The Home of Adventure

Bear-Sig-01 1

Bear Grylls

Best GPS App For iPhone

The Best GPS App For iPhone

I’ve probably tried ten different GPS apps for my iPhone and I always come back to Topo Maps (no affiliation). I’ve used it for about four years now in a wide variety of situations and it has never let me down. Here are the four reasons I think that Topo Maps is the best GPS App for iPhone.

1. It’s Easy To Use 

It’s not bogged down with so many features that it took me a month to figure it out. 99% of the time I just need to 1) See where I am, and 2) Allow me to easily set waypoints so I can make sense of the land I’m on. You’ll figure this out in a few minutes in Topo Maps.

2. Unlimited Map Downloads In The U.S. And Canada

The app is $7.99 and after you purchase it you can download maps until your heart is content. There aren’t any other in-app purchases or anything else you’ll need to use it.

3. You Don’t Need Cell Reception To Use It

This is hands-down my favorite thing about it. You can literally have zero bars and it finds you in about 5 seconds. It just uses the GPS in your iPhone, which is accurate to 16 ft under most conditions. Anyone who has used a traditional GPS unit knows that you can sometimes wait forever to get a triangulation. I’m always surprised at how fast my iPhone locates me.

4. You Can Import GPX, KLM and ZIP Files

This means that I can plan a whole weekend of hiking in Google Maps and import the file. It’s much nicer to do research like that on a big screen. With this feature you don’t have to double up on your efforts by finding everything again on your iPhone.

Another feature I use a lot is the ability to measure distance and bearing. Because your iPhone has a compass you can easily figure out how far it is to your desired location.

50CF topo2
Do Your Research on a Desktop and then Sync The Files to Your iPhone

 

There are also plenty of waypoint icons that make it easy to add a lot of waypoints and not get confused (these are just a few):

50CF topo3
It’s Easy To Add a Waypoint

 

When you look at the cost of a decent handheld GPS unit, $8 for Topo Maps is practically free. If you have one that tops it, let me know! Until then, I’m hanging on to it as the best GPS app for iPhone. Time to hit the trail!

Join the Conversation!

More Like This

More Stories

Mountain Biking Gear for Spring You’ll Love

If you’re an avid mountain biker or just starting out, you’re probably thrilled to see the temperatures rising and the snow melting off your [...]

NPS Rangers Release Ridiculously Wholesome Nature Crochet Patterns

Don’t ever say National Park Service employees aren’t multitalented. As it turns out, some rangers have been secretly honing a talent for crochet — and [...]

Outlast Episode 8 Recap: And the Winner Is…

“The enemy isn’t Mother Nature, it’s human nature.” That was Netflix’s spot-on tagline for its adventure competition series Outlast. Over eight episodes, 16 type-A [...]

Video: Did Anglers Just Catch a Great White Shark In Alabama?

A recent video shows what looks like a great white shark caught off the Alabama coast. If confirmed, it will be the first great [...]

7 Best Places In The World To Go Camping In Early Springtime

Camping in early spring can be a wonderful way to escape the crowds and enjoy some peace and tranquility in the great outdoors. The [...]

Video: Mr. Pickles, a 90-Year-Old Tortoise, Just Hatched Three Tiny Babies

Those close to Mr. Pickles always thought he’d make a great father. Now, after nearly a century of trying, the 90-year-old tortoise will finally [...]

Scroll to Top