Using an Iphone as a hand held GPS for hiking remote ares

Check the "AllTrails" app

Thanks for all the replies and info. I checked out OnX Hunt, Gaia GPS, AllTrails and USGS maps. Could not find from there web sites if the areas that I wanted where there without buying the subscription. The USGS maps were free and I found the trail I was looking for and for a one time use it looks fine. However if I were 20 years younger and was going to do a lot of hiking the Gaia and Alltrails were better but cost $19 -$29/year for a subscription.

Look into Motion X GPS app for iPhone. Costs $1.99 at App Store and there is no subscription required. You can download maps for use when there is no cell service. It will allow you to use tracks like a portable GPS. The offline maps you download can take a lot of space if the area is large and you want maximum detail. Even if the map doesn't have a lot of detail for your area, if you start a new track when you start your hike you should be able to find your way back and retrace your steps. I bought this to replace my handheld GPS when it died. Hope this helps.

Gjac wrote:
traveling down the road at 60 mpg.

I've never been able to get that kind of performance.

wa8yxm wrote:
I am not sure the GPS works in airplane mode as it is an RF Receiver and most RF Receivers make a RF signal as well.. Google "Fox Hole Radio" for an explanation.
(The fox hole radio does NOT generate RF that can be detected).

Also does the I-Phone store the area map.. Android's do not ... by default.. but you can store an area map if you wish.

Carry a back up emergency re-charger would be my suggestion.

My I phone 7 GPS system (Copilot) works in airplane mode. Don't all these newer smart phone have a stand alone GPS system?

joebedford wrote:

Gjac wrote:
traveling down the road at 60 mpg.

I've never been able to get that kind of performance.

This is not the first time I made that mistake.

I've used iHike a lot over the last several years and I really like it. I use it for off-road trips and for hiking. I've tried some of the others but prefer iHike because I find it easier to use. It will plot your course on a topo while you hike or you can put in a route defined by way points in advance. The app is 5 or 10 dollars but there is no recurring charge or any charge for maps. You just need to be sure and download the USGS maps in a location where you have data coverage. I think you can also download USFS maps. If you don't have a map downloaded, it will still plot your course on a blank map which will allow you to retrace your route. I go on hikes with the app running for at least 8-10 hours and I still have some battery left at the end of the hike. I do carry a battery pack in case I run out of juice, but I've never needed to use it.