Hiking - Handheld GPS or Map and Compass?
- Thread starter Gimpymoo
- Start date
I would rather not have to use the mobile if possible owing to battery usage and quality of maps. The GPS units I have seen seem much more detailed in that regard, also waterproof
Will take a look at ViewRanger though.
Oooh...
North wales you say...
Recommend any family walks around Snowdonia / Barmouth / Harlech
This. Hand he,led GOs, even just on your smartphone, is easy and practical. However, it should never, ever be relied upon. Always have a map, compass, and if in the mountains an altimeter. Above all know how to use them. Even with a GPS unit follow your progress on a map and keep an eye on landmarks.
I would rather not have to use the mobile if possible owing to battery usage and quality of maps. The GPS units I have seen seem much more detailed in that regard, also waterproof
Will take a look at ViewRanger though.
I really wouldn't bother. You can get maps just as detailed on a Smartphone, typically even more so. And really, that doesn't matter too much. The printed map is used for detail, the GPS just to check you are on track.
The battery lasts fine on a Standard smartphone as long as you are not tracking your path which is mostly pointless. Just have a peek now and again when you take breaks, reach a landmark, get a view etc. Have the phone in airplane mode so it doesn't keep trying to ping cell towers when you are out of reception.
A second battery is also cheap.
Phone + map & compass.
Plenty of high quality apps. Which use OS maps.
Although if you have the money then dedicated is probably better. although you can always go cheap android with replaceable battery.
Personally I go for phone and spent the money on a Spot Gen 3 as I hike alone and keeps mum happy.
http://www.findmespot.eu/en/
And yes os laminated is worth it, but I bloody hate os maps. Why can't they make ring bound pocket size ones, rather than stupid massive fold out useless things.
However os maps have a service(os getamap) for ~£20 a year, can add your route on to it and print it out, then just need to laminate it. And so can make your own sensible maps.
It also works out much cheaper than buying lots of OS maps. As long as you dont mind doing a bit of work and buying a cheap laminator off ebay.
Plenty of high quality apps. Which use OS maps.
Although if you have the money then dedicated is probably better. although you can always go cheap android with replaceable battery.
Personally I go for phone and spent the money on a Spot Gen 3 as I hike alone and keeps mum happy.
http://www.findmespot.eu/en/
And yes os laminated is worth it, but I bloody hate os maps. Why can't they make ring bound pocket size ones, rather than stupid massive fold out useless things.
However os maps have a service(os getamap) for ~£20 a year, can add your route on to it and print it out, then just need to laminate it. And so can make your own sensible maps.
It also works out much cheaper than buying lots of OS maps. As long as you dont mind doing a bit of work and buying a cheap laminator off ebay.
Last edited:
I got an app called Lake District (obviously only good for the lakes) but even with no signal the GPs and reliability of the app was fantastic. Would recomend it to anyone, only niggle was it didn't have an in built compass.
I have a garmin eTrex20. It does loads of stuff that I dont use - I just look at the map on it.
I plan a route on plotaroute.com then save it on the garmin and follow the line.
It comes with a very rough base map which is no good for any kind of navigation and it's expensive to buy OS maps for it but there are free maps (OpenStreetMaps/talktoaster) which are almost as good as the OS maps.
Never tried any phone apps. I dont think the phone battery would last long enough. I usually take some spare batteries (AA) for the etrex and can swap them if it runs out.
I also have a spot tracker (just to be clear - it doesnt do any sort of navigation) and it's a brilliant thing to have.
I plan a route on plotaroute.com then save it on the garmin and follow the line.
It comes with a very rough base map which is no good for any kind of navigation and it's expensive to buy OS maps for it but there are free maps (OpenStreetMaps/talktoaster) which are almost as good as the OS maps.
Never tried any phone apps. I dont think the phone battery would last long enough. I usually take some spare batteries (AA) for the etrex and can swap them if it runs out.
I also have a spot tracker (just to be clear - it doesnt do any sort of navigation) and it's a brilliant thing to have.
Also for maps I just print hem off the intnet.
Hillmap.com is my go to website since I am in the US. I don't know if there are alternative's that give you good access to UK OS data. Streetmap.co.uk does bt you might have a hassle printing off what you need.
The advantage is you then have 1 or 2 A4 print outs of your desired area, don't worry about damaging and folding a map, don't pay for expensive laminating, can overlay your route.
Hillmap.com is my go to website since I am in the US. I don't know if there are alternative's that give you good access to UK OS data. Streetmap.co.uk does bt you might have a hassle printing off what you need.
The advantage is you then have 1 or 2 A4 print outs of your desired area, don't worry about damaging and folding a map, don't pay for expensive laminating, can overlay your route.
Put the phone in airplane mode and don't stair at the screen. I've never had battery issues, even on long 12-14hour days. And if you are really worried you can just switch the phone off between readings.
Yes, i'm sure that would help. I dont need to use my phone for that so i've never tried.
My experience is a little different anyway - I dont do any hiking, just mountain biking so it's harder to turn things on/off on the move and you cover ground faster so you need to check more often. I like to have the map permanently in view.
I would still prefer something with replaceable batteries for longer days or multi-day trips.
My experience is a little different anyway - I dont do any hiking, just mountain biking so it's harder to turn things on/off on the move and you cover ground faster so you need to check more often. I like to have the map permanently in view.
I would still prefer something with replaceable batteries for longer days or multi-day trips.