I've heard some guys are using there smart phone with a GPS app instead of taking a GPS. It also doubles as a camera/video cam. I was wondering how many are doing this and how effective the GPS is compared to a Garmin.
smart phone vs.gps
- Thread starter flatlander51
- Start date
I have the iPhone 4s and supposedly it works without service with the ios5 driver? There is an apple tech that is a member maybe he can chime in and put some truth to it. The gps apps are dominating from what I have read. Some are leaving behind the gps and packing their phone instead. I recently made a cell phone to spotter adapter for my IPhone that is a solar case that charges the phone pretty well hopefully this season my phone will act as my spot receiver my digi cam for photos and my gps. But I need a bit more reassurance on all to leave the rest of the gizmos at home
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
As a pilot(student pilot right now) I have seen a GPS I want to get for my iphone. Its called the "Bad Elf".
I have not yet seen it in action, but I do know that it will show a moving map on an Ipad or Iphone that has Aviation Charts loaded on it.
I am guessing it would also work with other mapping apps for off grid GPS. It is specifically designed for pilots due to the fact iPads dont always hold signal over cities when they are up in the air, compared to coverage on the ground. They connect to the charge port and draw from the battery of the device.
Pretty cool little gadget.
I have not yet seen it in action, but I do know that it will show a moving map on an Ipad or Iphone that has Aviation Charts loaded on it.
I am guessing it would also work with other mapping apps for off grid GPS. It is specifically designed for pilots due to the fact iPads dont always hold signal over cities when they are up in the air, compared to coverage on the ground. They connect to the charge port and draw from the battery of the device.
Pretty cool little gadget.
xtreme
Very Active Member
Last year my friend was flying to the airport on the Jicarilla. I was hunting not far from the airport and able to monitor his flight from Mo. including fuel stop. This allowed me to hunt to within minutes of time to meet at the airport. All with the Iphone, how cool is that?
For me I will have both. iPhone 4s and the Garmin. I don't want to have a problum with the phone gps so I will take the Gamin to be on the safe side.
8750
Active Member
Kind of funny. I pack a compass as my backup in case my GPS fails. Soon I will be packing a GPS in case my phone fails. Then the next step will be.....
BKC
Very Active Member
It seems like the big downside would be battery life, with a gps you just change batteries but a phone unless you have a solar charger or spare battery your out of luck, i know my droid eats the battery pretty quick. How does the i phone do on the batteries?
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Strap Assassin
New Member
I downloaded the "View Ranger" app for my iPhone 4S. On a backpacking trip last week in Colorado I tracked my route and 2.5 hours in I had only 20% battery life. A great app in my opinion, showed National Forest, BLM land, topo and Aerial views, and recorded elevation etc. I will just have to buy a solar charger.
just got an i phone s. what apps do people recomend i get for backpacking? also what solar charger do u recomend?
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
- 2,167
- 1,353
I've been doing lots of research as well. I'm in the market for a GPS but trying to determine if I should buy a dedicated garmin (probably oregon 550) or try to get by with my Android. You can buy these apps for $10-$20 on the market. I could use the money I saved from not buying a dedicated gps unit and buy a solar charger. My thoughts are that I'll be updating my phone on a consistent basis anyway, why upgrade a gps unit all the time if I can just use my phone. Garmin better watch out, selling dedicated $600 gps systems will be a thing of the past eventually once these smartphone apps become more mature.
Looks like GAIA GPS and Backcountry Navigator are turning up as the most popular, at least for supporting android. Besides basic functionality of a GPS like tracking, compass, etc. I need the GPS to tell me if I'm on public or private land and be able to show me gmu. I just don't think these phone apps are there yet; but please speak up if you know of an app. Accuterra claims to show public/private but their website hasn't had any updates since early 2010 so I think the project may have been abandoned.
I just don't think a garmin with huntinggpsmaps can be touched by any of the smartphone apps; at least from what I've been reading.
Looks like GAIA GPS and Backcountry Navigator are turning up as the most popular, at least for supporting android. Besides basic functionality of a GPS like tracking, compass, etc. I need the GPS to tell me if I'm on public or private land and be able to show me gmu. I just don't think these phone apps are there yet; but please speak up if you know of an app. Accuterra claims to show public/private but their website hasn't had any updates since early 2010 so I think the project may have been abandoned.
I just don't think a garmin with huntinggpsmaps can be touched by any of the smartphone apps; at least from what I've been reading.
I downloaded motion x terrain on my I phone 4s it has all major map viewers like google bing and usgs. I played with it out of service and it was a bit slow but always found my location spot on. I was able to save a huge map before exiting service and it worked well you can save waypoints and track routes while out of service wich was neat only downside so far is not showing public or private land and also doesn't show small springs like a topo. I will have to save all destination points on the saved map before leaving the topo at home. For 99 cents it's a pretty cool app so far.It also has options for coordinates when out of service. While my phone said no service I was driving with the cruise set at 75 it called me out at 73.5 I'm impressed with the I phones abilities while out of service. Not sure if droid works the same. I remember trying to use a map on a droid while out of service and it did nothing.
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Been playing with the new phone and i think im gonna use it as my gps this year it will also be my back up flash light,compass, video, reg camera and note book. What more could u ask for out of one piece of equipment.