BajaNomad - What's your favorite handheld GPS?

This thread is so 2004.

No hand held gps is better than an app on a good smartphone.

I've had them all over the years. All the Garmin handhelds, and Raymarine, etc. mounted on boats.

Today, both on the water apps (Navonics) and trail apps (Back Country Navigator or MotionX) are way, way better than anything on a handheld. Running on a phone it's a brighter screen, much better touch screen, way easier to use.

To be 100% clear, you'd be a fool to use a standalone HH gps in 2017. Spend your money on getting a better phone.

Navonics for on the water charts (iPhone or Android); super accurate for the entire Sea of Cortez
MotionX for trail navigation (iPhone)
Back Country Navigator for trail navigation (Android)

Both trail apps have good built in maps for most of Baja by default. Back Country Navigator is easier to use. You can download custom routes from Google Earth much more easily.

Not certain that an app replaces a GPS coordinate especially when you loose cell tower signal. With a GPS unit many features are available. Setting a route, reverse tracking, correct roadways and off road ways. I've looked at and attempted to use Google Earth off road and instead of a road the trail was an overgrown pipeline. Would not discount a GPS unit.

[Edited on 11-15-2017 by JZ]

Franco - 11-15-2017 at 10:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Franco

Not certain that an app replaces a GPS coordinate especially when you loose cell tower signal. With a GPS unit many features are available. Setting a route, reverse tracking, correct roadways and off road ways. I've looked at and attempted to use Google Earth off road and instead of a road the trail was an overgrown pipeline. Would not discount a GPS unit.

David K - 11-15-2017 at 10:30 AM

Try the Earthmate App, makes your cell phone into a GPS and has topo Baja maps that are not too bad. Works everywhere in Baja.

AKgringo - 11-15-2017 at 10:45 AM

David, I have an ATT android phone with no data plan or service contract. I need a cell phone signal or WIFI to use it, and are you saying that Earthmate will allow it to function as a stand alone gps?

jaymtb - 11-15-2017 at 12:01 PM

Hi, Have used both apps and GPS units w/offline maps. Most handhelds like old 60csx etc too small limited way/track points, stored maps.
Best found is Garmin Montana 600 w/stored maps. In Aguapac case on kayak, uses AA Batts, can read in bright sun. In dash mount with speaker in Nuvi mode with streets/trips or Mex Topo map in truck.
Phone ok, but need high battery sucking screen brightness to see in sun, appss can be flakey, few can use real vector maps.

Desertbull - 11-15-2017 at 12:04 PM

Certain Navigation Apps utilize the GPS antenna inside your phone to pinpoint your location without using data or wifi ... the phone communicates with satellites minus any service.

David, I have an ATT android phone with no data plan or service contract. I need a cell phone signal or WIFI to use it, and are you saying that Earthmate will allow it to function as a stand alone gps?

David K - 11-15-2017 at 12:15 PM

Yes, as Desert Bull also gave the technical answer why...

I first thought that my cell phone (Android) which was connected to my DeLorme inReach device with Bluetooth, was simply working through the inReach to show me my location and maps.

When I turned off the inReach and my cell phone continued to track me, give my speed, etc., in the middle of Baja, I learned it was independent GPS device, all using the Earthmate App. No cell service for hundreds of miles, all satellite.

AKgringo - 11-15-2017 at 12:40 PM

Bull and DK, thanks for the feedback, it sounds like an affordable accessory for exploring. The way I travel leaves the contents of my little rig exposed to damage or loss, but there are plenty of androids that wouldn't break the bank!

bkbend - 11-15-2017 at 01:01 PM

Hi, Have used both apps and GPS units w/offline maps. Most handhelds like old 60csx etc too small limited way/track points, stored maps.
Best found is Garmin Montana 600 w/stored maps. In Aguapac case on kayak, uses AA Batts, can read in bright sun. In dash mount with speaker in Nuvi mode with streets/trips or Mex Topo map in truck.
Phone ok, but need high battery sucking screen brightness to see in sun, appss can be flakey, few can use real vector maps.

If you are using the phone as a GPS while driving you can keep it charged. Using for more than a few hours without charging will drain it. My son and I have been on full-day hikes, he with his phone and me with my handheld GPS, his phone dies about the time we turn around while my GPS breadcrumbs easily last until we get back.

del mar - 11-15-2017 at 01:07 PM

XLNT point! :yes:

mtgoat666 - 11-15-2017 at 01:10 PM

yes, phones have poor energy management when on GPS, only suitable for a couple hour hike.
for an all day or multi-day hike, a real GPS hand unit will work better for you.
also, the phone GPS solution is not weather resistant. good GPS units have better integration of hardware/software for outdoor use.
phones are good for staying in your car, or short little baby hikes/runs/bike rides

DawnPatrol - 11-15-2017 at 02:21 PM

thanks to all for the advice!
Alan

JZ - 11-15-2017 at 02:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Franco

False, false, and false!

Phone uses GPS, no cell service required. You cache the map area you want when not connected.

They come loaded with maps. Most of the signficant dirt roads are already there. Custom maps/tracks can be imported.

Can also set or import way points, track a route (get the route, distance, avg speed, moving speed, altitudes, max speed, etc.).

Anything you can do with a stand alone gps you can do better with Back Country Navigator or MotionX. Plus: much easier to use (can't state this enough), much better screen visibility. Run on phones or tablets.

Better solution and you don't need to waste money on a GPS.

You'd be a fool to use a stand alone GPS in 2017.

[Edited on 11-15-2017 by JZ]

JZ - 11-15-2017 at 03:01 PM

Turn cell service off on the phone (airplane mode) and it will last 3x longer than the battery on a standalone GPS.

[Edited on 11-15-2017 by JZ]

JZ - 11-15-2017 at 03:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Desertbull

Certain Navigation Apps utilize the GPS antenna inside your phone to pinpoint your location without using data or wifi ... the phone communicates with satellites minus any service.

This is true, but you need to cache whatever maps you want to use when offline. I have all of Baja downloaded.

JZ - 11-15-2017 at 03:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Earthmate is the equivalent of Back Country Navigator or MotionX.

I always wondered why you said it needed to be tethered to the InReach. Thought that was a dumb setup if it was in fact required. Makes much more sense now.

willyAirstream - 11-15-2017 at 03:46 PM

Totally agree with JZ. Used Lowrance units are all over the race sites now, as racers are switching to tablets.
For hiking , you can use a 12 x 6 portable solar pac to keep the device charged, at least in Baja.

mtgoat666 - 11-15-2017 at 03:58 PM

Turn cell service off on the phone (airplane mode) and it will last 3x longer than the battery on a standalone GPS.

[Edited on 11-15-2017 by JZ]

I have found with iPhone that turning off cellular and WiFi but running gps is still an energy hog that will deplete battery relatively quickly compared to a gps hand unit. iPhone is not weather resistant, so poor for kayaking, hiking, etc.

JZ - 11-15-2017 at 04:02 PM

Only chicks and kids use iPhones. My S8+ is water resistant.

David K - 11-15-2017 at 04:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

The phone connects with the inReach so you can use the phone's keyboard to type messages faster than you can with the keypad on the inReach. It doesn't 'need' the phone paired with it for any other reason. I learned on my first trip that the Earthmate app worked alone. Sorry, if I wasn't clear on that point before.

mtgoat666 - 11-15-2017 at 04:38 PM