Good map software? Google earth like

[Mr Spooky]

I am looking for some mapping software that is pretty much just like google earth but does not need an Internet connection. It needs to have satellite image and be able to tell altitude, measure distances, and save locations. Also not be way expensive.

anyone have any suggestions for PC or iPad?

[asmo]

Use Google Earth and then download the various tiles for the stuff you are after. I use it like this all the time.

http://freegeographytools.com/2009/manually-caching-google-earth-data

[BushMasterBoy]

I am using Delorme Topo 6.0 software. This is not the latest version. However it does allow a USB GPS receiver to pinpoint your position using a laptop. Satellite images are available for $.10 (ten cents) a square kilometer. Using a Delorme handheld GPS receiver such as the Delorme PN-20 I can mark positions in the field and download them to a PC running Delorme. Laptop plugged into a 12VDC plug in the truck with a GPS receiver, gives me a a 15 inch GPS topographical map that shows me details such as fire roads, physical contours, alititude, mines etc. I can then take the lat- lon coordinates and mark them on Google Earth. I know it isn't exactly what you are looking for, but I have made it work for my purposes. I use it to analyze prospective real estate purchases. Should be able to purchase used Delorme products cheaply on Ebay. Hope this helps!

[Rumline]

I agree with asmo re: the PC, but for any Android users who may be interested in a similar solution I really like Backcountry Navigator. It's got all the features, and they have all kinds of map/topo/satellite options and overlays including BLM boundary maps. IIRC it costs $10. Some of the premium map/layer options cost extra. One thing I like is when you mark a location you can also take photos and add notes to the mark. My wife used it to organize all her fieldwork when she was in school (geology).

[Irving]

$10, or $10 a month?

[Rumline]

One time fee. Looks like they raised the price to $12 now. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crittermap.backcountrynavigator.lic ense They also have a 21-day free demo apparently.

[brutal]

I agree with asmo re: the PC, but for any Android users who may be interested in a similar solution I really like Backcountry Navigator. It's got all the features, and they have all kinds of map/topo/satellite options and overlays including BLM boundary maps. IIRC it costs $10. Some of the premium map/layer options cost extra. One thing I like is when you mark a location you can also take photos and add notes to the mark. My wife used it to organize all her fieldwork when she was in school (geology).

I use BCNAV on my phone for hunting. Pull the map tiles (areas) before you get off grid.

Steep learning curve, but great option if you don't want a dedicated GPS.

One word of caution - the map tiles are like a million tiny little files and Android media scanner service (depending on android version) will TEAR UP your battery after any reboot/restart, scanning the SDcard, etc. The trick to put an empty .nomedia file in the root directory of the offending images doesn't always work. There's a media scanner process killer ( called (rescan media) but I beleive it requires root (I'm rooted but not bootloader unlocked.)

I also carry a phone that has a removable battery pack and a spare battery for emergency use.