View Full Version : Electronics
I have decided, I think, on allowing myself the luxury of three electronc devices for my hike. I have nixed the GPS based on a previous thread. I am going to bring a small digital camera (type still undecided), a digital recorder to record my notes while on the trail (That way when I write my "Walk in the Woods", I have the facts straight!), and the third device is a Casio Altimeter, Barometer, Temp watch.
Anyone used these - and any thoughts before I purchase them?
Don't. You won't need that stuff. Just use a regular wrist watch and buy an MP3 instead. I wish I had. Also, a lot of people decry cellphones. Mine sure came-in handy when calling ahead to motels or hostels. (Now I've done it. Stand-by for a big discussion on cellphones).
--Jack Frost
taildragger
11-18-2008, 22:59
I had that altimeter barometer watch. The compass was nice, the altimeter wasn't very accurate (not sure why you'd want it for the AT, now the PCT or CDT, I can understand it there)
The camera is a must, IMHO. Make sure that you get one that takes high quality images (good MP count and good glass)
No clue on digital recorders, I just used paper since paper doesn't need batteries.
taildragger
11-18-2008, 23:00
Oh, and WRT cell phones. They can be useful since it seems that no one has pay phones anymore.
le loupe
11-18-2008, 23:02
I carried a digital camera and I'm glad I did. I carried a bunch of other superfluous stuff that I wish I hadn't.
I will definitely carry a camera again but I will much more diligent in protecting it from water. I fried the LCD screen.
Save the money you'd spend on a fancy watch and upgrade another piece of gear.
I'm ambivalent on the voice recorder, its not for me.
sleeveless
11-18-2008, 23:15
The cell phone really came in handy. I charged my battery any place there was an outlet, even in a park. The camera is a must and I used a Pocket mail device but I think technology has gone past those now. The journal took a lot of time but I am so glad now that I kept it.
Sleeveless AT '05
www.trailjournals.com
a digital recorder to record my notes while on the trail (That way when I write my "Walk in the Woods", I have the facts straight!)you can get mp3 players that will record voice as well and also have fm radio.
The Old Fhart
11-18-2008, 23:16
If you're going to carry a watch anyway, this is a no-brainer. A Casio won't weigh any more than a regular single function watch and they have far greater functionality. Using an altimeter with a map when you're on a trail can pinpoint your location and the barometer trend graph function can help you predict the weather for the day. I have used Casio watches for about 30 years and the current altimeter/barometer/thermometer/alarm version is a few years old and I wear it every single day. It has never had any problems other than the wrist band needing to be restitched and replacing the battery after about 2 years.
If you're already thinking of taking one and you can afford it, go for it, you won't regret it, other than having the hikers who don't have a watch asking you what time it is.;)
le loupe
11-18-2008, 23:34
cell phones tell time.
I only wear a watch when I'm going to a party and want some jewelry
tom_alan
11-18-2008, 23:57
cell phones tell time.
I only wear a watch when I'm going to a party and want some jewelry
Got to go with Le Loupe on this one. If you're going to carry a cell phone why carry a watch? My GPS tells time, works as a compass & Alt. but it's an older one and has some weight to it. I only carry it if I'm Geocaching. I also have to carry extra batteries for it as well. The GPS usually stays home.
taildragger
11-18-2008, 23:59
Got to go with Le Loupe on this one. If you're going to carry a cell phone why carry a watch? My GPS tells time, works as a compass & Alt. but it's an older one and has some weight to it. I only carry it if I'm Geocaching. I also have to carry extra batteries for it as well. The GPS usually stays home.
B/C turning on a phone to look at the time uses a considerable amount of battery, vs a watch that barely uses any.
I haven't worn a watch for years, but I get very annoyed when my cell phone dies and I needed to know what time it was (this seems to occur fairly often in cold weather, when needed the most)
Got to go with Le Loupe on this one. If you're going to carry a cell phone why carry a watch? My GPS tells time, works as a compass & Alt. but it's an older one and has some weight to it. I only carry it if I'm Geocaching. I also have to carry extra batteries for it as well. The GPS usually stays home.cell phones have limited battery lives. I use my watch all the time when hiking to judge my pace so I can have an idea of where I am. Then it is my alarm clock in the morning so it is running all night. If you try to do that with a cell phone in a dead zone then you are not going to have it last very long.
tom_alan
11-19-2008, 00:15
B/C turning on a phone to look at the time uses a considerable amount of battery, vs a watch that barely uses any.
I haven't worn a watch for years, but I get very annoyed when my cell phone dies and I needed to know what time it was (this seems to occur fairly often in cold weather, when needed the most)
cell phones have limited battery lives. I use my watch all the time when hiking to judge my pace so I can have an idea of where I am. Then it is my alarm clock in the morning so it is running all night. If you try to do that with a cell phone in a dead zone then you are not going to have it last very long.
You both make very good points! I don't pay much attention to time as I do where the sun is located at. As it starts to go down than I look at my cell phone to get an idea of the amount of time I have before dark.
These days, my hiking 'electronics' consist of a Windows Mobile cell phone, which does multitasking: camera, phone, ebook/Bible reader, weather updates, and my Steripen water treatment device. I don't count my headlamp but I guess it is electrical too! :)
I was happy to have a smartphone with me on the PCT this year; my take on this is here:
http://postholer.com/smartPhone.html
Brian Lewis
http://postholer.com/brianle
Also, some cell phones need signal to get the time, and don't have time if they don't have signal. Most phones aren't like this, but I had one that was and it sucked.
postholer.com
11-19-2008, 18:55
...allowing myself the luxury of three electronc devices for my hike. I have nixed the GPS based on a previous thread.
If you're serious about a multi-function device, check out the Suunto X9/10 series watches. They have altimeter, barometer, GPS and log functions. AND they tell time.
I used the log function extensively as it shows accumlated ascent/descent. So every morning you start a new log and begin collecting data. Years later you can look back at your journal and know exactly where you camped (lat/lon) and and how hard you struggled to get there (ascent/descent). :-? If not useful information during your hike, it's definitely nostalgic years later and you'll appreciate having it.
An example of this collected info:
http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?event_id=74
Being just a watch, weight is a non-issue. So you can still bring that digital camera and iPod.
-postholer
I bring a carrier pigeon.
Always shows me the way back. I can eat it if I become really hungry...
My Casio watch is a "comfort" item . I like that it is solar powered it has a "good enough" altimeter/ barometer , a resonable compass, tells me the temperature and can wake me up if I need to. And yes, it it as watch as well. I don't own or use a mobile.
But I would not say that someone using it is clever or stupid , I just happen to like it...
Franco