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Showing 1 of 20 conversations about:
Yirg
98
Nov 14, 2017
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Why would anyone who owns a smartphone (that is, everyone) would buy this?
clarknelson
8
Nov 14, 2017
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Yirgbetter battery life, does one thing well, more reliable, cheaper, would be a good addition to a smartphone. I think maybe this is something you keep with your emergency stuff?
idoc72
1181
Nov 14, 2017
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YirgNot trying to be snarky, but if you're going to be spending multiple days in remote places backpacking and/or climbing, it's dangerous to rely solely on your phone for navigation (plenty of tragic stories related to this problem every year - ever heard the saying "live by technology - die by technology"). What could possibly happen to your phone (aside from lack of signal):
a. Battery dies b. Gets wet/frozen c. Broken from drop or getting banged around in pack d. Software/OS problem e. Lost phone
Best recommendation is learn to navigate with a topo map, altimeter, and compass. GPS units made for backcountry travel are viable tools in many situations, and they're more durable than your phone, but add some weight/bulk to your kit and are not foolproof (i.e. batteries). I've had one of these mini Bruntons for about 5 years, and intermittently use it as an extra security measure (marking start point and key waypoints) on certain hikes and ski tours where there's no trail and I know navigation will be challenging. I've found it to be durable and lightweight, with excellent battery life, and ease of attachment ("dummy-cording") to a shoulder strap or belt-loop so it doesn't go missing. Your phone can probably do the same, but it will bigger, heavier, and more susceptible to damage, loss, and dead batteries. IMHO, it does not serve as a stand-alone navigational device. Other useful applications are for hunting or fishing, where you may need to find an off-trail spot that's been previously marked with a waypoint - especially in the dark or with limited visibility due to weather. Or maybe for finding your buried loot!
a. Battery dies b. Gets wet/frozen c. Broken from drop or getting banged around in pack d. Software/OS problem e. Lost phone
Best recommendation is learn to navigate with a topo map, altimeter, and compass. GPS units made for backcountry travel are viable tools in many situations, and they're more durable than your phone, but add some weight/bulk to your kit and are not foolproof (i.e. batteries). I've had one of these mini Bruntons for about 5 years, and intermittently use it as an extra security measure (marking start point and key waypoints) on certain hikes and ski tours where there's no trail and I know navigation will be challenging. I've found it to be durable and lightweight, with excellent battery life, and ease of attachment ("dummy-cording") to a shoulder strap or belt-loop so it doesn't go missing. Your phone can probably do the same, but it will bigger, heavier, and more susceptible to damage, loss, and dead batteries. IMHO, it does not serve as a stand-alone navigational device. Other useful applications are for hunting or fishing, where you may need to find an off-trail spot that's been previously marked with a waypoint - especially in the dark or with limited visibility due to weather. Or maybe for finding your buried loot!
fr0z3n
15
Nov 14, 2017
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KqwertGaia GPS has full offline mode and it is really a great app. I have used it w/o service many times. I think battery life would have been a killer feature but only 13 hours? My phone gets that w/ gps tracking. For something so simple I was expecting it to have more battery life then the more advanced Garmin inReach which does ~75 hours.
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