View Full Version : Phone GPS & Conserving Battery
Chair-man
11-20-2014, 11:04
http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
I stumbled across this web site and found some good info on saving your battery using your smart phone GPS.
I've actually tried this and yes your GPS will work with your SIM card locked. I'm using an iphone 4. You have to keep airplane mode off to use GPS. It will also work with offline maps.,,
Other good tips too, although I don't agree with using gaia maps. Guthooks (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/at-hiker-guthooks-guide/id605447532?mt=8) and Trail-guides (http://www.trail-guides.com/) app maps show water, shelters & parking and how far you are from them, gaia does not. At least for the AT from what I can see.
One last thing, you can also save maps offline using the free google map app. Once you find a section of map you want to keep just type OK Maps in the search box then you can use your gps later on it.
rocketsocks
11-20-2014, 11:23
Thanks for the tip.
Traveler
11-20-2014, 12:12
For what its worth, if you use electronic technology for orientation and making important route decisions, you should always keep a paper map with you as a back up. I have used GPS in all kinds of activities from aviation to back country pursuits, in all of these activities I have had GPS failure from a variety of issues stemming from simple battery power loss to more complicated internal failure from moisture to data corruption.
Though its a common caution, it deserves to be repeated as electronics continue to proliferate in the backcountry. Paper map backup can prove very valuable.
Chair-man
11-20-2014, 12:26
For what its worth, if you use electronic technology for orientation and making important route decisions, you should always keep a paper map with you as a back up. I have used GPS in all kinds of activities from aviation to back country pursuits, in all of these activities I have had GPS failure from a variety of issues stemming from simple battery power loss to more complicated internal failure from moisture to data corruption.
Though its a common caution, it deserves to be repeated as electronics continue to proliferate in the backcountry. Paper map backup can prove very valuable.
Well said. I agree. Don't depend on that phone compass either, bring a real one. The phone map apps are fun to play with though.
Starchild
11-20-2014, 12:36
The basic rule I use is airplane mode when not needed, turn that off and use a GPS app that just shows my location as and only when when I ask it and does not continuous track, airplane mode back on after. The app can be any number of them, but the important feature I look for is only locate me when I ask, then stop till I ask again.
The battery, even with a backup battery, is what has held me back from using the newer apps.
I trust MotionX ON/OFF. I do want to have the others: CDT, PCT.
What apps, Starchild?
Starchild
11-20-2014, 13:58
What apps, Starchild?
I used ATTrail for my thru, from what I understand similar to Guthook (Guthook I don't think was available then), but broken down into segments. It was the predecessor of a AT app but I don't believe they are from the same company.
For most of my hiking now I use Avenza which is free, but you have to get your maps from their store (some free, some for pay). This usually will get you the same version of the maps as the hikers are using on paper.
I have and still use Topo USA, but not as much, more for when I can't get a better, more up to date map. One cool feature with this one is you can see what you should be seeing, there is a way to set it so what is in view (given the topography) will be highlighted.
Google maps when I have a cellular signal or wifi.
I tried Search Topo USA. I found only GPS Topo USA. I found no ATtrail app.
I understand, the newest "official" topo maps lack trails and other features.
I would rather rely on the "new" efforts of known backpacker's maps and information.
I have the demo Guthook PCT. It has trail topo, rules & permitting, recent register entries, trail conditions resupply, water, and water availability, and, it has photos as a demo. I am not familiar with the southern terminus of the PCT to have a comment.
I have Topo Maps app, that has downloadable free topo maps for offline use. The topo maps are in color and shaded. There are Distance and GPS map markings, with or without GPS. it has quite a few features. If you have the space on your iPhone or iPod Touch, this can cover the entire US and Canada: select the squares you like. It works with Maps, Satellite, Hybrid, Panoramascope, Open street Map. It will accept GPX, KML and CSV formats for waypoints and trails. http://topomapsapp.com (http://topomapapp.com)
Topo Maps + is a different app entirely: detail maps are not free.
Starchild
11-20-2014, 18:09
I tried Search Topo USA. I found only GPS Topo USA. I found no ATtrail app.
Interesting, even though I have it it does not show up, perhaps it was removed (Re: ATtrail)
the other one is found in the Istore under Topo Maps, not Topo USA, my bad
Chair-man
11-20-2014, 21:06
Interesting, even though I have it it does not show up, perhaps it was removed (Re: ATtrail)
ATTrail (http://appcrawlr.com/ios/attrail-1) was owned by Trail Map Magic, LLC as shown here (http://appcrawlr.com/ios/attrail-1). Trail Map Magic is now defunct as shown here (http://www.trailmapmagic.com/Trail_Map_Magic_-_Appalachian_Trail_iPhone_App/Welcome.html). Too bad that was a really good app.
Starchild
11-20-2014, 21:27
ATTrail (http://appcrawlr.com/ios/attrail-1) was owned by Trail Map Magic, LLC as shown here (http://appcrawlr.com/ios/attrail-1). Trail Map Magic is now defunct as shown here (http://www.trailmapmagic.com/Trail_Map_Magic_-_Appalachian_Trail_iPhone_App/Welcome.html). Too bad that was a really good app.
Thanks for the info. I guess once it's gone from my iPhone it is gone forever.
Chair-man
11-20-2014, 22:57
Thanks for the info. I guess once it's gone from my iPhone it is gone forever.
You can transfer apps as long as it's on the same itunes or icloud account. (http://techchannel.radioshack.com/transfer-iphone-apps-another-iphone-1681.html) There are some how to videos out there too.
Wise Old Owl
11-20-2014, 23:57
Chairman thank you for your detailed find,,, I am still reading it but have to be up at 6:30 tomorrow,
Starchild
11-21-2014, 09:56
You can transfer apps as long as it's on the same itunes or icloud account. (http://techchannel.radioshack.com/transfer-iphone-apps-another-iphone-1681.html) There are some how to videos out there too.
Good to know, thanks
joedperk
11-22-2014, 01:13
Bought a Bad Elf pro...(GPS) turned on Airplane mode on my Iphone 6+ (also works with iPhone 4s) enable blue tooth sharing... use it with a walking app.. and also MotionX gps... works with Fun Golf... the Bad Elf finds 5 satellites inside house ... so should work great in the green tunnel... is very accurate outside... they even make one that is more accurate now... battery life has been very good over a day of golfing.. haven't yet tried it out on the trail... I am planning more testing to see how long the battery will last on it.. and the iPhone 6+... but seems to be very encouraging...
Wise Old Owl
11-22-2014, 18:46
Bought a Bad Elf pro...(GPS) turned on Airplane mode on my Iphone 6+ (also works with iPhone 4s) enable blue tooth sharing... use it with a walking app.. and also MotionX gps... works with Fun Golf... the Bad Elf finds 5 satellites inside house ... so should work great in the green tunnel... is very accurate outside... they even make one that is more accurate now... battery life has been very good over a day of golfing.. haven't yet tried it out on the trail... I am planning more testing to see how long the battery will last on it.. and the iPhone 6+... but seems to be very encouraging...
OK the Iphone and Samsung have a pretty good sensitivity Bluetooth and brightness on the screen runs down the batter on the phone in general... Are you contemplating using this with the phone off and then fireing that up occasionally?
joedperk
11-23-2014, 00:55
I have found that turning airplane mode on... then firing up blue tooth (low power) pairing it with the bad elf pro... then launching app.. doesn't use as much battery.... the black elf will continuous track... supposed to have a battery 16 hours with IOS phone... with the bad elf pro in datalogger mode 32 hours of battery life... either way it is better than running phone gps... haven't put it to the test besides using it for a golfing gps... and it last 18 holes with plenty of battery left on Iphone 6+.. which is supposed to have a better battery... just throwing it out their for people to look at... http://bad-elf.com/pages/be-gps-2200-detail
Dual xGPS has GPS with ON/OFF useful for up to five backpackers, at once, using Bluetooth.
http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotStore/tag/Dual_Electronics
Does the Bad Elf have ON/OFF ?