would be optimal for a tablet sir? Thanks again Bret.

Being from Washington, we have alot of choices for roads to ride

6:18 I instinctively reacted to this.