Sure :-D Smartwatches are computers miniaturized to the point of uselessness because of the tiny screen and UI issues. Specifically for camping or backpacking you’d be much better off with a bigger-screen device like a regular smartphone. In fact, if you’re serious about backpacking I would recommend a dedicated GPS unit.
I’ve started looking into speech-to-text and text-to-speech alternatives to the tiny screen.
a dedicated GPS unit.
I’ve tried one of those, every N years. There’s always been some issue—only providing coordinates instead of a map, or power issues, or the like—which has ended up with me leaving it out of my kit. I’m vaguely hoping that the continuing convergence of all electronic devices into “phones” means that the various solutions to those issues will also have been collected.
the continuing convergence of all electronic devices into “phones”
For backpacking I still prefer a dedicated GPS unit because (a) it’s waterproof plus I expect it to survive shock better than a smartphone; (b) it’s power-thrifty and I can leave it on for the whole day without worrying about running down the battery; (c) it can run off AA batteries which are ubiquitous; (d) if you really need GPS, you need to carry two GPS-capable devices.
Sure :-D Smartwatches are computers miniaturized to the point of uselessness because of the tiny screen and UI issues. Specifically for camping or backpacking you’d be much better off with a bigger-screen device like a regular smartphone. In fact, if you’re serious about backpacking I would recommend a dedicated GPS unit.
I’ve started looking into speech-to-text and text-to-speech alternatives to the tiny screen.
I’ve tried one of those, every N years. There’s always been some issue—only providing coordinates instead of a map, or power issues, or the like—which has ended up with me leaving it out of my kit. I’m vaguely hoping that the continuing convergence of all electronic devices into “phones” means that the various solutions to those issues will also have been collected.
That sounds like a rationalization. And it’s entirely unhelpful when you’re trying to figure out maps.
Granted. :)
For backpacking I still prefer a dedicated GPS unit because (a) it’s waterproof plus I expect it to survive shock better than a smartphone; (b) it’s power-thrifty and I can leave it on for the whole day without worrying about running down the battery; (c) it can run off AA batteries which are ubiquitous; (d) if you really need GPS, you need to carry two GPS-capable devices.
Maybe it’s been longer than I thought since I went GPS-hunting… What brand and/or model accomplishes this witchcraft?
My GPS is an old Garmin 76CSx.