I recently downloaded the U.K based Viewranger GPS mapping software for my Motorola Defy Mini and purchased the New Zealand Maps for it.
Before hand I was using Backcountry navigator Pro but I found it rather difficult to download maps off the provided server. It would time-out or take forever to download. Even the recommended mapping software Mobile Atlas Creator wouldn't even download off the recommended Server nztopomaps. Once you have the Maps on the phone Backcountry Navigator Pro works great. But it's just a hassle getting the maps, hence why I opted for Viewranger.
With Viewranger, you can log on to the website and set and record tracks and there are a few other options available also. It is also used by various Search and rescue outfits around the world so it must be good. I have only used it a few times, so far it has not let me down. the maps cost about $40 for the Entire length of New Zealand.
I ran a few tests comparing my Motorola Defy Mini and my Garmin eTrex Legend HCx GPS and they both work fine and have the same issues with heavy tree cover and cloud cover. My GPS doesn't have a external antenna so if you may get better response with a GPS with an external Antenna.
So the Mapping software for the smartphones are a good alternative to buying a stand alone GPS. But it always pays to carry a topographical map and compass for backup and to learn to use both, as when the GPS cannot connect or or the phone/GPS fails for some reason you have a backup.
Add a Comment
I got a email from Motorola today saying that the Motorola Defy Mini XT320 is IP67 Certified. Meaning it's:
6- Totally protected against dust
7- Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m
( IP Rating codes From http://www.aceeca.com/handhelds/ip67)
Below is the email:
| Subject | |
| Waterproof rating for Defy mini XT320 | |
| Discussion Thread | |
| Response Via Email (Neil) | 16/03/2013 06.09 PM |
| Dear Joe, Thanks for reaching out to Motorola. I’ve reviewed your e-mail and I’m ready to help. We are sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you. The Motorola Defy Mini XT320 phone is IP67 certified with water resistant and dust proof. If you have further questions or need additional assistance, please contact our Cellular Information Center at 0508 6686 7652. Our business hours are Monday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. We are closed on Sunday and National Public Holidays. For information about Motorola products and services, please locatehttp://www.motorola.com/Consumers/NZ-EN/GLP Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be of service to you. Best Regards, Neil |
|
| Customer By Web Form (Joe) | 15/03/2013 02.43 PM |
| Hello how are you? I am wondering if you are able to tell me the IP rating for the Defy mini xt320. Thank you, Joe |
|
[---001:001042:38265---]
Hi Joe. Thanks for the extensive and comprehensive insights. Next time I hit the smartphone market it might give me some good starting points. Cheers. :)
Hi Mike.
I have found battery life to be an issue with the smartphones. I have only owned two so far. One being a Huawei U8150 Ideos and the other the Motorola Defy Mini. I opted for the Motorola as it's designed for outdoor use and has longer battery life and it was in my price range at the time. There are more expensive rugged smartphones out there with better specs but they are out of my price range at the moment.
When I was using the Huawei in the bush I would easily go through a battery in a day. I was using it for GPS, Music and sometimes the Camera. I normally turn certain features off like WIFI and bluetooth and others that I won't be needing in the Bush. The GPS is rather draining on the Battery. For my Motorola I got two spare batteries off Ebay for about $10 each so they are relatively cheap to get. I haven't had the time or chance to test to see how long the battery will last just powering the GPS and the essentials for the phone to operate yet, but I am planning to.
According to the research that I have done, the Motorla Defy Mini is IP65 rated I cannot find any official rating for it so far, I am going to contact Motorla and see if they will give me the details, but IP65 means it can withstand rain and a drop in a puddle . I have not tired this but it seems like it will stand it. There are phones out there that will take a 1 metre drop in water. It also has the Corning Gorilla Glass display that resists scratches. There are a few videos on Youtube that have people demonstrating how waterproof it is. I have a sealed waterproof neck pouch that I carry mine in when I run the risk of dropping it in deep water or for long periods in heavy rain.
personally what I carry is a Topo map, compass, Garmin eTrex Legend HCx GPS and my Motorola Defy Mini. I carry all my equipment in Sea to Summit dry bags. I'm not fussed about gettting the Garmin wet because as you say its very rugged and waterproof.
I don't tend to worry about putting the smartphone in a shockproof case, I have thought about getting one, but I don't really see the point if I am using the phone at the time, which is when I am most likely to drop it, this is when a lanyard comes in handy. I have a neopropylene belt pouch that I sometimes use that will offer very minor shock protection. I dropped my Huawei a few times and ended up cracking the screen but that was when I was carrying it and it slipped out of my hands. So in certain situations I can see the point in a shock proof hard case but to use the phone i would have to stop and get it out, connect to the gps satellites and put it back when finished, kind of a hassle in my view. But they do have their benefits like when traveling in a vehicle, aeroplane, boat etc . As i mentioned before I have a sealed waterproof neck pouch. That is quite good and easy to use, and also very little chance of dropping it. There are various models on the market. I got mine from FCO.
I haven't tired the external batteries, They look OK but I opted to get the spare batteries instead as I know they are pretty much fool proof and will work when needed.
When I first got my smartphone I got a cheap $50 solar phone charger that charges two AA Batteries and then you hook the USB charging cable into it and its meant to charge the phone off the charged AA batteries. This pretty much failed and ended up draining the phone battery instead. I got it from Jaycar and it's made in Germany so i'm quite surprised that it failed. I haven't tried it with my new phone yet so I may give that a go.
There are mixed reviews with solar phone chargers so If you do choose to get one, do you research first and make sure you get a good one
I hope this helps with your questions.
Hi Joe. Thanks for the write-up. A couple of aspects you didn't mention, and reasons for which I'm still cautious about using a smartphone in a significant way, are battery life and durability. eg. My eTrex Vista HCx and eTrex 30 are both relatively light, will track continuously for ~25+ hours on 2xAA rechargeable batteries and are designed to be dropped or continue operating up to a metre underwater, and generally very adverse weather conditions. The (very) limited number of smartphones I've used wouldn't really compete in those respects. As you say, though, definitely a viable alternative as long as you're not relying on them for safety. (I still wouldn't normally even rely on a dedicated GPS for safety by choice, for that matter.)
My smartphone experience is very limited and dated, though, and my current main phone is 2 years old. I've heard of people attaching external batteries, putting them in fancy weather-proof shock-proof cases, and so on. Have you had much insight into how experience with these kind of issues?
RSS
You need to be a member of BushcraftNZ to add comments!
Join BushcraftNZ