Simple GPS for lakes and rivers

[esox07]

I am looking for an app that I can use on my phone to navigate on unfamiliar lakes and rivers in my area. I don't really need depth charts and all that but would be nice. I am more interested in just a map of the lake or river and the ability to plot waypoint and a course and map it and have the app guide me back the way I came. I checked out the Navitronics app, but that is more than I need/want and I don't want to have to pay anything if possible. Just something simple and hopefully free.

 

[Brandon5778]

Google maps is completely free and should suffice for your application. Go into the settings and turn the terrain to sattelite to get a picture of the landscape. I've used it many times on an large unfamiliar lake nearby. However, as far as I know there really isn't the ability to plot courses and all, but you can save any location with a star and label it. Should be all you need to navigate. There may be another app that can navigate a course on the lake, but I don't know of one, others can pitch in on that.

 

[wrench 3]

I'm using one from these guys https://memory-map.com/Mapping_Software.html You can get a free trial but there is a fee after that but not overly expensive. You can load it onto more than one device for the same price. I have it on my laptop and on an old automotive GPS that I use in the boat. You can transfer routs, way points etc back and forth between devices. It works great and there's good support. It's a one time fee and you get free upgrades.

 

[esox07]

I just d/l the memory map software onto my phone. I will check it out, thanks.

 

[wrvond]

Check out AquaMap US as well as Locations. Used in conjunction with Activecaptain.com they meet my needs on the rivers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I havent found a phone that is bright enough to read in direct sunlight like either of my GPS devices