Can my smartphone replace a GPS unit?

FitToHunt

FitToHunt

Active Member
Jan 15, 2015
248
6
Seattle, Washington, United States
Forgive me if this is a dumb question, or if its been asked a million times here. But, why can't I just use my android phone with some GPS software (Ex. Trimble) instead of an expensive GPS unit for a back country hunt?

My understanding is they use satellites not cell towers, so it really shouldn't matter if you are way out away from everything.... Also, I know you can download custom maps ahead of time just like you can on a GPS....

I did use the trimble app last late season elk just north of Spokane WA and it worked fine. And I was out of cell service. It did freeze a couple times though, but loaded up pretty fast afterwards. I did also sign up for their free trail premium membership, but had no idea what that actually did.

Anyways, maybe I'm missing some thing important, but I don't see why more guys don't just use their phones?
 
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Againstthewind

Very Active Member
Mar 25, 2014
973
2
Upton, WY
I guess I might be out of date already, but I just have the maps for iPhone and it doesn't show me property boundaries relative to my location or just my location when I don't have cell service, which is frequently. It will show the map when I don't have service but it kills my battery. I might have to look into other things like the trimble you mentioned, but that is the reason I don't rely on the phone. I really like it for looking at stuff ahead of time when I am supposed to be watching a soccer match or something like that, but I still use the GPS for in case I get turned around walking back to camp in the dark or something. Half the time my battery is dead in that thing, too.
 
buckbull

buckbull

Veteran member
Jun 20, 2011
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The onXmaps chip that shows property boundaries, unit boundaries, etc. can be purchased for use on android and apple phones. I think very soon the phones will be able to do everything a dedicated unit can do.
 
missjordan

missjordan

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Dec 9, 2014
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Missoula, MT
I use the on X maps on my phone but it does drain the battery really fast and unless you download the maps ahead of time, it can be extremely hard to try and load the software with little service. I really hope that in the future it will get better because I would also like to replace my gps and just use my phone as well.
 
jjenness

jjenness

Very Active Member
Sep 30, 2011
666
62
Lewistown, MT
I don't use my phone, but I would ask if you can save tracks you have walked with a phone? Also can you mark waypoints with a phone? I know that I use the heck out of these on my Garmin and wouldn't want to not have them when tracking animals and marking certain spots like blood. It really helps when you might have to wait until the next day to finish the tracking job. If you can do this on a phone the only downside I could see would be the battery life on cell phones compared to a GPS unit.
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

Super Moderator
Jun 8, 2011
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Dolores, Colorado
Not for me at least. This old fart does not have a smart phone (LOL), just my normal old dumb cell phone. Yes I do carry my Oregon 650 and if I need a cell phone cause I'm in trouble and can get no reception, I'll use my SPOT as a lifeline.
 
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Murdy

Active Member
Dec 13, 2011
359
0
North-Central Illinois
I think you can get extra batteries for your cell phone and pre-charge them, but I would be concerned about battery life as compared to a gps that is dedicated to doing only one thing. It seems like I have to recharge my garmin far less often than my cell phone.
 
buckbull

buckbull

Veteran member
Jun 20, 2011
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I use portable power banks, sometimes called battery sticks, to keep my phone charged when I'm not near power. They charge via a USB cable and can power your phone via the USB cable. I would think you would be able to keep them charged with one of the many solar kits available (Goal Zero, etc). I usually have enough on hand that I don't worry about it. With that said, I do use a garmin Oregon 550 with the onXmaps for my GPS.
 
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okielite

Banned
Jul 30, 2014
401
0
NW Nebraska
Your smart phone has a GPS receiver that works even when you are not in service. It will do just about everything your GPS will do and a whole lot more.

As far as batteries there are plenty of options for charging phones in the field.

I think for some extreme users a GPS is still more useful but for the average hunter the phone they already have will likely do everything that GPS will do and won't cost you anything since you already own it. The old days of carrying a GPS and a camera and a phone are coming to an end as smart phone technology replaces both.
 
Fink

Fink

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Apr 7, 2011
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West Side, MoMo
Maybe I'm not using the right software, but I just don't trust my phone to perform all the time. It seems I can rarely find any service, everything loads slowly, and battery life is terrible. I'm pretty bad at constantly looking at my GPS, and even still, 2 lithium batteries will last me 2 weeks with plenty of room to spare. My phone would be dead the first morning.
 
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packmule

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Jun 21, 2011
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TX
I can't get mine to charge like they're supposed to on the power sticks/packs with heavy use (like with location services turned on and phone not in idle/sleep mode and searching for signal). It'll hold it at the current level, maybe charge +10 for about an hour and then it's done.
 
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okielite

Banned
Jul 30, 2014
401
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NW Nebraska
Fink said:
Maybe I'm not using the right software, but I just don't trust my phone to perform all the time. It seems I can rarely find any service, everything loads slowly, and battery life is terrible. I'm pretty bad at constantly looking at my GPS, and even still, 2 lithium batteries will last me 2 weeks with plenty of room to spare. My phone would be dead the first morning.
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Sounds like you need a new phone if it wont' hold a charge.

You dont' need service to use your phone as a GPS. That is one of the most common misconceptions of using a phone for a GPS. Your phone has a GPS receiver built in just like your GPS. Has nothing to do with cell service. Loading the onx map is really easy.

From my experience the I-phone is a much higher quality piece of electronic equipment compared to a stand alone GPS. The touch screens work better and there are thousands of other things you can do with a phone and only a few that you can do with a stand alone gps. Not to mention the screen being higher resolution.

Not srue how you are getting 2 weeks with 1 set of batteries if you check you gps either.
 
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tim

Veteran member
Jun 4, 2011
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north idaho
when you put your phone in to airplane mode, the gps still works, but you don't loose your battery as fast. No data transmission though.

personally still a paper map guy,
 
Bitterroot Bulls

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
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Montana
I didn't use my GPS at all this year. I used an Iphone 6 Plus, Gaia GPS, and OnXMaps.

I much preferred using the phone over my Garmin Oregon. Still carry the Spot Messenger for safety.
 
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okielite

Banned
Jul 30, 2014
401
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NW Nebraska
WapitiBob said:
Phones are still a long way from replacing my gps.
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What specifically are you talking about? What will your GPS do that an Iphone won't do?

In reality it is the other way around.
http://www.advpulse.com/adv-prepping/have-smartphones-made-the-handheld-gps-obsolete/
Over the past decade, a number of electronic devices have been absorbed by the Smartphone. Most people have no intention of replacing their old MP3 players, digital cameras or even flashlights now that they can get the same functionality built into their Smartphone. The next product in the cross-hairs of the Smartphone is the Handheld GPS device. With so many people now using their Smartphones for day-to-day directions and traffic information, the future of Handheld GPS devices looks grim.
 
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