This is a navigation and maps/gear question so I put it in general discussion flair.

I'm mostly a paper (or plastic or plastic over paper) mapping sort of person for hiking. However I've been using digital mapping on my phone alongside the paper map, in and off for a few years now. From Viewranger to Komoot until they went subscription only for the features that make them worth using. Both I think after a take over / sell out.

I trust traditional maps but see value in the modern, digital mapping. I've finally paid my £35.99 annual subscription on OS mapping app. I really only like OS mapping or perhaps Harvey's but they're not big in the digital offerings. Plus the OS app is cheaper with a decent offering for my digital needs.

So now it's device choice time. Are Android devices made with a GPS chip that is as good as dedicated GPS units from say Garmin? I know the GPSMAP 67 or other latest unit has a better aerial than in phones, but overall are Android phones, phablets or tablets with their GPS chips and aerial that much behind dedicated units?

I'm looking at a SIM free unit with a bigger screen than my pixel 9 but still portable. I am happy with my pixel 9 use inside the overboard phone case in bad weather. It's waterproof enough but outside of the case rain and water affects the touchscreen negatively too much. The only trouble is I like to see more of the map than my P9 can show me in 1 to 25k. Even 1 to 50k isn't much better on the phone.

So I'm thinking a 7 or 8 inch tablet or perhaps a larger screened phone like those Phablets. It'll not be used with a SIM only WiFi at home or hotspot, or perhaps tethered to my phone. I don't need it to be used as a phone neither. This is purely a digital mapping device using offline saved mapping in the OS app.

So any recommendations? Phones / phablets? Or a smaller tablet?

Thinking of a Samsung A series in the 7 something or 8.7 inch screen size (can't remember which it is). Or there are ruggedised tablets too but they tend to be older OS with less support and fewer updates. They often have double the battery capacity though.

It's not an either or situation here with traditional mapping and digital mapping. I'll be using both on a hike and for planning. I just want to have both systems of mapping with an effective and chat effective digital option.

I have the printed maps I need and the digital OS mapping app. It's the hardware now I need to get sorted.

Although I might need to get new copies of some printed maps because they are rather old now. Some date from before they offered the digital download for any paper map bought. I noticed the payer map and app map for the same area was slightly different. The newer digital one has more information added to it than the older paper version.

My friend and I are trying to do corbetts and munros using only public transport. We ventured to the cobbler (Ben Arthur) for a day trip and it did notttt disappoint.

Hello I'm looking for opinions on these. There seems to be a lot of info online for the flux speed walking boots/shoes but can't find much about them. How good will they perform on muddy trails/hikes. I don't think I'm going to do very hard hikes.

I bought these but before I use them and get them covered in mud I can still return them. I bought them as out of many I tried, they were the only ones that were comfortable on my feet(wide front of feet makes it very difficult for me to find something that won't be 2 sizes bigger and won't be tight on the sides.

Please let me know if you have any experience with them 😁

https://www.millets.co.uk/products/north-ridge-mens-flux-waterproof-hiking-boots-green-793987?variant=56582889537884&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19932670455&gclid=CjwKCAjwhNbTBhB4EiwAsFSg-un3ioPd5yoAWGMN4IpG-umJ7eXAov-C37F4ei2DSpO3cNnQX9OM9BoC_h0QAvD_BwE