GPS units

Thanks MarkT. I did go for the paid version (on special at R50!) and R25 for the contour lines plugin. I can highly recommend it. Since most of us are carrying phones for safety reasons there is no need to carry an extra device. Put the phone into flight mode and the battery life is pretty good. Also has the novelty value of using it on a plane to see where you are.

Hi All,

So after many years of deciding against getting a hand-held gps, I've decided to take the plunge. However with the rise of smartphone apps that can potentially replace a dedicated gps unit, should I rather go with that? I'm due for an upgrade with "Vodacon" and am considering getting a CAT S60 which btw also has a pretty nifty built in thermal imaging camera.

www.cnet.com/products/cat-s60/

The gps unit is a Garmin Oregon 650 which I can get at R4k brand new, which is cheaper than my preferred option of the Garmin GPSmap 64s

www.outdoorgearlab.com/Handheld-Gps-Reviews/Garmin-Oregon-600 - the link is for the Oregon 600, the 650 has a built-in 8mp camera and torch.

Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

That CAT phone looks awesome. My preference would be for that - you can install multiple apps like Wikiloc, OSMAnd, etc. and aren't tied to any one provider - when a better app comes along, you can still use the phone. With a Garmin, you're tied to their software. Plus, of course, the phone can be used when you're not hiking.

I also use my eTrex when I hike for GPS and iPhone when I run. My thinking has been that the phone provides much more features and flexibility but the GPS unit allows for better battery life and easier battery changes...I hike for a lot longer then I run so with running the battery life isn't an issue.

The CAT looks pretty rad, dependent on battery life or backup battery availability, that looks like a cool option. It does seem quite pricey though, but possibly cheaper than getting a phone and a GPS considering you need a phone regardless.

Would really like to see the thermal camera in action.

Just put some feelers out as to the ruggedness claims that CAT make. I know two friends that have broken their CATs, both under circumstances well within what I would expect from the phone. But ask around cause these could very easily be once-offs.

Another consideration is the resale...you will sell the phone a lot easier than the GPS (if you needed to) just because your potential market is a lot larger.

I had so many serious issues with a GPSmap 64s 18 months ago that I was about to return it to Garmin for a full refund. Do not get one.

An eTrex 30 is a really great device.

Should you use a smartphone or a dedicated GPS? Blah, blah, blah.
Battery life. How long will you be in the hills for. I get 40 hours usage from an eTrex and can take spare AA batteries along to increase life to effectively infinite for almost no extra weight. A smart phone will barely make 10 hours if the screen is on, showing you where to walk, if that. And, the mist and cloud cover making you need the GPS is also going to block any sunshine making it impossible to charge a battery via solar cells.

Also, I would not want to walk in rain with a phone, or even with it in my hand for general navigation. Covers may protect the phone somewhat but they mist up so you will have to taken the phone out if the cover to see the screen properly.

I use an eTrex as primary unit, but have the maps preloaded on my phone as a backup.

Thanks for answers thus far: 2 for phone and 1 for etrex 30. Just to make it clear the phone is waterproof up to 5m. The gps though is cheaper than the etrex 30 and is highly rated by a number of sources that I've found on-line. I usually navigate using a compass and a map though, so the gps is only for verification and should there be reduced visibility like mist etc.

I usually carry both a gps (eTrex Venture) and a phone when hiking. The gps does what it is designed to do and does it well. Battery lasts up to 40 hours when permanently tracking. The phone barely doesn't get through a day hike with all the radios turned off except the gps.

My second point is a personal one: I use both wikiloc and OsmAnd+ on my phone and although they are both good, they do not touch the gps in terms of functionality and ease of use. If Garmin wrote a hiking app for the phone, I would probably gladly pay for it, but until then I will stick to my gps with my phone in my bag as backup.

I don't own a smartphone anymore and have never tried any navigating apps either, so I can't comment on that (although I suppose the fact that I have gone back to a qwerty keypad phone is already a comment, and intrepid will probably take a dig at me).

I have used an eTrex20 with topo maps, planning tracks and waypoints for several years, and have never had any navigating problems, or issues with Garmin software. My Garmin is on about a 1 m long lanyard, and in a pouch on my pack shoulder strap, and has taken numerous swims when I bend over to get water, numerous falls landing on rocks etc and has just shrugged all of these off as it should. If my gps had been a smartphone, it would have been broken long ago.

I am in total agreement with what Andrew and Peter say, and especially Peter's "The gps does what it is designed to do and does it well."

As a lot of posts indicate, topo maps on the gps make a huge difference.

If you don't track constantly on your phone and have it in flight mode, then the battery will last a very long time, sufficient for most hikes. I use a Suunto watch for tracking, so I guess that's why the phone is fine for me - if you just want to use it occasionally. If you don't have a GPS watch and want tracking on, then yes I agree a phone isn't good enough.

I have the Etrex 20 and it is a great little device. Very robust.

I have fallen face first into the Injasuthi river with it and both of us emerged unscathed. I always chuck it in the top of my pack and don't worry about rain etc. Battery life is very good and easy to source if you are on the road to the berg.

When I hike with Mark T, we almost always use his smart phone though, mostly because he is a Tech guy and has every single last waypoint and track down to the tee. I cant compete, so mine just stays in the pack for when the going gets tough and his falls to pieces

If you are a slapgat sort of person like me, who doesn't like worrying about your gear too much then go for the Garmin.

If you are a man like MarkT who looks after his things and sweeps out his tent after every use then go the smartphone route.