Making the Most of the Tracking Feature in the onX Hunt App
GPS hunting maps like the onX Hunt App have made navigating complex terrain easier. Still, even seasoned hunters can get turned around in the backcountry. Whether you’re exploring an area for the first time and want to remove any guesswork involved in getting back to your truck or just want to see the ground you covered shed hunting, the onX Hunt tracking feature offers a visual record of your path.
How to Use the onX Hunt Tracker
The onX Hunt Tracker records your path as you travel and saves your track on the map as a blue-dashed line. The Tracker also provides information about your trip duration, distance, and average speed. Once saved, you can view Tracker data in the My Content menu.
To access the Tracker, tap the Tracker button in the bottom-right corner of the onX Hunt App. When you tap the green “Start” button to begin recording, the blue dot that shows your location will turn red to indicate that the Tracker is enabled. As you travel, light blue dashes will appear on your map. After you finish recording, you can change the color, style, and weight of the tracked line in the My Content menu by tapping the ellipsis (three dots) next to any saved track and choosing “Edit.” For complete instructions on how to use the tracking feature, read our support article.
How to Trim a Track
It happens to the best of us. We remember to turn the Tracker on, we successfully get back to the truck, and shortly after we get back to the house, we realize we left the Tracker on the whole way home.
With the Trim Track option, fixing tracks takes seconds. To trim a track, tap “My Content,” navigate to the track you need to trim, tap the ellipsis, and choose “Trim Track.” Use the green slider to trim the beginning of a track and the red slider to trim the end of a track.
Need a visual? Watch the video to see the Trim Track feature in action.
Tracking Online vs. Tracking Offline
The onX Hunt App uses your device’s built-in location services to record each point along your path as you travel. You can use the Tracker online or offline. In online mode, the Hunt App uses cell towers to determine your path. When offline, the Hunt App is disconnected from the cell network and uses GPS satellites instead. Depending on your surroundings, either setting could be more accurate.
When to Use the Tracker in Online Mode
– You have a strong cell signal, meaning you’re likely connected to at least three cell towers.
– You find yourself in thick tree cover, which can block GPS signals.
– You want to record a quick trip near a town or city.
Tracking in online mode generally works best in populated areas where the Hunt App can connect to enough cell towers to triangulate your position accurately. If you notice your location bouncing around on the map, this indicates your device is having trouble locating you, and you may get a more accurate reading in offline mode. There are apps available for download on your device that will provide you with information about cell towers and signal quality in a given area, such as “Open Signal.”
When to Use the Tracker in Offline Mode
– You’re away from populated areas.
– You’re in hilly terrain that may block cell signals.
– You’re unsure of the quality of cell coverage you’ll have in a certain area.
By default, the Hunt App will be in online mode until you tap the “Go Offline” button in the Offline Maps menu. Unless you have maps saved for offline use, the onX Hunt App downloads the map information you see from the internet, so it requires an active wi-fi or cell network connection.
Even if you have a strong cell signal, your device may only be connected to one or two towers, decreasing the accuracy of your location services. In these scenarios, your recorded track may not match your actual path, and you may see the line make odd jags and turns. If you see this happening, consider going offline.
Device Settings Related to Tracker Accuracy
If your tracks do not follow your path accurately or you see a straight line when you save your track, check your mobile device settings. Most mobile devices have power or battery-saving features that can be disabled to increase accuracy. If extending battery life is not critical for your trip, turn off any battery-saving settings for optimal tracker accuracy. Additionally, many Android devices have a “Location” setting that can be set to “High Accuracy” mode.
Tracker Use Cases
When used properly, the Tracker becomes an indispensable Map Tool for anyone who spends time outdoors. By giving you a visual representation of your movements, the Tracker can help keep you safe and serve as a surefire way to find that perfect spot time and time again. The ways you can use the Tracker are infinite—here are a handful of use cases to help get you started:
- Navigating unfamiliar terrain: When exploring new grounds, the Tracker records where you’ve been so you can backtrack when you need to, or understand which areas you haven’t touched yet.
- Navigating familiar terrain in the dark: Night land navigation is an advanced skill. The Tracker shrinks the learning curve by allowing you to record a track in the daylight for future reference when you’re back in the area after the sun goes down.
- Illustrating the ideal path to a treestand: Finding the most efficient route to your treestand is critical to minimizing factors that might spook critters. Once you’ve determined the perfect path, record it with the Tracker for yourself and for any hunting partners who might be sharing the stand.
- Tracking downed game: When you’ve lost sight of a wounded animal, you want to recover it as soon as you can. In scenarios where you find yourself gridding out land, remember to turn the Tracker on so you never have to take the same step twice.
- Sharing routes with hunting partners: Make coordinating with your hunting partners easier with the Tracker. Share your tracks to facilitate a common understanding. If you’re an Elite member, you can also use Route Builder.
- Monitoring time and distance: Curious how long that pack out took you or how long it took to get to camp? Getting into the habit of turning the Tracker on for these trips will give you key data insights for future planning efforts.