Best cellphone For Hiking - NJ Hiking: Connect2024-03-29T15:57:49Zhttp://njhiking.ning.com/forum/topics/best-cellphone-for-hiking?commentId=4079177%3AComment%3A36407&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI just ditched my dumbphone a…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-06-24:4079177:Comment:369572013-06-24T14:44:49.785ZPaulhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/Paul753
<p>I just ditched my dumbphone at the end of May. And despite the fact that I spend more time on a mac than a PC, I decided to go with a Droid. My fat fingers demanded that I get a bigger screen than the iPhone offered. I am not fully assimilated to it yet, so i can't tell you about apps etc. In fact, i just copied down Dawn's list to see what I can use :-)</p>
<p>I do know that it depends more on the carrier than it does on the phone. I use Verizon and I have been able to get a signal most…</p>
<p>I just ditched my dumbphone at the end of May. And despite the fact that I spend more time on a mac than a PC, I decided to go with a Droid. My fat fingers demanded that I get a bigger screen than the iPhone offered. I am not fully assimilated to it yet, so i can't tell you about apps etc. In fact, i just copied down Dawn's list to see what I can use :-)</p>
<p>I do know that it depends more on the carrier than it does on the phone. I use Verizon and I have been able to get a signal most places in Stokes and Harriman. Head for the ridges if you plan on using your phone a lot. </p>
<p>I can't see the point of using your phone's GPS unless you have an unlimited data plan. And then you need to worry about battery life.</p>
<p>Hope this helps -but you might already have a phone by now....</p>
<p></p>
<p>Paul</p> Thanks Dawn for your in depth…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-06-12:4079177:Comment:362302013-06-12T15:32:14.555ZTJ Karakowskihttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/TJKarakowski
<p>Thanks Dawn for your in depth reply. In all likelihood I will get an iPhone (yes I'm in the cult), just waiting to see if any android people chime in with opinions. My iPad is WiFi only so I don't really use it outside of home or commuting to work as ereader.</p>
<p></p>
<p><br></br> <cite>njHiking.com said:…</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://njhiking.ning.com/forum/topics/best-cellphone-for-hiking?commentId=4079177%3AComment%3A36407&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4079177Comment36407"></blockquote>
<p>Thanks Dawn for your in depth reply. In all likelihood I will get an iPhone (yes I'm in the cult), just waiting to see if any android people chime in with opinions. My iPad is WiFi only so I don't really use it outside of home or commuting to work as ereader.</p>
<p></p>
<p><br/> <cite>njHiking.com said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://njhiking.ning.com/forum/topics/best-cellphone-for-hiking?commentId=4079177%3AComment%3A36407&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4079177Comment36407"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>We have an iPhone 5, we finally upgraded from 3GS when the 5 came out last fall. Not sure if there is really any advantage of one smartphone over the other at this point though - it all comes down to apps, and would think the major ones are both iOS and Android at this point.</p>
<p>When we got the iPhone originally we excitedly downloaded all the hiking/GPS/bird/first aid apps, but while we are really techy... we found we seldom reach for apps <em>while</em> hiking. And we still prefer our Garmin over a phone app for GPS for how we use it. </p>
<p>But that's just us. We prefer being disconnected while hiking: phone ringer is off and we don't answer emails/texts, usually the only time the phone is out is if we're using it as a camera if we decide not to lug the SLR.</p>
<p>However, we have used Weather Channel's app to check on weather that looked like it was rolling in ... to be on a trail and be able to check a radar map is still rather <em>magical</em>.</p>
<p>These are decent hike apps (on iOS, unsure on others):</p>
<ul>
<li>MotionX-GPS is still probably one of the best GPS app of the lot</li>
<li>Avenza PDF is great for free topos as well as TC maps</li>
<li>NJ and PA Parks app by PocketRanger are not bad</li>
</ul>
<p>And if you are into National Parks, you probably already have these on your iPad:</p>
<ul>
<li>Individual park apps by Chimani can be good.</li>
<li>National Parks by National Geographic are good; nice touch: photo tips for iconic park features</li>
<li>National Geographic Park Maps - high res park maps w/trails. I could look at these for hours.</li>
</ul>
<p>Interesting ones we never think to use:</p>
<ul>
<li>iBird</li>
<li>pUniverse - stars</li>
<li>LeafPeepr - fall foliage</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>--Dawn</p>
<p></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> We have an iPhone 5, we final…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-06-11:4079177:Comment:364072013-06-11T21:26:25.689ZnjHiking.comhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/NJHiking
<p>We have an iPhone 5, we finally upgraded from 3GS when the 5 came out last fall. Not sure if there is really any advantage of one smartphone over the other at this point though - it all comes down to apps, and would think the major ones are both iOS and Android at this point.</p>
<p>When we got the iPhone originally we excitedly downloaded all the hiking/GPS/bird/first aid apps, but while we are really techy... we found we seldom reach for apps <em>while</em> hiking. And we still prefer our…</p>
<p>We have an iPhone 5, we finally upgraded from 3GS when the 5 came out last fall. Not sure if there is really any advantage of one smartphone over the other at this point though - it all comes down to apps, and would think the major ones are both iOS and Android at this point.</p>
<p>When we got the iPhone originally we excitedly downloaded all the hiking/GPS/bird/first aid apps, but while we are really techy... we found we seldom reach for apps <em>while</em> hiking. And we still prefer our Garmin over a phone app for GPS for how we use it. </p>
<p>But that's just us. We prefer being disconnected while hiking: phone ringer is off and we don't answer emails/texts, usually the only time the phone is out is if we're using it as a camera if we decide not to lug the SLR.</p>
<p>However, we have used Weather Channel's app to check on weather that looked like it was rolling in ... to be on a trail and be able to check a radar map is still rather <em>magical</em>.</p>
<p>These are decent hike apps (on iOS, unsure on others):</p>
<ul>
<li>MotionX-GPS is still probably one of the best GPS app of the lot</li>
<li>Avenza PDF is great for free topos as well as TC maps</li>
<li>NJ and PA Parks app by PocketRanger are not bad</li>
</ul>
<p>And if you are into National Parks, you probably already have these on your iPad:</p>
<ul>
<li>Individual park apps by Chimani can be good.</li>
<li>National Parks by National Geographic are good; nice touch: photo tips for iconic park features</li>
<li>National Geographic Park Maps - high res park maps w/trails. I could look at these for hours.</li>
</ul>
<p>Interesting ones we never think to use:</p>
<ul>
<li>iBird</li>
<li>pUniverse - stars</li>
<li>LeafPeepr - fall foliage</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p>--Dawn</p>
<p></p>