Navigation recommendations-UK centric options.

[Paul_B]

Curious as to what you guys recommend for uk hillwalking use assuming map and compass already carried. Dedicated gps unit or smartphone and mapping app? Which one whichever option you prefer?

Got a smartphone, not got a gps unit. Got maps and more than a few compasses. Know how to navigate with maps and compasses so can get most out of a phone plus mapping app but perhaps not great with modern gps units. I only have ancient garmin gps60 I think. The original one with quad helix antenna but basic gos without any mapping just breadcrumb trail.

 

[Stew]

I’ve never seen the benefit of a gps over a map and compass. They work fine

 

[Suffolkrafter]

I use two apps on a smartphone. I've personally never felt the need for a dedicated GPS unit. I have the ordnance survey app on my phone, although I don't use it because I always have a paper OS map. But I also use an app called locus maps. I have locus maps classic, before it became a subscription service. The maps you buy for it (very cheap) are superb quality. I would say they have more detail in some respects than ordnance survey, I find the two complement each other very well. Locus maps will show paths that OS doesn't show. But OS shows rights of way more clearly.

I guess the only consideration would be if you're planning on using an electronic device in winter conditions when you don't want to take gloves off, then a phone may not be as practical as a GPS unit.

 

[SaraR]

I like paper maps for getting an overview and for planning and digital options for getting an accurate location and tracking where I've been. I used to use my phone and OS maps etc, but got tired of the OS maps app being uncooperative and running down the battery on my phone, so last year I got a dedicated GPS unit and other than it being a bit big and hefty, it's been great! I still use paper maps, but I use them for slightly different parts of the job.
And I don't think I'll ever coo over an GPS unit the way I do over paper maps.

 

[nigelp]

I use a smartphone and TopoGPS or Memory Map for All. Smartphone has a better screen, ability to zoom into maps, swap map scales easily and you can plot a route on phone quickly and easily. Drawback is the phone is terrible to use in very wet/snow weather because the screen needs touching and will not respond properly. For those occasions I would use a map and compass.

 

[Erbswurst]

Isn't the whole map system already UK - centric enough?

So far I am informed, the newest Francis Barker compass model also points to Greenwich.

Breithaupt is working on a compass that points to Kassel though and Cammenga recently developed one that points to Washington.
Unsure if the last Suunto compasses already point to Helsinki. Someone told me that they point to Vantaa, whyever.
Perhaps @TLM can tell us more about it.

 

[Limaed]

I travel a lot so use Outdooractive which is absolutely brilliant. Basically complete OS mapping plus lots of extras depending on what package you go for. I get it free as a MR volunteer but I think I would get it anyway even if I didn’t. I still carry and use a paper map and compass and use OS locate as a back up for grid references etc. It’s free and you don’t need data / Wi-Fi for it to work so is a good back up for areas with poor signal.

 

[TLM]

Someone told me that they point to Vantaa, whyever.

Well, they have their headquarters there, why not.

I have read that Brits and French had somewhat of a fiǵht over where the 0 meridian should go, London or Paris. For some reason Brits seem to have won.

I think many phones have a flux gate compass inbuilt so that can be easily reprogrammed to show whichever way.

I must admit that I am using phone or small tablet maps more and more, being slightly lazy I often use satellite positioning too. When going in really strange places or so I still carry paper (nowadays often plastic) maps and a an ancient magnetic needle compass.

 

[gibson 175]

Have

I use a smartphone and TopoGPS or Memory Map for All. Smartphone has a better screen, ability to zoom into maps, swap map scales easily and you can plot a route on phone quickly and easily. Drawback is the phone is terrible to use in very wet/snow weather because the screen needs touching and will not respond properly. For those occasions I would use a map and compass.

Is topogps for your smartphone or a dedicated gps unit .I have always used map and compass for uk eg,dales, wales, lake district,Scotland. Am considering getting gps,phone apps...need to research if its worthwhile

 

[nigelp]

Have

Is topogps for your smartphone or a dedicated gps unit .I have always used map and compass for uk eg,dales, wales, lake district,Scotland. Am considering getting gps,phone apps...need to research if its worthwhile

It an app for the smart phone. I would save your money and just use an app like TopGPS or Memory Map for All. Better screen, software etc and saves spending out on a GPS unit.

 

[Wander]

I use Outdoor Active app on my phone:

The Best App for Cycling and Hiking • Outdooractive

Explore the outdoors with the best app for cycling, walking, mountain biking and mountaineering. Save routes, download maps and plan routes for free!

www.outdooractive.com

Simple, clear, and does what I need it for.

 

[Kav]

Just ask a local for directions ( if the local accent is loaded on Star Treks’ universal translator) This worked for me in Ireland- except for this guy who, in all sincerity said ‘ well now, if I was you, I wouldn’t start from here.’

 

[SaraR]

Have

Is topogps for your smartphone or a dedicated gps unit .I have always used map and compass for uk eg,dales, wales, lake district,Scotland. Am considering getting gps,phone apps...need to research if its worthwhile

Get a free one for your phone and try it out for a while. If that works well for you in principle, but you need better maps, get something with OS maps on it. If you'd rather have a dedicated GPS unit you'll know better what's important to you. Or you might even decide to stick with paper maps

 

[MrEd]

I use OS maps on my phone for general ‘walking the dog’ type navigation and am quite happy with it, but I always carry a paper map and compass if somewhere I don’t know well - for example when I went to north wales to walk the slate trail a few years ago - but if down around my area of the South Downs I don’t bother.
I used to use a handheld GPS (garmin etrex) which was years old but I haven’t picked that up in a long time (although I used to use it extensively - particularly to track my walks, but a smartphone has superseded that)

 

[SaraR]

I use OS maps on my phone for general ‘walking the dog’ type navigation and am quite happy with it, but I always carry a paper map and compass if somewhere I don’t know well - for example when I went to north wales to walk the slate trail a few years ago - but if down around my area of the South Downs I don’t bother.
I used to use a handheld GPS (garmin etrex) which was years old but I haven’t picked that up in a long time (although I used to use it extensively - particularly to track my walks, but a smartphone has superseded that)

I used to use Map My Run to record walks (mainly for getting the distance walked) and have OS maps open if I thought I’d need/want a better map for the occasional checking of my route options. I’ve recently got a Garmin Instinct 2s for recording walks etc which is great for recording walks and hikes (and can follow gpx routes etc) without draining my phone battery or having to get my phone out all the time.

 

[EdS]

Fatmap is pretty good to.

Has OS mapping as well as a number of European equivalents.

The 3d function is good - use it a fair bit on big hills abroad

 

[nigelp]

Get a free one for your phone and try it out for a while. If that works well for you in principle, but you need better maps, get something with OS maps on it. If you'd rather have a dedicated GPS unit you'll know better what's important to you. Or you might even decide to stick with paper maps

Via TopoGPS and Memory Map for All you can subscribe to OS maps.

 

[SaraR]

Via TopoGPS and Memory Map for All you can subscribe to OS maps.

Does that work if you've already got an OS map Premium prescription?

 

[nigelp]

Does that work if you've already got an OS map Premium prescription?

No. Ordinance Survey do not allow you to use a subscription purchased from one company on another device. I subscribe separately to OS maps from OS, TopoGPS and then with via MM4A!

 

[SaraR]

No. Ordinance Survey do not allow you to use a subscription purchased from one company on another device. I subscribe separately to OS maps from OS, TopoGPS and then with via MM4A!

That's annoying (and expensive)!