Comparison

TACNAV vs MGRS Live Map

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TACNAV

This military-grade navigation app provides highly accurate positioning and mission planning tools for service members. It offers offline mapping, precision targeting, and waypoint plotting with military graphics, ensuring reliable operation in any environment.

Highlights
  • Precision targeting platform
  • Offline mapping
  • Waypoint plotting with military graphics
  • Tactical drawing mode
  • Location and photo sharing
  • Compass FastLock function
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

--- What's up? This is Jon, the creator of TACNAV-X, an offline tactical navigation platform built for austere and contested environments. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to check out the app. TACNAV-X is dedicated to the 24 Soldiers killed in action during our deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, and to the men and women who continue to serve today. I'm still here, I'm still listening, and I'm still building. God bless you, Jon --- KEY FEATURES: • Offline mapping capabilities (full app usage with no emission of a cellular signal) • Purpose-built for the individual Soldier • WGS-84 standard (MGRS, UTM, BNG, and USNG coordinates) • A military-quality precision targeting platform • Tactical drawing mode (useful for mission planning, building overlays, targeting, etc.) • Waypoint plotting functionality with military graphics (per FM 1-02.2) • Compass “FastLock” function for capturing quick and precise azimuths • ‘Go to Grid’ feature for precision planning and targeting • Snap and save photographs onto the main map to increase situational awareness • Location, waypoint, and photo-sharing capabilities (via email and text) • One-button night mode function for low-light situations • Apple Watch support included for free BACKGROUND: Built from the ground up in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Tactical NAV (also known as TACNAV-X) was developed by a U.S. Army Field Artillery officer with the vision of crafting a low-cost and highly accurate mobile navigation platform tailored for the U.S. military. Tactical NAV’s journey began in the Pech and Korengal Valleys of Kunar Province, Afghanistan. U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan J. Springer, a Field Artilleryman serving as a Fire Support Officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), began developing this tactical navigation platform immediately after the memorial services for Spc. Blair D. Thompson and Spc. Jared C. Plunk, who were killed in action on June 25, 2010. Despite initial rejections by the Department of Defense, Captain Springer remained steadfast in his mission to continue developing TACNAV-X, even to this day. He used his life savings to fund and develop TACNAV-X, all with the ultimate hope of saving military lives and helping his fellow service members accomplish their missions at home and abroad. Tactical NAV officially launched on the App Store on February 14, 2011. BUILT FOR ACCURACY: TACNAV-X was extensively field-tested during military operations in Afghanistan and later at Fort Bragg, including comparative testing alongside the AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and other military navigation systems. MISSION: Empower military service members with a highly accurate and powerful mobile navigation platform. VISION: Assist and support our nation’s service members with their mobile navigational needs and enable them to operate and win in both training and combat environments. BOTTOM LINE: Tactical NAV has undergone extensive real-world evaluation alongside Nett Warrior, ATAK, BFT, the DAGR, and other military targeting and navigation systems. During comparative testing, TACNAV-X demonstrated accuracy within 1 meter of a DAGR. IAPs & SUBSCRIPTIONS: Currently, offline mapping mode is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one-time purchase. Drawing mode, previously an in-app purchase, is now included free for all users. All revenue generated from these features contributes to further development and updates, and a portion of the proceeds are donated to charities that specifically benefit disabled veterans. IMPORTANT NOTES: The Department of Defense does not endorse Tactical NAV or TACNAV-X. The app should not replace a government-issued device during life-threatening or combat operations. SUPPORT: If you have any questions about the app, please contact Jonathan Springer directly at jon@tacnavx.com.

About

MGRS Live Map

Features
Read full description

The map is displayed by GISsurfer which is a general purpose map based on the Apple map. For a description of all the features of GISsurfer that support MGRS coordinates (search, geolocation, etc) USNG stands for U.S. National Grid. MGRS and USNG are the same except MGRS is often written without spaces. If you know MGRS then you already know USNG. The purpose of this field manual is to provide a standardized source document for Armywide reference on map reading and land navigation. This manual applies to every soldier in the Army regardless of service branch, MOS, or rank. This manual also contains both doctrine and training guidance on these subjects. Part One addresses map reading and Part Two, land navigation. The appendixes include a list of exportable training materials, a matrix of land navigation tasks, an introduction to orienteering, and a discussion of several devices that can assist the soldier in land navigation.

Screenshots

TACNAV4 screens
MGRS Live Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MGRS Live Map at none against TACNAV's 5. MGRS Live Map also leads on price ($5.99 vs $8.99). TACNAV's advantage is chart position (#14 vs unranked) and device support (4 vs 2). On ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

TACNAV costs $8.99 and MGRS Live Map $5.99 up front. TACNAV sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. MGRS Live Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
TACNAV versus MGRS Live Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTACNAVMGRS Live Map
Price$8.99$5.99 — better
Rating4.4 (320 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews69.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings320 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#14 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTacNav Systems LLCTigran Mkhitaryan

Bugs and requests

TACNAV

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Compass navigation issues when device is rotated
  • Waypoint data loss after app crashes
  • Forced updates preventing app usage

Requested features

5 requests
  • Landscape mode support
  • Troop/team tracking capabilities
  • Integrated 9-line and call for fire functions
  • Ability to import/export GPX files
  • Improved drawing tools and overlay options

MGRS Live Map

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

TACNAV

One-time5
  • Drawing Mode$4.99
  • Offline mapping for 3 months$6.99
  • Offline mapping for 1 month$9.99
Show 2 more
  • Offline mapping for 1 year$24.99
  • Offline mapping for life time$39.99
None

MGRS Live Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TACNAV free?
TACNAV costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is MGRS Live Map free?
MGRS Live Map costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do TACNAV or MGRS Live Map have ads?
Neither TACNAV nor MGRS Live Map shows ads.

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