tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post2436322896137400127..comments2024-03-27T21:31:59.376+00:00Comments on Chris Townsend Outdoors: Controversy 1: Smartphones & GPS in the HillsChris Townsendhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-28395171804710112812020-09-23T11:33:41.499+01:002020-09-23T11:33:41.499+01:00I believe that there is no doubt that smartphones ...I believe that there is no doubt that smartphones with a GPS receiver will thrive in the mountain regions to fin track and communicate with others. Your carrying extra battery with the smartphone is also a good idea to prolong the longevity of the phone. Besides this smart gear, your clothing is also important in a mountain expedition.<br />John Russelhttps://climbingreviewed.com/best-hiking-pants/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-68965909648229169392019-05-09T18:51:11.312+01:002019-05-09T18:51:11.312+01:00Haha! Excellent one-word second paragraph. Says it...Haha! Excellent one-word second paragraph. Says it all. I almost wrote in my original comment, "I bet you'd think differently now!".<br /><br />I've changed my thinking also, having had my first smart phone for only 2 years, and a power bank for only 1. I almost bought a head torch that I saw in a shop recently precisely because it had a built-in battery which would could be AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05535529326163102658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-65377975278980275672019-05-09T17:51:32.507+01:002019-05-09T17:51:32.507+01:00I agree! Now. Back in 2012 portable power banks we...I agree! Now. Back in 2012 portable power banks weren't very powerful and were quite heavy. I felt replaceable batteries were a better choice for backpacking as a couple of these were far lighter than a power pack and my first two smartphones had these. I didn't have any problems with them. I changed to a non-replaceable battery smartphone for two reasons - it was waterproof and power Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-10907568910727932312019-05-09T14:28:38.111+01:002019-05-09T14:28:38.111+01:00The one and only disagreement I have with the arti...The one and only disagreement I have with the article is the suggestion that non-replaceable batteries for smartphones are a stupid design.<br /><br />I used to only ever buy electronics with removable batteries, and carry spares when I was walking.<br /><br />However, smartphones are a bit of an exception. Having fixed rechargeable lithium-ion batteries enables them to be very small but have AJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05535529326163102658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-31637682478793916352018-08-22T22:06:07.990+01:002018-08-22T22:06:07.990+01:00Just a great article and full of common sense.I do...Just a great article and full of common sense.I do find it odd that new tech GPS & phones are often disparaged by `experts`. I guess it is because they have put a lot of effort into learning old style and feel rather let down that this new style of navigating, makes things so much easier and quicker for everyone with little effort actually. But never the less, a basic knowledge of navigating Geoffohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11061567855946924085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-27422224218984076912017-05-25T21:53:33.984+01:002017-05-25T21:53:33.984+01:00I prefer using a map and compass personally, but I...I prefer using a map and compass personally, but I have found GaiaGPS on a smartphone very useful too, if only because it gives me access to digital maps and layers, such as slope angle shading, that I can't get on paper. The most important skill I find is being able to relate a topo to the world around you and what different terrain means in terms of level of effort to hike. It doesn't Philip Wernerhttp://sectionhiker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-48637865120333747892016-08-30T18:08:38.516+01:002016-08-30T18:08:38.516+01:00I like the smartphone apps, but I tend to keep it ...I like the smartphone apps, but I tend to keep it as a backup to my GPS and I always have map and compass. I'm due for an upgrade as the battery is very weak.Johnhttp://www.summitcadd.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-10221572034795068722016-06-26T01:08:43.055+01:002016-06-26T01:08:43.055+01:00As many have found out - no phone power, no map. ...As many have found out - no phone power, no map. Most phones have a best-case battery life (when used sparingly as a GPS) of less than a week. Even with external power packs that's less than 10 days. Solar chargers are great if the weather's clear - useless when not. Paper maps as a backup only makes sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-32905336065226176062016-06-24T17:52:44.496+01:002016-06-24T17:52:44.496+01:00With Gaia Gps phone app, you get unlimted download...With Gaia Gps phone app, you get unlimted downloads for topos worldwide and its so much easier to load tracks and waypoints into it than my GPSCrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14248394515341811966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-25343312288415370632016-06-14T19:34:58.634+01:002016-06-14T19:34:58.634+01:00Thanks for injecting a breath of common sense into...Thanks for injecting a breath of common sense into the discussion!<br /><br />About a third of my hikes go off-trail for at least part of the journey. Do I bring paper map, magnetic compass, and barometric altimeter on all of them? Of course I do! Do I also bring a smartphone, with a GPS application and a couple of different maps (satellite imagery, topography, landcover, ...) downloaded? Another Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04536905148209560945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-63438523487541909592016-06-08T19:56:59.606+01:002016-06-08T19:56:59.606+01:00OS Locate Screenshot from IPhone posted here
https...OS Locate Screenshot from IPhone posted here<br />https://www.facebook.com/hugh.graywallis/posts/10208775449235984HugeGreatWellieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116966044953949194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-49757526876531408212016-06-08T19:50:33.649+01:002016-06-08T19:50:33.649+01:00The App OS Locate is good and gives you a clear gr...The App OS Locate is good and gives you a clear grid reference. Can't post a screenshot here. You can choose 6 figure National Grid (e.g. SO637036) or Lat and Long and altitude in meters or feet. <br />HugeGreatWellieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18116966044953949194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-62464544519862847162016-05-30T07:47:40.745+01:002016-05-30T07:47:40.745+01:00Extremely interesting article, and useful comments...Extremely interesting article, and useful comments also. <br />I am thinking of getting an electronic device with maps, but only as a supplement to OS maps and compass, not instead of. I can, however, see the benefits of the two complementing each other.Pete Howardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-5853117755426376892015-11-29T17:44:15.309+00:002015-11-29T17:44:15.309+00:00There are shockproof and dustproof smartphones. I&...There are shockproof and dustproof smartphones. I've never had one though or even a waterproof ones and my smartphones have been on multi-month walks without problem. Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-90913840857250498692015-11-29T14:01:07.979+00:002015-11-29T14:01:07.979+00:00A smartphone GPS app is extraordinary,however neve...A smartphone GPS app is extraordinary,however never a substitution for taking a map and compass into the hills.In the event that you are determined to utilizing GPS location capability,a stand alone GPS receiver has some unmistakable advantages over utilizing an advanced mobile phone app.Designed for use in the outdoors,are rough and ready to withstand the odd drop without secure apps lockerhttp://bit.ly/1GZ8xw4noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-14615357703851447082015-08-22T20:07:00.821+01:002015-08-22T20:07:00.821+01:00Thank for sharing. Logical, reasonable and full of...Thank for sharing. Logical, reasonable and full of common sense.Paul Magshttp://pmags.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-63385890163982656182015-01-05T20:03:49.658+00:002015-01-05T20:03:49.658+00:00I agree the whole issue is around an absence of pr...I agree the whole issue is around an absence of proficiency with map and compass.The technology changes yet that issue continues as before.Through the years I recall numerous similar articles accusing mobile phones and hand held GPS units when these were all new technology.<br />~Sylvia Powell.hidden object gameshttp://www.amazon.com/Horror-Hidden-Object-Official-Movie/dp/B00Q271GEEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-19431293729985832492014-03-16T15:12:29.952+00:002014-03-16T15:12:29.952+00:00Belated reply I'm afraid. Sorry Alan. On smart...Belated reply I'm afraid. Sorry Alan. On smartphones and some GPS units you can enlarge or shrink the map. I wear reading glasses as well and have had the same problems with maps. This is a big advantage of smartphone mapping.Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-32305098283919234612014-03-16T15:05:55.763+00:002014-03-16T15:05:55.763+00:00Thanks Nigel. I used to teach navigation back in t...Thanks Nigel. I used to teach navigation back in the 90s when I led ski tours, mostly in Norway. That was before smartphones and GPS mapping anyway so it was all map and compass. I also took part in mountain marathons where navigating accurately with map and compass is essential. <br /><br />Your point about blending tech and traditional navigation is excellent and just how it should be. Seeing Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-82594838418089718392014-03-16T15:01:46.493+00:002014-03-16T15:01:46.493+00:00Thanks. Good suggestions.Thanks. Good suggestions.Chris Townsendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04282926597863688874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-50505894236998672442014-03-16T07:40:28.618+00:002014-03-16T07:40:28.618+00:00On Android I use alpine quest for mapping, 'Gr...On Android I use alpine quest for mapping, 'Grid Reference' for simply displaying large font grid ref, and Mapmywalk if I'm walking alone as my family can see where I am. <br /><br />AlpineQuest gives full OS mapping for about £4 - a bargain if ever there was one. Fresh Airhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00838243539492437171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-70365505659457591722014-03-16T07:33:39.137+00:002014-03-16T07:33:39.137+00:00Thanks Chris a very well balanced article and a gr...Thanks Chris a very well balanced article and a great range of comments as well. I teach map and compass for a living so like the feel of a map in the hand and the challenge of using them in the worse of conditions. Using traditional techniques it is possible to navigate very accurately without a GPS type device. Commonly errors are made because people fail to use the correct range of techniquesnigelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12559798362529117056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-42235713519130217992013-11-14T13:14:07.913+00:002013-11-14T13:14:07.913+00:00Dear Chris
On a Drumochter summit on Nov 2nd this...Dear Chris<br /><br />On a Drumochter summit on Nov 2nd this year I was on snow-covered ground in a white-out. Pacing got me close to the summit but not close enough to see the cairn so pulled out my GPS to check my location. I usually wear spectacles but it was too wet and misty to see through them properly. Despite trying to read the grid reference using the magnifier on the base plate of my Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-40239029668579370902013-01-30T14:31:23.607+00:002013-01-30T14:31:23.607+00:00I have been using a Smartphone for navigation for ...I have been using a Smartphone for navigation for the past couple of years. Not just in the UK but Spain and, even, Oman. I wouldn't go back to a dedicated GPS unit. I carry a rechargeable USB battery to keep the phone topped up.<br /><br />I've just discovered this site with maps of Britain for Smartphones at a fraction of 'GPS' prices : http://www.gbmapping.co.uk/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-71217812310678516802013-01-08T14:29:20.414+00:002013-01-08T14:29:20.414+00:00Thanks for the overview of the current GPS situati...Thanks for the overview of the current GPS situation Chris. <br /><br />I was just about to replace my old basic Silva Multi Navigator GPS with a new £250+ Garmin - as I liked the idea of having maps on a GPS system. <br /><br />You've made me realise I might as well keep the old Silva and use a smartphone with appropriate maps to supplement it. <br /><br />Like most older walkers I like to Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com