I love your fast taking straight forward no-bullshit style of review, thanks, Stephan. I knew Gaia wouldn't be great in Australia. You need GPS usability when no phone coverage.
I live in Sydney and got this for app for bushwalking. What a fantastic review! Thank you! It's also the only video I found mentioning how Gaia performs here in Australia. The problem you mention at 5.00 (where the text shrinks as you zoom in) drives me nuts. Glad it's not just me.
thank you, I also started using Gaia for Bushwalking as the map download limit is no issue for walking. Yes unfortunately the same for every vector map no one has sorted that satisfactory
Gaia now lets you download the satellite data. All of WA is about 50 GB. There is no tile limit anymore. The offline satellite option I find very useful.
I've been using Gaia now for the last few months and it seems greatly improved from your this review. I use the Gaia overland map and it seem very comprehensive. Might be worth doing an updated video. Would love to know how you find it now
@@AlloffroadAu you can download your chosen locations just by drawing a square on the screen and large as area as you want including state size, just takes a lot of space 👍🏻
Your review focuses on the default Gaia topo maps, but state topo maps on Gaia are far cheaper the EOTopo maps, have great contrast and are more accurate and informative than EOTopo maps.
You might want to take another look at Gaia since they introduced the GaiaGPS Overland map. Yes it may be targeted at the US, but the Aus one is high contrast and the roads don't disappear quite so quickly as you zoom out.
@@AlloffroadAu You need to pay for Premium, they aren't available on the free app, software developers have to make a living too. Under Topo Maps collection, you will find GaiaGPS Overland (meters). Under the Feature/Weather layers collection you will find Bedrock Geology and Native Land Territories. The State Topo maps are in the Australia/New Zealand collection. There is no WA or NT State Topo map, but the other states are there.
yea thats fair enough but I own 15 GPS Navigation Apps so focus on the one which work best for me, Memory Maps for all as EOT as secondary app. Cant keep all of them as premium paid up to date.
Since you published this review, Gaia has introduced a feature to download the whole state. I've done it quite successfully. And you can download the satellite layer too - just noting this since your review says you can't download the whole state (not true) and can only use satellite online (not true).
yes I have tried OSM, it's not a bad app, especially for the price still don't like how the vector maps to scale and the more you zoom out the less info is visible, making an overview and planning very difficult. Usability is also a bit confusing but again not a bad app.
@@AlloffroadAu ok thanks for the reply. can I ask you a question? a smartphone with offline vector maps should work anywhere in the Australian outback, but is that right? how accurately it works
So short story is this isnt great for Oz. I've been playing with Avenza maps, takes a bit of digging around to learn the features and language that Avenza use to describe certain things but its pretty good with navigation. Take the time to plan the route before hand load maps for offline use and it's not too shabby. Like Ozi or Hema they have their way of doing things. Always will be differences between raster and vector mapping options. Been using Avenza on a 9.7" Samsung tablet also with Google maps offline loaded too. Thanks for uploading though. From an South Aus viewer.👍🇭🇲
yes I like Avenza and have reviewed it previously, don't like cumbersome map acquisition though and it takes quite a bit of time to set up for each trip. You just can't beat ExploreOZ Traveller Maps, POI and Track Database (review coming next week)
How easy is it to turn off public sharing? A friend of mine accidentally shared all his routes as he didn't realise this was defaulted to share publicly.
@@AlloffroadAu Ok US company so probably bluestar has the print contract with them. Another overseas company . Most staff left after sold. I loved the guys when they came in for press checks and talking with the mapping guys was great too
Ive been using this and heaps of people have been asking about it so I'll link your video, save me doing one 😂👌
thanks mate
I love your fast taking straight forward no-bullshit style of review, thanks, Stephan. I knew Gaia wouldn't be great in Australia. You need GPS usability when no phone coverage.
Great review mate. Happy with your in depth info
Continuation of my GPS Navigation App reviews and Gaia is often recommended, do you have a different experience than me? let me know in the comments.
I live in Sydney and got this for app for bushwalking. What a fantastic review! Thank you! It's also the only video I found mentioning how Gaia performs here in Australia. The problem you mention at 5.00 (where the text shrinks as you zoom in) drives me nuts. Glad it's not just me.
thank you, I also started using Gaia for Bushwalking as the map download limit is no issue for walking. Yes unfortunately the same for every vector map no one has sorted that satisfactory
Same!
Think you nailed this review, and $50 a year for limited support is a bit steep too.
Thanks. Very honest review. You just saved me $50 until they upgrade the map features for Aus.
No problem 👍
Solid review … straight to the point and honest 👍🏻
Gaia now lets you download the satellite data. All of WA is about 50 GB. There is no tile limit anymore. The offline satellite option I find very useful.
oh that is nice but you need an 1TB ipad for OZ
Another hugely informative review Stefan. Definitely helping us to count it in, or count it out. As always thank you
My pleasure!
Thank you very much, I feel I'll stick with Garmin for navigation in New Zealand
More Australian overlays pls, Gaia! We exist!
yes that would be nice indeed
Thanks for the honest review!
Always!
I've been using Gaia now for the last few months and it seems greatly improved from your this review. I use the Gaia overland map and it seem very comprehensive. Might be worth doing an updated video. Would love to know how you find it now
Thanks for sharing! can you now fully download all maps for Australia or at least per state in one go?
@@AlloffroadAu you can download your chosen locations just by drawing a square on the screen and large as area as you want including state size, just takes a lot of space 👍🏻
Excellent review, Stefan. I think you've nailed this - a great interface but less than useful maps for Australia. Cheers.
Glad it was helpful!
Your review focuses on the default Gaia topo maps, but state topo maps on Gaia are far cheaper the EOTopo maps, have great contrast and are more accurate and informative than EOTopo maps.
Awesome review. Certainly helped me. Well done
Glad to hear it!
Thanks for your honest review
My pleasure 😊
You might want to take another look at Gaia since they introduced the GaiaGPS Overland map. Yes it may be targeted at the US, but the Aus one is high contrast and the roads don't disappear quite so quickly as you zoom out.
just had a quick look could not see that map nor the state download or traditional owners map?
@@AlloffroadAu You need to pay for Premium, they aren't available on the free app, software developers have to make a living too. Under Topo Maps collection, you will find GaiaGPS Overland (meters). Under the Feature/Weather layers collection you will find Bedrock Geology and Native Land Territories. The State Topo maps are in the Australia/New Zealand collection. There is no WA or NT State Topo map, but the other states are there.
yea thats fair enough but I own 15 GPS Navigation Apps so focus on the one which work best for me, Memory Maps for all as EOT as secondary app. Cant keep all of them as premium paid up to date.
Since you published this review, Gaia has introduced a feature to download the whole state. I've done it quite successfully. And you can download the satellite layer too - just noting this since your review says you can't download the whole state (not true) and can only use satellite online (not true).
everything was true at the time of publishing , I unfortunately can't look in the future and software changes and new features are introduced.
thank you for detail video
You are welcome
Love your videos, have you done any in WA? Thanks.
Thank you :-) Yes I have but only the Canning Series ua-cam.com/video/S83WFedSkaw/v-deo.html would love to do more though
Hi, I suggest you try Osmand maps, As many overlapping maps as you want are available for Australia. Your opinion would be interesting
yes I have tried OSM, it's not a bad app, especially for the price still don't like how the vector maps to scale and the more you zoom out the less info is visible, making an overview and planning very difficult. Usability is also a bit confusing but again not a bad app.
@@AlloffroadAu ok thanks for the reply. can I ask you a question? a smartphone with offline vector maps should work anywhere in the Australian outback, but is that right? how accurately it works
@@AlloffroadAu Is there a video of how a smartphone gps works in the outback? It's something that intrigues me
a smartphone with GPS and off-line maps, yes correct. it would be a short video it's very accurate and shows you exactly where you are.
A disappointing app that has so much potential. Great honest review
So short story is this isnt great for Oz.
I've been playing with Avenza maps, takes a bit of digging around to learn the features and language that Avenza use to describe certain things but its pretty good with navigation. Take the time to plan the route before hand load maps for offline use and it's not too shabby. Like Ozi or Hema they have their way of doing things. Always will be differences between raster and vector mapping options.
Been using Avenza on a 9.7" Samsung tablet also with Google maps offline loaded too.
Thanks for uploading though. From an South Aus viewer.👍🇭🇲
yes I like Avenza and have reviewed it previously, don't like cumbersome map acquisition though and it takes quite a bit of time to set up for each trip. You just can't beat ExploreOZ Traveller Maps, POI and Track Database (review coming next week)
Will this app can still locate me if my phone has no built in GPS in it but I have internet connection
you need GPS for a GPS Navigation app
How easy is it to turn off public sharing? A friend of mine accidentally shared all his routes as he didn't realise this was defaulted to share publicly.
not sure to be honest I don't use Gaia much as I cant download the full Australian maps and need the internet for search to work.
Did you know HEMA is now owned by Bluestar not a family brisbane based any more.
Bluestar? As far as I know, it was sold to Emprise Group www.emprisegroup.com.au/Content/OurBrands they dropped the ball big time since the sale..
@@AlloffroadAu Enterprise group owned by / ? we did all the print for hema in bris now its done by bluestar down south
@@AlloffroadAu Ok US company so probably bluestar has the print contract with them. Another overseas company . Most staff left after sold. I loved the guys when they came in for press checks and talking with the mapping guys was great too
@@jamestanner9198 yes not sure mate could well be, all Australian Magazines though...
Sell out is sad
@@AlloffroadAu It sure is sad
Not sure why anyone would pay for it in Australia?
You don't recommend a paid version for Australia? Just use the free?