Gear Review: HomeStar Pocket - Personal GPS

HomeStar Pocket GPS helps find way in
snow covered trail.

Every outdoor adventurer is a little gear obsessed.  Here is my latest review of the HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS system.

Item:

Personal Handheld GPS

HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS

DHT Ventures

$110

HomeStarGPS.com

With the increasing number of backcountry navigation devices available, it's often difficult to choose what precious items will make it into your pack.  Fortunately, this little key fob weighs almost nothing and can bring you peace of mind and an extra orientation backup system.  Over the past months, I tried out the HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS to see if this little piece of gear was worth the addition to the pack.

HomeStar GPS guides through fog on
Mt. Katahdin, Maine

The Basics... 

The HomeStar is easy to learn and use.  The device works by letting you easily set three waypoints along your adventure.  When you are ready to return, simply click the button for the way point you want to return to and a circle of flashing lights will guide you back to your site.  

Test Adventures... 

I gear tested the GPS on three adventures - a mountain climb in September, a cross country ski in December, and a snow shoe hike in January.  In all three adventures, the HomeStar GPS worked well and did what it promised.  I was able to set way points and return to the site with its guidance.  

Advantages...

The HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS is a good tool to use as a backup safety orientation device.  Its super-small design adds literally no weight to your pack, and gives you extra piece of mind if you lose your way.  It is easy to use and comes with a user manuel and youtube video that shows how to use it.  Although it's no substitute for a good map and compass, it can save a lost hiker who has lost his/her way from a trail and needs to return to a way point.  

HomeStar helps us find our trail.

On Mt. Katahdin in Maine, I set way points at the car, an important junction, and the summit.  The night before our hike, we learned that three hikers had been lost in the fog and had to be rescued.  I realized that if I was in a similar situation, the HomeStar GPS could have led me back to a way point spot.  These hikers were not so fortunate, and rescuers finally found them far from the trail in a ravine.  They had wandered far - thinking they were returning to the trail.  

I found the device useful as a winter hiking companion.  I used it on two occasions after fresh snow fall - once while cross country skiing in Maine and once on a snowshoeing adventure in southern New Hampshire.  After the snow, the trail is often not packed and visible.  It is unsafe to rely on your tracks to lead you back, since at any time, new snow can fill the pockets, or you could easily get led astray by other tracks.  My companions and I used the HomeStar GPS as a safety back-up tool in case we lost our way from the trail.  We set a way point at the parking lot, an important junction and the turn-around-spot.  That way, if we had lost our way, we could have easily found an recognizable spot.  I tested the GPS and it was able to guide us back to these way points.  

Limitations...

HomeStar is limited to finding way-points - not new locations.

With small size, comes some limitations.  Although it's great as a safety backup in fowl weather or for a lost hiker, this device does not work well as a navigation and orienteering device.  While it can direct you toward a set way point, the HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS does not indicate the compass direction you are going (N, S, E, W).  Since you mark way points as you pass them, it cannot guide you to a place you have not been - only help you return to a place you once were.  

The other limitation of the small size of HomeStar is that it does not provide distances to way points.  Although as you get closer to your destination, the lights flash faster, you do not know how far you are from your destination.  

Set the HomeStar GPS at important way-points

Conclusions...

In conclusion, I found that the HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS was exactly what it promised - a super small, simple to use, way point storing GPS that will guide you through snow, dark, or fog to your destination.  I recommend it be carried as a back up safety feature by backcountry users.  Set the three waypoints at spaced-out places along your journey, so if lost, you can easily return to a site.  

Please leave comments or questions below...

HomeStar Pocket Personal GPS

Riding above the Clouds - Silcox Hut, Mt. Hood

View of clouds from Silcox Hut, Mt. Hood, Oregon

When Matt and I got engaged this fall, we looked for a venue that would fit our personality.

Where should two self-proclaimed alpinists get married?  

On top of a mountain of course!  

Even Grandma got on the Snowcat

Since my roots and family are in Oregon, we chose to get married on Mt. Hood - Oregon's tallest peak.  We found that the historic Timberline Lodge offers weddings at their warming hut at 7,000 feet at the quaint and cozy Silcox Hut.  To get to the location, the guests and wedding party will take a Snowcat machine from the lodge (6,000 feet) up an icy slope to the 7,000 feet elevation, above the clouds.  This spring, we will marry on the mountain slope - a perfect place for a mountain-loving couple.  

Since I was visiting family for Christmas, I decided to take the trip up to the lodge and hut to see the venue and discuss details.  Steve- the hut manager and our Snowcat driver - has run the hut for 20 years and provided an excellent experience.  If you wondering how you can visit this magical place - see the information below...

Staying at Silcox

Silcox is an overnight destination mountain hut available for groups (12 person min). Cost ranges from $140-$180 a person per night and includes your Snowcat ride to and from the hut, as well as delicious family style breakfast and dinner.  The hut books up fast, so reservations should be made months ahead of time.  It is also available non-overnight functions like weddings and parties.  More information can be found at the Timberline Lodge website.

Enjoying the sun

Roaring Fire in Silcox Hut

Snowcat at Silcox Hut

Please leave comments and questions below...

Featured in Backpacker Magazine



Cover to January Backpacker

 

 


The Freelance Adventure is branching out!
If you subscribe to Backpacker Magazine, check out the January Issue!  I was fortunate to participate in their Reader's Choice panel representing the Northeast United States.  The magazine has chosen my favorite backpack, peak bagging backpack, and Massachusetts day hike as three featured hikes.  It's wonderful to share ideas and learn about other great hikes chosen by readers.  Check it out!

Urban Hiking - Forest City Trail in Portland, Maine

Forest Trail, Portland, Maine. 
Photo courtesy of Jenny Galasso

 

This time of year is hard for me.  The weather is unpredictable, the trees depressingly bare, and trails covered in wet, slick leaves.  I often curl up at home on the weekends instead of burning gas to go to the mountains.  The wait begins for the day that snow covers my favorite paths, and I can take joy in hiking again.  Fortunately, my friend Jenny got me out of this funk and out into nature despite my reluctance for late fall hiking.  This time, instead of heading to the hills, we went to the city and took a walk along one of the hikes in the "Portland Trails" network.  This little hike revitalized my affair with nature and was a great reminder that November is a great time to be outdoors. 

Here is how to recreate this adventure...

Adventure: Forest City Trail in Portland, Maine

Trailhead
Photo courtesy of Jenny Galasso

Getting there:  We accessed the trail from Summit Street in Portland's North Derring neighborhood.  There is a large trailhead sign (see photo) and street parking available.

Trail: The trail immediately drops into a hardwood forest.  When you get to the power-line swath, continue straight.  After the power-lines, you will come to a seasonal stream.  Continue along the path and it will wind along the stream bank.  This will take you to the Presumpscot River.  At the river junction, turn right and continue along the bank, enjoying views of rapids and flowing water.  The trail ends at a lookout of the Presumpscot Falls. 

Difficulty:  The trail is easy and mostly flat with a few up/downhill parts towards the river.  Fallen, wet leaves made the trail slick at parts.

Presumpscot Falls, Portland, Maine
Photo courtesy of Jenny Galasso

Distance: Approximately 1 mile one-way (2 miles round trip).

Recommendations:  This is a great little urban trail to see waterfalls, woods, and still be in the city.  It is a dog friendly trail.  Be prepared to see a lot of fellow hikers with their pups.  It's a great choice for children and families due to the easy terrain. 






Jenny and I enjoyed our stroll through the woods on this brisk fall day.  I recommend taking a hike when the shorter days and cold weather is getting you down. 

Friends enjoy a fall urban stroll

Please leave comments and questions below.

Kennebunkport on Dwellable

Farm to Table - Exploring Southern New Hampshire

Apple picking in NH

Matt and I decided to spend a Sunday morning exploring some local farms in Southern New Hampshire.  We drove to the town of Lee (1 hour, 20 minutes from Boston and 25 minutes from Exeter, NH) where we visited two farms - an apple orchard and a winery.  We wrapped up the date with a late lunch at the Stone Church Pub in Newmarket, NH. 





Here is how to recreate this adventure...

One peck bag at DeMerrit Farms

DeMerrit Farms - DeMerrit Farms is located on Rt. 155 in Lee, New Hampshire.  It is a GREAT place to visit if you have children and families because they have a country store, petting
zoo, playground, wagon rides, and around Halloween - a popular haunted house (in evenings) called "Haunted Overload".  Even though we don't have kids, we still loved walking through the orchard, picking apples, and petting the goats.  The staff was very knowledgeable and I was able to get a Peck bag and fill it for $15.95.  We got a diversity of apples including Honey Crisp, Empire, Cortland, Red Rome, and more!  So far, I've enjoyed them in pies, crisp, and just snacking.  I highly recommend a trip to DeMerrit Farms.

Moonshine from Flag Hill 

Flag Hill Winery and Distillery - Flag Hill is the largest winery in New
Hampshire (although very small by West Coast standards).  It is also located on Rt 155 in Lee, New Hampshire, and about 5 miles from DeMerrit Farms.  Flag Hill is also a distillery.  Matt and I arrived around 11:30 am and participated in a tour of the facility ($5 charge), followed by a tasting.  They allow you to taste up to six of their wines or spirits.  They make everything from "White Mountain Moonshine" to "Cranberry Liquor" to classic whites and reds.  The tour was enjoyable and the staff knowledgeable and friendly.  I have to admit, I left with a few bottles in my hand.  The property is beautiful and a must see if you are touring Southern New Hampshire.

Inside of Stone Church

The Stone Church - The Stone Church is just what it sounds like - an old church - except this church has been converted into a pub and music venue.  Their motto is "Craft Beer.  Live Music."  On this Sunday afternoon, we watch a German brass band play for their Octoberfest celebration while enjoying a delicious lunch off their pub menu and craft beers.  I highly recommend the venue for good music, food, and drink.  One note - beers are on the pricey side - at least $6 a brew.




We had a wonderful day exploring some local farms and wrapping up with music and lunch at the Stone Church.  It just goes to show that you don't have to travel far from home to find adventures. 

fallen apples