GPS Tracker

[Dougster]

Meant to add. One of these are invaluable-

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/trekmates-soft-feel-gps-case-p110436

[tenohfive]

Does it work with touch screens?

[stevesey]

I was going to get one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATERPROOF-CA ... 230f4bb725

with a belt clip as well so I can clip to rucksack (and not just reply on the lanyard!)

Currently I just use a zip loc bag - and if just using the phone for beacon buddy it stays in the lid pocket of the rucsack (figure that's a good place for GPS and phone reception).

[tenohfive]

I have to admit I use the low tech approach - underneath a waterproof or in the map case (which lives in my cargo pocket.) Or just in my trouser pocket for dry walking.

[Dougster]

Does it work with touch screens?

Yes and I had a low tech method fail on me climbing the Cobbler which was like a waterfall.

One HTC Desire tucked deep inside a waterproof Berghaus jacket still got soaked.

[tenohfive]

I'm trying to slim down and avoid carrying more gear so I'll stick to the jacket/trouser pocket for moderate weather and waterproof map case for the proper downpours. Makes sense in my head - apart from a quick pano when I'm feeling lazy I mostly use my phone for double checking position/route tracking.

[tenohfive]

I'm trying to slim down and avoid carrying more gear so I'll stick to the jacket/trouser pocket for moderate weather and waterproof map case for the proper downpours. Makes sense in my head - apart from a quick pano when I'm feeling lazy I mostly use my phone for double checking position/route tracking.

[peak_hiker]

I use Back Country navigator (find the free built in OS maps better than viewranger) on my S3 for mapping and Runkeeper for tracking my hikes, both are excellent

[stevesey]

I use Back Country navigator (find the free built in OS maps better than viewranger) on my S3 for mapping and Runkeeper for tracking my hikes, both are excellent

Just downloaded Backcountry to have a play with - access to 1:25000 OS maps sounds attractive.

Although having just been in the Lakes for a week and given ViewRanger a good test (navigating in the cloud early in the week) I found using ViewRanger with OpenCycleMap alongside a paper OS map works very well. The paths on OpenCycleMap tend to be the well defined ones on the ground so if you are looking at a path on the OS map that isn't on OpenCycleMap it gives you a clue that it probably won't actually be a well defined path - but a faint depression, or just an area where in reality everyone makes their own way. Having the two different viewpoints is quite useful - worth considering downloading two different maps.

[peak_hiker]

one tip with backcountry, if you're going somewhere that is likely to have no mobile signal, pre-download the section of map on your wi-fi before you go, this will make sure you still get the full maps no matter what (use the layers symbol on the very top right of the screen)

I map my routes using multimap and then import them straight into backcountry, its really easy to use

[stevesey]

one tip with backcountry, if you're going somewhere that is likely to have no mobile signal, pre-download the section of map on your wi-fi before you go, this will make sure you still get the full maps no matter what (use the layers symbol on the very top right of the screen)

I map my routes using multimap and then import them straight into backcountry, its really easy to use

Whichever app you are using pre-downloading the maps is pretty much essential anyway

[bar72]

i had a lot of problems with my HTC smartphone up the hills when it's high humidity or raining. Couldn't use Viewranger as phone started crashing with the dampness. I purchased an inexpensive Garmin etrex Venture handheld GPS on ebay for £40. Get the SMC basemaps for all scottish mountains installed on it and it's resistant to water and 2 x duracell batteries are lasting me 18hrs.

I put a guide up on setting it up a while back:
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=33514&p=199554#p199554