I loaded the backcountry navigator app in my Galaxy 4S and used it in the beartooth wilderness a couple weeks ago. Here are a few points I will mention.
Free trial version, great idea will full functions. the full app is only $10 and well worth it.
Battery life with the phone in airplane mode was good. I had a battery charging pack, i never used it. I did not have the phone on a whole lot because the trails were pretty easy to see but I did use it a fair amount.
Screen brightness in this phone is better than most GPS units and that makes it nice.
You do not need cell coverage to see SAT and TOPO. You download the data before you head out, and it stores it on your microSD card. And yes, you can store the Sat images and that is nice. It is best to download when you have WiFi so you do not use up data if you do not have an unlimited plan.
Making waypoints is fast, and easy to type because you use the touch screen.
My phones compass is off a little, maybe as bad as a couple degrees, not sure why. tried multiple calibrations with no luck. I carry a hand held compass anyway so it is not a big deal.
Tracks feature works great. waypoint feature is great, and when you are in data coverage the search function is great. Just type in a town or landmark and hit go and it takes you there.
Phones are not waterproof, this is a concern. I purchased a waterproof bag for it. Some carriers are coming out with the new Galaxy 4 active, a water resistant version. Verizon did not have it (still don't) when I got this phone a couple months ago.
For 2-4 day trips for back packing this is a great option and if you add up the weight that it is a phone, camera, video camera, and GPS all in one it is a great weight saver. I think for driving it is a great feature as well because you can mount it on your dash mount and see maps and have tunes and the phone all ready for your road trip.
All in all, even though I will carry a stand alone GPS on lot of trips I will always have my phone if I know I can get a signal so if i expect a short trip I can start leaving the Garmin at the truck and make due with this. The reality of it is that the functions are as good, and some better than the Garmin. The lack of waterproof is the biggest concern at his point. The battery life is not a problem with the idea of taking the spare charging pack (a little smaller than the phone).
Here is the deal, it is a free app for the first couple weeks, and I am a little surprised at how well i liked it. Try it out, and if your like me you will probably buy the $10 app. Now what I need is for HuntingGPS Maps to start making maps for the android system!
Free trial version, great idea will full functions. the full app is only $10 and well worth it.
Battery life with the phone in airplane mode was good. I had a battery charging pack, i never used it. I did not have the phone on a whole lot because the trails were pretty easy to see but I did use it a fair amount.
Screen brightness in this phone is better than most GPS units and that makes it nice.
You do not need cell coverage to see SAT and TOPO. You download the data before you head out, and it stores it on your microSD card. And yes, you can store the Sat images and that is nice. It is best to download when you have WiFi so you do not use up data if you do not have an unlimited plan.
Making waypoints is fast, and easy to type because you use the touch screen.
My phones compass is off a little, maybe as bad as a couple degrees, not sure why. tried multiple calibrations with no luck. I carry a hand held compass anyway so it is not a big deal.
Tracks feature works great. waypoint feature is great, and when you are in data coverage the search function is great. Just type in a town or landmark and hit go and it takes you there.
Phones are not waterproof, this is a concern. I purchased a waterproof bag for it. Some carriers are coming out with the new Galaxy 4 active, a water resistant version. Verizon did not have it (still don't) when I got this phone a couple months ago.
For 2-4 day trips for back packing this is a great option and if you add up the weight that it is a phone, camera, video camera, and GPS all in one it is a great weight saver. I think for driving it is a great feature as well because you can mount it on your dash mount and see maps and have tunes and the phone all ready for your road trip.
All in all, even though I will carry a stand alone GPS on lot of trips I will always have my phone if I know I can get a signal so if i expect a short trip I can start leaving the Garmin at the truck and make due with this. The reality of it is that the functions are as good, and some better than the Garmin. The lack of waterproof is the biggest concern at his point. The battery life is not a problem with the idea of taking the spare charging pack (a little smaller than the phone).
Here is the deal, it is a free app for the first couple weeks, and I am a little surprised at how well i liked it. Try it out, and if your like me you will probably buy the $10 app. Now what I need is for HuntingGPS Maps to start making maps for the android system!
