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About BackCountry Navigator
BackCountry Navigator uses the GPS in an Android phone or tablet as a handheld outdoor navigator. You save topo maps to the device before a trip, so you can use them beyond cell coverage when hiking, off-roading or doing other backcountry activities.
It comes in two versions. BackCountry Navigator XE is the newer, membership-based app, with vector topo maps of the world, cloud sync through bcnavxe.com and a range of add-ons. BackCountry Navigator PRO is the older classic app, sold as a one-time purchase, though some maps need an extra subscription.
Strengths
- Topo maps saved for offline use outside cell coverage
- Vector topo maps of the world in the XE version
- Trips sync to the device through the XE cloud service
- Choice between a membership app and a one-time purchase
Limitations
- Android only
- XE needs a membership, and some PRO maps cost extra
- Two parallel products can be confusing
Details
- Pricing
- PaidXE requires a membership; PRO is a paid app, and some maps need an extra subscription.
- License
- Proprietary
- Platforms
- Android
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Hikers and off-road travellers who want an Android phone to work as a topo GPS
- Categories
- Maps & navigation
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to BackCountry Navigator
Compare allSoftware that can replace BackCountry Navigator for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
Gaia GPS
Outdoor mapping app with topographic and satellite layers and offline maps for hiking and off-road trips.
Gaia GPS offers many topographic and satellite layers with offline downloads on both Android and iOS, using a freemium model with advanced features in Premium.
OruxMaps
An ad-free outdoor navigation app for Android with online and offline maps, relief and 3D views.
OruxMaps is free and ad-free on Android and iOS, opens many offline map formats and adds relief and 3D views, though map preparation may need desktop tools.
Locus Map
An outdoor navigation app for hiking, cycling and geocaching with offline maps and route planning.
Locus Map adds offline routing, a detailed planner with surface information and geocaching support, with a full Android version and a Lite version on iOS.
OsmAnd
An open-source offline map and navigation app based on OpenStreetMap, for driving, cycling and hiking.
OsmAnd is open source and based on OpenStreetMap, with fully offline maps and routing for driving, cycling and hiking on Android and iOS, plus some in-app purchases.
onX Backcountry
GPS trail map app for hiking, backpacking and ski touring with 3D terrain and offline maps.
onX Backcountry adds offline 3D terrain, LiDAR topo maps and slope angle shading on Android and iOS, with a paid subscription after the trial.
Topo GPS
A GPS app for phones and tablets that uses official topographic maps, available offline.
Topo GPS uses official topographic maps offline on Android and iOS with GPX, KML and CSV import and Apple Watch support, though pricing is not explained online.
CalTopo
Backcountry mapping and trip planning tool with collaborative map editing, terrain layers and offline mobile use.
CalTopo adds a web planner with collaborative editing, slope and snow layers and map printing, plus offline mobile maps, with many layers focused on the United States.
Avenza Maps
A mobile map app that shows your position on georeferenced PDF and GeoTIFF maps without internet.
Avenza Maps shows your position on georeferenced PDF and GeoTIFF maps offline, suiting official or custom maps, and runs on Android and iOS with paid advanced features.
BackCountry Navigator as an alternative
Listings that name BackCountry Navigator as an alternative.
onX Offroad
Off-road trail map and GPS app for 4x4, ATV, UTV, dirt bike and overlanding trips.
BackCountry Navigator is an Android-only offline topo GPS for off-road travellers with a one-time purchase option, but it has no curated trail database with difficulty ratings.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
AllTrails
A trail guide and mapping service for finding, planning and recording hikes, rides and runs.
OpenTopoMap
A free topographic web map rendered from OpenStreetMap and elevation data.
GPSLogger
Battery-efficient Android app that logs GPS coordinates to files at regular intervals.
Garmin BaseCamp
Garmin desktop software for planning outdoor routes and organizing maps, waypoints and GPS data.
Wikiloc
A trail-sharing platform and mobile app for finding, recording and following outdoor routes with GPS.
