Handy GPS lite

A hiking GPS for the real world (lite version). No signup required.

Handy GPS Lite - Hiking Navigation App

"Handy GPS lite" is a user-friendly hiking GPS app designed for outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. It functions offline and needs no user account. You can store waypoints, record track logs, and quickly access your current location, altitude, and distance traveled. The trial version is limited but offers essential features, while the paid version unlocks additional capabilities like offline maps and custom datums for enhanced navigation. Ideal for exploring the wild confidently.
Install from Google Play Store

App stats

Version: 42.8 (Last updated: 2024-11-16)
Creation date: 2012-08-22
Permissions
Location: approximate location (network-based), precise location (GPS and network-based)
Photos/Media/Files: read the contents of your USB storage, modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage: read the contents of your USB storage, modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Camera: take pictures and videos
Microphone: record audio
Other:
  • view network connections
  • control flashlight
  • full network access
  • run at startup
  • control vibration
  • prevent device from sleeping
  • modify system settings

Ranking

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App summary

The perfect companion for your next outdoor adventure. Seek, find, record and return home with Handy GPS. No user account or setup required - just install it, turn on your GPS and go!

This app is a powerful navigation tool designed for outdoors sports like hiking, bushwalking, tramping, mountain biking, kayaking, horse trail riding, and geocaching. Its also useful for surveying, mining, archaeology, and forestry applications. Its simple to use and works even in the remotest back country since it doesn't require network connectivity. It allows you to work in UTM or lat/lon coordinates so you can even use it with your paper topographic maps.


NOTE: This is a free trial version and is limited to storing only 3 waypoints, and 40 track log points. You can use the trial version for as long as you want, but if you like this app, please install the paid version of "Handy GPS" to get an unlimited version with lots more features. Thanks!

Also, allow the app to always use GPS, and turn off battery optimisation for the app to reliably record tracklogs when the phone screen is off.


BASE FEATURES:
* Shows your current coordinates, altitude, speed, direction of travel, and total distance travelled in metric, imperial/US, or nautical units.
* Can store your current location as a waypoint, and record a track log to show where you've been on a map.
* Data can be imported from and exported to KML and GPX files.
* Allows manual entry of waypoints in UTM, MGRS and lat/lon coords.
* Can guide you to a waypoint using the "Goto" screen, and optionally sound an alert when when you're getting close.
* Has a compass page which works on devices with magnetic field sensors.
* Automatically computes the local geoid offset to improve altitude accuracy
* Supports the world-wide WGS84 datum along with the common Australian datums and map grids. You can use WGS84 for NAD83 maps in the US.
* Shows GPS satellite locations and signal strengths graphically.
* Can display simple or MGRS grid references.
* Can compute waypoint-to-waypoint distance and direction.
* Includes an optional timer line to record walk duration and compute your average speed.
* Thoroughly tested by the developer on many off-track walks

EXTRA FEATURES ONLY IN THE PAID VERSION:
* No ads.
* An unlimited number of waypoints and track log points.
* Offline maps.
* Custom datums.
* Elevation profile.
* Take photos and record voice memos from the app.
* Email or SMS your location to a friend.
* UK grid refs.
* GPS averaging to improve location accuracy,
* Sun rise and set times.
* Export waypoints and tracklogs to a CSV file.
* Project waypoints using bearing and distance.
* Compute length, area, and elevation change from the tracklog.
* Compute calories.


PERMISSIONS: (1) GPS - to determine your location, (2) Network access - for access to standard map layers and OSM tiles, (3) SD card access - to load and store waypoints and tracklogs, (4) Camera access for taking pics*, (5) Prevent phone from sleeping so that proximity alarm works, (6) Control flashlight, to allow the flashlight to be turned on/off from within the app, (7) Record audio for voice memos*. (* Feature only available in full version of app).


DISCLAIMER: You use this app at your own risk. The developer accepts no responsibility for you getting lost or injured as a result of using this app. Batteries in mobile devices can go flat. For extended and remote hikes, a battery bank and an alternative method of navigation such as a paper map and compass are recommended for safety.

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Google Play Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Efficient and effective for field work
  • User-friendly and easy to understand
  • Compact app with many functions of a standalone GPS
  • Good accuracy for geologists
Cons
  • Inaccurate location tracking
  • Limited features for lite app users
  • Subscription process can be confusing
  • Frequent crashes or stops recording during use
Most mentioned
  • Location accuracy issues
  • User interface and ease of use
  • Limitations of the lite version
  • Problems with subscriptions and purchases
User reviews
It shows us in a different location instead of our current location and after resetting the location many times it adds new places
by shaik basha, 2024-08-22

Very limited access for lite lite app users. Also the subscription should be in monthly or quarterly.
by Amitabh Singh, 2024-06-14

Its very efficient and effective, I used it during my final year field work and it never failed me. Thanks a lot
by Blaise Igwebuike, 2024-06-01
View all user reviews

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