Dedicated GPS vs iPhone

Tim

Tim

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We have a new state forest/game lands, Headwaters SF, here in WNC. At this point, there are no "Nat Geo Trails Illustrated" maps, no official trails, certainly no trail markers, very little parking/access and zero amenities. Just overgrown old logging roads. Perfect!

So, I plan on spending quite a bit of time grouse hunting, trout fishing, exploring and scouting around. I spent a couple hours there yesterday, and judging by the lack of foot path and condition of the vegetation, I suspect I'm the first to see this waterfall in quite some time.

So...when I went out yesterday I simp,y used bright orange surveyors tape to mark my path every so often as I wandered around. Cleaned it up on the way out.

Yes, I have USGS topo maps on order and own a quality compass. Yes, I know how to use them. So, let's not go that route. Paper and compass are critical skills, but it's 2018 and I'll take advantage of my tax dollar supported GPS network!

I'm pleased with the GPS track that my phone kept (iPhone, GAIA GPS app), but am considering a dedicated hand held device if the feature set and reliability justify it. There was zero cell service, so the track was entirely from the iPhones on-board GPS receiver.

What's your real world experience? Dedicated GPS device or is the iPhone sufficient?

iPhone track:
IMG_0736.PNG IMG_0284.JPG
 
Jp8819 said:
Nothing to add gps wise but just a word of caution be mindful it is going into deer season so you might be careful for next few months since public lands get crowded with hunters this time of year and not all play by the rules.
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Well, yeah. They are gamelands. My theory is that the property has just been opened to the public (~ 30 days ago) and access is quite difficult. So, there will be hard core types, but not your average Joe Six Pack that doesn't leave sight of the truck.

The hard core hunters are OK in my book. And I'll likely be one of them myself.
 
I would think that the iPhone would be sufficient, especially if you are using the iHike app or equivalent.
 
Tim said:
but not your average Joe
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Hey, is that some kind of jab at us Joes lol. My experience with smartphone GPS systems is they work for emergency situations, but for hardcore use or the possibility of the phone, getting dropped and wet then a dedicated GPS unit is the way to go. They tend to be much more rugged and can take more abuse than smartphones. Don't forget about battery life, my smartphone is older and battery life isn't what it should be so a dedicated GPS with spare batteries is the best option, or at least much better than being in the woods with a dead smartphone. Good luck with the new hunting area!
 
I have an iphone 8 and use the Avenza map app. The 8 is waterproof. With a shock proof case and tempered glass screen it's pretty darn tough. Been to the bottom of a trout stream and submerged in a backpack full of water and still going strong. I did notice on my last fishing trip that it lost track at the bottom of teh gorge in the river. But to be honest, it was also one of the least accessible areas I've been in a long time. It does not use cell signal, but I wouldn't be suprised if a GPS struggled down there.
 
Strictly speaking for vehicles, I love having dedicated GPS.
a) sometimes cell reception is garbage
b) frees up the phone for other uses
 
I face similar circumstances X 50 when hunting Grouse in upper WI and the UP of MI. The tract in WI is 40,000 acres and even though MI is smaller (20,000) it's still difficult. I used to limit myself to walking an old roadway in, turning around and walking the same road back out which in essence is wasting almost half of my time backtracking.
I tried using my phone but it left a LOT to be desired so I bought a Garmin Etrex 30. The 30 gave me all of the important stuff and has phenomenal battery life. If pushed to the wall I could use my phone but if the battery dies, I'm screwed. With the Garmin I always have a couple of spare batteries (AA) I can fall back on. I also always have my "one night out" kit, it makes me feel better in the case I do need to spend the night...no reservations needed.....
 
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OnX is great. Offload downloads of maps with accurate GPS boundaries on your phone. You can track your steps and drop pins and look at satellite and topo maps. Turn your phone on airplane mode and you can easily get a whole day of walking and checking. Before I decided on actually paying for OnX, I used Avenza. It is similar in that it's downloadable and doesn't need cell service and the GPS maps are accurate, but it doesn't offer the flexibility or detail that OnX does. For the outdoor stuff I do here, my phone is more than capable of handling it. Whenever I finally get to go out West though, I'll probably have a dedicated GPS just so I don't have to worry about cell battery life as much.
 
I would go with a dedicated GPS. While my phone is great for a navigational aid, it sometimes gets squirrelly when it can't get updates or download data due to lack of cell signal.
 
noway2 said:
I would go with a dedicated GPS
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I 2nd this for all those reasons.

My Garmin eTrex died last year and I've tried to use my phone instead. When I get another GPS I'll still keep my phone on me but it will be power off until needed.

PS: It didn't die, the batteries leaked and killed it. Note to self... Change the batteries at least every year.
 
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np307 said:
OnX is great. Offload downloads of maps with accurate GPS boundaries on your phone. You can track your steps and drop pins and look at satellite and topo maps. Turn your phone on airplane mode and you can easily get a whole day of walking and checking. Before I decided on actually paying for OnX, I used Avenza. It is similar in that it's downloadable and doesn't need cell service and the GPS maps are accurate, but it doesn't offer the flexibility or detail that OnX does. For the outdoor stuff I do here, my phone is more than capable of handling it. Whenever I finally get to go out West though, I'll probably have a dedicated GPS just so I don't have to worry about cell battery life as much.
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I've gone back and forth between GAIA and OnX. Both have their pros and neither is a 'bad' choice. I find that GAIA is better at pure map stuff andOnX is a better hunting companion, but that's just me.
 
I would choose a dedicated GPS, although I use mine so seldom that I have to relearn it each time. A suggestion: download one of the Garmin eTrex owner's manuals from the Garmin website. That will let you see the various modes of operation and how they would be useful for your needs.
 
I’d go dedicated GPS. Nothing fancy, just to be able to backtrack on the bushwhacking.

Sounds like a beautiful place real close to you.... I could use something like that.
 
Average Joe said:
Hey, is that some kind of jab at us Joes lol. My experience with smartphone GPS systems is they work for emergency situations, but for hardcore use or the possibility of the phone, getting dropped and wet then a dedicated GPS unit is the way to go. They tend to be much more rugged and can take more abuse than smartphones. Don't forget about battery life, my smartphone is older and battery life isn't what it should be so a dedicated GPS with spare batteries is the best option, or at least much better than being in the woods with a dead smartphone. Good luck with the new hunting area!
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This exactly ^. If I were hunting in that area I'd carry a dedicated GPS. I don't have any feedback on newer units as my only experience is with the old garmin etrek versions.
 
My worthless two cents...you can use your iPhone, which can get you 10-5 meter accuracy, which is about as good as the typical civilian recreation GPS receiver can do. Unless your willing to dish out big dollars for professional/military grade GPS that utilize multiple GPS sat frequencies, your not going to get any significant accuracy increase going from your phone to a "dedicated" GPS.

What you will get in going to a dedicated GPS is system purity and redundancy (with the phone GPS), and in the wilderness, especially by your lonesome, that redundancy can be the difference between life and death...I personally own a Garmin eTrex and a old Magellan GPS 315, but honestly, I usually just pull out the NC Gazetteer or a topo and start walking...sometimes that works out nice, sometimes its real interesting later in the day.

...and as with everything GPS...in the event of domestic or international conflict, DoD can re-implement Selective Availability (degraded accuracy for civilian users that was turned off in 2000) or implement a complete civilian lockout (would ground most commercial air), so was glad to read your map and compass comments as GPS should compliment, not replace them, along with your Ranger love beads for keeping pace...and that looks like a great place to exercise some terrain association navigation ;)
 
Precision and accuracy are not really the issue for his purposes, it's reliability. You can improve that with a waterproof case and an external battery pack. Based on the image you posted in your OP I vote for the phone.


But it does appear you stuck to the high ground for most of your trek. I'd be interested to see how it tracks when yer down in a holler.
 
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Ikarus1 said:
IIRC most smartphones use assisted GPS, which means without a wifi or cell signal, they're about worthless. Which is the entire reason why I don't rely on mine for areas I would need a GPS anyhow.
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The image I posted above was from an area with ZERO cell coverage; in fact I had turned off cellular data (and wifi) to preserve battery. So I was using only the on-board GPS receiver paired with satellite images previously downloaded to the phone via the GAIA app.
 
I've used my phone as a GPS while hunting, in airplane mode, not far from US52 in Anson county and it was nearly if not almost completely useless. So YMMV.
 
Catfish said:
Precision and accuracy are not really the issue for his purposes, it's reliability. You can improve that with a waterproof case and an external battery pack. Based on the image you posted in your OP I vote for the phone.
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This is the way I'm leaning. I already have a couple external battery packs that are part of my normal kit. Toss in a waterproof case (or a good ziplock) and I'm all set. No redundancy as @Long_Hunter pointed out, but I'm OK with that, it's a limited risk.
 
Ikarus1 said:
I've used my phone as a GPS while hunting, in airplane mode, not far from US52 in Anson county and it was nearly if not almost completely useless. So YMMV.
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I had an issue a few weeks back where I was getting wonky GPS results on the phone. A hard restart of the phone fixed it right up. But, you just reminded me that I had that issue, and now I'm back to thinking redundancy isn't such a bad idea.
 
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Two is one, one is none.

Use the iPhone, properly outfitted in a tough case with tempered glass, as your backup. If you’re asking us if you need a dedicated GPS, that’s your clue that you do.
 
Looks like I've got a Garmin on the way from one of our esteemed members. I'll toss it in the pack and see what I can do.
 
Avenza is a great app. Once you have the map, you don’t need cell service. I use it in Pisgah frequently.

I would recommend checking out the Garmin InReach devices. It’s a fantastic gadget... satellite texting, so you can text from anywhere you can see the sky. Also has all of the common dedicated GPS features. Much less expensive that a satellite phone, I think my plan is $12/month. You can use it as a SOS, and you can also text your family/friends to tell them that you’re OK, you’re having a problem but can figure it out, or come get me...

I had the unfortunate experience of using it while in Montana a couple of years ago, deep in Yellowstone. Saved my buddy’s life most likely.

I carry a map/compass, an InReach, and an IPhone. I figure between those, I can get something done.
 
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I have a Fenix 5 also. It’s a good device for fitness tracking, but has zero navigation. I think the 5x has some rudimentary maps, I tried that one when I was looking at the 5, but the 5x is YUUUGE. The 5 is big - the 5x is Really Big.

Battery in the 5 lasts about two weeks with regular use.
 
I bought a dedicated GPS from one of our members here last week. I then spent a good amount of time with it over the weekend tromping around places where there are no cell signals. For what it's worth, the GPS unit is going in the bottom of the bag as emergency back up and I'll stick with the phone for primary use. The OnX app and GAIA are really strong tools for what I need.
 
np307 said:
OnX is great. Offload downloads of maps with accurate GPS boundaries on your phone. You can track your steps and drop pins and look at satellite and topo maps. Turn your phone on airplane mode and you can easily get a whole day of walking and checking. Before I decided on actually paying for OnX, I used Avenza. It is similar in that it's downloadable and doesn't need cell service and the GPS maps are accurate, but it doesn't offer the flexibility or detail that OnX does. For the outdoor stuff I do here, my phone is more than capable of handling it. Whenever I finally get to go out West though, I'll probably have a dedicated GPS just so I don't have to worry about cell battery life as much.
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I’m also on board with OnX, use it everywhere I go
 
rdinatal said:
Sale starts Nov 2nd. I'm picking one up.

View attachment 83342 View attachment 83340
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Checked my mail yesterday and got that flyer. I would like to know how easy it is to get the maps up and running with the basecamp software. Garmin has been usually the leader in GPS but I haven't shopped one in a while. That being said, I'm mostly hunting and I use Huntstand and similar apps.
 
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