Did a search and couldn't find anything concerning the benefits of bringing a smart phone.
I finally graduated to an iphone and would like to know of any apps that might be useful while in the Q.
I purchased Sky Guide and it is pretty cool for identifying objects in the night sky but will it work there?

I don't think you can get a cell signal in most of the Q except maybe in certain areas. I'm guessing it will be years or maybe never before you get reliable cell signals across the entire park.  The BEST app you can have is the ONE between your EARS  ;) ;D ;D

I've never carried one before, but will on my next trip next year. Not planning to use it as a phone and most of the time it will be off. When it is used, it will be in airplane mode.

I have downloaded zoomable satellite photos of the lakes I plan to fish. They are useful for locating reefs, sand, and other fish holding structures. I also have downloaded compass and Swiss Army knife apps which may be useful. 8-) I also will carry a small charger to extend battery.

Your phone can also be a GPS. Not sure how it will work in Q for a sky map. I may have to check that one out. 8-)

Thanks OS,
Had a flip phone till about a month ago and didn't think I would be talked into a smart one but......Now that I have it I'm going to use it. Yeah, those are the kind of things I was referring to, I'll check them out, and the map idea sounds interesting. I also picked up one of the battery re-charger things.
Sky Guide is pretty cool for $2.99. I got it on good advise but I don't fully understand how they work. Do they need cell service? I'm guessing it is more gps related but duhhhhh! Otherwise I have no use for a $$ phone when tripping.

I downloaded 'skyview' a free app. I'm too cheap to pay for apps. ;D It looks like it runs off of GPS and uses your camera to get a fix on the sky. My hunch is that it could be a battery drainer, but might be fun for a night or three. Just be sure to be in airplane mode so you don't waste battery searching for signal. 8-)

I was curious about using GPS without a cell signal. :-/

I found this on some I-Phone forum.


Quote:

Most phones use the cell network to get a rough idea of where you are (I say rough, but really it cuts it down to a tiny area compared to the size of the Earth aka the coverage of GPS) then use GPS to get the exact location. So if your out of cell range it can take something like up to 20 minutes to get the location (although that was on a Samsung phone and I noticed the iPhone is faster at GPS anyway) The Apps have a accuracy setting so it's possible that if the accuracy is not accurate enough to use GPS it won't find your location, however I would've thought it would find your location with GPS once it realizes there's no data connection. Turning my iPhone onto AirPlane mode (effectively taking it out of range of any data connection) and then going onto the default maps app and finding my location takes a while, and switching app while it takes this long makes it timeout.

My kid was able to exchange texts with her mother from the eastern most island on Pickerel about a year ago. I tried to get a weather forecast - no go. The bill for that 15 minutes of fun was around $100 w/ Verizon. Roaming or something? They eventually refunded the charge but I'd check with the provider before trying again.

I use "find my iphone" all the time with a Verision/tracfone simm in her ancient iPhone all the time to pick up my kid up after away games. As much as I hate to say it, I'd love it if that worked in Q. Even better - Hey Siri! Message home. I've fallen and I can't get up!

That said, I'm not all that smartphone savvy. YMMV. It's Canada after all. Where is the WIFI dangit?

Two cell phone experiences, not particular to your app question. In 2003 I took my Nokia phone, that was all it did, and had 3 or 4 bars on Ranger Bay. That was it. I'm told you can get service on Bayley Bay, at or around the sandy beach landing. A few years ago I took my BlackBerry. Had great reception from Farm Lake up to end of Bald Eagle. Unfortunately I was asked to join a conference. Ever since I've sworn I'd never take it with me again.

I do have a Canada Topographic Maps app on my iPhone which displays downloaded maps (quadrants that are stitched together).  I currently have Quetico maps loaded, but I've also downloaded WCPP maps and a couple of other locations.  It does have a couple of features on it to (for example) mark a route and establish distance.  I have also downloaded overlays from other applications that have things like campsite locations.

But if you are asking me, do I carry this in the field ... the answer is NO.  If you desire to do so, I can also tell you that the app will work in a totally "off line" mode.  So you need no reception to use it, but it also is not pin-pointing your location like a GPS.  In addition, the connectivity component can be turned on and off via Settings on your iPhone (all apps requiring connectivity are listed under Privacy/Location Services), which will pin-point your locations.

As a general rule, I have most of the apps requiring connectivity turned off because they persistently "ping" to establish location, which results in a significant battery drain on your phone.  If you don't want to charge your phone on a daily basis, this is one means to achieve that.

dd

Speaking only for myself, your mileage may vary, I plan to keep it always in airplane mode, and off most of the time. That way no one can call or text me. Should a life/death emergency arise on the trip, obviously I would attempt communication. That is not the primary reason for taking the phone. 8-)

In September of 2015 my brother was texting his wife from North Bay.  Then one evening he got a call through and his two young sons were able to talk about their adventure with their mom. 

Not sure how I felt about that.  I kinda like the idea that I can't be reached by phone.  I don't see myself ever bringing one.  I do bring a SPOT locator however.

chaga wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2016 at 1:08pm:

I purchased Sky Guide and it is pretty cool for identifying objects in the night sky but will it work there?

I have gotten a cell signal in the northern tier of the Q for a few years now, but nothing that would be adequate for data, such as using apps. So you could probably plan to get a semi-static-y phone call out, but your apps will never load.

I have taken a cell when going solo. One part safety device, but I'd also listen to a podcast in airplane mode every now and then. It was a "nice to have" when solo for a week, especially if you're spending a bunch of time under the tarp in a downpour.

Halfway up Agnes in Q there is a north facing point where you can see all the way up the lake. High rock bluff 100 yds behind/south of the campsite. With ATT  and Verizon you can almost always call or text. I keep this reserve for an emergency.

Thanks everyone. Pretty sure I got my answer. Although it is one of the coolest things out there I can't see any reason to take it.