Advantages of MapMyHIKE
If you want to share hiking information, it’s simple to do via Twitter and Facebook. You can also check and see where friends are hiking at a given time.
I haven't tried it yet but MapMyHIKE also has a "nutrition center" that lets you establish a calorie budget based on your workouts.
Another cool feature is that you can view your hike on a “3D Flyover Video.” The video goes too fast but the aerial perspective of where you just hiked is intriguing.
Disadvantages of Trailguru
Gadget fans will want additional functions and more appealing displays. Because Trailguru has to operate in the foreground, it will stop tracking when you take a phone call or use another app.
I haven’t had any problems with Trailguru but reviewers have complained that the app isn’t being updated and so Facebook uploads don’t work properly. Distance accuracy can also vary significantly depending on terrain and GPS signal.
Disadvantages of MapMyHIKE
As with Trailguru, distance accuracy can vary depending on GPS strength and terrain. The screen display while you're hiking with the map displayed doesn't show time and distance prominently enough. The homepage is busy and isn’t as intuitive as it should be. There are also too many ads, which can be distracting.
The Verdict?
I’m sticking with Trailguru—barely. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’ve been using Trailguru much longer and that additional familiarity likely adds to its appeal. But Trailguru’s overall simplicity will make it easier to use for hikers—especially beginners—who are looking to begin and maintain a basic hiking log.
