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Zoleo Satellite Communicator - $200 plus subscription from $20 a month These maps can be viewed in greater detail on a smartphone or tablet by syncing them to the Garmin inReach over Bluetooth, and you can compose text messages on the app, before sending them using the InReach's satellite connection. The small display shows simple maps to help with your hike or get you out of trouble if you become lost. The satellite connection can also be used to view local weather forecasts, and there is an SOS function for requesting help and sharing your location in an emergency. Similar to the Spot but with more functionality, the Garmin inReach uses the Iridium satellite communications network to send and receive SMS messages with your contacts.

Garmin inReach Mini - $300 plus subscription from $11.95 a month So if you plan on hiking in an area with poor coverage, a dedicated GPS device is a more reliable choice. GPS tracker and emergency messaging optionsĪs we said earlier, smartphone apps only work when you have a cellular signal. So long as they set everything up in advance and granted you permission to do so, their app will automatically share their location at your request, if they don't respond within five minutes. If you are worried about someone and can't get through to them, you can ask the app to share the location of their smartphone.
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Beyond that, you probably already know the score with Google Maps it's reliable, accurate, easy to use, and includes directions for walking, driving and public transit.īuilt by Google, the free Trusted Contacts app works in a similar way to Find My Friends, but with the added benefit of being able to check on a loved one's location even if they don't respond to your message. This data can be shared temporarily, or left on until you turn it off again, but that will harm your battery life if used for long periods of time. Free for iOS and Android, Google Maps lets you share your location with select contacts. Thankfully, that something else is Google Maps.
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As we said, this doesn't have to mean social networking, but there are several apps designed for friends and family to keep track of each other on a hike.įind My Friends is also exclusive to iPhone users, so if you are an Android family you'll need to use something else. If you aren't venturing too far from the beaten track, then your smartphone and its cell signal should be enough to keep you contactable. The must-have apps and gadgets for your 2020 camping tripīroadly speaking, there are two routes you can take here, and which you take will depend on where you are hiking and what the cell coverage is like there.Best options for finding camping and RV locations this summer.This doesn't have to mean hourly updates to your Instagram Story, or a live YouTube video from the mountain summit – really, we'd rather it didn't – but there are plenty of options for letting loved ones know you are safe, and contactable in an emergency.

Hiking in the great outdoors can be the perfect way to leave your desk behind, blow away the cobwebs and give yourself a much-needed mental reset.īut, as much as venturing into the wilderness can appeal, you should always have a plan for keeping in touch with friends or family.
