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]

I bought an Olympus TG-3 that says it will load wirelessly to an I-Phone, but I'm not sure about an I-Pad.

Olympus TG-4 16 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Red)

I'm not much of a phone user, but I have aging parents that I need to be able to check in on, and that need to be able to reach me in case of an emergency.
Mostly I want to be able to upload videos to YouTube, and be able to do finances through the internet, and keep my e-mail clean.

[Yosemitest]

PowerFilm R-13 Rollable Solar Panel Charger

[NorthMountain]

rechargeable batteries with a solar battery charger.

That's OK if you can physically swap batteries. And you're not wandering around.

When batteries die (notice I don't say "if") they do so when you really need them. NOW. there's no substitute for physically swapping a live battery for the dead one. If it's mission critical, I want removable batteries and spares.

BTDT.

[Ouderkirk]

I would suggest neither...unless where you’re going actually HAS service. 4G-LTE preferred.

FWIW, I own both iPad and iPhone but in the back country where service is scant, I don’t need to haul in and out something that has little to no value where there is no signal.

[NorthMountain]

Get.

The.

Spare.

Battery.

Kit.

[Yosemitest]

I've been researching the GPS devices and the digital watches with altimeter and barometer.
I like the digital watches, but not the GPS watches because of short battery life.
The I-phone and the I-pad both can take an APP that is a GPS Altimeter that doesn't drain the battery near as fast, IF you use it off and on.
But if you leave the altimeter GPS function on all the time, it drains the battery pretty fast.
Research SpyGlass, and "Exact Altimeter for iPad by BitKnights"

[snoringbear]

Saw a backpack with a solar panel built in the top to be used for recharging cell phones, tablets and such. Might be worth investigating. But, won’t help much when you’re waaay out in the outback. Suggest a good compass and topographic map; and Bic lighter :)

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I was initially very hopeful for the Trimble Off-the-Grid maps but found it to be a clunky app and expensive. The maps for GaiaGPS are free OpenMap maps and are high quality. You just need to remember to download them. Trimble allows you to buy a entire state which is a big plus.

[Yosemitest]

There are several lightweight chargers that will fit a car cigarette socket, that will plug into my solar charger.

Maha Powerex C204GT-DC AA and AAA Battery Charger

Also there's portable AC chargers that can do a great job.

DigiPower TC-U450 Universal Camera Battery Charger (Black)

[Vermont Lt]

Ok...that’ll work.

For pictures the iPhone 6 is wonderful. But for the other stuff, it’s mediocre at best. Especially out in the boondocks.

I would take my digital camera, paper maps, and one of my ham radios that can use GPS and talk over a decent distance.

[thesearethetimes...]

Bookmark

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Also, I use the iPhone for calls to family when I’m near cell reception, listening to Podcasts, Rush and music, taking photos (which you can take within GaiaGPS so they are automatically geotagged and connected to map waypoints), monitoring heart rate with a chest monitor, and monitoring noisy aircraft overhead w FlightRadar (FAA just rerouted all flights into the SF Bay Area over the mid peninsula).

It is an amazing collection of things in such a small device.

[Yosemitest]

On a long hike (Appalachian Trail) paper Topo Maps are great, but tend to add up weight wise and bulk wise.
Ability to download topo maps would be great.

iPad 3G without internet connection as GPS ( 8:46 )

[vpintheak]

Samsung Galaxy S6.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

All modern phones have GPS built in. You don’t need data service for the GPS to work. The apps track your path using GPS.

Paper maps continue to work fine and the batteries never die.

[Yosemitest]

I've never used an I-pod, but I do like iHeart Radio.
However I also have a very good, small radio.

Sony SRF-M37W Walkman

I didn't know that an I-phone could do heart rate with a chest monitor, but I'm guessing that if the I-phone can do it, then so can the I-Pad, with the correct app.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks for the heads-up.

[NorthMountain]

Those portable chargers for your NiMH AA/AAA are nice. And if you run into trouble with your rechargeables, you can always go to alkaline while you get the rechargeable situation sorted out.

Since you asked for suggestions, I suggest a Garmin eTrex 20 or eTrex30, and your choice of cameras. I’ll admit it has gotten hard to find pocket cameras that take standard (AA or AAA) batteries, so for them the spare batteries and managing charge on them is of greater importance. I like the Nikon Coolpix and Canon Powershot lines of pocket cameras. Their optics are vastly superior to what you’ll find on a cellphone. Unfortunately, they’ve all gone to the little square lithium batteries.

As to the phone or tablet ... you’ll find the tablet easier for editing video. You’ll find the phone more flexible for getting on a network. What’s most important?

I’ve spent too much time (professionally and recreationally) in the boonies to trust ANY device that I can’t swap the batteries on, and for which I can’t get spares. I’m going to spend two weeks in the desert next month. I won’t be counting on my phone (Galaxy S6) to be anything other than dead weight most of the time. ALL of my “mission critical” devices will be of the sort dedicated to the particular task.

[Yosemitest]

Thanks. I've been reading about Trimble, and I have one of the MYTOPO maps at home on the wall.
I'll odo more research.
My long hike is still a few months away.

[TADSLOS]

Where are you hiking?