Hiking GPS from a smartphone: sharing personal experience. Mushroom picking with a GPS tracker. Tourist on his way home.

We present to your attention the best navigator program for not getting lost in the forest - I'm going home. It's ideal for anyone who loves hiking, so if you're traveling by car, consider apps like Igo Primo. Be sure to download all the latest maps and install them before use. You will not get lost anywhere - neither in the forest while hunting for mushrooms, nor in the desert, swamp and other dangerous places.

The PRO version has a convenient voice prompt and navigator so you can stay focused and keep your eyes on the road. For stable operation you do not need the Internet, you only need a GPS signal. The main thing is to make sure you have 100% battery charge, as it will drain quickly and you could end up stranded somewhere on the way home.

Download I'm going home for android

How to use

It's very simple. Before starting the journey, set a waypoint and go where you need to go. Make sure that the application tracks your route and does not freeze.

Here's a good example in the video below (a must-watch!):

In the last decade, hardly anyone could imagine a tourist without a guitar and stew, but today such people mostly take specialized equipment on hikes. It became an obligatory companion for them. This device is capable of handling a number of complex tasks and can exchange data with other mobile devices. Everyone's needs are individual, so navigator manufacturers have to constantly improve the products they provide. Trying to make the device the most efficient and reliable, the developers introduce many useful functions into it, which is appreciated by mushroom pickers, hunters and fishermen.

Buyers of tourism accessories are distinguished by their scrupulousness. They order mostly time-tested devices that have a sufficient number of positive reviews. However, the need for a new device arises much more often than we would like. The reasons for this may be the following: the device was damaged after a fall, was lost, drowned in a swamp, or forgotten in a parking lot. The specificity of the products presented is that it is unlikely that it will be possible to purchase the same option that the tourist had before. Therefore, you have to delve into the essence of new products and understand the operating features of modern flagships. The presented rating, obtained on the basis of analytical data and user reviews, will make the purchasing process much more conscious.

ModelBest FeaturesPermissionWorking hoursScreen diagonalPrice from (RUB):
according to reviews128x24025 hblack and white 2.2"7 100
simple, cheap160x24020 hcolor 2.6"5 700
for hunting160x24016 hourscolor 2.6"22 500
for hiking in the forest240x32025 hcolor 2.2"11 400
for mushroom pickers160x24020 hcolor 2.6"10 900
portable160x24016 hourscolor 2.6"13 400

1. - the best GPS navigator for orienteering in the forest, according to reviews

Memory and processor

The number of maps that can be loaded depends on the size of the memory, as well as the possibility of expanding it using external sources. Equally important is the scaling function, which depends on the speed of the hardware.

Case and battery

The best option for a device would be a navigator equipped with a large battery capacity. The ability to use batteries instead of batteries is convenient during long treks.

When choosing a case, pay attention to the following: compactness, weight, shock resistance and moisture resistance. These parameters are important for lovers of extreme walking. Most prefer compact devices that fit confidently in the palm of your hand or fit into your pocket.

Additional functions and modes of the device

The navigator is a complex electronic device that is equipped with a processor of a certain power, a small screen and an operating system. By and large, it resembles a small tablet or communicator that can be used for more than just navigation. Its additional features include the following:

  • obtaining information about fishing objects, lunar phases;
  • autosave last route;
  • entering into the device’s memory catching points on the reservoir;
  • determination of altitude above sea level;
  • Using the built-in barometer to forecast the weather.

MOSCOW, August 17 - RIA Novosti, Dmitry Filonov. Experienced mushroom pickers know hundreds of species of mushrooms by sight. But what should the children of the “concrete jungle”, who have only ever seen mushrooms in the nearest supermarket, do? Of course, pick up a smartphone or tablet and go to the nearest forest - not forgetting to first download to your device a set of applications for the neophyte mushroom picker selected by RIA Novosti.

Recognize the enemy by sight

Owners of smartphones on the Android platform were luckier with mushrooms than iPhone owners - the number of identifiers for the Google system is noticeably greater. Maybe the developers don’t believe that the owners of Apple gadgets are even capable of such madness?

When you search for “mushrooms,” one of the first results in the Google Play app store is the “Encyclopedia of Mushrooms” application. According to its description, it contains information about 345 species of mushrooms, which are divided into three categories - edible, conditionally edible and poisonous. You can find the desired mushroom in this directory either by its name, or by selecting a similar picture in the application.

Judging by the stated figures, this program is the most extensive reference book we have encountered. True, for installation it requires downloading additional modules, it works slowly, and in the extensive catalog of spindle-footed collibias you can get lost out of habit. Therefore, applications with a selection of a smaller number, but really common mushrooms, are no less relevant.

For example, the application "Mushrooms. Directory" contains information about 46 edible mushrooms and 30 poisonous ones. The program implements a search by the name of the mushroom, and also has the headings “Collecting Places” and “Mushroom Picker’s Memo,” from which the inquisitive mind of a novice mushroom picker will learn exactly where to hunt, as well as how not to get lost in the forest.

Alexander Kazakov

Owners of smartphones on the Android platform can go into the forest without fear: many “mushroom” applications have been developed for their gadgets

Interestingly, the same developer offers the Intuition Trainer application. It will probably help in cases where information about the found mushroom is not in the reference book.

Another interesting, but paid application (31.57 rubles) is “Mushrooms, Berries, Herbs”. With its help, you can collect a full bucket, basket, bag, or, as they say in St. Petersburg, a bag, not only of mushrooms, but also of other gifts of nature. By the way, the program also contains a calendar for collecting all this useful flora.

Owners of iPhone and iPad are forced to settle for less. Not only are there fewer mushroom guides in the Apple app store, but they are also all paid. However, forests are fraught with many secrets and mysteries, so it is possible that a keen eye will be able to detect an Android smartphone forgotten on a stump.

The cheapest app on the App Store for mushroom pickers costs $0.99 and is called iPoMushrooms. In addition to the classic directory of edible mushrooms, it also contains recipes for various dishes, as well as a “First Aid Kit” section, from which you can find out, for example, what to do in case of mushroom poisoning.

For those willing to pay the hefty $11.99 for the app, Nature Mobile's Mushrooms Pro guide is recommended. This application contains information about 300 types of mushrooms and 2 thousand pictures. At the same time, there is a step-by-step identification of the mushroom, which allows you to determine its name by answering a number of questions.

Valery Gordienko

The ideal mushroom reference application for both Android smartphones and iPhone has not yet been developed - you have to turn to your own experience and intuition

In addition, this application provides the ability to leave notes for each type of mushroom and attach geographic coordinates, which will help in the future to find a mushroom place once encountered. For inexperienced mushroom pickers, we note that if a mushroom is cut and not pulled out of the ground, then another one will grow in its place. So, at least, says popular wisdom.

The Apple App Store contains several other mushroom guides that cost a reasonable $2-3. True, not all of them are equally useful. For example, the Fungi application, although it contains information about 600 types of mushrooms, does not support the Russian language, which can make oral consultations with a professional mushroom picker you meet in the forest somewhat difficult.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to find an ideal mushroom reference application for both Android smartphones and iPhone. Among the functions of such programs, I would like to see the ability to identify a mushroom by its photograph, as well as an augmented reality system that, for example, would highlight on the screen pictures of the forest from the built-in camera of the device, potentially mushroom places.

And, of course, every such application simply must have functions similar to the Instagram photo application, so that you can take a photo of the largest mushroom, apply a stylish filter to the photo, and publish it on Facebook and Twitter.

On mosquitoes with a smartphone

Having solved the main problem - picking mushrooms, lovers of nature walks may still be left with a number of side problems. For example, how to get back if there are only fir trees and birches around, and the right direction is unknown.

For those who are not yet fluent in old-fashioned methods, such as determining the cardinal directions by anthills or moss on trees, you can install one of the free mapping applications.

Considering the very real possibility of a lack of cellular communication in the forest, it is better if the program has offline maps that can be downloaded in advance.

Yandex.Maps for iPhone and Android this year acquired a similar function, although the list of downloadable territories is limited mainly to cities, with the exception of the Moscow, Leningrad region and Crimea. However, experienced mushroom pickers manage to find prey anywhere, even within city limits.

It may be a good idea to install an app to record tracks. For example, Google offers the My Tracks program for Android smartphones. It is capable of recording information about a person’s movement based on data from the GPS receiver built into the device. If you get lost, you can return to your starting point by repeating your path in the opposite direction. And then you can brag about the track to your friends, and mark the most mushroom places on the map.

Similar applications exist for iPhone. For example, free RunKeeper or paid GPS Kit. Such applications can also be used during morning runs, because a real mushroom picker must be as healthy as a moose in order to walk tens of kilometers in search of prey.

Rosleskhoz

In order not to get lost in the forest, it is recommended to install a couple of relevant applications on your gadget

Owners of Apple devices, deprived of identifying mushrooms, are taking revenge in the field of emergency evacuation from the forest. In addition to the proprietary “Find iPhone” service, which allows the mushroom picker’s relatives to discover the place of his wanderings (if they have a cellular connection and know the App Store password, of course), for Apple gadgets there is also an official application of the Ministry of Emergency Situations - “Mobile Rescuer”. It not only allows you to send an SOS signal to emergency services and a pre-defined list of telephone numbers, but also contains a guide to first aid and finding medical facilities.

Similar applications, however, can be found for the Android platform. For example, One Touch SOS also sends messages to a specified list of contacts when you press the “red button”, informing them of the user’s location data, and the Where’s My Droid application will help you find a lost person without help from him.

It is possible that the search for the unlucky mushroom picker may drag on for several hours. In this case, an application with a star map will help him pass the time studying celestial bodies, and a program that simulates the burning of a candle will make the waiting process more comfortable.

And the last tip - don't forget to charge your smartphone before leaving home. If the cellular signal is weak or absent, battery power can be used up very quickly. To extend battery life, you can temporarily disable all wireless interfaces by selecting airplane mode in the device settings.

Not all talkers are equally useful

When compiling the review, we encountered ambiguous interpretations of the edibility of some mushrooms by different programs. For example, some applications classify many representatives of the talker group as conditionally edible, while other programs prefer to consider them poisonous. Therefore, do not forget that application developers are not responsible for your health, and even usually harmless mushrooms can be dangerous in some cases.

Going to the forest to pick mushrooms is a traditional Russian pastime, in which knowledge and experience have always played an almost decisive role. Mushroom places were reported in great confidence by word of mouth, newcomers learned to identify mushrooms and walk through the forest under the guidance of “experienced” ones, and cooking recipes were passed down from generation to generation. Now, along with a knife, a basket and mosquito repellent, a smartphone has become one of the main attributes of lovers of quiet hunting. Non-greedy mushroom pickers post information about fertile clearings on social networks, and apps help them find, recognize, avoid getting lost, and preserve them. We have reviewed online services to make summer 2019 a mushroom ride for you.

Let's start with the basics

The application will help you study the theory of mushroom science "Mushroom Picker's Guide". The “Articles about Mushrooms” section contains everything from advice for novice mushroom pickers to recommendations on how to recognize mushroom poisoning and provide first aid.

Each mushroom is classified according to edibility and described in great detail - appearance, features, growing area.

In addition, a mushroom calendar is available in the application - the developers have included the ripening dates of each mushroom in a separate table, which is quick and easy to navigate.

Let's move on to practice

So, the theory has been studied, and now you can go into the forest, where getting lost is as easy as shelling pears. Moreover, not only beginners, but also experienced mushroom pickers are guilty of this. Every year, rescuers bring thousands of hapless, quiet hunters out of the forests of Russia. You can even lose your car in the forest - such cases happen quite often.

If you don’t have a navigator and your mushroom picking trip is not expected to be very far, try using the program "I'm Going Home Lite". The application starts a connection with GPS immediately after opening, and if a map of the area where you plan to move has already been downloaded, you can safely turn off the mobile Internet, thereby significantly reducing your smartphone’s battery consumption.

First you need to put a point where you enter the forest or, for example, where you leave your car. The application will give you the coordinates of this place and offer to rename the target for convenience.

Are you going to pick mushrooms with your family, but are you afraid of losing each other? You can find out the location of your loved ones and let them see where you are using the MTS Search service: everything is under control in your smartphones.

The track will begin to be written independently, and whether the smartphone screen is turned off does not matter. If you find a clearing with mushrooms, you can also mark this goal to return at any time (the points are stored in the program’s memory).

To get to the starting point, you just need to click on the corresponding point and follow the voice prompts. Well, or just watch on the screen so as not to deviate too much from the path laid out by the navigator. At the same time, at any moment you can see how much distance is left to the target and at what speed you are moving.

Expert in your pocket

If you are a novice mushroom picker, then it is, of course, better to go with an experienced friend at first, who will tell you which mushrooms are edible and which ones you shouldn’t even touch. But if there is no such comrade, the smartphone will again come to the rescue. Application "Pick mushrooms" determines quite accurately which mushroom is in front of you. To do this, you can use both a mechanical method (by independently selecting the parameters of the mushroom) and automatic detection - using photos from the scene of events.

Hiking for mushrooms is an exciting activity, and often a person, keen on searching and collecting them, gets into the depths of the forest and cannot figure out where he came from and how to get back. Experienced tourists, orienteering specialists, who are accustomed to noticing various little things on their way, claim that they do not need a GPS tracker to go into the forest; there are many other ways to find their way. But when all the attention is focused on mushrooms, even an expert can forget about looking for landmarks. And for people who rarely visit the forest and do not have navigation skills, the risk of getting lost is much higher.

They usually go for mushrooms lightly, without a tent or sleeping bag, which makes the prospect of spending the night in the open air unpleasant. Even if a lost mushroom picker manages to get out of the forest before dark, without having time to feel hunger and thirst, he will have to endure many unpleasant moments. GPS for mushroom pickers will help you avoid worries, panic and return home safely; it is the most modern method of orienting and finding your way.

What to do if you get lost in the forest

It is best to have a tourist navigator, a smartphone with a navigation function, a GPS tracker for the forest, or at least a compass. But even without these devices, it’s quite possible to find your way back; you just need to learn the principles of orienteering or refresh your memory on the eve of your mushroom hunting trip. The main thing in this situation is not to panic and concentrate. First of all, make some kind of mark in the place from which you begin to look for a way out, and mark the direction of your movement. When people get lost in the forest, they often walk in circles; a tag will help detect this. Try to shout, there may be other mushroom pickers nearby who will tell you in which direction to move. And if you are not lucky enough to meet anyone, call on your knowledge to help.

To understand where to move, you need to know which side you entered the forest from. There are several methods for orienting to the cardinal directions:

  • by compass. Holding it strictly horizontally, you need to release the arrow and wait until it calms down, pointing the red end to the north;
  • on the map. If the map is large scale, you can correlate the objects marked on it with objects on the ground; if it’s small, you’ll have to use it together with a compass (align the direction of the red end of the arrow with the north direction on the map);
  • by the sun and a clock with arrows. You need to turn the watch so that the hour hand points towards the sun, then mentally draw a line from the center of the dial to 14 o'clock. The bisector bisecting the angle between this line and the clockwise direction will indicate the direction to the south. In summer in the middle zone the error of this method is 25%, and in southern latitudes it is even greater;
  • according to the sun. In summer it rises in the northeast, and in autumn in the east. In the middle zone in the summer at 8 am the sun is in the east, at 14.00 – in the south, at 20.00 – in the west.

All these methods of orientation should be used not when you are already lost, but at the moment of crossing the edge of the forest and periodically while moving along it. If you can't figure out the cardinal directions, listen to the noise. Usually there is a railway near the forest, and the noise of a passing train can be heard 10 km away. You can also hear dogs barking and the sound of moving vehicles.

If you have neither a compass nor a map at hand, and the sun is not visible due to high clouds, you can determine the cardinal directions by carefully examining the trees. The northern side of the trunks is usually covered with moss and lichen, and on the southern side resin is actively released (in coniferous trees), the bark is lighter and smoother.

How a GPS tracker will help you get out of the forest

There are several devices based on GPS technology:

  • A GPS beacon (marker) allows you to determine the coordinates of an object at a specific moment in time;
  • A GPS tracker tracks the movement of an object and plots its route on the map;
  • A GPS navigator allows you to plot a route from the point where the object is currently located to the point where it needs to go.

A beacon will not help a lost mushroom picker find his way, although it may make it easier for other people to find him. Navigators are usually loaded with road maps, and using such a device to reference terrain in the forest is not very convenient. A battery-powered GPS tracker for a mushroom picker will be much more useful than a car navigator with many unnecessary functions for a pedestrian. Different models can operate on one set of batteries from 10 hours to a day, and the powerful antenna receives the signal even in the thick of tall trees. If there is no signal from the satellite, the tracker switches to targeting cell towers.

If you need a GPS tracker for a mushroom picker, pay attention to inexpensive models for hiking. Such a lightweight, compact device with a small display is also called a return device or GPS compass; many models are made in the form of a key fob. You can enter the entry point into the forest into the tracker’s memory by marking it on the map. As you move, it is advisable to mark additional key points on the route (exit from a clearing, a fork in the path, a noticeable landmark). Different models allow you to store from 3 to 24 points in memory. The tracker display shows the current time, distance traveled, and average speed. An arrow on the screen indicates the direction in which you need to move to return to a given point.


GPS recording of your path through the forest can also be done using a number of smartphone applications. These include the free “I'm Going Home” program for devices running Android version 2.1 and higher. And the TRACKER GPS program has a free version with the ability to remember two points and a PRO version with an unlimited number of points.

Before you buy a GPS for the forest, compare several models, paying attention to the following characteristics:

  • battery life;
  • number of waypoints;
  • the presence of additional functions: stopwatch, pedometer, display backlight, flashlight;
  • design (for forests, a waterproof all-weather housing is preferable).

Travel GPS tracker with built-in digital compass is easy to use and reliable. With its help, even a person who does not know how to use a regular compass and navigate the terrain can easily get out of the forest.