The outdoors and technology

In a world that is pretty much controlled by technology, we as outdoors enthusiasts look forward to disconnecting from the technology when we are outside. With that being said, a lot of us still carry our phones with us when we are on our adventures. As an IT professional, I basically live through my phone. I tend to stay away from it when I am in the woods just because that is what I do for a job.

Even though the disconnect is nice, I do use my phone when I am out and about in nature but not for checking emails or keeping up with the world. I have found some apps that I use a lot when I'm in the woods and I just wanted to share them with you. Most of the apps I use are either completely free or at least have a free version that does what I need. Here are the apps I use most when I am outdoors.

Google Maps (requires a cell signal)

This app is completely free and comes pre-installed on most Android phones and can even be accessed by iOS devices. The convenience of satellite images and maps at your fingertips has too many advantages to name. I can pull up a map of the area I am in and with amazing accuracy see exactly where I am in relation to the woods around me. If I am looking for a body of water or a particular land feature, Google Maps can lead me there as well as any older style gps system. With the layering options, you can select to show basic road maps, terrain maps and satellite images.

Google Maps is something I use quite a bit just for general knowledge of the area around me.

Picture This (requires cell service)

This app is without a doubt the one I use the most. When I am wandering around in the woods, I am always on the lookout for new plants. This app allows you to take a photo of a plant and it is compared against a massive database and will show you the best options for identifying the plant. I have had about a 75% success rate with positively identifying new plants. If you are out of service range, you can just take the pictures with your camera and upload them later for identification. There have been a few instances where it didn't correctly ID the plant in question but it almost always gives me a good starting point to work from. The app is completely free to use and you can create an online profile that will save all your searches.

Once I get a positive ID, I can begin researching the uses for the plants in the woods around me. I can't tell you how many plants I have discovered around my house that have a ton of edible and medicinal uses. As with any wild plants, be sure you are 100% positive of the identification.

Fishing and Hunting Times (requires cell service)

Most everyone is familiar with the solunar tables that can help predict the most active hunting and fishing times. The principle is that when the moon is directly overhead or directly underfoot is when wildlife is the most active. This app uses those tables and breaks down when the best time for action will be. The charts show you the breakdown of the hours in the day and when to expect the most activity. I have used this app for a couple of years now and I have to say that I am pretty impressed with it. For the most part, it is very accurate as to when animals and fish are active. Once you allow the app access to your location, just open it up and you will see a very easy to read chart of the activity times. It isn't always 100%, but I have found that it is usually consistent enough that I continue to use it.

SAS Survival Manual (available offline)

Most folks that are outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists know about this book. Written by John "Lofty" Wiseman, the book has an amazing amount of information in it that can help you survive in almost any situation.

The mobile app includes the entire book in .pdf format for easy viewing and even has some links to videos on certain topics. The videos are scattered through the various chapters and are accessible only with a cell signal. There is also a quiz section in the app that has small quizzes on most all of the topics covered in the book. The full version is $5.99 bu there is a limited free version.

This app for me is usually something to pass the time when I am sitting at home and my wife is watching her shows on TV. It would be handy in the field if you are trying to learn something new and need a quick reference.

Spyglass (works offline)

I just recently found this app and while it has some good potential as a compass, I have been using the range finder function more than anything. I have serious trust issues with a compass enclosed in metal that is magnetic. I have actually used this app and compared readings against my lensatic and I have to say that it seems fairly accurate. I think that for basic navigation it might be alright but I wouldn't trust my life with it. The pro version has some useful additions that I am still playing with to see what they do.

Huntstand (Online and offline features)

This app is one that is fairly new to me so I haven't really figured everything out on it. I used to use a hunting app called Trimble GPS Hunt. That one has been discontinued so I have been searching for a replacement. With GPS tracking, it is easy to plot hikes to and from your hunting stands. You can also mark on the maps where food plots are, high game traffic areas and almost anything else. This app has a weather feature that is nice for overlaying the current doppler radar images on your maps. With the purchase of the pro version, you can save maps for offline use as well. The weather and some other features require cell service to work but most other options work even offline. I will be testing this app more this summer to see what surprises it holds. On first glance, it seems to have all the options of my old Trimble app along with a ton of newer features as well.

With cell service, you can even see the red zones to stay out of according to current wind conditions.

There are a lot of apps available for outdoors folks but these are a few of my favorites. The best way to find what works for you is to just browse the app stores and google and download trials of the apps. Most functionality in them will be enough for you to decide if purchasing a pro version would be right for you.

As I mentioned before, I really prefer to disconnect from the world when I am out and about but there are times when my phone is very handy. The plant ID app is one that I would recommend for everyone. I use that app everywhere when I come across a new plant. If you know of a good app that you find useful in the field, please share it with me. As a technology professional, I am always looking for new gadgets.