[pct-l] SPOT vs Cell Phone

[Eric]

Devon,

Check out these pages, I think they will be pretty informative.  What kind
of phone are you using?

http://postholer.com/faq.php#Smart%20Phone

http://postholer.com/smartPhone.html

(These are iphone specific)
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-September/029867.html
http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-September/029875.htmlhttp://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/2009-September/029883.html

Regards,
Eric

On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 9:03 PM, Devon Taig <devon.taig at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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