No sooner had I published my review of Routebuddy Atlas than John Hee writes a piece about the practicalities of using these things. I’d meant to include something about this in the review but thought it was getting a little long. And then I saw a comment from John Davis who shres some of John’s skepticism.
I’m a skeptic as well to some extent. I know John uses the same GPS as myself — a Gecko — and in the same way, just to get hold of a grid reference. And in some ways this is what I use Routebuddy Atlas for. Taking a spot reference is helpful and more so if you can see a representation of the map itself.
John asks about battery life and, yes, this is a problem (and more of that below). But to my mind the small screen is more of a practical problem. You really don’t get to see that much of the map! And, as John has pointed out, there is the little matter of the rain.
Over the last couple of years I’ve walked with Colin Ibbotson and Phil Turner both who use computer mapping on phones and small mobile devices. Both have used them in the manner discussed above and there’s no doubt that the map on the phone helps get a real fix as to where you are — it is faster than using a Gecko. But the attraction also seems to be a greater integration with other social media. Phil spends a lot of time searching for a signal not only for the GPS but to send Twitter updates and blog updates as he walks! Probably not for everyone but many younger hikers seem to use this stuff intuitively in this way.
Both Phil and Steve Horner used their phones extensively on this year’s TGO Challenge. They got around the battery problem with a cheap but effective solution, a charger which took two AA batteries (I think) and used these to charge the phones overnight. Not a perfect solution but it kept them going with more social media time that I would ever contemplate.
So, these things are not necessities and you might argue that they don’t add that much in terms of tools to use on the hills. Personally, I’d still carry my maps — and these folks all carry printouts from Computer Mapping companies.
I see these being used more often by casual ‘Country Waker’ ramblers. I have a friend who uses one when walking coastal paths. I’ve tried explaining he can’t get lost so long as the see is on the right side, but he likes the reassurance of the system. And if this helps give him the confidence in going out further then it has to be a good thing!
I certainly wouldn’t be using one of these as a GPS tracking routes and so on, although you can. I suppose if you are out for shorter day walks battery life isn’t a problem. For me the advantage is to just get a graphical fix as well as a OS co-ordinate. But I have used the machine when I’ve been ambling around a rural area unexpectedly!
As I said in my Routebuddy Atlas review the quality of the map display on the iphone 4 is extraordinary. This is way of the future I guess, but perhaps more in terms of a lighter weight or slightly smaller ipad type tablet.
I’d be interested in how others use mobile mapping on phones or dedicated machines like Satmap.
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hi andy i still like to use a map and compass but i will use a gps just for the grid reference as these things can crash at anytime
I used Viewranger on a Nokia phone with US 1:24000 maps on the Arizona trail. I took 2 spare Lithium batteries (extended capacity) and kept the phone on (but in flight mode) for the entire walk except for overnight when it was turned off. Battery life was 6+ days of extensive use! To save power Viewranger wasn’t running the entire time (probably 50%) but could be loaded in seconds and was used simply because the official AZ trail maps are rubbish! Navigation on some sections is very tough and the Viewranger software was a godsend and 100% reliable. Secondly the weight saving from not carrying detailed maps was huge. As a further bonus when I had phone coverage I was able to use the BuddyBeacon facility to transmit my realtime position so that my family back home new all was well. THIS IS THE FUTURE… BUT I would still always carry some paper maps and a compass as backup.
Now I’m not about to wax philosophical, but we may wish to consider not only why we set off on these tromps of ours, but also how we relate and have obligations to our wider community. . And this is why I agree with Colin.
It’s not so much the shiny technogical carapace of the gizmo – it’s the ability to combine within one piece of metal and plastic the ability to both locate yourself per se and to bring that location – and your sensibility – to those who love, care and follow your progress.
Eleven years ago I took a seven-week trip with only two telephone calls back to my partner. She’d have been a lot happier if I could’ve made better contact, and if I had access to high-quality mapping independant of the print material. Now I text every night, and if I was part of a social networking group – which I’m not, but I see no harm in them – I’d certainly be telling them the news.
I welcome the advent of an all-in-one mapping/telephony/internet device. Like all of us, I also love a good paper map. Tho’ – in my own opinion – only the British, French and Swiss deliver consistent accuracy.
Frankly, I’m thrilled and excited by those who choose to use emergent technology to both share their experiences and secure their own safety. Equally, I respect entirely those who take a private journey.
A welcome contribution to the general debate Andy.
My original point was that the day of the stand alone GPS is nigh, and those seeking to use the emergant alternative need to do so with the caution that mobile kit isn’t really intended for the sort of Outdoor use\abuse we can give it.
To be honest, as much as I benefit from taking my mob out on the hills for calls home\safety etc most of the time it stays switched off to save the battery life. And when its packed away its deep in my pack, inside a waterproof bag.
Lets be honest, most mobs are built down to a quality suitable for city dweller use and short term durability (contract upgrade sir?)
I regularly watch the mob market for a unit suitable for outdoor use, and to be honest there’s nothing (at a reasonable price) that fits the bill. and thats been after 5 years of looking.
The debate continues …….
Hi John,
just happened to read an article in the Dutch/Belgian magazine “Bergen” (mountains). An advertorial mentions the Sonim XP 3.2 Quest Pro mobile phone. It’s waterproof, dustproof and its display is scratch- and pressureproof, It can handle temperatures between -20 till +55 C. With integrated gps and 1500 hrs standby-time and 18 hrs speaking time. It costs 349 euros. You can win one by sending your travelstory to http://www.bergwijzer.nl
HTH, Theo.