[pct-l] SPOT vs Cell Phone

[Devon Taig]

Hope I'm not too off-topic here, but I'm wondering if anyone has had
experience actually trying to follow the PCT by using a GPS app on their
cell phone? If so, what kind of phone and what app are you using? I have a
hand-held Garmin Etrex with a very sensitive receiver that almost never
loses its signal, but what I've found with most cell-phones is that they
don't acquire worth a dang in trees or canyons, and I haven't found a good
app that I could upload a gpx file to.

By the way, if you haven't already discovered it, you can get great GPS
waypoints for the PCT (.gpx format) for free here:
http://www.pctmap.net/download/p/waypointdl.html ).  To me, using a cell
phone as a GPS would be the ideal solution...sure, maybe I'd have to carry a
spare battery for the phone, but that's lighter than a couple of AA
batteries anyway...plus I can make the occasional phone call with a cell
phone, and even upload books and music for the evening (need three more
batteries for that I guess).  I sure can't do all that with my Garmin. I
hate having to carry both.

Devon




On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 8:52 PM, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:

> Just to clarify, most cell phones do use towers, but that's only to augment
> the actual GPS chip. MOST cell phones made in the last few years will have
> GPS accuracy as good as a stand alone unit. What the dedicated devices
> offer
> is the "extras". Maps, waypoints, tracks, etc. If towers are available, a
> phone based GPS can be MORE accurate.
>
> I still agree though. To provide your family peace of mind, a Spot is a
> better choice. For utility, a cell phone can be more useful. The spot won't
> let you talk to your wife when you hit town ;)
>
> On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 7:06 PM, <dofdear at cox.net> wrote:
>
> > Consider that many (most) cell phones use Assisted GPS by triangulating
> > cell sites.  This may not work in the back country so the emergency
> > personnel may not know your location. Another advantage to SPOT is that
> it
> > will continuously send your coordinates until turned-off.  Cell phones
> can
> > not do this unless in tower or Wi-Fi range, or in contact with a properly
> > equipped 911 facility.  SPOT has my vote.
> >
> > Dan C  aka Thumper
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