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In some ways, a good navigation app with proper hiking maps, downloaded before is functionally equivalent. But hiking GPS devices are optimized for outdoor usag
by Xylakant 4y ago
In some ways, a good navigation app with proper hiking maps, downloaded before is functionally equivalent. But hiking GPS devices are optimized for outdoor usage, more resilient and have substantially longer battery life. They often work of AA batteries, so you can bring spares.
A smartphone can partially emulate what a “proper” hiking GPS does, but its general nature makes it less suitable when you’re really out in the wild.
- adrianN 4y agoA smartphone battery and a rough map should be sufficient to get you back to your car from some 20 mile loop trail when you get lost.
- Xylakant 4y agoA 20 mile loop trail in rough terrain can be a 10+ hour hike, depending on your skill and fitness. If things work out, you’ll be fine with a smartphone, maybe with a powerbank to recharge. If shit hits the fan, you’ll be in trouble. So it depends. Do I need to hike with my smartphone only? Certainly, in places where there’s a significant likelihood of encountering other people. I’m not taking a GPS to the woods out of town. Would I go on a trip somewhere less populated with my smartphone only? No, definitely not. Paper maps make for a great backup, if you know how to navigate in terrain, but many people lack that skill.