[Cdt-l] Gaia GPS app in place of dedicated GPS unit

[Ron Dobra]

Topo Maps app. on iPhone-
  I haven't seen this mentioned yet, and after having mucked through the
CDT with my Garmin Colorado and OOO's track back when, I decided to try the
phone/GPS  on my through hike on the ADT (once again following in Boston
and Cubby's esteemed footsteps). Anyway, for around $7.00 on the app store,
Topo Maps will allow you to download unlimited quadrants, and will put the
gpx set of waypoints on them (but not a track).
This has worked extremely well on the first half of the hike I did last
summer (Delaware to Kansas), and I anticipate will continue to for the
finish. I bought the waypoints a state at a time from the American
Discovery Trail Society, then after seeing where the route ran off the
first quadrant, was able to figure out the next map to download and etc.
through the rest of the state...so much easier than trying to get my Garmin
to play nice with my Mac--and, as has been mentioned, what an incredible
multi-use tool (also have the ADT guide as a PDF on the phone)...this set up
sure has worked for me...cheers
zen quake
greenville, maine


On Thu, Apr 3, 2014 at 10:17 PM, Jim Eagleton <eagletonjim at aol.com> wrote:

> Welcome to:
> 1)  2013.   I have been using Gaia in NM, CO, WY, Scotland, Spain, FL  for
> a year since it was recommended here.
> 2)  ca. 2020   Soon but good battery packs and BAD solar options are still
> lighter than good solar options.  Good solar options might be worth the
> extra weight.
> 3)  <<< 2008  I NEEDED a screen protector on my gps on the CDT.  On my
> iPhone I use the waterproof Lifeproof, sic, case.  It is expensive, so I
> use a baggie to protect the case.
> 4)  2014  I am happy to see that Jonathan is looking forward to technology
> helping hikers.  I have been worried that he saw technology as a threat to
> his cartography.  I hope we all appreciate that Jonathan's work is really
> information sharing, and his work, along with trail improvements, and gps
> tracks have taken the CDT, from a niche experience to a legitimate leg of
> the triple crown.
> Rambler
>
> Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2014 19:18:51 -0700
> From: "Jonathan Ley" <jonathan at phlumf.com>
> Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Gaia GPS app in place of dedicated GPS unit
> [1) ]   My thoughts exactly on *GPS units*. to add a few comments:
>
> -        Many hikers carry a *cell phone* anyway, so why not have it all in
> one unit?
>
> -        The screens on phones tend to be a lot better than GPS units.
>
> [2- ]       There are *good solar-charging options* now, which might be lighter
> than an extra battery pack.
>
> -        Most phones have many gigs worth of memory built-in, so storing
> lots of mapping data isn't a problem.
>
> [3)  ]  One downside is weatherproofing. But, a plastic baggie can help with that
> problem.
>
>
> {4)  ]
> My ideal solution would be if someone finally released a color "e-ink"
> screen in something about the size of a mini tablet or large phone (and it'd
> need built-in GPS). The battery life on that could be excellent - similar to
> a Kindle. Actually, the technology is there right now, but with really low
> refresh rates & resolution. OK for looking at maps, but that's a pretty
> small market.
>
>
>
> -Jonathan
>
>
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