Posted: 12/31/2016 11:31:56 AM EDT
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The wife and I will be going on a hike sometime in June/July and as of now it looks like we will be hiking the River to River trail near the Garden of the Gods. Four day hike/camp.
I will have a map but I also want to bring one of those GPS devices that will lead you back to the starting point. Just in case we get turned around. Our plan is to hike, camp, hike, camp, hike, camp and make our way back to the car on the fourth day. Suggestions? I was also looking at a folding solar charger to keep the cell phone charged for taking pics, talking w/ the kids, etc. I saw a pic of a hiker that had one stretched out on his pack so it was charging as he walked. Seemed like a good idea. Suggestions for a charger? |
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i have a garmin dakota 20. but it appears they are phased out link
seems like the newer model. mine uses 2 double AA's which last for a long time depending on screen use.. i have mine turn off the screen after 5 seconds |
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Garmin 62st, now replaced by the 64st comes with installed base maps, expandable microSD memory, and uses AA's.
Or, if you buy in the next 45 minutes, GARMIN OREGON. That and a GoalZero Guide 10 plus. That has a solar panel, and power unit with 4 rechargeable AA NiMH batteries. you can use the AA's in the Garmin, plus the charge unit has a USB port to charge your phone. Works for me. |
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First I would suggest going over to: Â http://www.gpsinformation.net/Â
The sight does not seem to have a lot of recent activity but its still a good starting point. Â There are some really good intro article at the top of the list to help get you started. Â From your OP it sound like you are fairly new to using GPS. Â It will give you some more info and help you choose your first unit. Â I am heavily partial to Garmin units but there are several good makers. Next (especially if you go with a Garmin Map capable unit) head over to:Â https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ There are tons of free very good maps on that sight. |
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Quoted:
Garmin 62st, now replaced by the 64st comes with installed base maps, expandable microSD memory, and uses AA's. Or, if you buy in the next 45 minutes, GARMIN OREGON. That and a GoalZero Guide 10 plus. That has a solar panel, and power unit with 4 rechargeable AA NiMH batteries. you can use the AA's in the Garmin, plus the charge unit has a USB port to charge your phone. Works for me. Your link takes me to a camo jacket sale |
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I have Back Country Navigator (GPS program) on my phone and carry an Anker 5200mAh battery (power bank).
The phone lasts for 5-7 day trip when only using it for camera during the day and using the GPS once or twice to check position (GPS otherwise turned off). The phone is in Airplane mode during the day and turned off at night. The Anker is a backup plan and rarely used. |
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Quoted:
I have Back Country Navigator (GPS program) on my phone and carry an Anker 5200mAh battery (power bank). The phone lasts for 5-7 day trip when only using it for camera during the day and using the GPS once or twice to check position (GPS otherwise turned off). The phone is in Airplane mode during the day and turned off at night. The Anker is a backup plan and rarely used. Does the back county app let you set a starting point and then guide you back if need be ? |
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I carry an Anker 26800 power bank when backpacking. I use it to charge my daughters 8" tablet, 2 cell phones, and occasionally a USB charger used to charge AAA/AA's for my Garmin 64st, headlamps, and flashlights. I get 4-5 days out of it with juice to spare.
As for a solar charger look at Suntactics. |
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I've used a lot of different brands of handheld GPS units and, IMHO, you cant best a Garmin. My current favorite is a (discontinued) Etrex 30 loaded with gpsfiledepot.com topo maps and trail overlay maps. The 30 is tiny and tough. I think they can still be had NIB on Amazon for around $150ish.
Touch screen units are hard to read in bright sun and use more power. My 30 gets about 16-18 hours use before the two regular alkaline die. 4 day hike? Carry a couple of spare alkaline. If you think you'll forget to power it off at camp...carry a couple more. :) |
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Recent thread:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_18/686931_Handheld-GPS.html |