What is the best GPS for snowmobiling? Although it’s difficult to name a single best GPS for snowmobiling, in this article, we’ll present a handful of suggested snowmobile GPS systems that will help one navigate with confidence while adding a layer of safety for emergency situations. Learn more about some of our favorite snowmobile GPS units, including the most robust off-road trail map GPS app on the market—onX Offroad.

The onX Offroad App Alternative

Snowmobilers who prefer to carry a smartphone or rugged phone instead of a handheld GPS unit can quickly pair them with the onX Offroad App for one of the most accurate and accessible snowmobile trail map databases on the market. With some of the best snowmobile GPS trail maps on the market and nearly 1,000 trail guides contributing route updates, pairing your smartphone with the onX Offroad mobile GPS app is a simple and cost-effective way to add navigation accuracy and a host of valuable benefits and safety features:

Economical Annual Memberships

• Premium Membership $34.99 per year – includes Feature Trails, Unlimited Saved Offline Maps, Government Lands, Photo Waypoints, 3D Maps (iOS only), and more.
• Elite Membership $99.99 per year – includes all Premium features plus exclusive features like Property Boundaries, Landowner Names, and Lot Information.

Interactive Maps

• Tap anywhere on a map using the onX Offroad App for detailed info, such as trail open and closure dates, public land management, private land, and recreation point details for campsites, trailheads, open OHV areas, and more.

Find Open Trails Near You

• Open the app and scan the map to quickly find open, closed, and “Featured” trails. You can then tap for photos, difficulty ratings, and detailed trail descriptions.

Find Campsites and Non-Ethanol Fuel Stations

• The onX Offroad app includes over 500,000 recreation points, such as campgrounds and dispersed campsites, parking areas, trailheads, boat launches, and more.

Track Trips and Add Custom Waypoints

• Use the “Track” feature to document where you’ve been and how to get back. Add Waypoints at campsites, obstacles, where you parked the trailer, and more. Tracks and waypoints can be edited, saved, and shared with friends.

Download Maps for Offline Use

• Even without cell service, use your smartphone or rugged phone’s built-in GPS to access snowmobile trail maps. Download unlimited maps for detailed trail and land info and your saved markups. You can still add waypoints and track trips without service.

3D and Satellite Maps*

• View your trail maps like never before in 3D and with the best quality satellite imagery. Or, switch to topo maps for elevation or a hybrid of satellite and topo for the ultimate navigation tool. *Currently iOS only.

Sync Across Multiple Devices

• Log in to your onX Offroad account on your computer to plan, and then open the app on your phone or tablet on the trail. All of your snowmobile trail info is saved and syncs across devices so you can move from trail to home without losing anything.

Standout GPS Systems for Snowmobiling

Garmin Overlander®

The Garmin Overlander is an all-terrain, all-in-one GPS navigator designed to fit the needs of the offroad community. The rugged Overlander features a 7-inch color touchscreen display and is preloaded with adventure-specific content, world-renowned directions from Garmin, and built-in topography maps.

Standout Feature:

• Garmin Explore App – download additional maps, such as satellite imagery and USGS quad sheets, and sync your data between devices. Import and export GPX files to Garmin Explore—even if offline.

Physical size: 7.8″ x 4.8″ x 0.9″
Screen size: 7.0″ diagonal
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: IP5X
Battery Life: up to 3 hours (lithium-ion rechargeable)
MSRP: $699.99

Trail Tech Voyager Pro

The Voyager Pro is a premium GPS with a four-inch color anti-glare touchscreen display that’s IP67 rated for dust and water intrusion. Voyager Pro’s mapping abilities and buddy tracking make it a premium choice for snowmobiling that’s built to withstand the harshest elements that accompany extreme winter riding conditions.

Standout Feature:

• Buddy Tracking – displays the current location of up to 20 members of your ride group on the map screen in real-time, which allows you to increase your following distances, and use the buddy beacon to summon your riding buddies—even without cell reception.

Physical size: 5.6″ x 3.5″ x 1.9″
Screen size: 4.0″ diagonal
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: IP67
Battery Life: 12V power required
MSRP: $649.95

Garmin Montana® 680t

The Garmin Montana 680t features a dual-orientation, color touchscreen that’s glove friendly, comes preloaded with TOPO U.S. 100K maps, and includes a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription. This handheld unit includes a 3-axis, tilt-compensated compass, barometric altimeter, and access to GPS and GLONASS satellites for improved positioning and faster fixes.

Standout Feature:

• 8 Megapixel Autofocus Camera – provides high-quality images, excellent resolution, and automatically geotags photos with coordinates.

Physical size: 2.9″ x 5.7″ x 1.4″
Screen size: 4.0″ diagonal (2.0″ x 3.5″)
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: IPX7
Battery Life: Up to 16 hours (lithium-ion), 22 hours (AA batteries)
MSRP: $599.95

Magellan TRX7 CS

The TRX7 CS comes preloaded with over 160,000 designated OHV routes from forest and public lands and includes Magellan’s award-winning street navigation to get you from your starting point to the trail. Download the Magellan TRX companion app to access your account, search, save, and see your position—even when away from your TRX7 CS device.

Standout Feature:

• 7.0-inch Touch Screen Display– is an extra-large, vibrant, sunlight-readable display with day and night views for easy visibility.

Physical size: 5.2″ x 8.7″ x 0.67″
Screen size: 7.0″ diagonal
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: IP67
Battery Life: up to 8 hours (lithium-ion rechargeable)
MSRP: $549.95

Garmin eTrex® 32x

The Garmin eTrex series uses both GPS and GLONASS satellite systems, so the receiver can track in more challenging environments than GPS alone. The 32x includes a 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, making it easy to keep your bearings.

Standout Feature:

• TopoActive Maps –the 32x comes preloaded with road-routable TopoActive maps for outdoor activities and trails so you can take the journey off the grid.

Physical size: 2.1” x 4.0” x 1.3”
Screen size: 2.2″ diagonal
IP (Ingress Protection) Rating: IPX7
Battery Life: up to 25 hours
MSRP: $299.95

Conclusion

Using this article as a place to start, begin your search by determining the necessary feature(s) you want in a GPS unit for snowmobiling. Combine that info with a price-point that’s comfortably within your budget, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the best GPS for snowmobile trail maps.

But if you are someone who prefers to carry a single device—such as an iPhone, Android, or rugged phone—you can’t go wrong choosing the onX Offroad App as an add-on GPS device at a fraction of the cost of the majority of standalone GPS units.

The post Best Snowmobiling GPS Systems 2022 appeared first on onX Offroad.

Hey off-roaders, Jake and Ted here from the Offroad marketing team. We’re stoked to announce to all of you that we now have navigation and discovery tools for snowmobilers in the same App you’ve been using for dirt. Just pull up your Offroad App and switch over to Snow Mode with a single tap.

Alright, so you’re ready to plan a snowmobiling trip. Now, what? 

Here are a few of our planning tips (learned from personal experience and, let’s be honest, a few mistakes along the way): 

Know Where to Go and Download Your Maps

Sometimes we luck out with ten inches of fresh pow nearby, and sometimes we have to chase the snow. That’s okay, it’s all about the adventure. Use onX Offroad Premium to find the best riding areas. Look for snowmobile trails, lake beds, big bowls, and open meadows.

You can also use the app to read avalanche forecasts, check out slope angles, and find recreation points like trailheads and parking areas. You do not want to navigate a narrow road only to find you have to turn around. That’s a quick way to ruin a good trip. Look for parking spots and trailheads in Premium.

Don’t forget to utilize one of the app’s best safety features by downloading your offline maps. As you’re checking out what zone you want to ride, simply tap “Offline Maps” in the lower menu, select “New Map,” choose your map resolution, and save. Now, you’ll be able to access those maps and have full GPS capability without service. You’ll also still have access to your Tracker, Tools, trail details, and can even continue to add your Waypoints. Have the confidence to go farther knowing you’ll be able to find your way back.

What to Pack and How to Avoid Disasters

Mark fuel stops in the App, just in case.

Can we stress the “just in case” a little more? Even if you’re not planning on a long trip, know where to find fuel in case you get lost or end up staying out twice as long as you anticipated. In the App, zoom in to see fuel stations and add a Waypoint so you can locate them quickly.

Pack Like Your Life Depends on It.

We’ve made plenty of mistakes, (no need to repeat them here…) but they’ve helped us learn valuable lessons along the way. Take our advice: pack like your life depends on it, because it does. Here are some of the items we never leave home without for our sleds, our trucks, and ourselves.

Sled Pack List:

• Tow straps or NRS straps (in case you break something or need a tow) 
• Siphon (in case you run out of fuel) 
• Tools and “clutch tool”
• Spare belt, spark plugs, zip ties, and tie wire
• Lighter for fire (use siphon for gas if you need to)

Truck Pack List:

• 2-stroke oil
• Coolant
• Extra beacon batteries (AAA) 
• Spare “buddy” radio

Operator Pack List:

• Offline maps (save these in your Offroad App in case you lose service. These could save your life.)
• Portable phone charger
• Radio
• Avalanche beacon (check the batteries!)
• Avalanche probe
• Shovel
• Waterproof gear and lots of layers
• Spare gloves
• Whistle (In case the radio fails. They’re usually built into all backpacks now.)
• Plenty of water and food

Know Your Sled

Most new sleds are fairly maintenance free, but if you have an older sled, or want to dive into the mechanics of your vehicle, here are a few places we recommend starting:

• Know proper belt tension
• Check coolant levels
• Chain case oil (if you have a chain case)
• Grease zerks
• Know proper track tension 
• Check torque specs on bolts, especially the front end (A-arms) 

Keep Your Cell Phone Warm and Dry

After your avalanche beacon and common sense, navigation may be your most important tool in the backcountry. Since your Offroad maps are on your phone, make sure you keep your phone in a warm, dry place. Use a waterproof bag and stick it close your chest. The bag will help condensation from building up. It doesn’t hurt to pack a portable battery charger, just in case.

Go Shred

No matter where you’re at, the high peaks of Colorado or the forested trails of McCall, Idaho, we’re all out riding for the same reasons: to feel the thrill of ripping through snow, to laugh with our friends, to be in nature, and to find new adventures. Go have fun! And if you see us on the trails, be sure to say hi.

The post Planning a Snowmobile Trip: What to Pack and Where to Go appeared first on onX Offroad.

Snowmobile Trail GPS App

In the same App that you access more than 425,000 dirt trails (ahem, your Offroad App) you can now switch from Dirt Mode to Snow Mode with a single tap. onX Offroad Premium users can use Snow Mode to see snowmobile trails, avalanche forecasts, and slope angles. Here’s how to make the switch:

• On the main map screen tap Map Mode: Dirt. This pulls up the Mode card, where you can switch between Dirt and Snow.
• Collapse the Map Mode card and scan the map for purple (snowmobile) trails. None in your area? Zoom out and scroll around. Tap Discover to find snowmobile trails near you.
• Want to return to Dirt Mode? Simply tap “Map Mode: Snow” again on the map.

View Avalanche Forecasts in the App

Imagine this: there’s ten inches of snow predicted in the morning. You wake up in the dark, too excited to sleep. Before you’ve even had coffee you pull up the daily avalanche report and make sure your favorite riding area is in the clear. Anybody else done this? Even if you live in the flatland, familiarizing yourself with avalanche forecasts is a great way to get to know an area and its conditions before you travel there.

Now, check out trails and avalanche forecasts all in one place. Less time planning = more time playing.

• Once in Snow Mode, the avalanche forecast layer is automatically on. (Don’t see it? Tap “Map Mode: Snow” on the map and tap the Avalanche Forecast layer.)
• If you are not in an avalanche risk area, zoom out to expand your view.
• Look for shaded blocks over the map colored green, yellow, orange, red, or black.
• Tap a block to pull up a link to the avalanche center and detailed information.

IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to thoroughly understand what these avalanche forecast colors, warnings, and descriptions mean. Sign up for avalanche classes, know how to use a beacon and backcountry gear, and educate yourself about the very real dangers of snowmobiling in avalanche terrain.

How to See Slope Angles in the App

A mountain’s “slope angle” is measured in degrees of steepness. Know what’s mellow and what’s steep as ‘bleep.’ As snowmobilers we often look for the steep, deep and fun stuff: hill climbs, places to high mark, and powder-filled bowls. But, many of the “sweet spot” slopes (think: double black diamonds in resorts) can be the most dangerous for avalanches.

• Tap the Map Mode button on the map.
• Tap Snow to enter snow mode.
• Tap Slope Angle to turn on the Slope Angle layer.
• Minimize the card and scan the map to see angles. Head over to places like California or Colorado to view greater variants in slope.
• Greens and yellows show the lowest slope angles (less steep). Orange, red, purples and blues show the highest slope angles (those over 35 degrees). 

IMPORTANT: Slope angles are a great tool for planning a great snowmobile trip, but they do not replace professional avalanche forecasts and your own training and common sense.

Stay Safe, Ride Smart

onX Offroad is designed to send you into the outdoors with confidence, but nothing can replace your own common sense and due diligence. Make sure you check avalanche forecasts daily, take backcountry snowmobile safety classes, always travel with a buddy, and make sure your phone is charged so you can use your Offroad maps to get home safely. Be prepared that anything can happen in the backcountry.

Learn more about Snow Mode here

The post New: Snowmobile Trail Maps Now Live appeared first on onX Offroad.