Weight saving tips.

[Justin Crossley]

I am always looking for ways to cut pack weight without sacrificing function or safety. One of the things I hate to carry is a GPS.

For the last couple years, I have been using Backcountry Navigator on my Android smartphone. I have been very pleased with it and the weight I save by not carrying a standalone GPS.

The map detail is very good.

 

[muleman]

BCN is great. Here is a thread that show some of it's features.
http://www.rokslide.com/forums/show...ry-Navigator-(How-I-made-it-do-what-I-wanted)

 

[Rizzy]

I use a similar Trimble program on my Iphone. I never used to carry a GPS, so the Iphone, as multifunctional as it is, actually adds to my pack weight

Purging my possibles pouch of space blankets, first aid/survival stuff saved me a few ounces.

 

[GoatNuts]

What kind of cell phone battery depletion should I expect running that app?

 

[endorice]

While the screen size is fairly limited, the Garmin eTrex 30 (color) is a pretty nice unit for 5 ounces. Just another option. But I agree that getting more uses out of one device (phone) is a good way to go, as long as the battery life is sufficient. If I have to start carrying a reserve battery pack for my phone, then I might as well just use a small/light GPS.

 

[muleman]

What kind of cell phone battery depletion should I expect running that app?

Too many variables to say what kinda battery life you would get. You need to test to see what you get. In airplane mode I can easily go 4 days on a stock 3200mAh battery.

While the screen size is fairly limited, the Garmin eTrex 30 (color) is a pretty nice unit for 5 ounces. Just another option. But I agree that getting more uses out of one device (phone) is a good way to go, as long as the battery life is sufficient. If I have to start carrying a reserve battery pack for my phone, then I might as well just use a small/light GPS.

I specifically choose phones that have replaceable batteries and carry an extra that weighs a few ounces. But I prefer my large phone 5.7" 1920x1080 resolution screen for maps and imagery.

 

[charvey9]

I just leave behind the cell phone.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I specifically choose phones that have replaceable batteries and carry an extra that weighs a few ounces. But I prefer my large phone 5.7" 1920x1080 resolution screen for maps and imagery.

The screen resolution and the map detail are two of the main things I like about using this over my Rino 650.

I use a portable battery pack which weighs 6oz and charges my phone 4 times.

 

[William Munny]

I used my android phone last year with the Trimble app. In airplane mode, only using the GPS when I needed it, taking pics, and listening to audio books before racking out, I had to put the spare battery in on day 5. It was functional enough where I didn't think about buying a standalone GPS after the trip.

 

[elkmule123]

Besides using the BCN, I like having my smartphone so I can easily download and view my trail camera pics.

 

[TheJuice]

I've never thought of this. Are you guys hunting in areas that have cell service? Or does the GPS function work without service. Never tried it.

 

[muleman]

Depends on the phone, most do work without cell service now days. Maps are downloaded to the phone prior to the trip.

 

[Justin Crossley]

You download the maps and put your phone on airplane mode. The GPS works on airplane mode with Androids.

 

[kyle1112]

Justin does that app work down in the dark timber?

 

[bohntr]

Want to really save weight....leave the phone and navigate by map and compass. Still the lightest and most dependable system out there, IMO.

 

[westrnwild]

Anyone heard about the Trimble case for iPhone that is coming out..its supposed to triple battery life and have preloaded maps. I was wondering if any one has pre release knowledge if its worth the money. See how it compares to BCN

 

[Justin Crossley]

Justin does that app work down in the dark timber?

It depends on your phone. I have had pretty decent luck with it myself. There have definitely been times when I had trouble getting a GPS signal though.

 

[kyle1112]

What phone do you have? I've got the Samsung s4

 

[Justin Crossley]

Want to really save weight....leave the phone and navigate by map and compass. Still the lightest and most dependable system out there, IMO.

I much prefer a GPS myself. A quick look at a screen is way faster than screwing with a map and compass.

Plus if I take off after an elk in the timber and get lost, a GPS will tell me exactly how to get back to camp. A compass will tell me which direction I'm looking, not where camp is.

 

[BackcountryMT]

I much prefer a GPS myself. A quick look at a screen is way faster than screwing with a map and compass.

Plus if I take off after an elk in the timber and get lost, a GPS will tell me exactly how to get back to camp. A compass will tell me which direction I'm looking, not where camp is.

This. Plus I like to mark sign, trails, and kills with an exact location. I never hit the woods without my GPS