[pct-l] GPS for distance

Sun Feb 1 00:07:52 CST 2015

I've used most of the apps mentioned while on the PCT and they work as
described, but for simply figuring out how far I've hiked, I just use a
Garmin Forerunner 310XT on my wrist--gives me distance, pace, time, and
lots of other stuff, and I've never had any problems even under trees or in
canyons. Once I get home I can download the tracks onto Google Earth--and
since I have Halfmile's tracks there too, I can even see exactly where I
wandered off the trail a bit to have lunch or for some other purpose. . .
--Ron "Slo Charger" Graybill

Ronald D. Graybill
11832 Fordham Place
Riverside, CA  92505
rgraybill44 at gmail.com
909-910-9339

On Sat, Jan 31, 2015 at 3:59 PM, Tom Grundy <caver456 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Haven't tried the apps though they did seem to be a big hit on the trail
> last year.
>
> One note on needing a cell connection to download maps: there are several
> good apps that use the internal gps and also let you download (a.k.a.
> 'cache') map tiles to your device while connected, for use while offline.
> I like Locus Pro (android) but haven't been searching around too much.
>
> The google maps app does let you download tiles of its basic map layer for
> offline use.
>
> Locus Pro (locus basic is free) lets you download tiles from any map server
> source, so, the possibilities are only limited by the space on your memory
> card (and your battery life / charging system, and your willingness to keep
> your nose down in the screen).  It also takes photo and audio waypoints,
> takes tracks and more.  Good stuff.
>
> Note on Locus Pro: leave the datum on WGS84 (the default), its conversions
> to other datums (data?) are inaccurate.
>
> Lots of folks like Backcountry Navigator Pro.  There are others.
>
> On Sat, Jan 31, 2015 at 2:25 PM, walt Durling <durlfam4 at icloud.com> wrote:
>
> > The two responses are good advice, but only if Shon is hiking a major
> > trail where there are trail guides and apps as discussed. Perhaps Shon
> > isn't planning to hike the PCT  or AT or CDT or some such where there
> > aren't apps or mileage guides.  He might want to consider a good
> pedometer,
> > one which is tri-axis so can be carried on a lanyard or in a pocket.
> They
> > calculate calories burned, steps taken, and distance covered, both in
> > kilometers and miles.  That said, some are more accurate than others, but
> > online researching will reveal the better ones.
> >
> > I used one while training for the PCT last year, but didn't carry it on
> > the trail because I have the iphone apps which gave exact mileage (more
> or
> > less).  One thing to be mindful about is that he needs to calibrate it to
> > his normal stride, which works well on level or moderately hilly terrain
> > where he can maintain a steady stride.  But most long trails have lots of
> > ascents and descents which necessitate taking shorter strides. This would
> > probably affect the mileage accuracy over many miles.  Just a thought.
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > > On Jan 31, 2015, at 16:51, Dan Welch <welchenergy at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > "...I really want a good way to determine how many miles I hiked for my
> > trail journals. I'm worried that I might drop several hundred dollars on
> a
> > GPS unit and find that they don't correctly calculate you're distance."
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > A solid majority of the people I ran into last year (as well as myself)
> > used a smartphone with the Halfmile or Guthook apps.  I started with
> > Halfmile only and picked up the Guthook app after the first few sections
> of
> > trail.
> > >
> > > They are both VERY accurate at tracking trail distances, but the
> > Halfmile app uses the Halfmile map mileages (surprise!) which seem to
> have
> > become the standard (with good reason.)
> > >
> > > The Guthook app costs $5.99 per section and there are 5 sections
> > (Southern, Central and Northern CA; Or; and WA.)  I picked these up after
> > So Cal. because they do a better job of describing upcoming camping
> areas -
> > including pictures of each one.  BTW - The graphics on the Apple version
> > are far superior to the Android version, but the campsite information is
> > accurate on both.
> > >
> > > Just so you know, most of the smartphones today function as standalone
> > GPS devices (GLONASS based) and don't need cell reception to give you
> > accurate coordinates.  However, without a cell connection, you can't
> > download a Google map for it to "locate" you on.  In other words, you can
> > get accurate coordinates, but it will only show you as a point on a blank
> > screen.  You have to pull out your paper or electronic topo maps to
> utilize
> > this information and get your trail mileage.  Thyat is kind of a pain to
> do
> > several times a day.
> > >
> > > However, the Halfmile app will immediately give you your exact trail
> > mileage so you can locate yourself more quickly on your trail map. It
> also
> > gives you distances to the next landmark, water source, campsite,
> > whatever.  If you are off trail even by 25 meters or so, it will tell you
> > that and give you a pointer back in the direction of nearest trail.  VERY
> > handy when crossing snow fields.
> > >
> > > Guthook does it one better by showing your location on its own series
> of
> > internal topo nmaps.  So it needs no cell link to place you on the
> > on-screen topo map and can be very handy in finding campsites and water
> > sources that are not obviuous.
> > >
> > > All this to say, if you have a smartphone, I would recommend NOT
> > bringing a standalone GPS.  It is just extra money and extra weight...
> And
> > it's actually far less functional.
> > >
> > > Timberline
> > >
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