Coros Pace Pro or Suunto Race S or Apple Ultra whatever helpful?

[Sam Sockwell]

From time to time we end up off the trail and it is often when it is cold and rainy and looking at the phone to pinpoint how to regain the trail can be challenging.  Does anyone find that the watches will reliably tell you where to go for this purpose?  Single occasional use – not turn by turn?

[Mark Verber]

I have periodically used several generations of the Garmin 9×5 (currently 955)  for navigation along pre-plans routes (trail and off trail).  It buzzed when I was off track… but was a bit too sensitive.  It would sometimes buzz when I was within a few meters of my specified route.

I haven’t found it great to “figure out where I am” because the screen is too small to get a real sense of location… but I also think a cell phone screen is too small to really understand.

The maps on the Garmin Instinct and Fenix are better than what’s on the 9xx line.

[Sam Sockwell]

Hmmm.  Have wondered about bringing along an iPad mini for this, but is this crazy?  Doesn’t Coros or Suunto or Garmin point you toward the trail?  Hard to figure I think.

iPad mini bigger screen and cellular has GPS + L1 and L5.  Does anyone ever use an iPad mini for backcountry navigation? Obv better bigger screen and should be superb location sensing.

[Sam Sockwell]

Hmmm.  iPad mini does NOT have L1 and L5- my mistake.

[Author]

Posts