• @AA5B
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    23 months ago

    Worst case scenario, download a compass app for your phone, but watch out for scams that will require heavy network traffic

    iPhone/appleWatch may have one already, but I don’t know about android

    • @potpotato
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      32 months ago

      iOS has a built in compass app.

      • @nepenthes
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        32 months ago

        So does Android. This phone is old and it’s on the edge menu (Samsung).screenshot of compass face

      • @potpotato
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        32 months ago

        No data, no map.

        GPS can give your coordinates, but that’s pointless unless you walk a bit and translate the direction.

        Compass uses most of its power for the screen.

        • @[email protected]
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          fedilink
          32 months ago

          Do you have a minute to talk about Openstreetmap? You can download the map before you head out, then navigate without data connection.

          • @FireRetardant
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            32 months ago

            This requires foresight. Most people don’t plan on getting lost.

            • @[email protected]
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              fedilink
              22 months ago

              I just use the app for navigation so I always download the map for the area I travel to before I go.

              • @FireRetardant
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                22 months ago

                I used to do the same when i was too poor to afford data on my phone or when i go through areas with poor service.

          • @Omgpwnies
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            22 months ago

            google also allows offline caching, but also needs to be set up ahead of time. AFAIK once you set a region to download, it will update that cache regularly.

            I would expect this is a feature that most map apps would offer

            • @AA5B
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              12 months ago

              Following the gps map- is great when you’re trying to get somewhere, but if the goal is walking, I usually want to leave the tech in my pocket. Compass is a nice compromise to help navigate while still taking a break from behind slave to the machine

    • @[email protected]
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      22 months ago

      Quick shoutout for Trail Sense for Android. Designed to function offline, lots of cool navigation/basic tools I haven’t used outside of the GPS and compass, reasonable permissions, etc. One of those “You don’t know how useful it is until you don’t have connectivity” things.

      • @AA5B
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        2 months ago

        Excellent! I tried a couple trail apps for iPhone without any luck - they didn’t have local trails or cost too much for how occasionally I’d use it. Lately I have been doing short local hikes on well marked trails, so it’s not really a need