I’m getting into the space of more serious hikes, and want the supportive gear, especially to gain some independence.
When I hike, I usually use a physical map. But I know that there are some brilliant navigation devices out there, too.
I was thinking of getting a navigation device for the added support that can guide me through a plotted out route (self planned, GPX from a previous hike, or guide to waypoints and coordinates), and was torn between having a dedicated navigation device (I was looking at the Garmin eTrex series) or getting a watch that supports maps and guiding (perhaps a second-hand Garmin that’s in good condition around the same price).
I know that the lower eTrex devices don’t support topo maps, but they seem quite good with waypoints and plotted out courses. On the other hand, Garmin watches are pricey, but I’ve seen a few older models that can do the trick while still in pretty good nick…
I am aware of other options too, such as apps and the like, but don’t want to use my phone while hiking unless necessary. My hesitance is emphasised on multi-day hikes because of excessive charging and the desire to be detached from…
So, what do you guys think: a dedicated device (suggestions welcome), or a watch that has other features too (but smaller).
Personally I’d go for a handheld with replaceable batteries, that can accept maps or at least show contours (especially if you’re planning off-trail stuff).
I have a first gen Garmin instinct, and although great for the size, battery only lasts a day and a half if you’re tracking, and no contours (although if you upload routes you can kind of guess where you’re going if there’s a path…if not, hope the Garmin Explore map routes/trails are accurate).
Not much experience with newer handhelds. My (Very) old Etrex Vista doesn’t really count apart from screen size & battery usage.
I’d normally say using your phone with Gaia is more than sufficient. In fact, it’s often a preferable way to navigate. That said, I bought a Garmin GPSMAP 67i after an experience hiking in heavy, cold rains in the Drakensberg.
Long story short: we couldn’t use phones because the touchscreen failed in the downpour, nor could we stop to check maps as we were soaked and rapidly losing body heat whenever we paused. It was a rough lesson in needing dedicated equipment.
I chose the 67i specifically for its inReach functionality, which proved invaluable months later at Fish River Canyon. Two ill-equipped hikers got left behind by their group ahead of us – we used the device to arrange their evacuation via emergency exits. Without it, we’d have had to absorb them into our 3 man group and carry their gear. We were willing, but it would have been gruelling but could have been a great challenge.
For serious hiking, I believe a dedicated unit outperforms watches. The battery life alone makes a significant difference versus wrist-worn devices. But a map is always something you need and the fact that you have started with that is incredible!
I suppose the safest would be a dedicated a dedicated navigation device like a decent eTrex.
What I’ve been using with great success over the last couple of years has been my Garmin Fenix 7x + my smartphone.
Smartphones these days are excellent navigation instruments, especially with the right apps and maps. They are often quite weather resistant, and you can upgrade their toughness quite a bit with the right case. I also find that a smartphone battery last a very long time in airplane mode, even when used for navigation. Though I suppose this depends heavily on the phone model. I’ve gone a week without having to charge my phone while using it to navigate.
Pairing the phone with the Garmin watch works brilliantly because:
I can use the phone occasionally to do more intensive route/map oversights/planning, and then rely on the watch to keep “on track” as I’m walking. This method uses much less power overall (the watch uses even less power than the phone) and is more convenient. It’s much quicker to quickly glance down at a watch than to take out a separate device.
I have a backup in case one fails. In case either the phone or the watch fails, I can use the other to navigate. The Fenix 7 has full topographic maps (which can be improved with custom ones) and route planning etc. The small screen is less convenient than the larger screen of a phone or dedicated gps, but in a pinch it can do anything that I need it to.
Depending on how long the hike is, you will need to recharge the watch/phone, but a small powerbank should be more than enough (especially if you’re mainly charging the watch).
Another plus to the phone + watch combo is that the watch is also very useful in day-to-day life. I can’t live without the torchlight on my Fenix anymore.
Honestly - Iv never really thought about this - I have always just used a map and compass!
I usually study the map at home for a few evenings before the trip and again each night or morning when on a trail, mentally plotting the rout for the day. I get a kind of 3D vision of the rout and what hills or cliffs to look out for as landmarks and where the sun should be in relation to these.
On, my last Berg hike, a friend was obsessing with his phone and I found that irritating. My head was saying, “cross one more stream, over that spur, down a zigzag and the in next valley we take the right hand path, then its 5km to the car”, and he was fiddling and checking every few steps (so it seemed).
Im going to look into a decent gps now - thanks for the heads up, makes sense, and is much safer!
@Craigzilla
Sounds to me you’re doing just fine, better than fine.
3D imagining and memorising can’t be beat, it’s much like Hannibal Lecter’s ‘Memory Palaces’ or other mnemonic stratagems.
Thank you for all your advice. I didn’t respond as I was taking it all in, and the next thing I knew, I had a Garmin watch, a map, and a hand-held device all at my disposal. So, here’s some feedback (in case you were wondering)…
The scenario:
This past long weekend I, along with some friends, did the Rhebok Trail at the Golden Gate National Park. It’s a two-day hike, approximately 28km over the two days.
The use:
I used the watch to help guide the route (the maps weren’t too accurate) and it worked quite well. For some reason, the topo-maps didn’t pull through which would have been nice to see even the basic contours. This may have helped where the route was very overgrown.
My opinion:
I really liked the convenience of having the route easily accessible (on my wrist) rather than somewhere where I would have to clip or store an additional device, and then struggle to access it when needed… The route offered basic guidance to where I should go, but this did present some problems. I used it more of a guideline and applied logic and collaborative communication with my group. I do own some better quality physical maps, which I am getting to know more and learning how to use it properly. I think that together, the physical map and either a hand-held device or route supporting watch work well together.
My verdict:
I’m probably going to use my watch more (which does everything the hand-held device does, anyway). I may invest in an emergency communications device (like the InReach Mini 2) which also supports some very basic route features, but can help in emergency situations. This would probably round up my tech needed for multi-day hikes… for now at least. To anyone else with the same question, both can work well; just try it out and find what you prefer.
My thanks:
Thanks again everyone for your contributions. I benefitted from each of your knowledge and insight. It’s support like this that grows the knowledge base and equips new hikers with confidence to do more!
PS: I’ll be giving this a go again soon on a longer hike… it will be interesting to see how a five-day trip would turn out
