READERS COMMENTS

Brutal List
Posted: Mar 29, 2012 Jesse

Another great outdoors app is GPS kit. It is the best GPS app I've seen, check it out, http://gpskit.garafa.com/ls.php?d=g&s=nate
Posted: Feb 04, 2012 Nate

Wow, big surprise that no free apps were included in this list. The longer I read this magazine, the more I realize that its basically an advertisement medium for products. Aren't the owned by cosmo now?
Posted: Jan 26, 2012 Grrbrown

Check out iTrack Wildlife: http://itunes.apple.com/app/itrack-wildlife/id478516226?mt=8
It's an incredibly thorough guide to animal tracks of North America.
There's a demo video here: http://www.itrackwildlife.com/
Posted: Nov 15, 2011 iTrack Wildlife

Check out iTrack Wildlife: http://itunes.apple.com/app/itrack-wildlife/id478516226?mt=8
It's an incredibly thorough guide to animal tracks of North America.
There's a demo video here: http://www.itrackwildlife.com/
Posted: Nov 15, 2011 iTrack Wildlife

GPS to SMS
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gps-to-sms/id392549369?mt=8

Way Home Finder
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/way-home-finder/id427484233?mt=8&ls=1

Posted: Oct 11, 2011 TanJack

I've been backpacking for 125 years and god d@amnit, I go to the forest to get away from electronics and gadgets and smartbeepers. And electricity. And those damn kids! You know, the kids that think they're all smart and all when you try to order something over the phone and they ask if you have the internet. Of course I don't have the internet, it requires electricity!

Anyways, you should always use a paper map and compass, not a phone or electronic device. The fact that your phone can hold a map / topo, compass, sunrise / sunset data, star data, First Aid info, survival guides, camera, notes, GPS, phone for emergencies, etc. is besides the point. If it requires electricity, it's bad! You can't use electricity in the forest because then you're not truly "getting away"! I go to the forest because I enjoy being an over-critical ass in the confines of nature, so get over yourself!
Posted: Sep 27, 2011 Trace

I'd like to recommend GPSies+ (free) with over 850.000 GPS tracks on the maps of OpenStreetMap. Good for cycling, running, trekking and so on.
Posted: Aug 20, 2011 Klaus

Maybe utilizing the "Turn Your Electronics Off" app and actually enjoy your surroundings. I do think the Planet app is cool but, it stays in the car.
Posted: Jun 21, 2011 Baughb

You missed a truly useful app - 'MDeclination' which is also fun to guess what the declination is in different places around the world. Except Greenland, which they completely ignore - weird.
Posted: Oct 11, 2010 Andrew J

You missed a truly useful app - 'MDeclination' which is also fun to guess what the declination is in different places around the world. Except Greenland, which they completely ignore - weird.
Posted: Oct 11, 2010 Andrew J

If you want a good parks map base, my favorite is the "fly to maps" app. You do have to pay for it but it has been an awesome aid on all my NP adventures. This one should have made the list. Perhaps you should run an article on the top ten apps submitted by readers.
Posted: Oct 07, 2010 Paul

my favorite app for my iPhone is GaiaGPS. it does suck down the battery. But, it's fine for a day hike. It uploads to everytrail.com so that you can see and share your trip. If you'd like to see an example, you can check out the link to our last family hike ( http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=833820 ). I bought it because I wanted topo maps and a real altimeter. Yep, it drains the battery. But it's pretty nice. Just a suggestion.
Posted: Oct 06, 2010 steve

OMG!!!!!!!! I've been backpacking for 25 years and did not know what I was missing!!!!! Puh-lease. I thought the point of "getting out" was to get away from all the distractions. Get a topo map and a compass and get over yourself.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 Maria

GPS apps do kill the iPhone pretty quickly. I've been using Brunton's Solo 3.4, which can get a full day from an iPhone. Just make sure you have a later gen phone, as I have experienced charging issues with original iPhones and 2nd generation Touches.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 JJTIII

GPS apps do kill the iPhone pretty quickly. I've been using Brunton's Solo 3.4, which can get a full day from an iPhone. Just make sure you have a later gen phone, as I have experienced charging issues with original iPhones and 2nd generation Touches.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 JJTIII

Tried using the Sierra Nevada Wildflowers app to identify flowers when I was hiking the John Muir trail this summer. Next time will bring the book instead. Its heavier but has better photos/descriptions. Also, the solar charger didn't keep the iphone charged enough to use it often on the 2 week trip.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 Beth

This list is awful..did anyone do any research on iTunes, the reviews or actually use most of the apps?

MotionX GPS - Decent app for the money...the article should note that any GPS app will drain your iphone battery very quickly.

GPS Trip Journal - terrible app crashes all the time

Elevation Pro - decent app...doesn't work all the time since it correlates your position to db tables of elevations...not a true altimeter

Peaks - cool concept, only works 50% of the time...maybe. expensive app for what you get.

Park Maps - poor app at best. Has never been updated since its release...which means if your park isn't on there, it will never be or if you have an issue it won't ever be resolved...not good for a paid app. low resolution maps not good on iphone...same maps you can get for free at the park.

GoSkyWatch - good app, but quite expensive. There are just as good if not better apps for less money (see Star Walk @ $2.99)

Sunrise - seriously? wake up early and just watch the sunrise and look at your watch. Besides, this info can be found in your skywatch or star walk app...or many other weather/sky related apps for free!!!! did you guys get money from the devs for this list?!?!?

Backpacker Checklist - terrible app...use your free 'notes' app. This app has been out for a year and no updates...poor since there are many reviews about crashing. If you go backpacking you likely already have a checklist system...this app should be very modifiable to work with you. There are no instructions on how to use...learning curve too much for the tech-ignorant...i'd rather be backpacking.

GoToAid - some decent info on this app. Unfortunately you have to register on their site before you can even use the app. For the clueless out there...that means they have your personal info and will spam you and sell your info to others. You have to buy the app first to learn about this trick...it's illegal and called bait-and-switch. See other good apps like Pocket First Aid ($3.99), Emergency First Aid & Treatment Guide ($0.99), First Aid ($0.99) or probably the best one, SAS Survival Guide...expensive, but better than most at $6.99.

US Army Survival Guide - there is no such app at iTunes...it's called 'Army Survival for iPad/iPhone' If you do a search for "US Army Survival Guide" text you will not find it...it is obvious you are lying about "we did it for you, testing dozens of apps and whittling them down to these top 10."

I get backpacker mag and love it...this article is b.s. and most likely they got paid for promoting the apps.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 GadgetPr0n Pro!

i agree with Kris. I go to the backcountry to get away from cell phones, e-mail, etc. Leave it in car or toss it off a cliff.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 Rick- AZ

This list is awful..did anyone do any research on iTunes, the reviews or actually use most of the apps?

MotionX GPS - Decent app for the money...the article should note that any GPS app will drain your iphone battery very quickly.

GPS Trip Journal - terrible app crashes all the time

Elevation Pro - decent app...doesn't work all the time since it correlates your position to db tables of elevations...not a true altimeter

Peaks - cool concept, only works 50% of the time...maybe. expensive app for what you get.

Park Maps - poor app at best. Has never been updated since its release...which means if your park isn't on there, it will never be or if you have an issue it won't ever be resolved...not good for a paid app. low resolution maps not good on iphone...same maps you can get for free at the park.

GoSkyWatch - good app, but quite expensive. There are just as good if not better apps for less money (see Star Walk @ $2.99)

Sunrise - seriously? wake up early and just watch the sunrise and look at your watch. Besides, this info can be found in your skywatch or star walk app...or many other weather/sky related apps for free!!!! did you guys get money from the devs for this list?!?!?

Backpacker Checklist - terrible app...use your free 'notes' app. This app has been out for a year and no updates...poor since there are many reviews about crashing. If you go backpacking you likely already have a checklist system...this app should be very modifiable to work with you. There are no instructions on how to use...learning curve too much for the tech-ignorant...i'd rather be backpacking.

GoToAid - some decent info on this app. Unfortunately you have to register on their site before you can even use the app. For the clueless out there...that means they have your personal info and will spam you and sell your info to others. You have to buy the app first to learn about this trick...it's illegal and called bait-and-switch. See other good apps like Pocket First Aid ($3.99), Emergency First Aid & Treatment Guide ($0.99), First Aid ($0.99) or probably the best one, SAS Survival Guide...expensive, but better than most at $6.99.

US Army Survival Guide - there is no such app at iTunes...it's called 'Army Survival for iPad/iPhone' If you do a search for "US Army Survival Guide" text you will not find it...it is obvious you are lying about "we did it for you, testing dozens of apps and whittling them down to these top 10."

I get backpacker mag and love it...this article is b.s. and most likely they got paid for promoting the apps.
Posted: Oct 05, 2010 GadgetPr0n Pro!

ADD A COMMENT