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I'm looking for a phone to make a dedicated GPS for survival/backpacking. Does anyone have an idea on what the best battery life phone with an accurate GPS would be. It wouldn't be used for a phone, only GPS, maps, and for storing some relevant ebooks. I'm trying to keep it under like $300 so I'm looking for something a bit older.

I'm not sure on the technology or what gives a phone good battery life or GPS accuracy but I'm hoping some nerd here knows. Thanks.

I'm looking for a phone to make a dedicated GPS for survival/backpacking. Does anyone have an idea on what the best battery life phone with an accurate GPS would be. It wouldn't be used for a phone, only GPS, maps, and for storing some relevant ebooks. I'm trying to keep it under like $300 so I'm looking for something a bit older. I'm not sure on the technology or what gives a phone good battery life or GPS accuracy but I'm hoping some nerd here knows. Thanks.

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[–] • 0 pt

Learning to Navigate with a Map and a compass is the best low power option. Check your position with the GPS and then turn it off. Plot your track and bearing with the compass and make a move. Travel using the compass bearing..and your map..check your position with the GPS then turn it off and mark a new bearing or line of travel.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt

That makes sense to me. Now if I switched it on and off as needed would I be better off with a GPS unit or phone that has additional utility if needed. I know it takes most phones way too long to boot up and back down; I wonder if GPS units are better at that.

[–] • 0 pt

GPS needs to ''see'' the sky and the more satellites it can see the better your accuracy will be..deep in the bush..you are going to have issues..so be aware..boot up time for a garmin to a useable fix should be less than 1 minute in ideal conditions in dense bush you may not get a usable fix you may need to move to a clear spot. If you can't see the sky neither can your GPS. GPS signals are Circular/Helical in nature...they loop as they reach the earth...you need a reasonable view of the sky...A compass bearing does not care..