Top 3 Must-Have Apps You Need to Navigate the Catskills
Photo Credit: Jeremy Bezanger
There are some great apps out there that are invaluable for your land or home search in the Catskills. If you’ve spent any amount of time in the greater Catskills area, you’ll know that cell phone signals are very spotty. You loaded in your route when you had a signal and then you stop to get gas and then your route is gone! Or you’re exploring the land you just bought and have no idea if you’re even still on the property and you’re up on a ridge and have no idea how to get back to the road. It doesn’t take long to feel like you’re in a modern version of The Heart of Darkness. Fear not! There are some fantastic apps out there that rely on pre-loaded data and GPS signals so you can use these with or without cell phone service.
TomTomGo - This is a must have for GPS without cell service. Look up an address anytime, anywhere. Includes a free trial with subscription plans starting at $4.99/mo or $22.00 for an annual plan you can cancel at any time.
LandGlide - Invaluable for vacant land buyers, but also great for home buyers who want to understand property lines. This app shows property lines based on county tax records and works offline. Just search for a parcel by owner, address or tax ID number, then download your map radius before you head out and save it offline. The app moves with you, so as you roam a parcel, the map shows you where you are in relation to the property lines. Some nice features include satellite and topography images and distance measuring tools. One note, not all tax maps are 100% accurate (sometimes they are off a few feet), a survey is the best way to truly know the property lines. Includes a 7 day free trial then $9.99/mo or $99.99/year.
OnX Hunt - This app was designed for hunters and outdoor adventurists, but works very much like Landglide as far as offline navigation. The tax maps are not always as updated as Landglide, parcel ID searches are not an option. Still a reliable and more affordable app for navigating with a focus on recreational features. Also includes free trial or $29.99/year for a subscription.
