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Dirt bike GPS trackers tech

booger

booger

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Joined
May 22, 2020
Member Number
1158
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436
Loc
Corpus Christi
Over the holiday I took the family unit to Hidden Falls. It was our first time there and we were given their maps at checkin. Unfortunately their maps suck and there are 3 of them since they have motorcycle only trails, ATV/UTV, and Full size rigs. Having 3 maps is a mess, you cannot figure out where you are if you are only carrying one of them and even with all 3 they remain barley usable. Long story short I got lost because I am in the middle of the park with trails going in every direction and a map that doesn't help one bit. The only trails marked at every trail crossing are the 3 single tracks, all of the 4 wheel + trails are mostly blank. I called the park rangers for help with the matter and they tell me they don't run the single tracks so they can't help me. They don't even know the name of the obstacle that stopped (marked but not on the map) us and cannot locate me in their 2100 acre park. After a couple of calls and my wife in their office insisting they do something as it is getting dark and the rain is coming down hard we got one ranger that was willing to help and I was able to describe our surroundings enough that he got close enough we spotted him and were back at camp in minutes. If I didn't have 2 kids on mini bikes with me I would have found my way out. But they were tired and so was I from helping them.

Rather than wait on the park to realize they should be giving up GPS coordinates and/or marking the trails better I'd like to run a GPS on my bike. Never needed one before but it seems I will be adding a gadget so as not to rely on others.

What unit is good for this? Preferably it will do a good job of tracking in trees at high speed. Would have a display that is small or would communicate with my phone so can keep it protected in my pack until needed. I plan to run all of their trails and build my own map, the park is pretty well setup but for an individual that doesn't know the trails it can be a bit tricky.

Cliffs - Need dirt bike tracker to build map.
 
I've got a almost NIB Garmin Zumo 350LVM that Doc14 scored for me awhile back.

I dont remember what it cost me but I'll box it up and ship it to you for $100.

I also have a Garmin Montana 650t that i'd ship for $300

No cell service or what? Use alltrails or onxoff road.
 
Sceep said:
I've got a almost NIB Garmin Zumo 350LVM that Doc14 scored for me awhile back.

I dont remember what it cost me but I'll box it up and ship it to you for $100.

I also have a Garmin Montana 650t that i'd ship for $300

No cell service or what? Use alltrails or onxoff road.
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I had cell service and was communicating with the rangers but they could not help me except for to tell me to go west. We did that but they could not figure out where I was by landmarks or even using the signs I had available to me. I'd run into people and tell them my issue only for them to give me more bad information. We were close to going in circles but everything was fine, kids were just cold and tired and we needed an exit plan. Once we were not able to complete that one obstacle the only choice we had was to get on trails with no names not knowing the difficulty level or where they were going. It was pouring and black clay everywhere.

I have Alltrails but they only have 3 or 4 trails shown out of over 200. 1000s of unmarked intersections out there to choose from.

I may be sending you money, still doing a bit of research.
 
I have an old school garmin etrex I use. I have it set to leave a snail trail on the map as I ride. At major intersections and points of interest I collect a way point. This coupled with crappy trail maps gives me enough info to find my way back.
 
booger said:
I had cell service and was communicating with the rangers but they could not help me except for to tell me to go west. We did that but they could not figure out where I was by landmarks or even using the signs I had available to me. I'd run into people and tell them my issue only for them to give me more bad information. We were close to going in circles but everything was fine, kids were just cold and tired and we needed an exit plan. Once we were not able to complete that one obstacle the only choice we had was to get on trails with no names not knowing the difficulty level or where they were going. It was pouring and black clay everywhere.

I have Alltrails but they only have 3 or 4 trails shown out of over 200. 1000s of unmarked intersections out there to choose from.

I may be sending you money, still doing a bit of research.
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If you had cell service why couldnt you just go to google maps and drop them a pinpoint of your location? :confused:
 
Been there done that. I mean being lost out in the middle of bfe on dirt bikes with little guys in tow. Reading your op brought the anxiety level up in me for sure. cannot add any content here except to say keep getting them out there and riding. best times of my life.
 
Looks like Maprika has all 3 maps loaded in for Hidden Falls and I have found that most times they are pretty accurate. I always look to see if they have a map for the park I am headed to so I have some semblance of where the trails go and a little bit to go on if I do get completely turned around.
 
Sceep said:
If you had cell service why couldnt you just go to google maps and drop them a pinpoint of your location? :confused:
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With everything wet and muddy a touch screen would not work. I was barley able to answer calls after the first one. Doesn't seem possible but I tell you that phone became real worthless.
 
Seems like you could have pulled up google maps, checked satellite view, and just looked at the trails :flipoff2:


This is the end all solution, unless you want to pony up for the real fancy one that will radio communicate with your buddies so you can all see each other on the map. That's what I'll be putting on my sled since dark blizzards are a good way to get lost. https://www.trailtech.net/en-us/shop/accessories/digital-gauges/voyager-gps/
 
Ebs said:
Avenza
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza&hl=en_US&gl=US
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/avenza-maps-offline-mapping/id388424049


If there's that many trails and people out there, someone has some form of online map for it. Go prepared next time.
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This. Works slick.

I use that and have my Garmin Oregon in my backpack recording my track as a backup/confirmation..

It's a nice adventure to go out and "get lost", but when you NEED to get back (like this instance) nothing can be more frustrating when you don't have the tools.
 
Appreciate the help guys. This was a first trip for us there. I had planned on riding without the kids to get a feel for the place but time ran out between rain showers. When we first started out the dirt was just the right amount of muddy to be great riding. Several miles into the single track the rain was coming down again and it got pretty slick. Not bad for me but with a XR50 and XR110 we were working too hard. Backup plan was to jump off the single track, I had no idea the trail markings would be so unusable. I had many reference points surrounding me, I also expected someone more familiar than I would easily tell me where to go but the maps they supplied have very little navigation help on them without trail names on the trails. They kept telling me to take trails that are loops. First, I'd have to find one, then what direction to go? We needed an exit and we needed it right then or the boys were going to fall to pieces on me. Fortunately they held on while I struggled to make sense of how I could be lost on such a small piece of property. I had planned to meet friends there that were familiar but they backed out. It was a perfect small storm of events that got us in the situation. I never expected the first response from the park to be "We don't run the single track so we don't know where you are and we can't help you." Thanks for the hot line on the map, super duper. They told me I needed to go downhill and west. Turns out I was only .5 miles from camp and it was uphill and northeast.

If I had a towel or dry underwear I could have probably gotten the phone to provide me some help because it was working but the touch screen would not. With approaching night fall and receiving bad information throughout the event I am looking for a better method of self extraction by means of GPS.
 
Even if you have all 3 maps please tell me how to identify where you need to go if at an intersection of South Loop and David’s Way. I see this as a significant flaw to their maps. In my case I only had the moto map. Also, if you look online they use different maps with different colors and keys. So it gets wanky pretty damn fast. Never seen such poor display of information.

82D68FBD-4A6D-4573-B15C-12F6192D1EAB.jpeg


A5B38D94-932E-47BF-9262-87116440517D.jpeg


4D10AB6E-836D-49C6-884B-CD9D02A7D80D.jpeg
 
So buy a trail tech or dont go back?

Am I that spoiled with 10x more riding than that an hour from my house for free :flipoff2:
 
1) get a compass. 2) Learn how to read and not get lost in a mapped area. 3) Grow a pair. 4) Profit!
My 5yo knows the basics of a topo.
 
No help on the “touch screen won’t work” unless somebody has come up with a handlebar button that plugs into a phone. Wouldn’t surprise me with the rally stuff nowadays.

I use Avenza maps when off-roading in the NF here in my Land Rover, it works well without service if you download the map before you go.

Hunting out west, I’ve used OnX and it is AWESOME. It costs like $30/yr per state but it’s well worth it. They have been advertising an off-road program lately, it’s worth checking out.

Down side is, with no cell signal, you still won’t be able to communicate with riding buddies should someone get lost or break down. I tried out the Garmin Inreach mini this year on our elk hunt and it works to communicate with no service, but it can be slow. You have to manually check for messages or it will eat up battery, it can take ~ 10 minutes or so to send a message and receive the reply, but it did always work.
 
stjames151 said:
1) get a compass. 2) Learn how to read and not get lost in a mapped area. 3) Grow a pair. 4) Profit!
My 5yo knows the basics of a topo.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it’s not that bad in an area with significant elevation change, assuming it’s visible from where you are. You’re still relying on the other people you’re with being competent, if you can communicate with them.

Let me take you to the 3,600 acre swamp I hunt in the dark, total elevation change is probably 10’. Oh, there are also no trails. Yeah, I still carry a compass and have used it when the GPS goes nuts, but you aren’t doing the “mountain man course plotting” shit.

I’ve walked around in a 50 yard area for 10 minutes looking for my damn tree stand before. :laughing:
 
Garmin gpsmap 64 or similar
I have a old 60Cx with some free topo maps loaded to it and it works great
Tons of customization and tracking
 
Chevy_man said:
So buy a trail tech or dont go back?

Am I that spoiled with 10x more riding than that an hour from my house for free :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

It is a rather sad fact unfortunately.:usa:

You guys are lucky no doubt. This is the closest terrain park for us at 4 hrs away. They only have 3 single track trails. The rest of the trails are covered by trail lice.
 
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Glad you found your way out without to much incident. An offline GPS tracking app would be good coupled with proper trail maps (when available). Also in a camel back or similar keep a few small items dry, ziplock bags, towel(s) & electrons (kept in small individual bags. You would still need to find some form of shelter but usually a decent tree will work or even someone holding a towel over you. At that point you can use your phone. Also tucking hands in to arm pits will usually warm the finger tips up enough to have the phone register it with damp hands.
Also carry a poncho or 2 and some cordage if you are going into a new area. At least you can rig up some shelter if shit goes south. They are cheap lightweight very compact. Easy piece of mind especially with kids. I changed my bag/ruck packing when we had kids oldest is 5. Only truly happy I did it once but that was enough. Was just a short hike but a heavy squall came in and I threw up a poncho tarp to hang out under. Went from what would have been pissed off kids to its cool to watch the storm pass.
When I used to ride we never took that shit because its a boys ride and fuck the pussies. :flipoff2: Now it means a bigger bag for me to carry.
Just my advice.
 
Thefishguy77 said:
Glad you found your way out without to much incident. An offline GPS tracking app would be good coupled with proper trail maps (when available). Also in a camel back or similar keep a few small items dry, ziplock bags, towel(s) & electrons (kept in small individual bags. You would still need to find some form of shelter but usually a decent tree will work or even someone holding a towel over you. At that point you can use your phone. Also tucking hands in to arm pits will usually warm the finger tips up enough to have the phone register it with damp hands.
Also carry a poncho or 2 and some cordage if you are going into a new area. At least you can rig up some shelter if shit goes south. They are cheap lightweight very compact. Easy piece of mind especially with kids. I changed my bag/ruck packing when we had kids oldest is 5. Only truly happy I did it once but that was enough. Was just a short hike but a heavy squall came in and I threw up a poncho tarp to hang out under. Went from what would have been pissed off kids to its cool to watch the storm pass.
When I used to ride we never took that shit because its a boys ride and fuck the pussies. :flipoff2: Now it means a bigger bag for me to carry.
Just my advice.
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Solid advise. When we travel to Colorado for riding I get far more serious about what I am carrying. This little private park caught me off guard, I figured trail markers and maps what could go wrong. I usually have to research my routes, take screen shots of the maps for backup, carry an in-reach, a pistol, food, a poncho, 2 microfiber towels in zip locks, parts and tools. This time I had water, a phone, a map, and minimal tools. We knew we were going for a short ride and I expected if things got tough on the single track we could jump off and find our way back. Not so easy when you can run past dozens of trails without a sign to aid you in locating yourself. Never expecting to call for help I was surprised they offered go down hill and West as their only advise. The camps and major roads are on the Eastern edge of the property.:confused:

This is one of those wakeup calls that lets you know you better keep your game up and not take anything for granted.
 
booger said:
Solid advise. When we travel to Colorado for riding I get far more serious about what I am carrying. This little private park caught me off guard, I figured trail markers and maps what could go wrong. I usually have to research my routes, take screen shots of the maps for backup, carry an in-reach, a pistol, food, a poncho, 2 microfiber towels in zip locks, parts and tools. This time I had water, a phone, a map, and minimal tools. We knew we were going for a short ride and I expected if things got tough on the single track we could jump off and find our way back. Not so easy when you can run past dozens of trails without a sign to aid you in locating yourself. Never expecting to call for help I was surprised they offered go down hill and West as their only advise. The camps and major roads are on the Eastern edge of the property.:confused:

This is one of those wakeup calls that lets you know you better keep your game up and not take anything for granted.
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I get it. Its always the short trip that seem to get me. A, hold this I am going to move the rig real quick. That shit turns into a 3 hour tour...
 
garmin rhino

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/533999

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/576031

you can gps radio that you can load maps onto, mark trails as you ride and save them, you can ping your location so other rinos can see where you are

my pops and his buddies made 600 miles of maps for baja using google earth and paid for a handful of premade routes from the lizard lady

mount it to the handle bars and just follow the line

battery life is good, and plenty durable, i still use my pops old one thats gotta be 7yrs old and has seen 4 or 5 baja trips
 
stjames151 said:
1) get a compass. 2) Learn how to read and not get lost in a mapped area. 3) Grow a pair. 4) Profit!
My 5yo knows the basics of a topo.
Click to expand...

Part of the problem was definitely not following the map in the first place. He ripped around for a couple of hours and then pulled out the map to see where he was. 🤣
If you don't know where you are then keep track as you go.
 
rugger said:
Part of the problem was definitely not following the map in the first place. He ripped around for a couple of hours and then pulled out the map to see where he was. 🤣
If you don't know where you are then keep track as you go.
Click to expand...

I've given you all 3 maps. Where does South Loop intersect David's Way? Don't worry the rangers couldn't tell me either. West and downhill they said.... The maps are mostly useless.
 
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