GPS or Compass?

[Joseph Collins]

I am having this debate with myself right now. GPS or compass? I love gadgets. Got an iPod, got a Nook. I really enjoy the compass and map in hand however. I'm curious as to what everyone uses.

[njHiking.com]

Well, we use both. Mostly we have the compass as a backup, but sometimes it's nice to just quickly check your direction without fancy tech. It can be nice to rely on yourself first and not go right to the gadget. (though we are huge gadget geeks)

We use the GPS to just track our distance and keep records of our hikes, but a few times we've actually used it to get back to the car (mostly in the Pine Barrens!)

 

Dawn

[Joseph Collins]

I'm trying hard to resist my inner gadget geek.

[njHiking.com]

Same here. We're in front of a computer all week and go hiking to 'get away from it all'.... but then we can't help but tote around a gps, iphone (email/phone off though), SLR camera, video cam....

[Brom Vermeulen]

I use both; the GPS as a trip computer; and as a means of locating obscure spots, like some NJ1K summits that are part of a wooded plateau.

For navigating, I prefer the map & compass, but then I'm pretty old school (or just plain old). I still have my 1967 edition of "Be Expert with Map and Compass"!

BV

 

[Joseph Collins]

I have succumb to my inner geek and purchased an iPhone 4. So...what are the recommended Apps for hiking/backpacking?

[njHiking.com]

We found MotionX GPS to be the best nav app. None are perfect, but this is pretty good.

 

This link has a TON of reviews for outdoor iphone apps:

http://www.adventure-journal.com/2011/04/gear-review-best-outdoor-i...

 

Some others we've tried and are neat:

Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ - American Park Network

Park Guides
National Park Maps HD - National Geographic Society

 

Not hiking related, but nifty if you are into astronomy, birds, or trees:

Pocket Universe: Virtual Sky Astronomy
iBird Explorer Lite
Leafsnap

 

And just in general, we found having the weather radar map available to us when hiking really handy to help decide whether to bail on a trail due to incoming weather. Plus we can check google maps before we leave the trailhead to avoid traffic on the way home!