Any GPS is as reliable as the batteries in it. I carry one whenever I go into the backcountry, but never without a topo map of the area and compass. (In fact, my survival kit has a backup compass in it, too.) Several times, in terrain as varied as high desert and rainforests, my GPS has let me down. The map and compass never have! http://tinyurl.com/yk7ngjc
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Right! I don’t take a GPS without a map and compass. And a GPS can be a valuable addition to a map and compass.
GPS has similar reliability issues as cell phones — both can be extremely useful when they work, but you can’t count on them working 100% of the time. Two things GPS has that map and compass don’t …
1. Altitude: In mountainous terrain knowing your altitude can help pinpoint your location. Carry an altimeter if you don’t have a GPS, or if you want a backup to your GPS.
2. Tracklog: GPS can store your entire route, in case you need to backtrack.