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Hello folks,,,,We visited this a year or so ago and I got a smart phone which takes care of 99 percent of my needs BUT.

If you use the GPS on the smartphone looking at the google Earth screen when walking...The arrow does not work and you have to go by the blue dot itself.
So you have to walk a good distance to see yourself move...And that means sometimes in the wrong direction till you can tell which way you are going.

My question is...Using the hiking style of GPS and using the Earth Screen can you see yourself move short distances at slow speeds?

As some of you know I hunt in Pine Plantations and once you get in overhead growth you have few reference points...And running in the woods at night to catch a hunting dog in thick cover. I have had a time or two I got far enough away from truck I could not see lights on truck after catching dogs. Would be nice to have a more precise back up than phone.

Thanks Friends.

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all you want. Of course you can only do a few at a time. I will check in the next couple of days and see how quick it responds. It is called ihikegps.

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Google Earth would NOT be my app of choice in your situation.

There are plenty of alternative apps that allow you to create tracks, to preplan routes, and even to import various maps from outside sources, including Google Earth.

Another concern is digital signal usage. Google Earth eats phone power like a hungry teenager eats breakfast cereal, especially when the signal is week. Maybe this isn't an issue, but my phone has croaked at inopportune moments afield due to the phone looking for a cell tower.

Handheld units utilize preloaded maps rather than depending on digital service to deliver the maps, which the OS then has to draw. Again, maybe not an issue for you on an evening hunt and depending on your location. I'm looking at handhelds this summer, though, after being let down last autumn, due largely to iOS 7's power management issues.

Hope that helps, and that I didn't open too many cans of wormage.

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OK ,ALOT of times I do NOT have time to turn on a GPS and wait for it to load and then set a Waypoint (where I parked the truck)

They are constantly cutting timber which means new logging roads. And Topos just do not update enough.

What I need (in my opinion based on what I do not know if it even exist)
Is a unit I can turn on and it will show me a photo of where I am. (Once I look at photo of map I know instantly where I parked.) And will in a few steps have me in the correct direction back to my vehicle.

Hope that gives a more clear idea of what I need,,,,Does it exist?

Thanks for your patience in my ignorance.

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Especially in the middle of nowhere where nothing changes.

Last month I had a "discussion" with someone I work with and they were saying that Google earth is "no longer real time, but pretty close." Lmao

I pulled up Google earth and zoomed into our parking lot and pointed out my Mercury. A car I haven't owned in four years. lol :D

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I have 10 year old roads that are not yet on topo maps.

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Another issue with Google Earth is that they do not regularly update their maps. We've got a huge industrial complex locally that GE shows as an empty lot and circus tent - and has done so for the past decade or so...

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create ongoing "tracks" without requiring you to input waypoints. This simplifies backtracking.

You can, of course, manually create a route, dropping pins etc to mark important features.

Essentially, newer "mapping" type units (and apps), which generally include ongoing updatable maps (via download from home) take a LOT of the old PITA out of use. Often you can load your own custom maps, including Google and Yahoo maps, as overlays to include your route. You can also view photos, useful via Google maps terrain and lighting features. Newer units are beginning to include projections that allow terrain visualization from various angles.

As others point out, Google and Yahoo maps and aerials cannot be depended on for current accuracy. I've noticed that they even use different images for different elevations.

Hope that's not too much info.

Bottom line: I use a combination of MotionX apps, along with MapMyRide, the native iOS nav app, and a series of Pocket Ranger apps. I removed Google Earth from my iPhone, due to it's massive size and resource hogging. If I feel the need, I use it at home to customize a map, and save it as a document to view on my phone as needed.

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which seems pretty good so far. It is called GPS Essentials and includes several useful tools, even a compass.

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The GPS function of my phone is very important to me, I use it regularly to map properties, hunting locations, points of interest in the woods, etc. The Droid phone has proven to be very accurate if you are a little patient, at least matching most dedicated GPS units, even very expensive handheld Trimbles. This is not in theory, but in actual field use, side by side, and in the office when the data is used to create maps of properties with GIS software. The biggest downside is the amount of battery used up, but that is usually caused by the screen being on, more so than the GPS function.

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downloaded it, set it up, went for a walk (concrete jungle) and it tracked fairly well. Didn't leave the screen on so each time I'd look at it it would have to recalculate and jump to where I was - but it tracked my movements fairly well. It was off (had me walking through buildings) in some places, probably due to the interference of the surrounding buildings? Forgot about it and went to run errands in the car. Later took a look and it recorded that too. :) But it does eat battery which means I'll use it when I need it, not leave it running in the background. Still, it's much better than the default Google app on my Xperia. Thank you!

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I started with a standard Smart Phone and it ate battery life with this stuff left on running. (positive side is you could buy backup batteries)

However I bought on of the HD Motorola Phones with the long life batteries. I can run all my apps and have a 48 hour or more standby time. Phone was a 100.00 more but have had Zero issues on battery life on a 6:30 am til 12:30 at night day getting last dogs up. (Down side is the battery is mounted permanent and has to be sent back to be replaced.) But it has made business, Personal, and outdoor life more enjoyable.

Thanks All

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was a Motorola Droid 2, which I loved and was incredibly accurate as a GPS and had excellent battery life. I used GPS-to-Google on it for most collection of data points, but that program is no longer available.

When that phone died a month or so back, they sent me a Motorola Droid 4 as a replacement. That is when I started using GPS Essentials and have really liked it so far, but am still experimenting. The battery life of the 4 is not nearly as good as the 2 was.

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I have an Iphone and have used the topo app called "Phil Endicott" top maps. I have used this app for about 4 years. It does not need any data so it works perfect in remote areas. It locates you with a blue dot and the dot will follow you at walking speed. It has a feature that brings up distance rings and you can use the pointer to find out distance and bearing to a point you pick out on the maps.

All of my buddies that have other phones envy this app. I don't know if it is available for other smart phones.

Bob

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Bob, My app does the same thing but the arrow does not work at walking speed..And the blue dot hardly moves at walking speed.(my reason for the post)

Does the app you are talking about get you pointed in the right direction in a step or two?

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No, sorry Gary. With this app you can place the crosshair where you want to go and read the bearing and distance. You then have to keep close watch with a compass or bring up the app and see if the blue dot moved.

I can walk with the app on and watch the blue dot move, but if you are going the wrong way you have to acknowledge it yourself and correct.

This app sort of shows you where you are and you can bring up topo, satellite or hybrid views and drop waypoints. Doesn't show tracks and no pointer.

Bob

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Get a quality GPS device with electronic compass and a map subscription.
That is the only way you'll have the best available navigation.
Just leave it on and running your whole time out.

--
Colonel, USAF (Ret)
NRA Life Member

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I can use this EXACTLY like the Google maps I use now and the only difference I see is the arrow showing the unit location shows which way you are going in a few steps where the google map arrow did not do that at walking speed.

Exactly what I wanted.............Thanks Brian and All that had input. A lot of very good information as always.

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