[pct-l] Using Smart Phones as GPS

[Ken White]

You can set your phone to Airplane Mode and then enable the GPS mode. This will stop the phone from looking for a signal.

I use Backcountry Navigator on my Android Thunderbolt and easily get several days of use on the standard battery. I might check position 1-2 times an hour and not use way points. I also use a rooted phone with a kernel designed for low power consumption.

I find the android is not as accurate as my Garmin Oregon 300 and while I use the Android in a ziplock, I share the concern on wet weather. I used both on the JMT in the snow this June, but am not quite ready to lose the garmin.

--Ken


Message: 1
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:12:28 -0600
From: Cari and Pete Tucker<pct2010video at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Using Smart Phones as GPS

Just a word of caution about depending on a smart phone to be your GPS
unit.  Sandals and I tried backcountry navigator on a 'droid phone during
our 2010 thru hike, but ran into two issues: battery life and vulnerability
to the elements.

Battery life was an issue because our 'droid phone was always searching for
a signal when it was on, and if it found even a hint of one, it would then
try to send/receive emails, text messages, etc..  Given that we were often
a long way from a cell tower, the phone would use up battery at a
frightening rate making these communication attempts.  We tried to find
ways to put these communication attempts under our control, but never fully
succeeded.  Of course, technology is always improving, so two years down
the line, maybe this is less of a problem.

Weather, however, it still an issue with smart phones.  We had a day in
Jefferson park where it was raining (and sleeting) all day, visibility was
about 50 feet, and the trail was under 2 feet of snow for miles on end (we
were on a flip strategy).  We*really*  could have used GPS that day to stay
on trail, but we didn't dare bring the phone out in the rain.  We managed
not to get completely lost by using map and compass, but the experience was
unpleasant enough that we bailed out on the first available side trail, got
a ride to the REI in Bend, and brought a proper GPS the very next day.

--Sheepdog

James Vesely Wrote:

I have an Android phone the Incredible made by HTC and I have been using
Backcountry Navigator Pro for about a year now and it works very well.  The
app lets you download topo maps to your phone for free so you can access
them even when you have no cell service.  You can also go to this link and
download HalfMiles PCT maps formatted for the app the instructions are on
the webpage.   Once you download the file to your phones SD card (in the
correct dir), open Backcountry Navigator Pro and open the maps for PCT and
you should have all the maps as well as all the waypoints.  The file is a
bit large so you should have a external memory card.
http://www.backcountrynavigator.com/content/android-gps-pacific-crest-trail
I tried it and it worked as prescribed.   The app cost a few dollars but I
think it was worth it and I don't think it is available for the Iphone.
Jim,
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:15:31 -0500
From: Michiel Duvekot<michiel at duvekot.ca>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Using Smart Phones as GPS

I have both an iPhone and a Garmin GPS (Montana). The Montana is big, heavy and clumsy, but: I can operate it in surprisingly low temperatures, with mitts on, in the rain and snow and I can still read it because the screen is so large. Unlike my iPhone, its easy to read in very bright daylight. It also finds a signal in less than 2 seconds, unlike the MotionX app that I used on the iPhone, which really struggles to find a signal sometimes. And it has two sets of batteries, so recharging is not such a big issue.

Michiel