This seems to be relevant: http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
This seems to be relevant: http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
Another big fan of a handheld GPS (Garmin GPSMap 60csx) over a cell phone. My number 1 reason is battery life. Using a GPS continuously on your cell phone will kill the battery in an hour or two while the current Garmin GPSMap 64 models will go for hours and hours on a set of replaceable lithium ion batteries (bonus of Li ion over alkaline is that in addition to lasting longer, they are a lot lighter so its not a big deal to toss a spare set in the pack). I use Avenza PDF maps on my iPhone to check my position on a map occasionally, but for navigation, I use my Garmin loaded with the 1:24000 topos.
+1
When I started to use Gaia GPS on an iPhone, I ended up selling off my dedicated GPS because I no longer used/needed it. You do not need a cellular connection. You can download maps (USGS topo) so that you know exactly where you are. You can download a track (like the AT) so that you also know if you are on trail. What more do you need?
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If you use your phone for tracking, then yes it will deplete your battery very fast, but why would you need tracking for normal hiking? The hiking apps that are really worth it I have found are apps that will just get your location when you request it. Those apps sip power unless you check constantly.
As for tracking, and just a FYI, I use a tracking app while group hiking so stragglers can find the group. I get about 6 hours on a full charge to 20% on my iPhone. That app not only uses GPS but also continuous cellular service to transmit my location.
I wont use a gps for any more that spot checks, and source of electronic maps. A phone will do this fine.
A phone without a cell signal eats battery life. Keep phone turned off except when need. Problem solved.
For shorter trips and infrequent spot checks that's true. The power issue comes into play when you're hiking for long periods where the opportunity to recharge is relatively rare, and doing it on a trail that is less well marked, and/or perhaps where a GPS is helpful for other issues."I wont use a gps for any more that spot checks, and source of electronic maps. A phone will do this fine."
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Pactically everywhere I hike, there is no cell phone service.
The phone "GPS" gets coordinates from triangulating cell towers. If WiFi, the cell phone "GPS" gets coordinates from triangulating WiFi systems and modems that allow location services.
If your cell phone has an internal actual GPS, I would like to know about it.
I recommended the most accurate pocket GPS I know. It has the advantage of working with practically any software or app. It works with iPhone, Android phones, iPad, iPod, Android tablets, Windows tablets, and maybe even a Kindle if it has a map app and Bluetooth.
Last edited by Connie; 07-02-2015 at 11:52.
I have been in iFans forum years: I am Geekgrrl.
Its "news" to me.
We have had several discussion forum threads over the years at that iPod Touch Fans/iFans Cupertino Apple "skunkworks" forum iPhone does not have an actual GPS that gets coordinates from satellites.
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I looked at the adventurealan link (above) as well.
I have looked at side-by-side comparisons that show the iPhone GPS is not highly accurate. It may be fine for bicycling trips, but if I am bushwacking the Pacific Northwest Trail looking for a better line if no trail, I like precision.
That said, I understand the AT doesn't have that problem. If early or late season, snow can obscure the trail. I have heard people unintentionally get off the white blaze trail, as well. That's about it.
Last edited by Connie; 07-02-2015 at 12:13.
This isn't one of those things I need to be right about but for what it's worth there's a decent writeup here.. FWIW, the iPod touch does not have a GPS nor do wifi only iPads. The GPS on an iPhone is on the chip that provides cellular communications. That's why an iPhone GPS won't work in airplane mode but an Android phone GPS does.
http://tewha.net/2011/10/how-the-iph...avigation-gps/
iOS Hardware Models
First, some iOS devices have a GPS chip and some do not.
- A device with a GPS chip can identify your location (usually within 10 or 20 meters) even when it has no WIFI or Cellular signal. A device without a GPS chip can identify your approximate location only when it has a WIFI signal; these devices are still useful tools for looking at maps but will not show your location on the map while you are hiking.
- All iPhone models (4, 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6+) include a GPS chip.
- No iPod-Touch model has a GPS chip.
- All iPad models that have 3G or Cellular also have GPS chip and therefore behave like an iPhone for mapping purposes. The WIFI-only iPads do not have a GPS chip and therefore behave like an iPod Touch for mapping purposes.
Last edited by 10-K; 07-02-2015 at 12:21.
How many days are you going w/o recharge? I could go about 10 days + with my phone + 5000 mAh battery pack using GPS (on demand - 'spot checking' as you put it), music, audio books, occasional use of cellular/data and even streaming music and on line maps & daily weather. The battery pack is comparable in weight to if not slightly less then that of a handheld GPS.
A handheld GPS should be more rugged/water resistant and they commonly get 20 hours or so out of 2xAA batteries continuous tracking. IDK if they can do 'spot checks', if so that may be practically unlimited use.
Bold part mine, it is not true what you state, well not true anymore. The iPhones will allow the use of GPS while in airplane mode, while not using cellular. It may or may not be on the same chip, but the antennas for GPS and Cellular are separate and can and do get used independently. It is true that the iPhone will use cellular and wifi to get a better/quicker lock on your position, but it is not required.
Now at one time using airplane mode on the iPhone would turn off all antennas, so you could not use GPS, but that was limited in iOS (software) and not a hardware limitation. That was changed to allow GPS (and WiFi) many iOS versions ago.
The iPhone will also use GPS fine by itsel if there is no cellular service or WiFi signal.
You are correct! From what I can tell by googling GPS started working with the release of iOS 8.3. How cool is that... Now we can use the GPS without the battery drain of having cellular on with no service always searching-searching-searching.
Thanks for pointing that out.
(I notice you say "Many versions of iOS ago" but I'm pretty sure it did not work in iOS 7.x because I was hiking the PCT then and no GPS in airplane mode for certain. Everything I can find googling says GPS did not require airplane mode beginning with iOS 8.3.)
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I have all trails map ap and one thing I noticed was that the map wouldn't fully load. I downloaded it and followed the instructions however the app ate my battery like no tomorrow and I couldn't get see anything on the map at all due to the map wouldn't load. For me that was a worthless app and I even made sure I stated this on the rate the app.
Most Android phones don't use cell towers for the GPS unless they're available. Used a LG on my 2011 AT thru hike for this reason. My previous phone required cell towers to get a fix. Pretty certain Apple phones no longer require a cell tower.
My biggest reasons for recommending cellphone over GPS are:
One device vs two
I use my phones GPS regularly so I'm familiar with the interface. Many times I've come across weekenders that were unfamiliar with their GPS.
Don't need multiple charging devices.
Backcountry Navigator app is the best app I've found for off-line use.