GPS/Navigation - beta on best device is needed
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Hi, |
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consider inreach devices as they have good mapping SW, can pair with your phone for out of cell service texting, allow friends and family to track you from home and best of all, have an SOS button. |
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YEs, look into the new Inreach devise. I have an Inreach explorer that I love, but I haven't tried out the GPS too much yet. |
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I've got a Garmin GPSMAP 62st, works great, just need to remember to turn it off when it's not needed. |
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We used inreach explorer (not sure which version) on Denali and it worked nicely, however it is any better compared to simpler garmins if satellite feature is not required? |
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nkarasev wrote:We used inreach explorer (not sure which version) on Denali and it worked nicely, however it is any better compared to simpler garmins if satellite feature is not required? My main goal is to safely get home (assuming summitting is also a goal) and ability to find way back is probably most critical requirement. I understand that accuracy of 5 meters would not allow me to go totally blind, but it would be enough at least to see the closest edge of a crack. So I am still leaning towards 60s (64 or 62), the question is - is 64 any better than 62? Not sure how much GLONASS helps in that condition Thanksif you only want to compare GPS capabilities, youre probably better off getting a basic GPS, as you will save money. but garmin now owns inreach and has a new version of the explorer out which has full garmin GPS function with the great inreach functions i mentioned above. personally, id prefer to have both communication and GPS available (vs just GPS). i spent 22 days on the west buttress of denali (assuming thats the route youre going on) and id rather have an inreach device than a basic GPS. we back carried from 11 back to 9 and back up to 11 in a white out no problem, just place wands. we had a team member have a heart attack above 19k ft on summit day and were very thankful to have the ability to comminicate with NPS. we used radio in this instance, but im just trying to stress how important having some communication can be. also, i think youll have a pretty easy time navigating regardless of which option you choose. there will be a lot of wands on the west buttress, you cant really get lost on the fixed lines or 16 ridge. i guess the big place id want one is above 17k camp. hopefully when you are that high, you will be waiting for good weather and not summitting (or descending) in white out. |
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Jake, |
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Jake, out of the topic - which radio did you use? Standard walkies, or a specific, maybe satellite base equipment? |
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Get a handheld GPS unit with replaceable batteries - Garmin Map 64s fits the bill, but I would go for eTrex 20x - simpler device, unfortunately touchscreen. |
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Justy download whatever app for your smartphone you like best, and use it on your phone (which will be in airplane mode - but still can navigate via satellites..) Then you can also listen to music. |
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nkarasev wrote:The touchscreen is out due to deep freezeI've used a smartphone as a GPS on a couple of trips to the Alaska range and the St. Elias. It worked fine if I kept it in an inside pocket and wore tech-compatible liner gloves. It's just as accurate as a dedicated handheld GPS, the screen resolution is much better, and with apps like Gaia you can download USGS topo maps, which are much more detailed than the 100k Garmin or DeLorme maps. And it doubles as an e-reader and music player. The only drawbacks are that the screen's hard to read in bright sunlight, and it's not as robust as a handheld GPS (best to carry it a hard-sided case). amarius wrote:InReach is convenient, but it needs your smartphone to functionThat's only true of the 1st generation InReach device. The 2nd and 3rd generation InReach SE and Explorer work fine as standalone devices, although it helps to pair them with a smartphone if you want to compose long messages. In 2014 in a minor issue with the InReach was that the dispatchers at the Talkeetna airfield weren't used to them - they only checked for incoming messages once or twice a day. If we wanted to get their attention it was best to send a message to someone else and have them phone Talkeetna. It may be different now. |
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I'm seconding the app route, specifically Gaia. You can have multiple layers, so you can see topo and satellite images, and can map out your route ahead of time on Google Earth. Mark Smiley put together a video tutorial on how to plan your route out and set waypoints or a path and then follow it with the app. You can watch the tutorial here: vimeo.com/ondemand/getlostn… |
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eTrex 20x is not touchscreen, it has buttons on the side, and a tiny nubbin for screen navigation. the Etrex 25/35 are touchscreen. Both take AA's (use Lithiums) and the 20x lasts longer on those batteries. |
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Hmm... |
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Not to bash, but it is noted that eTrex 20x does not come with maps. Maps costs twice $85 for what I want so the total price of device and a maps comes to over than a new 64st is sold with 100k installed. I am in doubt of eTrex 20x for just this reason. Extra AA batteries are not an issue on the go (though might need to replace while on a single prolonged route like summit day). I know you can get free maps likely, but I sense a lot of hurdle to get them right. |
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Downloaded and will play with giaia. Looks way cool! |
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I've used the etrex 20 extensively, the thing rules for what you want to do with it, which isn't much: |
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Long Ranger - thanks for your reply. I agree that the more I know, the better I can manage things, including finding free maps. I never had experience with any GPS so started this thread since have not seen any relevant posts that would answer my quests. |
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How do you expect to use a gps with mittens on? Same problem as phone. (Almost) |
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Another possibility is a wristwatch GPS like a Garmin Fenix or Suunto Ambit. They're lightweight, waterproof, robust, work fine in the cold, and easy to operate with gloves. They use much less battery power than handheld units or smartphones; a single charge lasts for 25-50 hours if you set them to record tracks at one-minute intervals, and for a week or more if you only record waypoints when needed. If you carry a battery pack you'll get enough recharges to last several weeks. |
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Cor wrote:How do you expect to use a gps with mittens on?For the etrex, there's nothing really to, "operate". You turn it on my pressing a button (may be you do that before starting off in a shelter?) Then, you just you know, look at it. The screen will show your current position and your track, any additional track you load up (to follow), and a map if you'd like. Put it in your pocket/pack when not in use. (tie a lanyard on it so when you drop it, it doesn't go bye bye) I would advise against a touchscreen device. As well as the aforementioned cold problem, which could vary between devices, there's the problem that if any water gets on the screen, registering taps gets all whacked out. I have the etrex 35 (touchscreen), and this can drive me crazy. Cold seems to effect the sensitivity, too. I will say that *when* things work, the touchscreen UI is a lot easier to navigate around in. |