On a long tour, a rechargeable device like a smart phone is obviously incredibly useful. It can be a bit of an issue recharging it but there are solutions to that problem.

Maybe it makes sense to have "dumber" devices that operate on batteries, though. A cell phone that operates on a single A battery like this "spareone plus emergency" can do the job: SpareOne Plus Emergency Phone

For GPS, a garmin etrex 20 works on double A batteries, https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/on-t...prod87771.html

Is a smart phone the way to go for long distance touring (and you just need to deal with the recharging issue) or are 2 devices that use readily available double A batteries the way to go? I'm leaning towards the latter. A smartphone is sweet but I'm not sure I want to pay for a smart phone plus data plan.