8^( Mine not working perfectly
i thought the culprit was cell coverage…
I still like the eTrex… something about state of the relic…
how’s the
the devil work in the canyon ? or beneath the mtn or cliff or…
we may look stupid but we are not…
Been using an old 4s
– Last Updated: May-22-16 10:59 PM EST –
As back up for my Garmin for a few years now. Running ISail and IHike with maps downloaded when in wifi range. Carry a battery stick to charge it. It is in a waterproof otterbox.
I just can't get comfortable using my iPhone unless I am backpacking and not wanting the weight of redundant devices, but not on the water. But if my old 4s bites the dust, no worries. No cell contract needed so don't get rid of your old iPhones.
I’m with you on using the phone
These days, I rarely take my Garmin anymore. The user interface on the Garmin 76CSx is torturous. At 1.5" x 2.5"the display contributes to the pain. The Garmin uses a pair of AA batteries in 2 - 3 days. And to get topo maps on the Garmin requires the use of the internet, two Garmin programs, and a transfer onto 4GB micro SD cards which I then insert into the GPS unit. It’s about 3 times the size of my iphone. A big advantage is the Garmin is more water resistant. I used to think it was waterproof, but the corrosion inside the battery compartment tells me otherwise. So, really, it needs to be protected and that advantage is gone.
I do not leave valuables in my car at the put in or the trail head. My wallet and my iphone go with me. So, sinc I am taking the phone anyway, I should use it. However, my present paddling practice is to put the phone in a jar and the jar in a drybag. If I need to know my location or want to take a picture, I have to stop and get the phone out. So, the iphone is much underutilized. Obviously, I need to get a waterproof container for it.
The battery argument is moot. If I take the Garmin, I am not only packing the size and weight of the Garmin, I need to bring extra batteries for it, and carry out the dead batteries. So, I could trade the weight and bulk of the Garmin and backup batteries for a power pack to recharge the iphone and I’ll come out ahead on weight and bulk.
But, as to this topic, I can’t think of anything the Garmin does better than the iphone. And, the iphone does a lot of other things. Besides taking pictures, you can make a phone call (ya, I know, you need towers for this)(and ya, I know, nobody actually talks on a phone anymore–but you could). Try getting an Uber ride with your Garmin.
~~Chip
These phones
You write of function as a GPS when out of cell tower range ?
and GPS when in cell phone range but the maps are free plus cost of using phone to load the maps.
What’s cost for loading the Grand Canyon NP ? Is the phone capacity up to the GC NP ?
If I compare the phone map to the GPS Garmin 78 map I would immediately see a significant advantage to the phone ?
Garmin Battery Life
My battery use really improved once I went wit lithium AAs. I’m getting about 10 - 14 days use on a pair of AAs. That is being on about 5 hours a day - that’s an average day time on the water for me.
I may yet one day go to the phone for primary use, but I worry about damage. My 76csx has survived me being out of the canoe on a class II-III drop. Tethered to a thwart it survived bouncing around rocks while the canoe was upturned and still computing away when I got reunited with the canoe. The rubber bumper was damaged, but everything else was continuing to work.
I like having my geographys pre-loaded on a 4G chip, and it is a very simple process to get the correct mapping on the unit. Simply swap out the chip. I took the time (only needs doing once) to create 10 different map sets of the areas I frequent., so all the tedium is behind me. I found a little credit card sized holder for all these micro-sd cards so everything is conviently bundled together.
Chip, wanna sell yours? A backup unit would be nice.
But now I intend to explore the iPhone alternative - thanks to the OP for the idea.
Batteries last 10-14 days! Not mine.
Waterbearer has been my mentor of the 76CSx, so I value his opinions
I switched to LI bats after he gave me that hint, but I have never gotten more than maybe 4 days use out of them in the CSx76. Maybe it is my leaky battery compartment. But even with ten days life, I still don’t think that will tip the scales for convenience, ease of use, and multi-functionality.
It is true that once you create your map sets on the chips, you don’t need to repeat the process to reuse and switch between map sets. Of course, with the i-device, you never have to do it even at the start, and never have the issue of finidng yourself somewhere the map set does not cover (as long as you have at least occasional access to the net).
~~Chip
unless going ultra light
I always like to have a backup plan.
Cubans
’Most important, they had three smartphones. Mr. Quintero had jury rigged a computer battery to charge the phones during the journey. This meant the men had something invaluable, GPS to guide them to Florid ’
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/us/from-cuba-to-miami-by-providence-and-a-homemade-boat.html?ribbon-ad-idx=2&rref=us&module=Ribbon&version=context®ion=Header&action=click&contentCollection=U.S.&pgtype=article
Loading maps from Windows PC?
Using the Gaia app, could you perform your map collecting activity on a desktop and then port it to the phone?
I find using a large monitor useful when creating your map sets. If forced to use iPhone to create the map sets that would be more tedious - small screen to interact with.
Anyone know? Thanks.
Cubans
I’m looking forward to the possibility of cuban cigars in the US again. They are useful when the bugs get heavy.
we need
scientific evidence Cubans deter bugs.
Works great!
I’ve been using this and Ihike for a while now. I stopped bringing the GPS with as the phone is far easier to use by a wide margin and I always carry a phone with anyways. I always bring a map and compass with for redundancy although they almost never see the light of day.
Is your iPhone waterproof?
– Last Updated: May-25-16 9:41 AM EST –
and sure, I can use my phone for all those things- unless I don't want to kill the battery.
I pack light, but find room for both, as Matt says, it's wise to have a backup plan.
My Garmin can last me a week if I only have it on when I need it.
WOW in the Yukon !
too much !
does this here ‘app’ have marine charts with depth contours with your position thereon ?
BTW here’s Gaia
http://www.gaiatheory.org/
waste of a good cigar!
They do deter bugs well, I’d just resent sharing it with them.
Can’t provide peer reviewed studies
but - I can attest that Cuban cigars are every bit as good as other cigars, even the famed Swisher Sweet, as detering canadian black flies.
Please: Never Smoke a Good Cigar Outdoor
Only indoors with a tumbler of Bourbon.
good cigars are wasted on me also
– Last Updated: May-26-16 8:59 AM EST –
(not a fan of bourbon. Cognac will do)
Good cigar and scotch
can be helpful to sooth the sore muscles and weariness after a long paddle. Best to set up camp first in case you find yourself into a second scotch.