Paul Ballentine 07.19.22
Off-roading, searching, and mountain climbing will nearly definitely depart you with restricted or no cell service. This leaves many mobile phone hosted GPS options all, however ineffective. There are a number of totally different units which can be out there for again nation navigation however one in every of my private favorites is Lifetime Trailmaps.
Lifetime Trailmaps
Lifetime Trailmaps is a small enterprise headquartered in Chatsworth, GA. Based by Chris Hyde in 2017, Lifetime Trailmaps has shortly develop into one of the well-liked GPS options within the powersports market.
First Experiences and Overview
I used to be first launched to Lifetime Trailmaps in early 2020 by a buddy on a path experience. He was utilizing it to map our manner by means of an off-highway automobile (OHV) park on the border of Tennessee and Alabama with wonderful accuracy. I bought a duplicate for myself and loaded it on a funds pleasant Samsung Tab 7. Since then, I’ve used it on almost each off-road journey I’ve taken. Preloaded within the software are maps of OHV trails, public path methods, and well-liked personal off-road parks all through the US. With the acquisition you’ll obtain yearly updates that embrace new path methods, adjustments in path methods, and up to date descriptions of current trails. For a month-to-month price you possibly can get hold of entry to premium month-to-month path updates when you select to take action.
The interface is simple to make use of and intuitive however make sure you dedicate a brief period of time to be taught the interface and options, the Lifetime Trailmaps YouTube web page has a plethora of ideas and tips when getting accustomed to the appliance. All vital info is clearly offered for fast checks to make sure you are heading in the right direction whereas driving or strolling. Selectable low mild mode is a welcome function for night time driving.
Primarily designed for off-road use with side-by-sides, ATVs and full-size Jeep class automobiles, Lifetime Trailmaps has been a welcome addition to my searching and mountain climbing journeys. I’ve used it to map my total searching property with a excessive diploma of accuracy, including markers for my stands, blinds, feeders, and creek crossings. Mountaineering and tenting it has been helpful for marking our favourite overlooks, caves, and trails. I even used it as soon as in my truck when my mobile phone determined it wanted a break and died.
Lifetime Trailmaps presents two methods to buy the appliance. Both preloaded on a pill or simply the appliance as a stand-alone buy. On the time of writing, Lifetime Trailmaps solely formally helps Samsung units on account of their excessive diploma of GPS accuracy and in home testing. In the event you select to load the appliance on a non-supported pill, they can not assure performance. Preloaded tablets are provided in both water-proof fashions or non-waterproof. Underneath the 2 classes of tablets are picks for display screen measurement and ranging ranges of efficiency relying on mannequin. Ranging in worth from $469.99 for his or her Bronze Version 8” non-waterproof pill to $989.99 for his or her Titanium Version 10” waterproof mannequin. Value of the Lifetime Trailmaps standalone software to load by yourself system is $259.99.
These are totally featured tablets that can be utilized as such when not utilizing the Lifetime Trailmaps software making it a dual-purpose system. My daughter has watched many downloaded Netflix exhibits on my pill whereas tenting. Lifetime Trailmaps additionally presents quite a lot of case and mount choices for numerous purposes. Assist movies, checklist of present mapped trails, and buyer help can all be discovered on their web site. Lifetime Trailmaps is lively on social media gauging buyer enter and satisfaction to proceed enhancing their merchandise and choices.
Do needless to say the appliance will not be designed to be moved from one system to a different frequently. They do provide a switch service however that does require approval. This service seems to be for misplaced, stolen or broken units. Not a lot to switch between a smartphone and pill relying on what the consumer needs to tackle a visit.
Ultimate Ideas and Going Ahead
The appliance is surprisingly battery environment friendly permitting all day to a number of days of battery life even with my funds Tab 7. Utility stability is one other stand out expertise I’ve had. Not as soon as has the app crashed, frozen, or stopped working. In comparison with different Android primarily based map applications I’ve used previously, Lifetime Trailmaps receives high marks for reliability.
My present Tab 7 paired with Lifetime Trailmaps has served me effectively the final two years. All throughout Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi, this software has been a life saver. I’ve loved having this program at my facet on so many journeys that I plan on upgrading to one in every of their water-proof fashions quickly, retaining my present mannequin as a backup in my spouse’s ATV.
I’m nonetheless a robust proponent of carrying some type of navigational backup. A paper map of the realm you may be in is at all times a good suggestion. I’ve but to have a problem with Lifetime Trailmaps or my pill that left me with out its use, but it surely may occur. Two is one and one is none.
