How do/ would you use your phone as a tool?

What apps have you loaded? How do you plan to keep it charged?

have an old Motorola Razr with mini USB charge port, no apps but for charging... my Goal Zero 7w panel to charge my Guide 10 battery pack (4 Sanyo AA Eneloops) which has a charge cord from USB to miniUSB... the Guide 10 pack is stand alone for approx 2 charges.. 12vdc tubular charger in car... back up is my Garmin GPS which also uses mini USB via 12v tubular

I love my smartphone (Android). I definitely EDC it. It is a great convenience, but not something I would have as part of a survival plan. If it was there and working when I needed it for survival, that's a bonus, but not something to plan for and depend on.

Went on a search where the victim rescued himself by using his
phone as a flashlight to read his map and trail markers as well
as call for help.

I recently got an el-cheapo blackberry knock-off. To further prevent a relapse into my blackberry addiction, I've stayed away from smart phones and apps. I have downloaded a gps program though.

In terms of keeping phones charged, I used to carry a spare charged battery but haven't got one for my new phone yet. I've been thinking about getting one of those AA/AAA powered cel phone chargers for a back-up when I'm off-roading.

I don't need a GPS app for a smartphone, I have a Garmin GPS receiver (or 3 or 4 ) for that. But what I found really cool was an App for Celestial Navigation called AstroNav and another called Celestial by Navimatics. Other Apps such as Star Walk, Star Chart and Night Sky will assist in finding the correct celestial body. Very useful as a GPS back-up if you aren't on land. (They work even better on an iPad.) BTW, the iPhone has a very good electronic compass, but I have a real compass too.

I have a DroidX (android verizon smart phone).

I carry 3 extra batteries (ordered from China, about $4 shipped).

Small charger that works from AC or DC. Also charges my two small ham radio batteries (we carry 6 radio batteries, 3 each person). Set of clip cords for charger so I can hook it to any DC source 6v-14vdc.

Far to many apps to list specifically. Mostly I like
RAINDAR shows real time radar and storm intensity.

Many map and gps apps.

We don't depend on it, but it is surprising how many hot spots we find deep in the back country. Mostly on hills...

Lots of reference material. first aid, ham radio, special maps, and a whole lot more.

We don't depend on it and carry GPS, Ham Radios and other stuff. We don't depend on that stuff either. But having multiple items to do the important tasks (navigation, communication, data retrieval etc.) is comforting.

Nomad.

I have Google Sky Map on my tablet and love it. One of our other leaders has different version on his smart phone and it's pretty slick. We pulled it out on a hike the other night and figured out that that bright star in the sky was actually Saturn. An app that combined star gazing with navigation would be pretty useful.

Calender/agenda, bus schedule, weather, look up product reviews/competitor price while in store, FM radio, traffic status/webcam

I carry a spare battery, but never needed it so far.

Another problem with smartphone GPS aps is that the smartphone hardware tends to be awfully fragile, compared to a real GPS.

I'm sorry for being dense, but what is a tubular charger? I'm thinking it is a term for a cigarette lighter I'm not familiar with. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette_lighter_receptacle

Thanks!

Not true. Most decent smartphones now are using gorella glass, kevlar coverings, etc, much sturdier than the plastic of my Garmin. The "free" and low end smartphones maybe fragile but thats just like any other product, you can't lump them all with the bottem end.

roberttheiii...you are correct...I didn't read what I was typing...the Goal Zero 7w panel comes with a 12v female tubular (cigarette) recepticle in addition to a 12v pin and USB slot to provide power out...my car is an 03 and has only 2 cigarette recepticle in the dash... I have a splitter to run both the Garmin and CB and was thinking about that rather than the male cigarette plugs on the charger and Garmin...

I have adapters with female tubular 12v to battery clamp to run my ventilation fans (with adapter cord to 12v pin), but that is another topic

Looking forward to that. Hopefully it will come with a battery that has a bit more juice that the iPhone 4S -- not impressed with battery life.

And blackberry, and nokia, etc. Everyone seems to assume all phones are as fragile as the iphone just because of its fad popularity.

Yes some of them are getting tougher. And at least one brand (I forget which) has an alegedly waterproof model. However, the general run of smartphones, the models that most people carry, IMHO are not as stout as a dedicated GPS.

Don't misunderstand me. I often carry my iphone (in a waterproof cover) when I go hiking. It serves as a back up to my Garmin, and I'm occaisionally surprised at where I can get cell service out in the woods. Note that I also carry a plain old fashioned compass and a map (in a plastic bag), which works even if the Garmin dies.

By analogy, I have a Leatherman, and it can be really handy in a pinch when I need pliers or a screwdriver. However, if I'm planning to do some serious mechanical work, I generally prefer to get my toolbox. By the same token, if I really need to worry about navigation, I prefer to use a tool optimized for navigation.

As far as GPS, what's on my Android smartphone blows away my standalone "Garmin V" (yes, it's old) and also my Magellan model-something-or-other from the same era as the Garmin V.

I don't own a recent standalone GPS, I'm sure they've improved a lot since I last bought one. I do get great battery life, resolution and features with my iPhone using iTopoMaps. Just make sure to download the quads you need before you go out of cellular data or wifi range. I don't use it for primary navigation, but it does make an excellent backup.

a friend that works as a contractor for SOCOM in technology and weapons development, recently got a Casio G'zOne Commando (Verizon/Android)... looks like it is "GI proof" ... might check it out if you are looking for an upgrade

My experience with technology is that "GI proof" means it's only "Firefighter resistant."

I was referring to the assumption that because the iphone is fragile all smartphones are fragile. Unfortunately many people make that assumption.

Just put a new ride on mine Sunday

My baseline is map, compass, and a ForeTrex 401. But it is nice to know that for the weight it costs me, my Android phone offers a pretty good backup GPS and compass. Before a trip, I do take the time to load a copy of the same waypoints as my 401 into my phone. Most of the simpler smartphone GPS apps can 'goto' a waypoint. All I really need is a UTM grid coordinate anyway.

I am getting ready to upgrade from a Droid 2 to a Droid Razr MAXX, which gives a phenomenal amount of runtime for about the same overall weight. Not that I would run it continually anyway, but still. And it is one of the newer designs with the gorilla glass, kevlar backplate, and stainless steel frame. Not bad since I feel it's important to tote a cellphone anyway.

It's funny to hear smart phone vs. GPS debates. It is like the fast & light vs. the heavier & prepared debate. There are pros and cons to both.

The fast & light crowd would only take the smart phone. The more prepared ones making sure all of the right maps are available ahead of time. The unprepared ones hoping they will have data access, let alone phone coverage, wherever they are going. All of whom burn their battery to support their navigation and hope they will have enough left for possible emergency communications. The prepared may carry charging devices, solar panels, or even a PLB. But now you're carrying enough stuff to carry a proper GPS to begin with. Advantages of a smart phone GPS do include a color display, updated maps, potential data access, and less equipment to carry. But if we updated our GPS units like our smart phones, they would be just as colorful and updated. They'd also be waterproof, nearly drop proof, easy to read under any light condition, have all the TOPO and city details already loaded on them so they're always ready to go.

My rule of thumb, if you are going somewhere where you plan on relying on a GPS, take a real GPS with you! A smart phone is convenient for times you don't plan on using one, but anytime you plan on using one, take a real one. Finally, when it gets down to it, as an embedded software engineer, I NEVER depend on electronics. Always have a compass, environmental based navigational skills and at least a basic map with you when you head for the backcountry.

There is one thing I would caution everyone to do who uses any GPS (be it standalone or smartphone) as a backup. Mark a waypoint at your campsite, where you parked, the trailhead, or any other place that you might want to be able to find again. You should then feel free to shut it off before you go out into the boonies with your map and compass.

Update: got the Razr MAXX and it is an excellent tool. I tested the battery life by charging it to 100% then using the phone normally until I got down to 15%. No short charges along the way either.

I got 3 days, 3 hours, 9 minutes. Continuous.

On the trail I'm using this waterproof case/bag to protect the phone from moisture. So far so good, though I think I should put a small dessicant packet in there for condensation. A hardshell case would provide better mechanical protection but I'm reluctant to put up with the weight and bulk.

Please tell which size OR waterproof bag you purchases for your Razzr Max. Thanks.

Click the link above and you'll see that there is only 1 size of that product. It fits the Razr Maxx well but I had to remove the aftermarket snap-on cover I use on the phone.