Post by fireball on May 16, 2015 8:44:24 GMT 8
One of the most useful bits of kit for exploring, locating and re-locating sites and individual fortifications is the GPS. I have been a user of the Garmin GPSMAP 6x models and now have the 64s - on the plus side it can get reception where no other GPS can and on the minus (if it's like the previous 60 & 62 models when it says waterproof what it means is that it will suck water in with sponge like ease and, once inside the unit, the water will become trapped AKA ...) not waterproof! and , very worryingly, sometimes it freezes at start-up and will only re-start after connection to Garmin Basecamp which requires a computer. A huge warning that if planning multiday trips / or where navigation is essential to have a map & back-up plan! This unreliability, along with the lousy screen of the Garmin, led me to look at using my mobile as an alternative and/or back-up GPS.
What I selected (for an iPhone / iPad ) was GPS KIT which set me back a princely $10 which allows for single user but multi machine (?) use. It's big plus factor Is that it allows you to store and so use offline google earth (& other maps) and then use the GPS without need for any phone reception to plot and record your track. I have found it very reliable - well that's really a function of the phone GPS - and now unless GPS is critical or I will be in very difficult signal conditions I only bring the iPhone. There are other programs out there but for anyone looking the key thing is the ability to download maps / google earth and store before use in the field. Oh, and it's not just in the field as I used it with great effect to find my way around various Japanese cities. It also allows you to geotag photos and export your track to Google Earth, and of course as a mobile phone it's always with you. So, I have to say to any iPhone user just get it !
Another alternative is to go for the GPS watches and the new (very expensive) Garmin Epix could - if it's GPS reception matches it price - be the one to go for as it actually has a color screen able to display maps. For exploration on Corregidor maybe overkill but for longer trips or extremely rough terrain every gram in weight saved brings it's reward with increased speed and ease of movement.
What I selected (for an iPhone / iPad ) was GPS KIT which set me back a princely $10 which allows for single user but multi machine (?) use. It's big plus factor Is that it allows you to store and so use offline google earth (& other maps) and then use the GPS without need for any phone reception to plot and record your track. I have found it very reliable - well that's really a function of the phone GPS - and now unless GPS is critical or I will be in very difficult signal conditions I only bring the iPhone. There are other programs out there but for anyone looking the key thing is the ability to download maps / google earth and store before use in the field. Oh, and it's not just in the field as I used it with great effect to find my way around various Japanese cities. It also allows you to geotag photos and export your track to Google Earth, and of course as a mobile phone it's always with you. So, I have to say to any iPhone user just get it !
Another alternative is to go for the GPS watches and the new (very expensive) Garmin Epix could - if it's GPS reception matches it price - be the one to go for as it actually has a color screen able to display maps. For exploration on Corregidor maybe overkill but for longer trips or extremely rough terrain every gram in weight saved brings it's reward with increased speed and ease of movement.