How to use it well
- 1Before the trip: install a good mapping app, download the offline maps for your area, and mark your route while you have wifi.
- 2Charge everything — phone plus a power bank. Cold weather cuts battery life, so plan for less than the rated time.
- 3In the field, conserve battery — put the phone in airplane mode with GPS on (location still works; the power-hungry radios are off), lower brightness, and only wake it to check.
- 4Use it to confirm, not to think — check your position, then navigate primarily by map, compass, and terrain.
- 5Keep the phone protected — a waterproof case, and in cold an inside pocket to keep it warm.
- 6Always carry the paper map and compass, and use them enough that you could finish the trip if the electronics failed.
When to use it
- Confirming your position quickly, especially in confusing terrain or when you're unsure.
- Planning routes, recording tracks, and marking water/camp/car waypoints.
- A fast reality check that complements map-and-compass work.
Common mistakes & safety
- Never let GPS be your only navigation. A dead battery, broken screen, soaked phone, or lost reception can leave you with nothing — map and compass don't run out of power.
- Cold and continuous use kill batteries fast. A phone that lasts all day at home can die in hours in the cold with GPS running — carry backup power and keep it warm.
- Reception isn't guaranteed. Deep canyons, dense forest, and heavy cover can weaken a fix — don't assume the dot is always right or always there.
- Download offline maps first. Counting on cell coverage in the backcountry is a mistake — without offline maps, a no-signal spot leaves the app blank.
- Practice the analog skills. The phone is easy until it isn't — the scout who can still navigate with paper and compass gets everyone home.
- Layered navigation is the safe habit — digital (GPS), physical (map/compass), and natural (sun, terrain, landmarks) back each other up.
Going deeper
- GPS ≠ cell signal. Your phone can fix its location from satellites with zero bars — which is why offline maps matter so much: the maps need pre-downloading even though the location works offline.
- Airplane mode is the battery trick. Turning off the cell/wifi radios (leaving GPS on) stops the phone burning power hunting for a signal — often the single biggest battery saver.
- A dedicated GPS unit is tougher and longer-lasting than a phone (replaceable batteries, waterproof, better reception) — but it's still electronics, so the map-and-compass rule still applies.
Official source
How to use a map and compass — Scout Life →GPS is a backup — the battery-free map and compass skills remain the reliable ones. See the Geocaching merit badge for GPS in depth.