Application for Windows orienteering in the forest. Travel GPS from a smartphone: I share my personal experience. Starting with the basics

Required!

The problem of turning a smartphone into a walking GPS navigator has been solved. The main navigator is now a smartphone, in terms of functionality and ease of use, it leaves far behind all existing special hiking GPS navigators. And in terms of reliability, sensitivity and battery life, he caught up with them.

I must say that the problem was solved not by me, but by the manufacturers of smartphones, batteries and software. I only selected worthy candidates and tested them in practice. I will not build secrets, I will gladly share detailed recipes, use and continue experiments.

First, about the software.

There are dozens of programs that turn a smartphone into a navigator. The choice according to my requirements left only one program: Locus Map (Locus Map). It was written only for Android, so the choice of smartphones has narrowed significantly. There is a free, slightly cropped version of Locus Free, the full version of Locus PRO costs $ 8 one-time, I advise you to install it right away, because when you upgrade from Free to Pro, you will have to do all the settings anew, and there are a lot of them.

So, the main advantages of Locus, because of which it was out of competition:

Availability of high-quality free offline vector maps of the whole world based on OSM (Open Street Maps). Here's a link to one of the. There are terabytes of regularly updated maps.
The program understands raster maps, which are easy to make yourself from scanned paper maps. For example, using the Mapc2Mapc program. The beloved General Staff will easily take root here. Here's a gift for you, made by me, a map of Crimea and the Lycian trail in Turkey. Instructions for using the Mapc2Mapc program can be found below.
Convenience of recording track and waypoints. You can draw a track manually, put waypoints anywhere, not just at your current location.
Conveniently upload your tracks and points. Both can be placed in an unlimited number of folders, enabled / disabled by folders, or separately.
There is no limit on the number of points, tracks and points in tracks.
The ability to turn off the auto-lock of the display (the display will still be turned off to save energy) and assign functions to the volume keys, for example, zoom. In fact, this means that the navigator can be operated without touching the screen. Relevant and when the screen is wet, it reacts incorrectly to gestures.
Possibly location of catalogs with maps on SD-card.
Everything is customizable: the type and size of the cursor, its position (in the center or on ¼ of the screen), the color and width of the tracks, the size of the point icons, the options for displaying the point names (constantly, opened by tap or when approaching) ...
Unlimitedly customizable trip computers: data amount, location, font (size, transparency and color) - in any combination.
Fine-tuning the recording of track points by time, distance and accuracy. This allows you to record only the points of real movements, and not wandering around the bush and throwing out hundreds of meters with poor communication with satellites.
Configuring the use of the internal compass and barometer: filtering depth, on / off limits.
Setting to turn off the GPS receiver to save power (always on, always off, only on when in use)
Customization of all buttons of the top and two side panels, auto-hide.
Launching the application as a service, which eliminates crashes when other applications are running at the same time (calls, photos ...). For example, for me, the recording of a track is paused when making calls, if you do not include it as a service.
The program is developing and constantly improving, new convenient functions appear, bugs are fixed when working on new smartphones and Android versions.

Is there more than a list? This I wrote out only what is interesting to me. The possibilities of the program are simply prohibitive, the developers are trying to create the most universal application based on GPS. Due to the huge number of settings, it is not easy to deal with them. I will describe how to make the most necessary for the hike.

This is how the program window with a vector map of Crimea looks like for me. The difference from the default is only in the buttons at the top, side and in the trip computer.

Configuring Locus.

1. Select all default directories- in the phone memory, not on an external SD card. This is done in the settings, different. Directories for vector maps locus / mapsVector and raster maps locus / maps can be placed on an external SD card, specifying this in the program settings.

2. Download a map of the area where you are so that you have something to work with.

Previously, vector maps (in .map format) should be copied to locus / mapsVector, and raster maps to locus / maps. If you took a vector map from the link above, then their own styles go to them, which necessarily you need to install by going to the site with maps from your smartphone https://www.openandromaps.org/en/legend/elevate-mountain-hike-theme. In a collumn " Quick install in Android " Click Locus. Then you need to enable themes. First, activate the vector map. Then, at the bottom left, pull the bookmark. there you select "external" and there will be "Elevate" and "Elements". They are exactly the same, but the first, by default, is tailored for the wilderness, the second for the city. The only difference is in the checkboxes that include different elements on the map. The theme needs to be set once, suitable for all maps.

The map can be downloaded directly to smart. The maps are multilingual, the language is switched for each map separately, click the three dots in the map directory to the right of the map name.

There is a big drawback for maps from openandromaps.org. The trouble is with the names of the streets in the settlements. They are either not, or displayed only on a couple of scales. But in terms of detailing the wilderness, these cards have no equal.

It happens that the program sees newly downloaded maps after restarting the smartphone.

3. Now for some important settings. The rest can be left as default.

If you are reluctant to get involved with long showdowns, you can just restore my settings from a backup. Download the settings file, copy it to the phone in the Locus / Backup folder (do not unpack it, just as it was downloaded, with the .zip extension), and then in the program menu select "Additional functions" -Backup Manager-Restore. Please note that in these settings the folders with maps are configured in the phone memory by default. If you want, change to an external SD card.

My trip computer and map themes from openandromaps.org are already built into the settings file.

If you still want to figure it out on your own (due to the constant updating of the application, the settings may be in other sections and renamed):

Editing the buttons of the top and right side panels.

Entering the editor - a long tap on any element of the panel - setting the panel. Set the number of buttons on the top panel to 5, on the right panel to 2 and change the elements (remove unnecessary ones and add new functions): GPS, Data, Maps, Track recording, Trip computer, New point, New route. Moving items by clicking on the icon. "GPS" is the satellite visibility icon. Yellow - there is no signal, green - there is a signal. "Data" is a directory of your tracks and points. "Maps" - entry into the catalog with maps. "Track recording" opens an additional track recording panel (it can be adjusted, I advise you to place it at the bottom). "Trip computer" turns on / off the selected computer, and with a long tap select the computer. You can draw whatever you want through the settings / additional functions / route editor. I did not like any ready-made ones - too large characters, cover the floor of the screen. I made simple little black numbers at the top of the map, on the left. It shows speed, altitude, distance traveled. "New point" records the center of the screen as a new point, asks for the name and destination folder. New Route allows you to draw a route manually. I use this function as a distance meter.

The first five buttons will be on the top panel, the rest on the side.

The sixth, left-most element of the top panel changes differently: just a click, and a choice of several options. I advise you to choose GPS here. Will show the accuracy and the number of visible satellites. If the accuracy is displayed, say 50m, then the navigator can fool you at 300m, you should not take such readings seriously.

Control / Screen:

"Auto-rotate lock" - check "all screens" and "portrait mode" (this will disable the auto-rotate display)
"Disable screen lock" - put a check mark "Disable all locks" (the screen will still turn off when not in use, but it will not need to be unlocked with gestures)

Control / map screen

hardware buttons: zoom control

Controls / panels and buttons

left panel buttons - map style switch - check the box. This is a switch of those very themes. Different topics for different purposes
it is better not to enable auto-hide of the top, bottom and function bar, they do not interfere if the screen is more than 4.5 inches

Track recording:

pedestrian profile: 20m / 10s / 35m
track recording panel view - bottom panel

GPS and sensors:

launch at application start-always
shutdown when inactive - I advise you to remove the daw.

compass-autoswitching, 2km / h
use true track: yes

Miscellaneous:

exit confirmation: yes
Locus as a Service: Yes

Points and Tracks:

track line style: I advise you to choose purple color so that it does not merge with any symbols on the map, track width: 4px

Calibrating the compass

Locus has a function that allows you to use the built-in compass. But it definitely needs to be calibrated from time to time. For some reason, the compass setting often gets confused.

You can do it like this: open the Google Maps application. Wait until the location is determined and a blue circle appears in the center, marking where you are now. Tap shortly on it, in the window that opens at the bottom left, click "calibrate the compass". If the accuracy is written: "high", then nothing needs to be done. And if the accuracy is medium or low, then turn the phone as shown in the figure until there is a message that the compass is set.

Instructions for converting raster maps to Locus.sqlitedb format using Mapc2Mapc program.

Download the Mapc2Mapc program, install it. In the free version, the functionality is the same, but the map will be dirty with red crosses. If this is critical for you, the license costs a one-time $ 20. Or look for the broken version. I've only seen old versions, they have a lot of bugs and the functionality is worse.

The program has the ability to bind a map: File / load image for calibration. But I didn’t understand this feature and I bind maps in oziexplorer. How to make the binding-topic is a separate one, read the profile sites and forums.

Open the required map: File / Load calibrated map. Sometimes the program finds it difficult to choose a projection. For example, for Pulkovo1942 (our favorite General Staff) you need to choose from the list, this is Russia, Georgia or Asia.

Then File / Write map for mobile device, select from the list Locus / Rmaps / Galileo .sqlitedb. Zoom and all the checkboxes can be left untouched, left by default. Click OK. Now attention! A page will open where the map is divided into squares and you can turn off any. If you click OK here, then the number of squares is increased by 4 times, so that you can select more accurately. If you do not need to discard individual pieces of the card (or you have already thrown them out), check the "No more selections" checkbox and click OK. Conversion will start. Depending on the size of the card and the performance of the computer, it can take a long time, up to several hours. Look for the converted map next to the original one.

About smartphones and increasing their reliability.

Once Locus was selected, the Iphone and others automatically disappeared, only Android remained. It would be nice to use a special secure smartphone. They are not only protected from damage and water, but can also work normally in freezing temperatures down to -20. True, they are so hefty, they are reluctant to carry in everyday life. And if you do not have the means to buy a separate device for the hike, you can get by with an ordinary smartphone with water resistance. Super impact protection is useless. You need to put on the smart in silicone, stick on the protective glass and tie the device with a string to a backpack or belt. The cord is ordinary, 35-40 cm long, so that the phone does not reach the ground, and does not interfere with attaching it to the ear. If your phone does not have a lanyard eyelet, you can attach it to the silicone case.

This is how I carry mine in my backpack pocket.

Experience has shown that the minimum requirements are: 4-core 1.5 GHz processor, 2 GB of RAM, 5 ″ screen. It is vital that the screen can be operated properly in the rain, that is, when water droplets and fingers are wet on it. For example, Samsung S7-S10 has such screens. I have already tried Samsung S5, S7 edge, S9 + and am very satisfied.

The autonomy of the smartphone.

Ordinary devices can withstand 1.5 marching days under such conditions: constant track recording, moderate use of the screen, constantly connected, 10 minutes of calls, 5 MB of Internet (mail, weather forecast). If you turn off the connection, then it is enough for 2 days. Not much. Removable batteries are a thing of the past, now one option is to charge. The solar charging option is not suitable for an active hike. Reinforcing it on a backpack is inconvenient and ineffective. Normally, you can only use solar charging on vacation.

Therefore, there is only one way out: charging from a power bank on lithium-ion batteries. I have already tried about a dozen of them, of different designs. You need to choose according to the optimal combination of the main parameters: capacity, weight, price, reliability and convenience. With weight and price, everything is simple and clear. But with the most important thing - capacity, manufacturers muddy. First: absolutely everyone indicates the capacity of the internal battery for a voltage of 3.7V. But 5V comes out of the bank. Second: no one indicates the efficiency of the converter from 3.7 to 5V. And it can be from 70 to 88%. Typical 80%. So it turns out that 10000mAh is written, but in reality it is 5400-6400mAh. Such a power bank will charge the smartphone battery at 3600mAh from 5 to 100% 1.5 times.

Manufacturers also muddle with the charge and discharge current. Understandably, downward. The higher the charge current, the faster the power bank is charged. And the more current is given out (per discharge), the faster the phone will charge. Take power banks with fast charging, this is very important when you have a short opportunity to connect to an outlet on a hike.

From the point of view of reliability and convenience, I consider it optimal to use power banks with a "written" capacity in the region of 10000mAh. One big one is certainly more profitable in terms of price and weight. But power banks are often lost, forgotten and broken. Therefore, it is safer to take several smaller pieces.

A solar panel on a power bank is a useless weight. It takes 2 weeks to charge it!

The built-in flashlight is a dangerous thing, because it likes to accidentally turn on and wastes the charge.

The capacity of the power banks is measured with a USB tester. And it's even better not to compare the capacity, but the Watt hours. Then we move away from the need to take into account the voltage, which changes during the measurement process and an incorrect result is obtained.

Here are a few examples of tried and tested options to help you understand how different they are.

Globex 11500mAh: weight 240 gr (plastic case), real capacity 6000mah / 30Wh. It is charged with a current of 1A, gives out up to 1.5A. Full charge time 10 hours.

Drobak power roverII 10000mAh: weight 280 gr (steel body), real capacity 5400mAh / 27Wh. Charges and produces 0.85A. Full charge time 12 hours.

Xiaomi 10000mAh: weight 210g (aluminum body), real capacity 6400mAh / 32Wh. Charges 2.2A, produces 1.8A. Full charge time 5.5 hours.

Xiaomi 2 10000mAh (with fast charging): weight 222g (aluminum body), real capacity 6520mAh / 32.6Wh. Charges 2.2A / 5V, 1.5A / 9-12V, outputs 2A / 5V, 1.5A / 9-12V. Full charge time 3-5.5 hours.

Considering that Xiaomi is also not expensive, then they win in all respects! Here is a photo of the hero:

One BUT: the market is flooded with fakes of terrible quality. Look for an original thing in trusted stores with a good reputation, and in no case look at one-page sites with a discount of many%. By the way, don't buy anything on such sites! Real price for 10,000 USD 15-20

The rest of the tested powerbanks were collapsible, on standard 18650 batteries. Here is the best one, TOMO:

Charging separately weighs 108 grams, each battery weighs 46 grams. All together weighs 292 grams. Charges and outputs 1.8A. The money is a bit more expensive than the previous ones. TOMO has 4 independent charge / discharge channels, each battery has its own. There is a charge indicator separately for each battery. And even shows the strength of the recoil current. It is not necessary to insert all 4 batteries, it will work from one. Of course, the key here is the quality of the batteries. And I took the best ones - industrial Panasonic NCR 18650B with a real capacity of 3300-3400mAh. This is the capacity at discharge, measured with a special charger. That is, the total is 13400mAh. When discharged, 7200mAh comes out of the TOMO. Obviously, the efficiency of the converter is only 72%. Very bad. Another important nuance: in the off state, the discharge current is 0.34 mA for each battery. This means that 8% of the charge will go nowhere in a week. So you need to take out the batteries if temporarily lying around idle.

Also, I experienced similar charges, but with one charge / discharge channel, with parallel connection of batteries. Results are similar to TOMO, but performance is poor and quality is poor. During the campaign, I did not dare to hope for such people, they will fail at any moment. One plus - in the off state, there is no discharge at all.

What is the advantage of charging with 18650 batteries: you can take one charge, for 2-4 batteries, and take as many batteries as you need! Yes, even 10. It will be both cheaper and easier.

The main disadvantage was revealed in the first campaign. Poor battery contact often. You have to wipe them, rotate them. You think that charging is in progress, but it is not really or is weak. Such a serious disadvantage negates the advantages in price and weight. In addition, the efficiency of all of them is low. So I advise non-collapsible power banks.

Another application of power banks is charging batteries for cameras and camcorders. If their charging only works from 220V, it doesn't matter: on aliexpress you will find USB 5V chargers for all types of batteries.

Please note that lithium-ion batteries self-discharge by 10% per month. Therefore, be sure to recharge them before the hike.

New technologies make life of any person much easier. Mushroom pickers can use a device for orientation in the forest - and this is already an everyday reality.

Nowadays, navigation devices are produced to guarantee a person that he does not get lost in the forest. The mushroom picker navigator is the best choice for hiking in the forest. This is a device that monitors where a person is heading, prompts him in the desired direction of movement.

How to make the right choice of such a device? What should I take into account? Navigators for tourists are also suitable for mushroom pickers. They perfectly fulfill their direct duties: they allow you to quickly get out of the forest, reflect the present location, and direct the movement. Let's talk about what a mushroom picker should pay attention to when choosing a GPS navigator.

How to choose a navigator for a mushroom picker?

A mushroom picker needs a navigator to be sure. It will help you quickly find a way out of the forest or determine the direction of movement even in bad weather. When choosing a device, pay attention to the following points:

The number of points affects the length of the recorded track - in other words, the distance traveled by the person. Of course, more of them will help the navigator remember the longer route. If you are not interested in this option, it will not be superfluous anyway. Markers will make it possible to quickly navigate in an unfamiliar place.
The amount of built-in memory is also important. It affects the number of cards that can be loaded. The more memory, the more maps you can load. If there is not much memory, it is better to immediately purchase an additional memory card, but the navigator must support the installation of an additional drive.
See how long the device will work offline. This is an extremely important characteristic, which cannot be ignored. Anyone who goes to pick mushrooms always goes to the forest for at least a few hours. That is, the navigator should function as long as possible - sometimes force majeure happens on hikes, and a discharged battery can become a problem. Therefore, it is better to choose the devices with the lowest power consumption and the largest battery.
It is worth paying attention to the processor - the speed at which the map is scrolled or the scale is increased depends on its performance. Most people prefer devices that have a higher processor clock speed because they load and run faster.
The next criterion is size. If you don't need to go to the mountains, you don't even need to look at this indicator. Otherwise, it is worth taking small models that can fit in your hand.
Take a closer look at the strength indicators. Don't want to explore the stars? This means that when choosing a navigator, make sure that the case includes a reliable and shock-resistant material. Poor quality plastic sometimes breaks, breaks.
A navigator with a large screen will be more convenient, but larger.

Trackers for mushroom pickers

The following GPS devices are suitable for mushroom pickers:

GPS beacon (marker) - a guarantee of determining the coordinates of an object in a certain period of time.
GPS tracker - monitors the movement of the object, helps to lay the desired route on the map.
GPS-navigator - plots a route from a location point to a destination point, for example, leaving the forest.

A battery-powered tracker is much more useful when compared to a car navigator. The latter has options that are useless for a pedestrian. The device can operate from 10 hours to a whole day (it all depends on which model you have chosen). A powerful antenna picks up the signal even in the middle of tall trees. If there is no satellite signal, the tracker switches to positioning on mobile towers.

Do you need such a tracker? Then take a look at the different models for travelers. Before purchasing such a device, study the following indicators:

How many hours will a battery-powered device last?
How many waypoints can you remember?
Are there additional options: stopwatch, pedometer, flashlight, is the display backlit?
How the execution is arranged (it is best that the case of the device is waterproof, suitable for all weather conditions).

The GPS tracker and its built-in digital compass are easy to use and reliable. Thanks to them, even those who have never taken a standard compass in their hands will orientate themselves in the forest and calmly find a way out.

Let's say a few words about the satellite compass or, as the people say about it, the “return”.

The mushroom picker is a small portable GPS receiver. Its main task is to collect and process data. He is responsible for displaying geographic coordinates, direction, current time, distance traveled and speed.

In other words, the receiver indicates the direction of return to a previously selected position, or a transition to a specifically designated trajectory. With the help of the device, you can get comprehensive information on the movement - that is, how to get to the desired position, at what speed you should go and much more.

Thus, PG03 will help you navigate correctly and not get lost in the forest.

Navigator program for mushroom picker for android

Consider what are the navigator programs for the mushroom picker on the android platform:

Sygic GPS Navigation is a professional detailed car GPS navigation application. There is a built-in voice guidance. Consists of TomTom maps and a set of navigation options. A telephone memory card is used to store the maps; a network connection is not required.

Navitel is one of the most popular navigation apps. The main advantages of the application:

It is versatile.
The program is very convenient to use - it is suitable even for small towns and villages. The program consists of highly detailed maps of both Russian cities and nearby foreign countries.
Yandex.Navigator is considered the most popular navigation type application. Search by keyword, by company name is possible. You can also quickly search for restaurants, banking organizations, gas stations, and other services that may come in handy during your trip.

Yandex.Navigator allows you to create more than one route - each of them will reflect the exact distance and approximate travel time. It is possible to select a map from a satellite, a scheme, a folk map. At night, you can use the night display mode. The routes you use on a regular basis can be saved in the application's memory.

Mushroom Picker Navigator for iPhone

The most famous iPhone app is Don't Get Lost in the Woods. It is considered a high quality application, thanks to which the mushroom picker will find his way home. The desired path will be displayed on the phone screen directly online.

This application is a direct time saver, relief from the anxiety and stress of finding your way back. It is very often used by travelers, mushroom pickers, tourists. With him you will definitely not get lost in the forest.

And finally, at the end of our review of navigators for mushroom pickers, let's say a few words about the navigator from Garmin.

Garmin GPSMAP 64ST is considered the best navigator for the mushroom picker or any traveler. This device is suitable for everyone who loves long hikes, as it has a variety of useful functions.

The delivery set consists not only of the device itself, but also of a cable (allows you to connect to a PC), a carabiner (can be hung on clothes), a warranty card and instructions. Batteries are not included.

GPSMAP 64ST is assembled with high quality - the body is made of good plastic, it looks solid and powerful. The main characteristics are moisture resistance and impact resistance. Convenient buttons located on the front panel are used for control. Features a massive antenna, micro-USB port and a connector for an additional antenna. An important point: the navigator works with the GPS system and the domestic analogue - GLONASS.

The color display does not have the highest resolution - 2.6 inches, so there is grain. But it does not affect the operation of the navigation device in any way. Convenient backlighting allows you to use the device even at night - regardless of the time of day. Among the advantages it is also worth noting:

Stable software operation.
Built-in 8 GB memory - enough to store maps and waypoints.
It is possible to connect a memory card.
The navigator works without recharging for 16 hours.

Thus, today we looked at what a navigator for a mushroom picker is. We hope that the information was useful to you.

This program will be very useful for mushroom pickers, hunters and fishermen, as well as for those who are afraid of getting lost while walking. Accurate directions in a pleasant voice will add a pleasant feeling when using this program.

Brief essence of the game

The user must get from one place to another, and the task of the "I'm going home" program is to make this task as easy as possible for him. Many users believe that there are many such programs, but they are fundamentally mistaken.

Nowadays, there are a lot of different navigators, but they will guide the user only along the paved roads. In the case of a trip to pick mushrooms, they will be of little use. A compass can also be an excellent assistant in such cases, but they are not very convenient to use.

The mushroom picker has to get out the compass, highlighting it with the phone, check with it, hide everything back in his pocket. But in the event that he lost his course, the road could be much longer.

Game features

It should be noted that the program "I'm going home" will be very useful when going for a walk in the forest. A person needs to mark a point at the edge of the forest, after which a program will command the return home, which will lead him back to the marked place.

When mushroom pickers have found a beautiful meadow and wish to come back here next weekend, "I'm Going Home" will do them a great service. This is especially true when mushroom pickers are in this area for the first time. To come back here again, you need to mark the coordinates of the meadow in the program.

Not everyone needs a full-fledged car navigator with a myriad of often unclaimed functions. Sometimes there is a need for the simplest and lightest voice navigation application that will simply allow a hiker or traveler to find their way to their starting point.

So, we bring to your attention an excellent application "I'm going home", which is simply obliged to settle in the smartphones of mushroom pickers, hunters, scouts, hikers and other people who often find themselves in the woods or on unfamiliar rough terrain. Now you can be sure that you will never get lost.

You must understand that the main task of this navigator is to lead you to the starting point. The program is very simple, but it copes with its purpose with a bang. There are no maps, compasses, sensors here. The main opportunity is to correct the direction of movement of the owner of the smartphone to the starting point with the help of voice prompts. At the same time, you should understand that the application will not guide you along the opposite route, but along the shortest path to your home (starting point). Therefore, if you saw a quagmire or a precipice in front of you when you returned, go around them. The program will not replace your eyes, but after going around the obstacle, it will again continue to lead you to the house in a straight line, correcting the route. If necessary, you can use Google Maps - the application is compatible with them.

Price: Free

OPERATING PROCEDURE

The algorithm for working with the navigator looks like this:

1. Launch the application
2. Turn on GPS
3. We expect to receive the coordinates of your location at the moment (displayed in a gray window) - these will be the coordinates for the return
4. Press the menu button on the phone and select "Record" from the pop-up menu
5. Next, you will be asked to write down the coordinates in the form of a word: for example, "Camp". After that we press "Save and select".
6. That's it, now that the coordinates of the conditional "home" are entered into the smartphone, you can turn off the program or even the smartphone itself. Then, when you need to find the way to "home", just start the navigator and press the green button "Go home".

It is clear that such conditional "houses" can be driven into the program many and then just choose the right one from them.

As you can see, "I'm Going Home" is an ideal navigator in its simplicity and necessary capabilities for mushroom pickers, berry pickers, hunters and backpackers, which will not let you get lost. The program works on devices with Android 2.1 and higher version and with GPS navigation support.

The installation of the program is simple. Download the installation file with the .apk extension, upload it to your smartphone and start installing the application.