iPhone GPS apps - remote use ?

[tlk]

OK, I'm reviving this thread 'cause I got updates. I took my iPhone to multiple countries in both rural and metro areas.

Long story short - take a GPS. There are places where the iPhone is not supported on the cell infrastructure. Best bet is to take it and expect to use it for all the non cell-tower applications; once you get to your area if it isn't supported you can get a local pay-by-the-minute cell.

My GPS displayed the names of the towns I was in and the routes I took and stored all of the important way points I had. Also, I only had to take more AA batteries for it and a solar charger for the batts. The iphone required an international converter and the appropriate plug adapter and POWER (defintitely not something to trust - I should have gotten a solar charger for it). The internet conncetivity whenever I found cell service/WIFI spot (rare) and the camera made it worth bringing because it reduced my gear, its just not an electronic leatherman.

It is worth considering that a GPS can be stolen without as much of a loss as compared to an iPhone. That and a common local phone aren't as desirable - sometimes it really pays to go lower-tech for your own good. Even a cheap Casio g-shock watch gets advertised there and can cause more than second looks.

For certain applications the GPS is still very much a necessity IMO.

Probably too long but I hope this helps.

[permaculture]

Which model iPhone do you have that was not working without cell reception?

[tlk]

We had both a 3G and 3GS.