Jack
Is Wunder Map a smartphone app? If not, where can I get it?
Thanks…Mike
here you go
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wundermap/id364884105?mt=8
Jackl is right, great app and great weather site.
I would imagine it depends on where you
– Last Updated: Aug-19-11 9:42 AM EST –
are.
Not all regions have phone service.
I don't even have cell phone service at home. Weather radio yes. A "smartphone" is not in the cards here.
Up on the Ontario coast of Lake Superior there is no cell phone service for hundreds of miles. There are weather station repeaters.
I have seen those smartphone doo dad weather apps and they do look neat if you are in civilization. I am happy still to watch the sky and have gotten quite good at the short term forecast. Its all up there. I fear that sky watching and predicting is a skill we are losing to technology..not unlike reconciling a checkbook or reading an analog watch.
Here it is
– Last Updated: Aug-19-11 9:17 AM EST –
http://www.wunderground.com/US/NC/Bakersville.html
Just pick up your area, etc here is ours http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/
play around with it a bit, and you can see any storms, where they are heading, and the time that they will arrive.
jack L
smart phone
obviously still take the VHF but when I’m hanging around camp in the morning and need to know the latest update the phone’s internet connection (when you can get one) is way easier than waiting for the right moment of the weather channel broadcast only to get interrupted and have to wait through a whole new cycle of reports.
yep
vhf weather is like 1950’s technology, times have changed.
both
The phone weather map has been useful for making go/no-go decisions when there were isolated, scattered storms. It can give you a good idea if you’re going to have bad weather for a few minutes or a few hours.
I trust the VHF to work in conditions where I wouldn’t pull out a phone.
the last thing
I want with me is a stupid smart phone. I use VHF.
Wayne
Are you paddling Fishers tomorrow?
Got it. Thanks.
To both Jack and Slushpaddler.
Methinks
I’m not the Wayne you are looking fer…
Ok
Waterproof Smartphone ???
– Last Updated: Aug-19-11 7:19 PM EST –
Until a smartphone is TRULY waterproof, dunkable, etc.
- stick with the trusted, reliable, handheld VHF.
Provides real 2 way communication in remote areas.
I've used VHF exclusively for this area.
http://www.great-lakes.net/lakes/
When a smartphone gets LEVEL 7 certification - I may buy one
http://shiawassee-river.blogspot.com/2008/11/gps-waterproof-standards.html
Some are ""borderline"" like :
NEC Medias N-06C rated IPX5
No tether, dropped in the water, bye, bye SAR team
can be both
– Last Updated: Aug-19-11 7:39 PM EST –
redundancy is good and a smart phone with internet connection is easier for weather than VHF giving very quick data for your exact spot and radar.
I keep my phone in a waterproof case in my day hatch and my VHF on my person. I mostly only need to check the weather on launch unless either that forecast or observed conditions suggest even a hint of a change later (my weather tends to be pretty predictable, yours may not). So I check the weather with the phone before launch as well as say hi to my wife (assuming I can get a connection).
I use this case: http://www.h2oaudio.com/store/catalog/product/view/id/162/
Then on the water I can always use the VHF or even phone if conditions permit. And if the VHF ever fails there's at least a chance the phone will work to get help.
win/win deal.
I am that Wayne
And yes, we’re doing Fishers. 9:00 AM launch to get to the Race at slack.
Barometer
I also have a watch that has a barometer and a barometric trend indicator. Simple look at my wrist and I see if things are changing.
Marine Weather by Bluefin is also a good app.
ditto
– Last Updated: Aug-22-11 8:41 AM EST –
I really like the weather info I can get with my iphone. Instead of 20 minutes listening to the entire scroll on the VHF, scribbling like mad, and usually missing something - with the smart phone I can just pull up marine, terrestrial, tide, currents, radar, etc. All in 5 minutes, and whenever I want.
Fortunately I paddle in an area where 3G service is the norm out on the islands. On the mainland there are lots of dead spots because of topography, but once you're miles offshore, the service is nearly ubiquitous.
Regarding the waterproof question - I use a form-fitting submersible case for the iphone4. Amphibian, by Innopocket. http://www.amazon.com/Amphibian-All-Weather-Case-iPhone/dp/B004NPBNJK
Have to remove the case for charging, or using the headset, but that's not a problem for me. By only turning the phone on two or three times per day, I easily get 4 or more days between charges when on trips.
Edit to add - I took the question to be whether you prefer getting weather info from a VHF or a Smartphone. Not which one is better for emergency communication. So I'll qualify my response by saying that VHF is hands-down, the emergency communication device of choice between the pair. A truly waterproof phone is a good backup, and is my choice for getting weather info in the field.
VHF
When I teach I always mention the smartphone as a resource as many people already have one, but I prefer to limit my equipment to less specialized rather than more specialized. While I get weather and two way communication from both, the ability to communicate with local vessels and CG are a big plus.
Dug and Tip O’Neill
Kayakmedic, in the words of Dug from “UP”, I have just met you, and I love you.
Everyone on this thread should be reading and re-reading the last two lines you just wrote.
What we are dealing with is an issue of seamanship.
Is the VHF better than a smartphone?
No. That is like asking if Radiofax weather is better than a VHF.
The smartphone cannot supplant a VHF, it can only augment.
The Tip O’Neill reference? His famous quote, “all politics is local”, I have re-phrased for use in my advanced nav classes- “all weather is local”.
Whether the weather is a report from VHF, radiofax, or smartphone, a common complaint from ignorant users is that the weather report is often wrong. Contrary to that belief, the weather report is often remarkably accurate. But only for a large area. Being able to interpret how things like local topography tweaks and modifies the big picture, is part of good wilderness awareness…such as seamanship.
Why…
– Last Updated: Aug-24-11 6:08 PM EST –
...does it matter?
If you want to minimize the amount of gizmos you carrying, then leave phone home.
If you want an undisturbed rest on nature, then leave phone home.
If the comfort of the very process of weather-checking is so important, then take phone with you.
The bottom line is - you already have VHF (I assume), and it does provide weather reports, so the phone is not necessary. You CAN take the phone too, but you don't need to.
My preference is leaving phone home, because I want to have a rest which doesn't involve checking emails or answering to stupid marketers calls, and any calls from friends and relatives can wait until tomorrow. Smartphone is an internet gadget, and as such, it's aiding and supporting the disease called "internet addiction". It has already been diagnosed as a disease and addiction (for many people), and there are specialized expensive treatment centers. I'm dead serious.