navigation-capable mobile phones

[walkinTas]

Who is using a mobile phone for bush navigation, and what are you using?

Which phone?
Which apps?

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Android phone users might like to take a look at this article.

[ninjapuppet]

Installed mudmaps for the iPhone (also avaiable in android). It works, but its pretty basic and I don't really use it anymore.
Its been a while and I would imagine there to be a better app out there by now.
Not worth the cost in my opinion, unless you always carry your iphone with you anyway and really want a hand held GPS

of course as usual, tech-savvy people may find "alternative" methods of obtaining the app on a jailbroken iPhone.

[dancier]

IPhone 4s

Bit Map - http://nixanz.com/ios/bitmap/
Gaia GPS - http://www.gaiagps.com/iphone_and_ipad/
GPS Kit - http://gpskit.garafa.com/GPSKit/GPS_Kit ... _iPad.html
Motion X - http://gps.motionx.com/iphone/overview/
Multiplans - http://www.multiplans.net/en_index.html
Maplets - http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/maplets- ... 41739?mt=8
EveryTrail - http://www.everytrail.com/iphone.php
PDF Maps - http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps

Bit Map is essential for custom mapping.

Multiplans allows me to download OSM maps with MOBAC and install them directly onto the Iphone.

Gaia GPS is my favourite navigation app but GPS kit and Motion X have there places, no app is perfect and I use each for different functions.

EveryTrail is where I store my recorded tracks but the app allows downloading of tracks and navigation.

Maplets allows downloading of maps, I downloaded the Melbourne train network map but there are heaps mor maps I can download.

PDF Maps allows downloading of calibrated park maps. These interactive maps allow you to see an overview of visitor facilities, calculate distances, see walking tracks, and (with sufficient mobile signal) locate yourself within the park.
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks ... state-park

[dplanet]

Who is using a mobile phone for bush navigation, and what are you using?

Which phone?
Which apps?

Android phone users might like to take a look at this article.

Have an android phone with navigation capacity. But, it is put away inside my pack as a back-up, just in case of my handle-held gps going wrong. Of course, when out there bushwalking, I am always equipped with an appropriate paper map and a compass and the handheld gps is an additional device for checking out and/or confirming the location where I am on the map.

As a rule on bushwalks, I do use “power off” button to save battery. In other words, the phone is used purely for important and emergency contacts. Text Message/s is/are tried if possible and “Talks” only for the very very important matters.

[dancier]

Android phone users might like to take a look at this article.

Good article on using the IPhone and how to conserve power: http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm

[weeman]

I'm using a motorola atrix android phone with androzic software which lets you load any oziexplorer topo maps.

http://androzic.com/

Proven extremely useful when caught out on the main range in a complete whiteout. I get a full day of usage with tracking enabled and take an external battery to recharge the phone overnight.

[Miyata610]

I use memory map on iPhone (and iPad), as discussed on another thread.

I have purchased topo maps for Tas Vic and nsw. As well as ubd street directories and all nautical charts for eastern oz. these are all raster of course, I use navionics for vector charts on iPhone and iPad.

I thought the ability to purchase maps had been disabled due to it not requiring payment to apple but another member pointed out that I am totally wrong. I still think I'm not, but hey.

If you pay for the windows version I think you can load any map format or create your own. I don't have any windows devices, so I can't test this statement, nor do I care.

As to using this for navigation.... Yeah I've pulled it out to prove a walking companion wrong (unsuccessfully) but not really for navigation. It comes in handy to log a track for later viewing.

But best of all it's nice to have a full set of all the maps (or charts) you would ever need. I prefer to use it on the iPad, but I'm yet to carry it on a hike (or a bushwalk for those that have problems with terminology).

Of course an iPhone is a gps even without an app or at least by just using one of the built in apps to give you location. The compass app is probably the easiest way to do this since it activates the gps as well as the flux gate compass. The built in compass app is a nice thing, but I use a nice augmented reality app called spyglass for compass functions.

As everyone knows the iPhone also does ok as a camera or video camera and it makes a pretty good EReader. Quite versatile really. I use an old Motorola sat phone for emergency communications though. I wouldn't rely on an iPhone as a phone, even if it does have some basic phone functions in its phone app.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

I carry a fully charged Nokia E71, switched off, in a dry sack.

I never use it... but it might be useful if I were to become lost - to simply turn it on, get my lat/long and plot on the chart, then turn it off. It's a crude backup plan.

[Son of a Beach]

IPhone 4s

Bit Map - http://nixanz.com/ios/bitmap/

Bit Map is essential for custom mapping.

Not for long. I have it on good authority ( ) that there will be a somewhat better iPhone / iPad app soon which will mix custom maps optionally overlaid on either Google maps or OSM maps or a few other similar online options. It can also read custom maps processed by Map Tiler for offline viewing and can save OSM, etc for offline viewing as well. It can actually show hundreds of offline maps simultaneously overlaid on a map of the world where you can then zoom in on it. It's like an Atlas the way it always should have been. I've been using it exclusively for about a year now and it's excellent. Of course I'm very biased.

[Son of a Beach]

PS. I really only use Bit Map and the other new app for occasionally confirming my location, recording waypoints and routes, searching directories, and of course beta testing. For serious navigation I still prefer a map and compass, but do end up using the map on the iPhone in Bit Map instead of on paper while the battery lasts.

[walkinTas]

Now, now, now.... I don't want another map & compass vs technology debate thank you.

I'm really interested in what is being actively used as navigation aids (even if it is only part time use):- which phone/platform and which apps? Nuvifone is the first serious attempt to merge the technologies (I think), but wondering if phones are widely used instead of / as well as GPS units.

Thanks for the contributions. Some good stuff there.

[sthughes]

iPhone 4s in SeaLine waterproof case with "Memory Map Free" app and Tas topo maps. Works very well and hasn't failed me. Always carry a real map and compass just in case, but the compass hasn't been used in years.

[walkinTas]

@sthughes: I thought you had a moto defy.

I was thinking of getting a defy and putting Android 4.x on it, but then started going stir crazy comparing (as Ollster would say) ice creams with Apples. Then I read that the new iphone and Galaxy III might be waterproof. And, of course, a galaxy III would be better than a defy, so all that got me wondering, what are others doing. Who is using a phone to navigate?

[photohiker]

I carry a phone with navigation apps etc, but only for emergency use if all else fails.

Dedicated hiking GPS still rules. Waterproof, shockproof, long lasting replaceable batteries, rugged exterior.

Maybe there will be a phone that does this in the future, then I'll carry a GPS as backup

If one of the GPS manufacturers teamed up with a phone company, maybe we'd get a GPS with phone capabilities?

[sthughes]

@sthughes: I thought you had a moto defy.

I was thinking of getting a defy and putting Android 4.x on it, but then started going stir crazy comparing (as Ollster would say) ice creams with Apples. Then I read that the new iphone and Galaxy III might be waterproof. And, of course, a galaxy III would be better than a defy, so all that got me wondering, what are others doing. Who is using a phone to navigate?

I did have a Defy, I forked out a fair lump of cash to get rid of it and switch to iPhone 4s about 10 months into my 24 month contract - I could not stand the glitches, crashing, slow performance, recalls and other more usual Androidness of it. It was beautifully waterproof however! I would not touch one with a ten foot barge pole to be honest, nor any other Motorola Android with the Motoblur bloatware for that matter. The Samsungs and HTC's certainly seem a lot better in my opinion having used them as well. Having said that, of the 4 close friends I have who have either got an Android or switched to it in recent times: 1 has shelved his Galaxy S2 (now alarm clock & MP3 player) and gone back to his iPhone 3GS (eagerly awaiting iPhone 5), 1 has bought a used 3GS to replace his HTC Velocity (which will now be an expensive MP3 player as well), 1 is reluctantly keeping his glitchy Defy+ as he can't afford another and it was a gift from his partner (but is contemplating going back to his Nokia N95!), the other managed to return a Defy+ and get an iPhone 4s instead, after lots of hassles. Conversley my Mum has just got a Galaxy Ace and apart from battery life finds it fairly good although she uses it only for calls and SMS, I also love the 4G speed of my mates Velocity - very impressive
I know I will be shot down, but my opinion: If you want something that is easy to use and just works get an iPhone, if you like screwing around with it endlessly get an Android (Galaxy or HTC). If you're completley bonkas and want to waste $250 on something to infuriate yourself, get a Defy+. I like the new Nokias running Windows as well, but I've not used one and their app universe is limited.

[photohiker]

Carrier and phone company bloatware is one of the reasons I went with an iPhone. I can't stand the BS hijacking of MY phone with things like hardcoded buttons that take me to some useless BigPond site or the like. If Apple can stand up to these nongs, why can't Android?

The only ways around it as far as I can tell are to buy a generic phone outright, or hack the generic Android onto your phone which is sometimes easier said than done and a bit scary for most users.

[walkinTas]

I did have a Defy ...I could not stand the glitches, crashing, slow performance, recalls and other more usual Androidness of it. ...If you're completley bonkas and want to waste $250 on something to infuriate yourself, get a Defy+.

So you don't think that rooting a defy and putting Ice Cream Sandwich on would help any?

I like the new Nokias running Windows as well, but I've not used one and their app universe is limited.

Which Nokia is that?

[sthughes]

Ice Cream Sandwich should help if only by getting rid of the Moto crap. ICS wasn't out when I ditched mine and rooting etc. was all just too hard compared to getting a phone that worked off the shelf! But if you're into that sort of thing I'd definitley consider it as the Defy + has quite decent hardware for a $250 device.

The Nokia Lumina 800. Not waterproof or anything, don't know if they are any good either, but I've played with one in the T shop and although quite different I like the interface.

[sthughes]

Just thought I'd post this little comparison from our recent walk to Lake Sandra in some reasonably dense bush. Yellow line is a Garmin 62s track, the blue line is an iPhone 4s track. Admittedly the iPhone 4s wasn't as ideally positioned as the Garmin, but you get the idea. An antenna twice as thick an an iPhone obviously helps a tad!

Attachments

GPS Comparo.JPG (53.6 KiB) Viewed 39868 times

[Ent]

Hi

Yeap that is my Garmin 62s. Interesting to compare the in and out plots. Twenty meters or better is the norm. On the top of the walk through open country very close plots. A GPS like the 62S is simply much better than any current phone for battery life and performance. I use mine mainly as a data recorder. But oh what a crummy interface. Used OziExplorer on a smart phone with Tasmaps and it was great but the phone failed in a winter walk as did two HP IPAQS. Consumer grade electronics do a remarkable job but can not be trusted to handle what nature dishes out.

I was too tempted by a Motorola Defy +. Good point, good weather resistance and it encouraged me to get an iPhone. Honestly, piece of junk in the real world. Locked up and then slowly started to die which is a common problem with them as the software gradually self destructs. Everything is just that much harder than the iPhone4 to get working. Now the trouble with Andriod is some flavours are supposedly good while Motorola is just horrible. Motorblur is the work of the devil. And Motorola's warranty? Well they start by assuming that you do not need a phone so take their time. Honestly, would not support them. Was tempted purely by the neatness to get one $249 prepaid but looked at the reports and C Net I think has the best reason not to. They rate them 8 out of 10 but users put them 6 and dropping.

I take my iPhone as communication and entertainment and will get around to using it as a backup to the GPS. But in the real world a dedicated GPS and PLB are still needed for the best performance. But when walking sthughes iPhone is the one we turn to. Just so nice seeing Tasmap on the screen rather then the rather poor Topo maps.

Oh and yes, map and compass tag along but the compass might have a few spider webs in it.

Cheers

[walkinTas]

mod: merge from here

Last edited by Nuts on Thu 03 May, 2012 12:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[sthughes]

I just use a free app for now, (basic but with 10m contours) which works for my style

Which app?

[Nuts]

I didn't say cause Iv'e loaded a few and learn't enough to get by, not settled on any particular one. The one i find easiest has been GPSkit (though i cant recall if it was 'free'?). I have mostly just used the google terrain (20m) maps in this but Open cycling/topo goes to 10m. It has a few map type options.

Last edited by Nuts on Tue 01 May, 2012 9:54 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Nuts]

PS, I actually have found myself checking g/earth as much as the mapping.. not convenient in bright sun but usable..

[sthughes]

GPS Kit looks interesting, but at $10.49 it would be one of my most expensive apps!

[Nuts]

woops, right, it just shows as 'installed' in my app store..

[photohiker]

Don't forget some apps start out as free and then migrate to pay apps later.

Anyone who installs it when it is free gets to keep it, they don't have to pay. So it is possible that it was free when Nuts loaded it (but on the other hand, he might have just forgotten he paid for it)

[Nuts]

No, I likely did pay that, I buy a lot of stuff. That coupled with not being the most articulate unless I concentrate I more had in mind free maps rather than 'apps', I do recall baulking at the map package price through the M/Map app (which I couldn't load through mac in the end..) anyhow.. fwiw, questions are always better than assumptions with me

[dancier]

GPS Kit looks interesting

I like the torch and a few other features in "GPS Kit" but I mainly use it to convert KML files sent via email from "Bit Map". It's a bit hard to send email with the sim disabled but I go through the motions and open the KML from Sent Mail into "GPS kit" and then export it to "Gaia GPS" as a GPX file. Once the KML file is in "Gaia GPS", I can navigate to waypoints easier than with "bitmap" because it doesn't have a compass built into the app at this stage.

[Son of a Beach]

I like the torch and a few other features in "GPS Kit" but I mainly use it to convert KML files sent via email from "Bit Map". It's a bit hard to send email with the sim disabled but I go through the motions and open the KML from Sent Mail into "GPS kit" and then export it to "Gaia GPS" as a GPX file. Once the KML file is in "Gaia GPS", I can navigate to waypoints easier than with "bitmap" because it doesn't have a compass built into the app at this stage.

Good points about Bit Map. The newer version of Bit Map (may be released under a different name) will be able to export KML files to the documents area for file sharing with other tools (or file sharing via iTunes). It will also optionally rotate the map around your current position depending on the orientation of the device (ie, to point the map the same direction that your device is pointing). This is not quite the same as having a compass displayed, but uses the built-in compass to achieve map rotation instead.