Backpacking with Smartphones?
Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:25 pm
I've been taking my Android smartphone backpacking this year. I've found it to be a great addition to my pack and won't hit the trail without it in the future so I thought I'd share what works for me.
Typically I backpack in areas without cell or data service and I like it that way. The last thing I want to do is take a phone call or reply to a text when I'm on a pack trip (Of course emergency situations are a different story). So I use my phone as a handheld computer that replaces single purpose devices like cameras, gps, iPod etc.
I have an Android but iPhones are great also. The apps I describe are available in the Android Market. I’m not sure about iPhone apps but I would imagine you can find similar apps in the App Store.
I've configured one of the 7 available "Home Screens" on my phone with the apps that I use on a trip. I've paid for some and others are free or included with the phone.
I've included Altitude, Camera, Google Earth, Backpacker GPS Trails Pro, my photo gallery, Amazon
Kindle (ebook reader), Flashlight, Music player, photo editor, GPS altimeter and Geo reader.
Altitude will give you elevation readings off of the phone GPS and when you have data coverage a reading from the geo names database. Free
I really like Backpacker GPS trails. It's $3.99. Pay for this one. It allows you to download and cache topo maps to your device at different zoom levels. This enables you to use the app when you don’t have data coverage. Make sure you do that at home before you leave for your trip. It's simple and the maps are great. The app has a lot of options/functions including a compass. Check it out online for more details.
Cameras in phones are getting pretty good. Mine has an 8 megapixel camera that will also shoot 1080P video. The quality is excellent for a phone so I’m leaving my digital point and shoot camera at home. Included on phone
Google Earth is handy if you want to view sat imagery. It will also cache imagery to your device and is usable in the backcountry. Free
Photo gallery is where you can access your photos. Included
Amazon Kindle is a great e reader. I can carry as many books as I’d like and there is no extra weight. The app is free but there is a charge for books. You can purchase books on your phone or from your PC. I usually have a novel or two and have a book on first aid.
Flashlight is a free app that uses the camera flash as a flashlight. I prefer a headlamp but this is handy at times.
Music player is a basic feature and works like an iPod. I don’t use this when I’m backpacking but you might…
GPS Altimeter is good if you have data coverage. If not it’s worthless. You can scroll the map to any location and get an elevation reading. The downside is that it uses Google maps or Google Sat images and no topo option. A little hard to use but can be useful. Free.
Geo Reader is an interesting free app. I’m usually in a hurry to get to the trailhead and don’t bother to stop to read historical markers. This app uses GPS to locate you and is capable of reading the historical markers to you as you pass by. Kinda cool.
Of course with any electronic device battery power is an issue. When I hit the trailhead I put it into airplane mode which turns off the phones cellular radio. It saves battery power and I don’t get phone calls or text messages. I can get several days of use off of a charge. Mostly reading, taking photos and pulling up the backpacker app for the occasional GPS fix or to plan the next day’s day hike.
I experimented with a solar charger on a couple of overnighters and discovered they are pretty much useless. I have a cheap single panel charger and will never take it again. There are some good ones available that will keep you in power for an extended trip but they are pretty big and weigh close to a pound. I’m trying to shed weight by bringing my phone so that’s not an option for me. I’d bring an extra phone battery for an extended trip.
I’m attaching Screen Shots of my home screen and some of the apps.
Enjoy!
M
Typically I backpack in areas without cell or data service and I like it that way. The last thing I want to do is take a phone call or reply to a text when I'm on a pack trip (Of course emergency situations are a different story). So I use my phone as a handheld computer that replaces single purpose devices like cameras, gps, iPod etc.
I have an Android but iPhones are great also. The apps I describe are available in the Android Market. I’m not sure about iPhone apps but I would imagine you can find similar apps in the App Store.
I've configured one of the 7 available "Home Screens" on my phone with the apps that I use on a trip. I've paid for some and others are free or included with the phone.
I've included Altitude, Camera, Google Earth, Backpacker GPS Trails Pro, my photo gallery, Amazon
Kindle (ebook reader), Flashlight, Music player, photo editor, GPS altimeter and Geo reader.
Altitude will give you elevation readings off of the phone GPS and when you have data coverage a reading from the geo names database. Free
I really like Backpacker GPS trails. It's $3.99. Pay for this one. It allows you to download and cache topo maps to your device at different zoom levels. This enables you to use the app when you don’t have data coverage. Make sure you do that at home before you leave for your trip. It's simple and the maps are great. The app has a lot of options/functions including a compass. Check it out online for more details.
Cameras in phones are getting pretty good. Mine has an 8 megapixel camera that will also shoot 1080P video. The quality is excellent for a phone so I’m leaving my digital point and shoot camera at home. Included on phone
Google Earth is handy if you want to view sat imagery. It will also cache imagery to your device and is usable in the backcountry. Free
Photo gallery is where you can access your photos. Included
Amazon Kindle is a great e reader. I can carry as many books as I’d like and there is no extra weight. The app is free but there is a charge for books. You can purchase books on your phone or from your PC. I usually have a novel or two and have a book on first aid.
Flashlight is a free app that uses the camera flash as a flashlight. I prefer a headlamp but this is handy at times.
Music player is a basic feature and works like an iPod. I don’t use this when I’m backpacking but you might…
GPS Altimeter is good if you have data coverage. If not it’s worthless. You can scroll the map to any location and get an elevation reading. The downside is that it uses Google maps or Google Sat images and no topo option. A little hard to use but can be useful. Free.
Geo Reader is an interesting free app. I’m usually in a hurry to get to the trailhead and don’t bother to stop to read historical markers. This app uses GPS to locate you and is capable of reading the historical markers to you as you pass by. Kinda cool.
Of course with any electronic device battery power is an issue. When I hit the trailhead I put it into airplane mode which turns off the phones cellular radio. It saves battery power and I don’t get phone calls or text messages. I can get several days of use off of a charge. Mostly reading, taking photos and pulling up the backpacker app for the occasional GPS fix or to plan the next day’s day hike.
I experimented with a solar charger on a couple of overnighters and discovered they are pretty much useless. I have a cheap single panel charger and will never take it again. There are some good ones available that will keep you in power for an extended trip but they are pretty big and weigh close to a pound. I’m trying to shed weight by bringing my phone so that’s not an option for me. I’d bring an extra phone battery for an extended trip.
I’m attaching Screen Shots of my home screen and some of the apps.
Enjoy!
M