Polaris® Reviews

by D0529

I have to used Polaris for years and recommended it to many people. Offline feature was a life saver. Recently app is ridiculous. Doesn’t work at all. I have used it on many phones but have used it on my current iPhone 8 for at least the years. Has suddenly stopped working. Went riding in st George Utah a few weeks ago and downloaded offline map of the area. Needed to rely on Polaris to find our way back as I have done on many rides but this time Polaris only showed an arrow on an extremely basic map, no roads or trails. App eventually just kept locking up, was worthless. Had to just pick our way home by trying different trails. App is useless. Was riding in an area with full cell coverage today and so couldn’t even find my location in the parking lot. Said gps signal was too weak. Went from one of the best to just something taking up memory on my phone. Need to find another option at this point.

by Mxz Guy

Used Polaris for years now, for the most part was good. Now it no longer works on my phone, was told by support that it may not work because my phone was old! Comparability is ios 8.2 or better, I have 10.3, what the hell?

I have since found 3 other people with an iPhone 5 that I had download Polaris, it did not work on any of them. I deleted it from my phone and reinstalled the latest version that just came out, it still doesn't work. Honestly this was a much better app when it was first released, as updates came along, it only got worse, speedometer on the screen disappearing, trails used to be one uniform color easy to identify trails, now it's confusing with roads.

by SarahWags

I have used this map for years and had good luck with it. Heck, even relied solely on it for many trips. Whatever changed this year has made it unusable. Very slow to load but the biggest issue is the offline maps. Again, they have worked for years but now they are worthless. We ride in a lot of remote areas where cell coverage is spotty at best. Went to pull up offline map that said took 500MB of space and nothing. Just a picture of the region. No trails, nothing, can’t zoom. Had to rely on a good ol compass. Polaris would have left us stranded.

Looking at snow checking a sled this year again but if this is the same mapping software used on the sled, I’ll be foregoing the PIDD.

In summary, can’t trust it anymore and left us stranded. I’ve resorted to other mapping software now. Hopefully they can fix this because I used to enjoy Polaris . Disappointed. Whatever money this app saved switching mapping software wasn’t worth it.

by Anakndbfbd

This doesn’t function as a gps. It lets you select waypoints but you cannot access them at all or find directions to the waypoint. Polaris also is complicated when im in the middle of the woods i want to track where i went and go back the same way i came. The paper they give you at a campsite will work faster than Polaris and actually tell me how to get back. It needs the feature of giving directions to go to a waypoint or anywhere.

by Remag.A

I used to love Polaris but can no longer download offline map regions. The only option is to ‘Choose Map Area’ and doing so just takes you to the map screen, allows you to zoom in or out on an area and take a screenshot they call a “map”. If you zoom in tight enough for trail numbers or FS road names then the screenshot is of a tiny area. Zoom out to capture the whole trail system and no labels. I haven’t tried but I assume this means when riding it’s not interactive either. There used to be a feature to select from a list of trail systems and download actual data for an interactive map. Considering that 90% of US Forest Service Area I ride in has no cell coverage Polaris is now useless.

This could be a bug but, if so, has been ongoing through several updates for months. Tried to provide bug feedback on app website and their form closed out in the middle of typing so, this is my feedback.

by Kernclimber

I had it working previously but now it crashes every time I open Polaris . I see Polaris working for a few seconds and then crash. I have updated Polaris to the newest version. Have even deleted and reinstalled Polaris several times. Using an iPhone 8.
On a separate note the Ride Command in my RZR is terrible at trying to sync routes. Can never get it to connect to the server.

Update. Recently updated to 6.3.02 and still crashes every time I try to open it. I really want this to work with the Ride Command on my new RZR.

by *RickAllen

It’s very useful and a great idea. Last season I was able to navigate at on a snowmobile trail intersection from a stopped position. If I was unsure of which trail to take I would point my phone and the icon cursor would be true. This year it will only be true if I’m moving. Big disappointment. I have an iPhone 11 with the current software update. I even checked the same option in Google Maps and it worked fine, so I know it’s not my phone. Please fix this; it’s a great feature.

by DW_R

Just bought a 2020 Ranger 150. There is no Youth tab to set up the speed limit or geofencing. The directions that came with the machine can’t be followed because the application doesn’t have the requisite functionality.

**Update**

The youth tab has been replace by the garage tab it seems. If you go into the garage and you have the VIN loaded into Polaris there is a safety settings selection. Once you select that, it allows you to adjust the speed and set geofencing. It seems this app needs to update the quick start guide they are using.

by WheelinTexas

I’ve been using the ride command app for a few years now. It usually works without problem. My last ride out the group ride won’t work. It simply won’t create a group or let me find a group. I don’t want to leave a bad review. But I don’t know how to bring this to the developers attention. I’ve tried re installing Polaris . I’ve tried troubleshooting. I’d love to see this fixed. Me and my group use it to find each other on the trail system.

by R1girl

I downloaded Polaris and necessary offline maps prior to going camping & atv riding. I was logged in, but while we were away Polaris logged me out. Since we were in an area with no data connection Polaris was useless. I could not start tracking a ride among other features that don’t work offline. Polaris was useless to me. What is the point of a trail riding app that has features such as ride tracking which could use the gps of my phone, but doesn’t work while not logged in and you can’t log in while offline. When I traveled to the nearest town, I downloaded another app that is more fully featured and works perfectly offline. this app should’ve stuck with putting ride command on their ATVs or partner with OnX off-road to provide this service.

by SNORTboi

I’ve really liked Polaris. It has its glitches here and there but since the newest update to 7.0.02 the trailhead details are not displaying snow depth or any other details. I’ve reported the issue but it hasn’t been fixed. I have to delete the whole app and redownload it to get it to work. So my advice is don’t download the newest update till it’s fixed if it’s something that you find useful.( UPDATE, they still haven’t fixed this issue. Support reached out to me but when I reply to their questions they never returned my email. So I’m assuming they didn’t fix it since I’m still having the same problem)

by 357882

I’ve used Polaris for years. It has always been glitchy and ate through the battery but it was useable. I liked the fact that I could download Maps of different states But that is no longer the case with my iPhone 11. Currently I can download about a half dozen small county size regions and that is it. If I try to download another region in my state, no matter how close up I get, I get the following message. “This region is too large. Zoom in to download”. The small area that I can download can’t possibly cover me on a normal weekend ride and as such, I will not have map detail as cell signal is very spotty in the northern parts of the state. Please bring back the state downloads

by CountyCowboy

Love Polaris but I expected it to have “turn by turn” capability when using Polaris on my phone. Oh well...I can live with out that I guess. What is really kind of frustrating to me is that I can’t seem to figure out a way to push my ride info back to you people so that you can update your maps for my local area. We have SO many more trails and connectors then what you are showing. Also have many trials that have changed over time and just need the updated info “installed”.

by 4everrs

Love Polaris . The last update makes it much more responsive. Can you remove the “this app” banner at the top when turned to landscape mode? This is taking up quite a bit of valuable real estate for viewing the map. Maybe you can also make the on screen controls “go to sleep” until the screen is tapped? It would just be great to see as much map as possible for people like me when using while riding.

by $elltheProphet

LOVE Polaris but a bit bright when using at night. How about a dark mode? Other than that great app. Anyway of putting food and gas icons on the map too?

Also when tracking a ride, when you hit pause and then unpause, it changes the view you had prior to hitting pause. I like to zoom out so i can see my starting and ending points but when you unpause, it zooms back in tight and changes the orientation. Anyway you can change that? Please advise!!

by Cjohnson1970

I wish there was a way I could ADD all the ATV/UTV trails in our area that aren’t on the map. We have had a lot added in the last 2 years that are not on this map. I would love to be a contributor. We ride almost every weekend in the summer.

by Marnold100

Used several times. 1) base map wouldn’t load on the trail when in use in northern WI. I downloaded offline maps also. 2) when you use the map, hard to tell north south east west. If you could lock in north, would be easier to use for navigation. 3) lake trails in Brainerd MN not even on the base map. Dangerous to be on a lake looking for the proper trail direction. Easy to complain. Ride command is getting better over time.

by Mark From Minnesota

Works great when you can get it to work. Cannot log in most of the time. It flashes and does nothing. I found my particular problem. The data button was toggled off in the data in settings. Not sure how that happened as I don’t recall doing that. The only one of about 50 that was toggled off. I will keep an Eye open for that.

by Stal84

I’ve been trying lots of different trail map apps. Nothing was great UNTIL I FOUND THIS this app RIDE COMMAND!! Absolutely love it. I don’t see how anybody could not give it 5 stars. The track a ride and replay of the ride is so incredibly awesome. This is my favorite app of any type ever. If their maps are this awesome, I’m going to take a hard look at buying their machines - this app’ real product.

by Waiting For Snow

I have used Polaris for several years, it navigates most snowmobile trails in northern Wisconsin without issues. Like others, it was more useful, faster to respond, and less glitchy before the map vendor change. Please bring back those features, especially the feature of showing the direction the phone is pointed in on the map. Also, give the option to have map text in a larger font, it will help us with older eyes.
One quirk, “Show points of interest” keeps turning off when I close Polaris . All the others stay selected.
Thanks

by Bullitt427

I have thoroughly enjoyed using Polaris for nearly 1.5 years. Sure there have been some updates that are glitchy, but it seems fixed on the next one.

These last two updates have been horrible with this latest updated making Polaris useless as it won’t even open. Polaris immediately crashes.

Major bummer and a huge disappointment for this weekend’s trail runs.

Update: 5.2.6 is worthless, just whitescreens.

Update: Feb 19, 2019... new offline map download is useless

Another Update: Dec 19, 2019... App is basically useless anymore on both iPhone 8+ and Samsung Galaxy Tab A6, such an awesome GPS Trail App for the longest time

by TMac923

Polaris hardly works at all on my iPad mini 2. However it worked fine on my iPhone 6s Plus and also my iPhone X. Now it won’t open. It stays a white screen although sometimes It just crashes on my iPad. Also the maps don’t have any trails marked on any of the major trail systems that I’ve ridden and used Polaris on. And when you turn the devise to landscape mode all of the function buttons disappear. How about 3D topo visual option as well so while driving the trails you know what type of terrain your on and what’s around you. Also realize if your using a device that is not connected to the network full time that you cannot use the new group ride feature. Useless app. Why is there NO support at all for Polaris. The riding year is upon us. Fix Polaris so it runs on the current iOS version devices. Fix landscape mode. If not. Just remove it from Polaris Store. It’s taking up space for apps that actually function. Now to find one that works. Or move on to a full fledged off road gps device. Not Ride Command!!!!

by JDragonov

I use the speedometer to track how fast im moving on my vehicles without one. Bring this back to to corner of the map and in the ayvri ride tracker again also. Update and i will update my review...

by Fit For A Bit

Absolutely love Polaris , I’ve had Polaris for a very long time..... and for the love of god bring back the MPH gauge. Honestly I’ve tried contacting people and it just hadn’t happened.... so I’m hoping this puts some pep in peoples step to bring it back.... then I’ll leave five stars :)

by JeremyDeal

App won’t rotate upside down: My phone (and a lot of others) are mounted upside down on the A-pillar so that that the charge cable goes up, and into the this app wire management hole inside the top corner of the roll cage. App used to rotate upside down many versions ago but they put a stop it it.

If you mount your phone horizontally and want to use Polaris in landscape mode you’ll loose nearly all your options. Landscape is nice to get a better lay of the land nearby me, but it restricts so many of the basic options that are available in portrait. When my device is in its holder and I’m running down a trail it’s a pain to pull over and get out of the way, take the device out of its mount turn it vertically just to perform the actions I need then mount it all back up horizontally again. Please fix this, it’s been happening far too long now. Back when Polaris first came out this was not an issue. For some reason they also removed this feature.

Summary: I don’t understand the need to keep us in portrait mode or prevent Polaris from working upside down. Those are simple things that are easy to fix and improve the user experience. All my buddies have a this app and these simple missing features prevent them from wanting to use it — even though the group ride feature is so nice to have. I’m still hoping one day these long standing issues are fixed so we can enjoy Polaris again. Until then I recommend using a different GPS app for your rides.

by Sjohn123

I thought Polaris was great last year. It worked flawlessly and the downloaded maps were usable outside of any connectivity.

This years version with the new map vendor and the offline regions is not usable.
- frequent long pauses when zooming
- when out of cell range the offline map would not provide a location.
- Polaris frequently crashes
- very long pauses when updating location when unlocking phone

I have been developing Software for over 30 years. I have no tolerance for software that crashes. That is simply lazy and sloppy development...

I no longer trust Polaris to guide me on trails

by Aggrvted

I’ve had ride command for two weekends now and every time I open Polaris I have to re-login, there’s no option or way to keep myself logged in at all times. I have to login to Polaris to listen to music through Bluetooth, which is insane to me, and everywhere we go there’s no cell signal so no login = no music. The constant logging in is super annoying.

by Mayhem1328

May 2018 Update - Not good. Polaris has so much potential but it is too buggy to use reliably.
Installed on an ipad2 that was mounted in my turbo rzr. App would start and work great. Then it would randomly crash and shut itself down (Polaris ). I could barely use it more than 15 minutes before a fatal crash.
Also some commands are missing in landscape mode, which is how my iPad is mounted. So you can be locked out during a ride. It’s not currently reliable enough to use.

Also randomly the trails would disappear and only reappear when you resize your iPad screen.

Very buggy. If they can get a handle on some of these serious problems, then Polaris will be unstoppable. But for now, I have to go with another app.

**UPDATE** Got it working again. Delete Polaris . Remove it from iTunes too. Reinstall. It should work. If not, try rebooting your phone after the reinstall.

I used this before in Moab and it was great. Got us through Hells Roaring Revenge no problem.

The problem is the updates. The latest update won’t even allow Polaris to open. Just the welcome screen and then an all white screen. Nothing.
Running on iPhone 6 with current iOS.

I still like Polaris . Just need to figure a way to get it working again.

I hope they fix it because I just bought a defender case for my iPad and ram mounts for my rzr turbo.

by User48223

5.2.x on iOS 11.2.2. The basics of a great App are included and has some very nice features. When Polaris is running the user interface is not really intuitive but at least it’s not complicated. The major issue is stability. During a ride Polaris can just quit. If you happen to notice then Polaris can be restarted and recording starts again. If your eyes are on the trail and you don’t notice then Polaris simply draws a straight line from last recorded position to the position when Polaris restarts. This could be most or all of the ride!! This is an old issue. The software must be more stable on the in dash device. I’m thinking that this app is not supporting mobile devices very well by choice so more people will purchase the expensive in dash device!!!

by Fireball Marcie

Have been using Polaris for a few years. Always counted on rider reviews for trail conditions. This year I am not seeing anyone’s comments, has Polaris changed?

by Brett Battery Guy

Used Polaris on my S5 this weekend. Nice app with a lot of potential. However would freeze up and stop tracking . Had to reboot. Also the direction arrow would disappear randomly and would have to reboot. Was riding in Northern lower Michigan. Went on a dual use snow and orv trail. It was not on the orv map but the snow map. Would of never found it if not for a local.

by Can't Hit The Slider

I like Polaris . It can be glitchy but overall it does a good job.