QUESTION for HIKERS: I-PAD or I-PHONE

Aug 30, 2015

[Yosemitest]

I want to know what is best to use for a long hike, the I-Phone or the I-pad.
I have NOT owned or used either.
I want to be able to make and receive phone calls, access the internet, shoot video, edit video, and load video.
I'd prefer the larger screen in the I-Pad Mini over the I-Phone, but I also need to be able to make and receive calls, and I'm not sure if the I-Pad Mini can receive calls.
If you have experience with both, please let me know the advantages and disadvantages of each.
I also want to use it to be a GPS navigation with topo maps, and use it as an altimeter.


iPhone 6/iPhone 6 Plus vs iPad mini 3 comparison

[Yosemitest]

Suggestions?

[mountainlion]

There is no reception where I live so I use neither as they do not work in the hills. You might want to check on reception where you want to go.

[EEGator]

I think you would have to Skype for phone calls on the Mini.

[EEGator]

http://digwhich.com/blog/2015/3/18/use-ipad-as-phone

[bk1000]

While you can do face time with the iPad,you can’t actually make phone calls. The larger iPhone has a really good camera, but might be difficult to use to edit video. For your hiking needs I’d suggest the iPhone, and edit your video when you get home. FWIW, editing isn’t that easy on an iPad either.

[Ray76]

Seriously?

[Proud2BeRight]

Personally, I believe it is best to hike with a basic digital camera (and perhaps an emergency locator if you will be doing a riskier hike) and completely disconnect from the outside world.

[lormand]

I went to India and back with an iPad mini in my cargo shorts. Fits like a glove.

[dfwgator]

For hiking I would suggest a GoPro.

[Vermont Lt]

If you are going “way out” then neither.

The map functions work ok in the city, but you get up on a mountain and they will not work without cellular service.

Plus, they are battery hogs. How are you going to charge them?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That’s just the reason I bought my iPhone 6 Plus. Big enough for maps, yet fits in the pocket. Get GaiaGPS app — best out there. I bought a Mophie juice pack for it as well as a big 30,000 mAh battery pack. It weighs close to a pound, but you won’t run out of power. The Mophie gets me through any day hike.

Just be sue
Re to download maps before you go and turn on tracking.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Download maps before you go. Then all you need is GPS out in the country where there’s no data service.

[Yosemitest]

The iPad Mini Experiment - Week 1: How to Use Your iPad or iPad Mini as a Phone.( 7:35 )
By Prof. Adam Scott Wandt
Published on Dec 15, 2012

[NorthMountain]

Suggestions:

1) Get a digital camera, from Nikon or Canon or whatever, that uses AA or AAA batteries.

2) Get a GPS device, from Garmin, that uses AA or AAA batteries.

3) Don’t count on having cell reception of any sort when you’re out in the boonies.

4) Bring whatever brand of cellphone and/or tablet you like. If you follow (1) and (2) above, you won’t get burned when your cellphone/tablet battery dies.

BTDT.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks for the link.
It's a good read.

Note: Be aware that these apps use a data connection (either over wifi or cellular) to send and receive information, and may increase the amount of data you use every month if you're using them over a cellular data connection.

[NorthMountain]

Oh, yes:

Bring extra AA or AAA batteries.

[umgud]

You'll need something rugged.

[Another Post-American]

Another option would be rechargeable batteries with a solar battery charger. Though I can’t speak for how effective such chargers are (or if it would be conveniently sunny when you needed it.)

[EEGator]

Anytime.

[mountainlion]

I live in the country where there is no “data service”, TV signal except in spanish so I do not need GPS. I sometimes use some old paper maps that most nowadays could not read. I do have slow DSL to amuse myself though.