Quote:
Originally Posted by lamb
Given the price of your iPhone/smart phone, and the fact that the phones don't mix well with the salt water environment, I think navigation app installed on your phone should just be a backup. Hand held waterproof GPSes are little over $100 these days. That money is well spent as it is your crucial piece of safety equipment. I won't even mention the ability to save the spots you discover, or fine tune your position on the "fishy" area or specific places where you hooked up..
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I agree that a good hand held GPS or even better a FF with GPS would be a good thing to have. Since I do not have either, the phone is a reasonable alternative.
As for risking the phone's health in wet environments, this does not have to be an issue any longer for some types of phones. My latest trip was the first with my iPhone encased in the LifeProof waterproof case. It worked great and is nearly bullet-proof. For more info on this device search for LifeProof in this forum to find a review of this product that I posted a while back.
Otterbox also makes a waterproof case for the iPhone and probably some other types of phones. I have no experience with this case but I did check it out in the store. It looks pretty good. Maybe not as good as the LifeProof case but it costs $30 less.
For guys who fish a lot or are often out in sketchy conditions, I think that a dedicated GPS or FF with that feature is a great idea. For those of us who just go out occasionally, can't justify the cost of another gadget and already have a smart phone, this can be a very serviceable option.
Bob