Anyone here using a GPS unit to locate and plan routes or find and tag locations? Wondering what units or apps people recommend. I am partial to a separate GPS from my iPhone for a few reasons like battery life, capability, accuracy, connectivity etc.
Also looking to hear from real world users what their experience has been using either set-up.
I was in Southern Utah last year and though a lot of it is well traveled there were a lot of dead spot for cell service and we had not downloaded maps from apps like Gaia ahead of time. Doing some exploring and off roading/hiking it would be nice as a safety factor for waypoints getting back to the car or trailhead etc.
GPS will be you best bet. You can upload points and routes using your gps branded app in your laptop, and you are right on all those factors you mention.
Gamin's more expensive units have also a feature called INReach - requires subscription, but it's basically and SOS and/or messaging satellite app.
Modern GPS units have also the ability to be charged via powerbank - yes, phones too, an likely will last longer than your phone. GPS will rely on signals from satellite, while most cellphone will rely on cell tower triangulation.
Not that you cannot have both; Gaia I believe allows you to upload a geocoded pdf and navigate using the phone even without service.
Garmin, Magellan are likely the better ones for handheld units. They both have proprietary software that use a map and allows you to create routes and POIS (point of interest). Once you establish the route, you can see it in profile and see what you might be up against - distance and elevation.
There is way more to that, as you likely know, as terrain conditions, etc., that will not show in the map or app.
yes, I have been using GPS since late 90's, often bushwhack in the desert and snowshoed in the winter (snow deep, no trails) in the mountains.
I used the GPS a lot when I was mountain biking in the East coast.
In short, GPS, map and compass, and then the phone as a backup - you can use it too to take a quick snapshot or upload pictures from the web to later compare if you are at the right spot.
I have few older trail GPS (eTrex) that run forever and you can download the tracks and use software to sycnh with certain camera files also. Mostly I use it to find my way back where I came from, including in UT, NM, AZ or CO.
The newer versions have all the topo maps, etc.
I'd agree that the phone might be adequate for many uses but not for critical hiking. My Garmins have been abused like bouncing on the rocks, in shallow waters, rain, etc. with no issues. I'd have less confidence in a phone if that is the only device.
I like Alltrails.com for its online and iPhone apps for checking out trails and plotting routes. The routes can be downloaded from a computer and then uploaded to a Garmin GPS device.
I like having virtually unlimited battery life with a GPS and not the need to charge my iPhone or Apple watch every couple of days. In that regard the Garmin GPS watches have a charge life that lasts for 18 days of active use.
