[pct-l] Phone charging

[Wilde, Myles]

Hi All,
I'm curious how all you phone users keep your phone charged on multi-day hikes?
Do you use solar chargers? If so, do you charge while hiking or only when you've stopped?  Any recommendations?
Thanks
Myles

Sent on the new Sprint Network from my Samsung Galaxy S®4.


-------- Original message --------
From: Ron Graybill
Date:02/01/2015 1:08 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Tom Grundy
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS for distance

I've used most of the apps mentioned while on the PCT and they work as
described, but for simply figuring out how far I've hiked, I just use a
Garmin Forerunner 310XT on my wrist--gives me distance, pace, time, and
lots of other stuff, and I've never had any problems even under trees or in
canyons. Once I get home I can download the tracks onto Google Earth--and
since I have Halfmile's tracks there too, I can even see exactly where I
wandered off the trail a bit to have lunch or for some other purpose. . .
--Ron "Slo Charger" Graybill

Ronald D. Graybill
11832 Fordham Place
Riverside, CA  92505
rgraybill44 at gmail.com
909-910-9339

On Sat, Jan 31, 2015 at 3:59 PM, Tom Grundy <caver456 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Haven't tried the apps though they did seem to be a big hit on the trail
> last year.
>
> One note on needing a cell connection to download maps: there are several
> good apps that use the internal gps and also let you download (a.k.a.
> 'cache') map tiles to your device while connected, for use while offline.
> I like Locus Pro (android) but haven't been searching around too much.
>
> The google maps app does let you download tiles of its basic map layer for
> offline use.
>
> Locus Pro (locus basic is free) lets you download tiles from any map server
> source, so, the possibilities are only limited by the space on your memory
> card (and your battery life / charging system, and your willingness to keep
> your nose down in the screen).  It also takes photo and audio waypoints,
> takes tracks and more.  Good stuff.
>
> Note on Locus Pro: leave the datum on WGS84 (the default), its conversions
> to other datums (data?) are inaccurate.
>
> Lots of folks like Backcountry Navigator Pro.  There are others.
>
> On Sat, Jan 31, 2015 at 2:25 PM, walt Durling <durlfam4 at icloud.com> wrote:
>
> > The two responses are good advice, but only if Shon is hiking a major
> > trail where there are trail guides and apps as discussed. Perhaps Shon
> > isn't planning to hike the PCT  or AT or CDT or some such where there
> > aren't apps or mileage guides.  He might want to consider a good
> pedometer,
> > one which is tri-axis so can be carried on a lanyard or in a pocket.
> They
> > calculate calories burned, steps taken, and distance covered, both in
> > kilometers and miles.  That said, some are more accurate than others, but
> > online researching will reveal the better ones.
> >
> > I used one while training for the PCT last year, but didn't carry it on
> > the trail because I have the iphone apps which gave exact mileage (more
> or
> > less).  One thing to be mindful about is that he needs to calibrate it to
> > his normal stride, which works well on level or moderately hilly terrain
> > where he can maintain a steady stride.  But most long trails have lots of
> > ascents and descents which necessitate taking shorter strides. This would
> > probably affect the mileage accuracy over many miles.  Just a thought.
> >
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
> >
> > > On Jan 31, 2015, at 16:51, Dan Welch <welchenergy at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > "...I really want a good way to determine how many miles I hiked for my
> > trail journals. I'm worried that I might drop several hundred dollars on
> a
> > GPS unit and find that they don't correctly calculate you're distance."
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > A solid majority of the people I ran into last year (as well as myself)
> > used a smartphone with the Halfmile or Guthook apps.  I started with
> > Halfmile only and picked up the Guthook app after the first few sections
> of
> > trail.
> > >
> > > They are both VERY accurate at tracking trail distances, but the
> > Halfmile app uses the Halfmile map mileages (surprise!) which seem to
> have
> > become the standard (with good reason.)
> > >
> > > The Guthook app costs $5.99 per section and there are 5 sections
> > (Southern, Central and Northern CA; Or; and WA.)  I picked these up after
> > So Cal. because they do a better job of describing upcoming camping
> areas -
> > including pictures of each one.  BTW - The graphics on the Apple version
> > are far superior to the Android version, but the campsite information is
> > accurate on both.
> > >
> > > Just so you know, most of the smartphones today function as standalone
> > GPS devices (GLONASS based) and don't need cell reception to give you
> > accurate coordinates.  However, without a cell connection, you can't
> > download a Google map for it to "locate" you on.  In other words, you can
> > get accurate coordinates, but it will only show you as a point on a blank
> > screen.  You have to pull out your paper or electronic topo maps to
> utilize
> > this information and get your trail mileage.  Thyat is kind of a pain to
> do
> > several times a day.
> > >
> > > However, the Halfmile app will immediately give you your exact trail
> > mileage so you can locate yourself more quickly on your trail map. It
> also
> > gives you distances to the next landmark, water source, campsite,
> > whatever.  If you are off trail even by 25 meters or so, it will tell you
> > that and give you a pointer back in the direction of nearest trail.  VERY
> > handy when crossing snow fields.
> > >
> > > Guthook does it one better by showing your location on its own series
> of
> > internal topo nmaps.  So it needs no cell link to place you on the
> > on-screen topo map and can be very handy in finding campsites and water
> > sources that are not obviuous.
> > >
> > > All this to say, if you have a smartphone, I would recommend NOT
> > bringing a standalone GPS.  It is just extra money and extra weight...
> And
> > it's actually far less functional.
> > >
> > > Timberline
> > >
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