If you are carrying a smartphone, you should have an app with downloaded maps (even if you are using other maps or a GPS). These are cheap/free. Osmand (buy the paid version), Galileo (buy the paid version on ios. The Android version is new and not complete), and map.me (free and has lots of features including off line routing).

You want downloaded maps since you might not have cell service.

Google maps work best if you have cell service. If you used Google, You should have a backup for it.

Paper maps often don't have enough detail and it can be hard to locate where you are on them. They also are not always convenient to get (tourist information centers are not as common as some people here appear to think).

Using a map app on you phone will be much more useful than a PDF map (only use that if the map you need is only available that way).

A dynamo is probably overkill. You might be able to get away with an external small battery charger (which are much cheaper). The idea is not to get a big one but to get the size you need. You might want or need an external charger even if you have a dynamo.

If you are in a place with weak or nonexistent cell service, smartphones drain faster trying to find a tower to connect to. Turn it off when you aren't using it or use airplane mode (make sure the GPS still works) or turn off the cell access. The GPS in the phone doesn't need the cell network. If you are outside of your service area, turn off the cell service! Keep in mind that you can still connect to the Internet using wifi (obviously, you will only have access to wifi in limited places, not in the middle of nowhere).

I use a Garmin Edge 800 too. You can get a GPS for $200.


You should practice any method you use before needing to use it.