Portable GPS device for hiking / climbing
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Garmin ６２S
I wrote the same article about a portable GPS device a few weeks ago in the Japanese site. I also introduce a portable GPS in this English site.
GPS（Global Positioning System)
A car navigation system with GPS is getting very popular and convenient nowadays. The device tells us estimated arrival time and route to the destination with just putting destination address. The information is very accurate in the most of time. Also, newer model has a feature to detour congested portion. The devices keep improving its function.
Portable GPS device
Those GPS devices are getting popular in climbing and hiking. Many people carry portable GPS device when they are on a trail. Most of devices do not have a nice navigation feature like a car navigation system, however, they can show where people walked on a map. Newer models are faster to capture satellites than older models. Also, sensibility is improved and it is working in the most of place as long as people can see sky even if there are many tall trees on the trail.
There are various models using touch-panel like a smart phone and it is easy to use for most of people. The display panel is also getting bigger. One I have looks like a wally-talky, the operation is a classic style with some buttons. A benefit for such type is people can operate with globs, therefore, even in a winter in a snow field, we can use with wearing globs. That is a big reason I picked classic style device.
Still need maps?
In old days, map and compass are necessary to navigate on a trail. Then a questions many people have is if we still need them or not. In my opinion, I believe we still need maps and compass.
The reason is:
- It is not easy to see overall area. GPS can zoom in/out, but it is hard to see overall. It is sitll convenient to have a map to see overall.
- Dead battery and / or trouble always happen any time. Just in case, it is still better to have maps and compass as a backup option.
- GPS might not work when there are many tall trees, in a cave and etc. In this case, only option is using maps and compass. Actually, a state park in California like Big Basin Redwood state park. There are many tall redwood trees and brochure indicates in its notes, GPS might not work due to tall red trees and they suggest to carry maps and compass when people go hiking.
I often carry the GPS device in a field. Since I lives in California, I primary use it in hiking trails in California. However, maps in the GPS does not have actual trail except very few trails that are really major in national parks or something similar. Therefore, we need to understand overall trail, otherwise, it is easy to get lost. A good thing is all route that I walked with GPS device ON will be logged. Therefore, it helps to go back on the same route.
A convenient feature I like most is to keep track the time stamps for each location on the log. It is convenient to write a notes after that. Also, if people have a heart rate monitor, the device can pair the monitor with the GPS device and record real time heart rate with the route. It is a good feature to review the walking pace and plan.
Garmin offers a web site to upload the activities. It is very convenient to keep all record on a web site. People can share and access over the internet.
Difference from GPS function in a smart phone
Most of GPS function in a smart phone needs to get the internet connection to download map information.
Therefore, if a place could not get mobile phone coverage, the GPS function might not work with maps. This might not a big problem if a trail close to town/city. However, if trails far away from town/city, it might not work. So people needs to know how the mobile coverage looks like.
A device I have can work a whole day with two AA batteries. With some spare batteries, it can be used even if it is a long trip.
Recently, I have not had many chances to use the device, but I will try to use it and log where I walked, then I will share my hiking in this blog!!
紹介して行きたいと思います！
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