Trail Tracking GPS

I'm thinking that I'd like to get a GPS device that could both show me trails, and map new trails that we were blazing. I also want to know the distances we've hiked, or plan on hiking. I want to do the hiking merit this year, and I'd like to earn the 25 mile patch. Is that just for the boys, or do commanders earn that too?

I imagine that a 25 mile hike can't be used for both the 25 mile patch AND one of the required hikes for the hiking merit, or can it?

I believe the hike patches can be awarded for hikes in the merit since those patches are not merits.

I am using viewranger.com It does what you want and it works on a smart phone and it uses the gps chip in the phone and works as well as my 400 dollar gps handhelds.

Mark Jones

That's also what I was curious about, the difference between purpose built GPS devices and an app for a smart phone. I've been looking at the trails on the "everytrail" website where people have uploaded their hikes, but wasn't sure how accurate those things were.

Thanks for the input.

Will the handheld dedicated to gps have a better battery life than a smartphone?

Will handhelds working off of satelites fair better than a cell phone relying on towers?

The view ranger app works off of the gps chip and you download the maps for the area you want to go into before you get there as there will be no cell signal often where I go at least.

My 499.00 Delorme topo with PN handheld works just as good as my FREE ViewRanger app on my smart phone. I will say I do use the Delorme Topo program 100.00 to view the maps and plot it out and then upload it to my viewranger.

Battery life is a trade off. Bring extra AA batteries for the GPS or bring a USB charger for the smart phone. Put the smart phone in Airplane mode and it will last for quite a while..gps still works in airplane mode.

Bottom line. I have 5 gps hand helds from over the years. Today's smart phone has them all beat in price and use.

Mark Jones

Is the USB charger another battery you charge prior to going?

Or bring that biolite camp stove that charges while the fire burns. I think there are some small solar packs too.

That works too. Winter months it's a better option. Summer months bring the usb battery pack.

Mark Jones

Yes it's just a average cell phone charger. Just charge it before you go or in the car as you travel there. I have two of these one at home and one in my work truck. I don't use them much but they are there and they maintain a charge for months and months.

Mark Jones

RRCmdrBennett wrote:Is the USB charger another battery you charge prior to going?

Downloaded both ViewRanger and Trimble Outdoor hiking apps to see what I like. They each have subtle differences so I need to figure out what I want more. ViewRanger may in fact win out, but I wanted a comparison. Now I just need to find another weekend that I can hit the trail soon!

You will learn to enjoy the view ranger app. Then go on line using your desktop or tablet and edit the stuff then send it to your smart phone. You can do it on a smart phone but you will have a headache after doing it. GRIN!

Mark Jones

It's been a while since I posted on the GPS. Viewranger has lived up to it's promises.   Half a dozen other commanders around our area are using it as well.  We are sharing trips and backpacks and info pretty easy and it's working out great.

Did subscribe to https://www.gaiagps.com/ it had some trails for around the Grand Canyon on it and it's interface was easy to use as well.  

Having the GPX tracks of others that have been up a trail is too good to not be with out it.  YOU can know where the trail goes for sure and have much fewer surprises along the way.

Over all.  If people used the Viewranger app there would be no more lost people.  When the cell map software can't pull signal and tell you where your at the viewranger app knows exactly where your at.  

We go some places that well they are really hard to find in the day light.  I can lead them there in the middle of the night.  (most of the time.... grin)  

Mark Jones

I'll check that out.