Pace beads (see the linked article) are a low tech navigation aid for hikers that are basically a small abacus-like device made of paracord. You hang the set from a pack strap and use it as a manual pedometer to track the distance you have walked in a given direction. You count off 100 paces in your head while walking, advance 1 bead on the "abacus", count off another 100, etc. The usual 1 strand setup goes up to 50 counts on the beads, i.e. 5000 paces or about 3 miles, at which point you start over.
While out walking yesterday it occurred to me that I already had the right hardware in my pocket (an Anduril light) to support an electronic version of that. Just program a counting function into the light, click the button every 100 paces (or maybe 10 so it is harder to lose track), and read out the pace count afterwards.
My thought is to include it in the existing 4C lockout mode. During lockout, 1C advances the count and 3C reads out the count using blinks. 4C unlocks the light as usual and leaves the count unchanged. You reset to zero by temporarily disconnecting the battery.
Does anyone else like this idea? Does the proposed UI sound ok? I think I can code it, if it sounds useful.
GPS simplifies navigation a lot, but pace counting is still useful e.g. under tree cover where GPS doesn't work all that well. I agree that it is an old school technique whose importance has probably declined in modern times. But the same could be said about walking long distances in the age of the automobile.
I find it difficult to maintain a high mental pace count in the face of physical fatigue, sensory distractions, rest and water stops, etc. Getting to 100 already takes some focus. Mechanical aids such as pace beads do help, if you're not using GPS.