To the experienced trekkers out there, I need some information on electronic gear. I plan to NOBO the AT this coming year and keep a journal on this site. I am looking at an ‘enV’ for phone and texting. Will this item do the trick? Can I email journal entries directly to Trail Forums or do I still need an intermediary to transcribe them? Any issues with holding daily entries prior to sending? recharging?
Is there a better product out there?
Ankle Express
Stumpknocker used and LG enV phone this year and reported good coverage all the way to Maine; however, no coverage there. He sent his daily journals and photos to his transcriber and you could read today what he did yesterday. It was like real time reporting. I will be using the LG enV2 next year. The new model is smaller and lighter than the orginal. Stumpy carried his cell phone charger with him.
Ned
Do you have info about costs-for the service and the phone? I’m not very “techie” so how did Mrs. Gorp transfer and load it to his journal? Thanks
Janet
Janet, when you send your journal and photos to your transcriber all your transsciber has to do is cut and paste the journal to your trail journal web page. Then upload any photos received. Any photos sent over a cell phone are small enough to upload without compressing. It takes a little practice, but easy when you get the hang of it. Of course, your transcriber has to have access to your journal meaning user name and password. Stumpy told me he was paying about $75 per month for the text and data (photos) service. Texting is limited to about a 1000 characters per text so if your journal entry is longer it will require several text emails. Hope this helps. The LG enV2 phone costs $149 with a two year contract with Verizon.
Ned
Thanks Ned, I wasn’t sure if the entry went as an e-mail (like pocketmail) which would be easy to cut and paste or if it was sent as a text. The cost doesn’t sound bad at all.
Janet
I used the Palm Treo 700wx on the AT in SNP, was able to directly upload pictures and text to my hiking journal. I carried a couple extra batteries.
Not sure its the best, but it worked for me.
Down side is I was so tired, that I didn’t have the energy to do much entering of text.
Rocky65
I used a Palm TREO on a 2007 Thru Hike.
Verison had the best coverage on the AT.
I was able to publish journal while on the trail.
(I have both the TREO and keyboard collecting dust.)
If you still need a device contact me.
Feel free to contact me via e-mail.
Barking Spider,
Dan