Bronco Trail App

I seem to recall it got pulled from the Apple app store but can’t remember the reason or finf the reference so I could be very wrong. But you’revright that it’s not in the app store.

July 25th, Ford officially (and quietly) announced that the app had been decommissioned. I use onX but have heard good stuff about Gaia as well, maybe give one of those a shot? --B

BroncoBetty21

July 25th, Ford officially (and quietly) announced that the app had been decommissioned. I use onX but have heard good stuff about Gaia as well, maybe give one of those a shot? --B

Thank you.

BroncoBetty21

July 25th, Ford officially (and quietly) announced that the app had been decommissioned. I use onX but have heard good stuff about Gaia as well, maybe give one of those a shot? --B

I attended the-pilgrimage.com for the 2nd time this year, a 3-day off-road gathering in South Royalton, VT. It's held yearly the first weekend in October. They said map and rate the trails and backcountry "Class 4" roads online. They're moving from onX to Gaia next year. Partly tech--onX could't handle the amount of user access the event created. So I'll probably let my onX expire, and try Gaia.

If you're in the Northeast or nearby Canada, the-pilgrimage-com is a great event, from newbies to hard-core wheelers.

I've used both Gaia and onX and I can say that Gaia is a far better app. You don't hear about Gaia as much on the socials since they don't hand out sponsorships like candy as the others do, but it's such an excellent mapping tool. The amount of data and layers available in the app/website is immense and I highly recommend checking out some Gaia how-to videos if you're considering what app to use for trail navigation, as well as trip planning.

However, one aspect of onX that is better than Gaia is trail discovery - but this is all freely available on onX's website no account needed. For trail discovery use TrailsOffroad, and find their ratings and user ratings to be much more consistent than the onX rating system. Plus TrailsOffroad integrates directly into Gaia for waypoints and routes, as does Overland Trail Guides, among others. Gaia has all the map layers and trails in it you'd ever need, but there are no guides or ratings.

A word of caution, if you're leaving the onX system and moving to TrailsOffroad, your onX trail ratings do not transfer over. Things onX rates a 6/10 will be a 3 or 4/10 in TrailsOffroad, and vice versa, so if you see someone say they took their stock rig through a 9/10 trail, chances are they're talking about an onX rated 9/10.

Example of a 9/10 rated obstacle from TrailsOffroad, the Doran Gate Keeper:

Trail App was ok for what it was and being free was a plus. However, I've used GAIA for a few years now and once you learn to navigate it, it's easy to love.

Yes, there is a subscription, but it's worth it for the offline maps if you venture out in the woods even on occasion. Can also use for hiking as well as other pursuits.

I often map my route using the web version on my Mac and it syncs with the app on my phone with waypoints, etc. I still will download offline maps from either Google or Apple Maps, but those can get wonky from time to time; no idea why, so GAIA is always there and with CarPlay, syncs up to the Bronco. There are times when out of cell coverage, CarPlay won't connect wirelessly, but using USB it has always worked fine. My Bronco is a 2023.

OnX has gotten popular, but I've never subscribed. I also have subs to TrailsOffroad and AllTrails.

RoboticsRob

I've used both Gaia and onX and I can say that Gaia is a far better app. You don't hear about Gaia as much on the socials since they don't hand out sponsorships like candy as the others do, but it's such an excellent mapping tool. The amount of data and layers available in the app/website is immense and I highly recommend checking out some Gaia how-to videos if you're considering what app to use for trail navigation, as well as trip planning.

However, one aspect of onX that is better than Gaia is trail discovery - but this is all freely available on onX's website no account needed. For trail discovery use TrailsOffroad, and find their ratings and user ratings to be much more consistent than the onX rating system. Plus TrailsOffroad integrates directly into Gaia for waypoints and routes, as does Overland Trail Guides, among others. Gaia has all the map layers and trails in it you'd ever need, but there are no guides or ratings.

A word of caution, if you're leaving the onX system and moving to TrailsOffroad, your onX trail ratings do not transfer over. Things onX rates a 6/10 will be a 3 or 4/10 in TrailsOffroad, and vice versa, so if you see someone say they took their stock rig through a 9/10 trail, chances are they're talking about an onX rated 9/10.

Example of a 9/10 rated obstacle from TrailsOffroad, the Doran Gate Keeper:

I've used almost all of the mapping apps and while Gaia is my 2nd favorite app, I prefer onX for trail discovery.. I still pay for Gaia and use it when researching new and unknown areas.

I do not care about yearly subscription price and would happily pay for any service that works the best. I off-road every few weeks and trail reports and finding new trails are very important to me.

If overlays are someone's thing, then sure Gaia has more overlays.

Also, what makes you think onX hands out subscriptions like candy?

Things onX rates a 6/10 will be a 3 or 4/10 in TrailsOffroad, and vice versa, so if you see someone say they took their stock rig through a 9/10 trail, chances are they're talking about an onX rated 9/10.

This is absolutely false.

onX does use their own trail rating system but it's nowhere even close to being as far off as you claim. It's different, for sure.

If Gaia works for you then cool but most of your post is opinion and not factual.

These are the official onX ratings guidelines for a 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 rated trail. The 6 is hardly a 3 or 4 elsewhere.





Here is just one of many examples I can offer as to why onX is better for off-roading..

These both are for the Nebraska National Forest - Trail 201-3

Gaia does not show this trail as closed, which it currently is.. It's a seasonal closure that runs yearly from Sept 1 - Nov 30th. onX shows the trail as closed and the trail description also notifies users the trail is closed.

If you are 4 wheeling this is VERY important information to have..

Gaia: (premium features and overlays are enabled - no mention anywhere that 201-3 is seasonally closed)


onX: (201-3 has a closure clearly marked on the map and the trail description also notes it's seasonally closed)


Heck, even the USFS map shows 201-3 as seasonally closed. While the USFS map is awesome, it's not the most updated maps you'll find and it's lacking many features.



When planning a trip I use several mapping sources including onX, Gaia, USFS, TailsOffRoad, AllTrails etc. When actually on the trails, and for overall use, nothing beats onX IMO..

A trail being closed is very, very important information to have. That's one of many examples I can offer. If you, or someone else, prefers Gaia then I say cool! Use what works best for you..

I like Trails Off-road for discovering trails and its ability to download an entire state’s worth of trails for offline mode in a really small package. It uses the industry standard xml format to save the files, so I can see the maps no matter what. I absolutely hate the way OnX handles offline maps using a grid and extremely large file downloads.

Places like Moab and Buena Vista Colorado are saturated with trails. I have all the trails for Utah and Colorado downloaded, so if we change plans or hop on a different trail I never worry about having a map.

TechnicalDisaster

I like Trails Off-road for discovering trails and its ability to download an entire state’s worth of trails for offline mode in a really small package. It uses the industry standard xml format to save the files, so I can see the maps no matter what. I absolutely hate the way OnX handles offline maps using a grid and extremely large file downloads.

Places like Moab and Buena Vista Colorado are saturated with trails. I have all the trails for Utah and Colorado downloaded, so if we change plans or hop on a different trail I never worry about having a map.

Trails OffRoad is good for trails that are already mapped. I rarely ever use it as it offers very little to no information for unexplored / unmapped trails..

Clicking on an unmapped trail offers zero information, nothing, nada, zilch! Not what is allowed to be on it, not the type of terrain the trail is - nada!

Have not used the app and I use their web portal.. I do not pay for it so maybe it's better if you fork over some cash but I doubt it.

Their already mapped trails are good but if you like exploring new and unmapped trails, it's pretty bad..

I do agree that onX needs to improve downloads and the amount of area covered but you do have control over how much detail you want. If you choose low, you still get all the trail info but you cover a much larger area..

I always download high detail and depending on the area size I might have 4 or 5 overlapping downloads to cover the entire area.. Download them once and done!

raqball

Trails OffRoad is good for trails that are already mapped. I rarely ever use it as it offers very little to no information for unexplored / unmapped trails..

Clicking on an unmapped trail offers zero information, nothing, nada, zilch! Not what is allowed to be on it, not the type of terrain the trail is - nada!

Have not used the app and I use their web portal.. I do not pay for it so maybe it's better if you fork over some cash but I doubt it.

Their already mapped trails are good but if you like exploring new and unmapped trails, it's pretty bad..

I do agree that onX needs to improve downloads and the amount of area covered but you do have control over how much detail you want. If you choose low, you still get all the trail info but you cover a much larger area..

I always download high detail and depending on the area size I might have 4 or 5 overlapping downloads to cover the entire area.. Download them once and done!

Are you sponsored in any way by OnX?

I'm not sure how an app has "unmapped" trail information. If it has trail information, doesn't that mean it is effectively mapped? How does OnX have information about unexplored trails? Crystal bal? Palm reading? I don't get it.

I have OnX loaded. Can you give me an example of an unmapped trail you can find in OnX?

TechnicalDisaster

Are you sponsored in any way by OnX?

I'm not sure how an app has "unmapped" trail information. If it has trail information, doesn't that mean it is effectively mapped? How does OnX have information about unexplored trails? Crystal bal? Palm reading? I don't get it.

I have OnX loaded. Can you give me an example of an unmapped trail you can find in OnX?

Yes I am an onX trail guide but that has nothing to do with my comments. If a better service existed, I'd use and pay for it 100%.. I enjoy exploring trails that do not already have trail reports. But having basic data on those trails is very important..

There are tens of thousands of trails across the US that have not been properly mapped and described by mapping services like onX, GAIA, Trails Offroad.

Instead of listing tens of thousands, here is one example from onX:

*No Crystal ball or palm reading needed as the basic data is pulled from the USFS and other services..



This particular trail, 228, has provided data that at least tells you basic information about the trail. For instance:

• The trail is 5.9 miles long
• The trail is accessible by High Clearance Vehicles, 4x4 and SxS
• The trail terrain type is natural.
• It's open year round

What makes Trails Offroad bad, IMO, is they list none of this data. Clicking on a non mapped trail in Trails Offroad does nothing. It pulls up no data on that trail whatsoever.

If you are trying to discover new trails that someone else has not already mapped and uploaded then this basic information is very helpful.

Here is that same trail in Trails Offroad:



This is very rudimentary and it offers nothing for those looking to explore new trails that have not already been mapped and uploaded to that service..

I am pretty sure that nobody would find the mapping information provided by Trails Offroad for 228 even remotely helpful.. Mainly because there is no information whatsoever provided for 228 by them in their mapping app / service.

Another issue with Trails Offroad is that I had to zoom in on the map for the trail 228 to even show up. If I were to zoom out any further than what's shown in the screen shot, the trail disappears from view.. If you were looking at an area overview, you'd never even know this trail exists on Trails Offroad..

Here is the slightly zoomed out view in Trails Offroad. 228 does not show or even exist in this view. As a matter of fact, in this view - 90% of the trails are MIA..

raqball

Yes I am an onX trail guide but that has nothing to do with my comments. If a better service existed, I'd use and pay for it 100%.. I enjoy exploring trails that do not already have trail reports. But having basic data on those trails is very important..

There are tens of thousands of trails across the US that have not been properly mapped and described by mapping services like onX, GAIA, Trails Offroad.

Instead of listing tens of thousands, here is one example from onX:

*No Crystal ball or palm reading needed as the basic data is pulled from the USFS and other services..



This particular trail, 228, has provided data that at least tells you basic information about the trail. For instance:

• The trail is 5.9 miles long
• The trail is accessible by High Clearance Vehicles, 4x4 and SxS
• The trail terrain type is natural.
• It's open year round

What makes Trails Offroad bad, IMO, is they list none of this data. Clicking on a non mapped trail in Trails Offroad does nothing. It pulls up no data on that trail whatsoever.

If you are trying to discover new trails that someone else has not already mapped and uploaded then this basic information is very helpful.

Here is that same trail in Trails Offroad:



This is very rudimentary and it offers nothing for those looking to explore new trails that have not already been mapped and uploaded to that service..

I am pretty sure that nobody would find the mapping information provided by Trails Offroad for 228 even remotely helpful.. Mainly because there is no information whatsoever provided for 228 by them in their mapping app / service.

Another issue with Trails Offroad is that I had to zoom in on the map for the trail 228 to even show up. If I were to zoom out any further than what's shown in the screen shot, the trail disappears from view.. If you were looking at an area overview, you'd never even know this trail exists on Trails Offroad..

Here is the slightly zoomed out view in Trails Offroad. 228 does not show or even exist in this view. As a matter of fact, in this view - 90% of the trails are MIA..

So essentially you like OnX because it pulls in data from the USFS and the Trails app does not. If that’s the only reason, it’s not a good enough reason for me. I like the cultivated trails and offline ability of Trails off-road way more.

TechnicalDisaster

So essentially you like OnX because it pulls in data from the USFS and the Trails app does not. If that’s the only reason, it’s not a good enough reason for me. I like the cultivated trails and offline ability of Trails off-road way more.

The data that's pulled in by onX and Gaia is very important data to have access to when out on the trails. Trail closures, ATV vehicles only etc..

It's also very helpful to know how long the trail is and what the trail terrain is. In some areas, the terrain can change drastically from one trail to another even if they are in close proximity to each other..

Nothing wrong with wanting and liking curated / cultivated trails to follow. Trails Offroad is very good for that but it's not my type of off-roading. I like exploring the areas that are not curated and having a little bit of data on those types of trails is very helpful.

Also, FWIW, you can download .gpx files from within the onX app. You can only download tracks that you yourself have created.

Here is a track in .gpx format that I created last week when out 4 wheelin'.

Trail 263 - Nebraska National Forest .GPX File

Screenshot of that tracks info: