"But the mapping programs in the cell phones depend on an Internet
connection for the map data."

Not all of them. Some let you download maps ahead of time.

I use an iPhone and one such map app is Navfree (free), which lets you
cache (download) maps on a state-by-state basis (USA, free) as well as
various other countries ($) for use when cell service isn't available.

The maps are so-so, though, and you won't always be able to get
turn-by-turn directions to some address because the app may not have the
street in the database, and it ain't so good with USDA Forestry Service
roads or other backcountry byways.

My favorite when driving in the backcountry and out of range of cell
towers is Topo Maps, which displays USGS topo maps which you must cache
ahead of time. I like the USGS topo maps because I've been using them
since I was a spud.

Gaia GPS and MotionX-GPS are also suitable for backcountry use -- they
permit caching maps from several sources before setting out.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.

On 10/30/2012 09:55 AM, Loren Busch wrote:
>   RE: GPS in Remote Areas
> Ken was talking about the GPS built into the cell phones.  The GPS receiver
> will still work in the bonnies.  But the mapping programs in the cell
> phones depend on an Internet connection for the map data.  Therefore a cell
> phone based GPS navigation program/app isn't going to work.  BUT the
> dedicated GPS units like Garmin, Tom Tom, Magellan, etc have alll their map
> data stored in the GPS unit itself.  Therefore they work without any
> Internet connection.