Using GPS instead of Maps...Save hassle?? or not worth risk?

[Drew54]

yeah, no map, i said it. thoughts?

[Tennessee Viking]

What happens when the GPS batteries run out
...Can't get a signal
...drop it and it breaks

[take-a-knee]

A handheld GPS's best use is to ascertain your location on a paper map.

[fiddlehead]

Go for it. I would. There are some new batteries out now called eneloop. I bought a few and they are pretty amazing. although i think lithiums may be better.

The GPS will tell you how much battery power you have left so you can just get new batteries in the next town. (just keep an eye on it) Don't let the naysayers scare you about battery failure.

What you are thinking IS the way of the future.

[Bob S]

What happens when the GPS batteries run out
...Can't get a signal
...drop it and it breaks

My guess, you look on trees and follow the white marks.



Seriously you take a map and keep it in your pack for backup.



But I’m sure a lot have hiked the trail without a map and had no real problem.

[Bob S]

My GPS says it runs 22-hrs on a set of batteries. I have gotten 18-hrs out of it on with a little showing on the power meter. I tend to swap batteries before I really have to keep a safety margin. Battery life is very good on most small electronics these days.

And it’s not like you are going to run the GPS all the time, with intermittent use I can easily get a week out of a set of alkaline batts.

[deeddawg]

I think you're putting the cart in front of the horse.

First question is what are you trying to accomplish? Once you answer that question it's a lot easier to decide what technology to use to fulfill that goal.

Like Bob S says, follow the path with the white stripes on the trees.

I like GPS's, don't misunderstand. I'm sure they'd be particularly valuable when going off-trail such as bushwhacking or hunting. In the context of the AT (or other well marked trails), I don't see where they provide any substantial benefit over map & compass (and knowing how to use them).

[jhick]

i love maps... always have one with me. But I love taking along my GPS if just for the novelty. I like knowing how far I walked, how long I walked and being able to retrace my steps if I did a little exploring.

[minnesotasmith]

That'd be choosing the heavier, bulkier, more breakable, needs-consumables-to-work, less useful navigation tool. Not too clever IMO.

[max patch]

The battery in my map has never run out of juice.

[Nomad94]

What happens when the GPS batteries run out
...Can't get a signal
...drop it and it breaks

You die. Instantly, horribly, inexorably.

You do get a 25 second window to replace the batteries if they expire. After that, you die.

------------------------------------------------

What waypoint data were you thinking of using?

[take-a-knee]

You die. Instantly, horribly, inexorably.

You do get a 25 second window to replace the batteries if they expire. After that, you die.

------------------------------------------------

What waypoint data were you thinking of using?

Not really, you'll still be quite enough alive to realize how bone-headed you were in your selection of gear.

[tlbj6142]

yeah, no map, i said it. thoughts?

I really think this depends on where you are hiking. On the AT it would be a non-issue. Since many don't take maps or a compass and do fine. In that case the GPS would become a heavy expensive watch.

[Drew54]

lol @ heavy - you think a GPS unit is heavy you are far too elite

[clured]

I really think this depends on where you are hiking. On the AT it would be a non-issue. Since many don't take maps or a compass and do fine. In that case the GPS would become a heavy expensive watch.

More like everyone who doesn't carry maps does fine. Maps = 100% unnecessary, GPS = 200% unnecessary.

[Furlough]

No real issue with GPS units, but I always carry maps. More so for the information about the surrounding area (side trails, springs/streams, facilities, roads etc.) they contain then for following the AT north or south via the white blaze dead reckoning method of orienteering.

Furlough

[JAK]

I like maps just to look at them if nothing else. Carrying 2000 miles worth would be a drag though, and I wouldn't want the hassle of mail drops either.

Too bad you can't buy section maps along the way?

[minnesotasmith]

I like maps just to look at them if nothing else. Carrying 2000 miles worth would be a drag though, and I wouldn't want the hassle of mail drops either.

Too bad you can't buy section maps along the way?

North of VA, especially NJ/NY, the outfitters tend to be out of the local ATC maps.

[tlbj6142]

lol @ heavy - you think a GPS unit is heavy you are far too elite

The mapping units weigh at least 5-7 oz. That is heavy. When 2-3 maps and a compass only weigh a couple of ounces.

[Cuffs]

I use maps for daily trail navigation, only if needed. I use gps for the 'fun' stuff on the trail. Marking waypoints for places (water sources, water falls, parking lots, trail heads, trail junctions...) and of course geocaching! I just put together a route for my BMT section hike later this month and theres 2 dozen caches on the way!