Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Ok but how would you access the map? Doesn't it need signal to upload

 

No, I have my phone in airplane mode for a week at a time and maps always work. The gps signal is not through a cell tower.

 

I know the difference between GPS and cell signal, but what app do you have?

 

There are a variety of apps that let you download map regions to your device so you can run in airplane mode. Gaia GPS is one such app. I use an app called Offline Topos which was eventually folded into Gaia. Gaia and Offline Topo both allow you to download lots of different map layers onto the device including satellite and aerial photo sets and even NPS visitor maps.

Even Google Maps lets you download regions onto your device for offline access - though of course those aren't so useful for hiking regions!

 

I just heard about this.
https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/
I signed up and downloaded. I have not used it yet.

 

I only tried Avenza because of some local hikers.

 

Agenda and Gaia are both powerful tools and widely used by land managers and agencies. There are dozens of apps for specific user groups like mountain bikes, trail runners, climbers and backcountry skiers. Many of the off-road groups are linking their accumulated gpx files through various platforms.

 

It is like an addiction, but I got it through my eyes, when they showed it to me.

 

I just pre-download the map layers onto my phone apps for the area I'm going into. Satellite imagery, topo, hybrid, etc.

 

Earthmate, the phone app connected to the inReach, does use a signal to download the maps. You do that BEFORE you go.
I downloaded a FREE map set, from Avenza , using the cell signal, for a local area posted by a local group.

To use them I would have the phone in Airplane Mode. No more signal required.

 

I'm headed out this weekend to hike to the Keet Seel ruins in the Navajo National Monument, thanks to friends scoring the permits. Doing it as a single-day 17 mile in-and-out trip and I'll be putting the inReach Mini to more rigorous tracking and battery testing. I'm setting it on 1 second log intervals and 30 minute send intervals to see how much battery is consumed in a full day while recording the most detailed track. My only gripe with the Mini so far is that the log interval settings aren't various enough. They currently only offer 1 second, 1 minute, 2 minute, or 5 minute intervals. I normally record a 5 or 10 second interval to get a pretty accurate track, but this firmware doesn't offer that (yet). The send intervals on the Mini are better than the Explorer+ though, offering options for 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hour intervals. Normally an hour is more than sufficient to keep my family at home happy with updates on my movement.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JSFYWFW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Purchased about 4 years ago still running strong and you can charge 2 separate things at one time.

 

Just looked at the Delorme inReach SE Tracking Settings.
10 minutes in the shortest interval.
"Extended Tracking" seems to shut off 'checking for messages' & 'bluetooth'. This may be another way to save battery, but the Phone App will not work.

 

I just placed an order for 3 Anker devices. 5000, 10000, & 20100 mAh.

 

Oh man, Keet Seel is awesome. I haven't been, but I stopped by Navajo NM on the way back from one of my Utah trips and learned some about it. I would love to go someday. Supposed to be almost perfectly preserved.

Betatakin looks pretty neat, too.

Helllll yeah!

 

I'm deep in the Anker family. Currently have these models for both biz travel and backpacking, depending on length of trip and count of devices I bring:

• PowerCore mini 3350mAh (small cylinder)
• PowerCore Fusion 5000mAh (has built-in wall plug)
• Astro E1 6700mAh (candy bar size)
• PowerCore 13,000mAh
• PowerCore 20,000mAh
• Micro USB braided cable (1 meter) with USB-C adapter - so I can charge my Samsung, inReach and other USB devices and also charge power banks via solar panel with just one cable

 

Ohhh Anker lists.

I have:

PowerCore Fusion 5,000mAh
PowerCore 13,000mAh
PowerCore Elite 20,000 mAh (this one is a hoss - has 3 3A outputs, and dual 2A input ports for 4A recharging of the unit)
SoundBuds Curve (these are great - 12h battery life and are super portable and light so taking them on overnight trips is easy)

Not as camping related:

SoundCore Speaker
SoundCore II Speaker (HIGHLY recommend this - sounds incredible for ~$35, nearly as good as higher end units, just a tad less low end)
20W Premium Stereo Speaker (this one is alright, but the SoundCore 2 sounds as good or better, is lighter, water resistant, and lasts 24 hours compared to like 6-8 for this one)
3 of the 5W Qi charging pads
1 5W Qi charging stand
Several lightning and micro USB cables

Absolutely love their stuff. I really want of the PD USB-C chargers, but they're $$$.

 

Anker support is 2nd to none, too. Any issue at all with anything, and they send you a replacement or refund immediately. Their Amazon reputation is so high, they can't risk a bad review. But the product is built so well that you'll likely never need to return anything. I have yet to have a single Anker product fail me at any time.

 

Same.

 

Hmmm, I am under the impression the Earthmate downloads on the phone, by way of the phone connection. I will have to look if I can do that from my PC. But, I do not care too much about data, I get 4GB per month. I hardly use that.

Thank you ALL for the Anker comments, too.
Ken in NC