All posts by Stephen Johnson

What’s New in Topo Maps+ 3.0

New User Interface

Topo Maps+ has an updated the user interface which makes features more accessible and downloading maps even easier.

JustPhone_1 JustPhone_2 JustPhone_3 JustPhone_4 JustPhone_5

 

Use the following links to learn more about using version 3.0 with each of these features.

You can now choose low resolution maps when downloading so that you can download maps over a larger area.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_Shot_Mar_9__2015__7_00_37_AM

Apple Watch Support

Now you can view your offline maps and current location just by glancing down at your wrist. You no longer need to pull your iPhone out of your pack to check your position. Read more about using Topo Maps+ on the Apple Watch.

TopoMaps+_AppleWatch1_512h TopoMaps+_AppleWatch2_512h TopoMaps+_AppleWatch3_512h TopoMaps+_AppleWatch5_512hTopoMaps+_AppleWatch6 TopoMaps+_AppleWatch7

New Maps

iOS Simulator Screen Shot Apr 2, 2015, 6.39.44 AM

You can now use the New Zealand Topo50 from the LINZ (Land Information New Zealand).

iOS Simulator Screen Shot Apr 2, 2015, 6.40.37 AM

You can now use the Run, Hike, & Bike map from MapBox.

iOS Simulator Screen Shot Apr 2, 2015, 6.39.04 AM

The MapBox street and outdoors maps have been updated.

iOS Simulator Screen Shot Apr 2, 2015, 6.39.22 AM

Added a settings to make waypoints visible at all zoom levels.

Now you can show waypoints on the map even when you zoom out.

iOS Simulator Screen Shot Apr 2, 2015, 6.43.47 AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_Shot_Apr_2__2015__6_42_45_AM

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed importing GPX files into Garmin Basecamp.
  • Reduced energy usage by turning off GPS when the app is in the background and it is not recording a trip.
  • Fixed adding a waypoint while recording a trip leaving a blue trace on the map.
  • Fixed orientating the map with the compass when in landscape.
  • Fixed bug where the kph for speed was off when you tapped on the current location.
  • Fixed an issue where map passes were not always sync’d between your iOS devices.

 

What’s New in Topo Maps+ 2.7

1. All New Print Map Features

While Topo Maps+ is an awesome application to help you go deeper into the backcountry it is not wise to rely solely on technology.  Having a printed map can sometimes be the difference between making it out and being lost with an iOS device that ran out of battery. Topo Maps+ makes it easy to print maps on your printer at home.  To make sure your map lasts during your adventure you can print those maps on Adventure Paper or put them in a water proof map case.

customMapFullCollar

Read more about printing maps.

2. Performance Improvements

Rendering and scrolling maps in Topo Maps+ is now much faster.

3. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus Support

Topo Maps+ now fully supports the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

iPhone6Plus

4. Fixed a Critical GPX Import Bug

Topo Maps+ 2.6 has a bug that prevented Topo Maps+ showing up as an option to import GPX files.  This is now fixed.

 

 

 

 

Topo Maps+ Works with many Different Maps

Topo Maps+ supports a wide variety of maps to help you with your next adventure.

You can easily change to a different map by selecting “Map Types” in the menu.

photo_1 photo_2 photo 3

1. USGS Topo Maps

In the US the USGS Topo Maps are the ultimate backcountry map.  They have the most detail for off the grid locations.  They include rivers, lakes, trails, timberlines, and many more backcountry features.  Most of these maps were made between 1940 and 1960, so they are not the best for urban areas where there has been new developments over the last 50 years.

Topo Maps+ has two different USGS maps sources and you can view the maps either with or without shading.  You can use the USGS topo maps from either CalTopo or Glacier Peak Studios.  In general the maps from CalTopo have higher resolution.

photo 1 photo 2 photo 3 photo 4

 

2. NRCAN & GEOBC Topo Maps for Southern and Western Canada

The Topo Maps from CalTopo also include NRCAN & GEOBC Topo Maps for southern and western Canada.  These are excellent backcountry maps for Canada.  Unfortunately, these maps from CalTopo do not cover all of Canada.  You can use MapBox Outdoors and Thunderforest for all of Canada.

photo_3 photo-4

3. World Wide Topo Maps with Thunderforest Topo Map

Thunderforest Topo Map is a world wide topo map that has hiking, biking, and ski trails.  The data for Thunderforest comes from the Open Cycle Map and it is continually being updated.

photo 1

4. World Wide Topo Maps with MapBox Outdoors

MapBox Outdoors is another great option for world wide topo maps.   This map is still in beta and is also being continually updated.

photo 2

 

5. Satellite Imagery with MapBox Satellite

When researching where to have your next adventure it is often helpful to look at satellite imagery.  The satellite map from MapBox lets you view you routes and waypoints on a satellite map.

photo 1

6. MapBox Street Maps

When you just need a street map to get a to campground or trail head you can use MapBox Street Maps.

photo 3

 

Use These Maps Offline

You can use all of these maps offline.  You will need to download the regions you want available offline before you go into the backcountry.

photo_1 photo_2 photo 3 photo 4

Read more about using Topo Maps+ offline.

 

 

What’s New in Version 2.6

Version 2.6 is our biggest release yet!  It is packed with new features to help you get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Organize with Beautiful Tags

You can now organize your routes, trips and waypoints using tags.  You can access tags from the menu.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_36_01_AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.36.24 AM

Topo Maps+ comes with a number of tags already set up and ready for you to use.  You can easily add, remove, or edit the existing tags.  To add a new tag, scroll down to the bottom of the list of tags and tap on add new tag.  You can name the tag and select an image for the tag.  You can use one of the built in images or scroll down to the bottom of the list of images to add your own image or to use an image from the map.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_40_39_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.40.51 AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.42.36 AM

 

If you want to reorganize or remove a tag, simply scroll to the top of the list of tags and tap on the edit button.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_43_39_AM

 

There are two ways to add routes, trips, and waypoints to tags.  First, you can go into a tag, tap on “Add Items to Tag”, and then select the items you want in the tag.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_47_50_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.48.30 AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.48.35 AM

 

You can also add a route, trip, or waypoint to tags from the route or waypoint details.iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_51_06_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_52_03_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.51.12 AM

 

Share with Your Friends

You can now easily share your tags, routes, trips, and waypoints with your friends.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_57_00_AMiOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_57_04_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.57.48 AM

 

Once you have selected the tags, routes, trips, and waypoints you want to share, tap on the share button at the bottom of the screen.  This will generate a URL you can give your friends.

iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.07.46 AM

 

When your friends go to the URL you gave them they will be able to import that data into Topo Maps+ or export the data into KML or GPX files which they can use in other apps like Google Earth.

Share photo-3

 

The data in the sharing link gets updated every time you sync your data in Topo Maps+.  You can share a tag with your friends for an upcoming backpack trip and then as you update the tags, the routes in the tag, and the waypoints in the tag, those updates will be reflected on the sharing web page for the tag.  Also, if your friends import the same route into Topo Maps+ multiple times the app is smart enough to know to update the existing route and not create a duplicate.

 

Export to Other Apps

In addition to sharing data in Topo Maps+ you can also export your data into KML and GPX formats.  This lets you view your data in other apps like Google Earth.  To export your data just tap on “Sharing and Export” in the menu, then “Export Data”, and then select the tags, routes, trips, and waypoints you wan to export.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_24_23_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_24_26_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.24.52 AM

 

Once you have selected the data you want to export, select the format (KML or GPX), and then tap on the Export button.  You will then be able to email that file or open it in another app that supports that file format.

photo_1

 

Import From Other Apps

Topo Maps+ also supports importing routes and waypoints from KML and GPX files.  To import the data into Topo Maps+ email yourself the file, then on your iPhone find the email, select the file, tap on the share button, and then select Topo Maps+.

photo_2 photo_3 photo_1 2

 

When Topo Maps+ opens it will show you the routes and waypoints from the file.  You can choose which ones you want to import and then tap on the import button.

photo 2

 

 

Free Low Resolution Maps

In Topo Maps+ version 2.6 low resolution maps are now completely free.  You can download them for offline use and the app will not keep bugging your to upgrade when you don’t have an active pass.

ICS & NWCG Symbols

Firefighters and search & rescue personal can now add Incident Command Symbols and NWCG symbols to waypoints.  When you add a waypoint, open the waypoint details, scroll down and tap on the “ICS & NWCG Symbols” button, and then select the symbol you want.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_35_27_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.36.06 AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.35.44 AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_35_38_AM

New MapBox Maps

Topo Maps+ now has two new MapBox maps.  It has the all new MapBox Outdoor Maps and it has the MapBox Street Map which you can download for offline use.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_41_08_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_41_14_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.45.04 AM

Add waypoint at search hit

You can now easily add a waypoint at a search hit, just tap on the search hit location and select add waypoint.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_50_03_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_50_06_AM

Bug Fixes

Topo Maps+ version 2.6 also fixed a bug where the total elevation while recording a trip was incorrect.

photo 3

 

Organize with Beautiful Tags

Organize with Beautiful Tags

You can now organize your routes, trips and waypoints using tags.  You can access tags from the menu.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_36_01_AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.36.24 AM

Topo Maps+ comes with a number of tags already set up and ready for you to use.  You can easily add, remove, or edit the existing tags.  To add a new tag, scroll down to the bottom of the list of tags and tap on add new tag.  You can name the tag and select an image for the tag.  You can use one of the built in images or scroll down to the bottom of the list of images to add your own image or to use an image from the map.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_40_39_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.40.51 AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.42.36 AM

 

If you want to reorganize or remove a tag, simply scroll to the top of the list of tags and tap on the edit button.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_43_39_AM

 

There are two ways to add routes, trips, and waypoints to tags.  First, you can go into a tag, tap on “Add Items to Tag”, and then select the items you want in the tag.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_47_50_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.48.30 AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.48.35 AM

 

You can also add a route, trip, or waypoint to tags from the route or waypoint details.iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_51_06_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_52_03_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.51.12 AM

 

Share with Your Friends

Share with Your Friends

You can now easily share your tags, routes, trips, and waypoints with your friends.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_57_00_AMiOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__6_57_04_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 6.57.48 AM

 

Once you have selected the tags, routes, trips, and waypoints you want to share, tap on the share button at the bottom of the screen.  This will generate a URL you can give your friends.

iOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.07.46 AM

 

When your friends go to the URL you gave them they will be able to import that data into Topo Maps+ or export the data into KML or GPX files which they can use in other apps like Google Earth.

photo-3 Share

 

The data in the sharing link gets updated every time you sync your data in Topo Maps+.  You can share a tag with your friends for an upcoming backpack trip and then as you update the tags, the routes in the tag, and the waypoints in the tag, those updates will be reflected on the sharing web page for the tag.  Also, if your friends import the same route into Topo Maps+ multiple times the app is smart enough to know to update the existing route and not create a duplicate.

 

Import From Other Apps

Topo Maps+ supports importing routes and waypoints from KML and GPX files.  To import the data into Topo Maps+ email yourself the file, then on your iPhone find the email, select the file, tap on the share button, and then select Topo Maps+.

photo_2 photo_3 photo_1 2

 

When Topo Maps+ opens it will show you the routes and waypoints from the file.  You can choose which ones you want to import and then tap on the import button.

photo 2

 

Export to Other Apps

In Topo Maps+ you can also export your data into KML and GPX formats.  This lets you view your data in other apps like Google Earth.  To export your data just tap on “Sharing and Export” in the menu, then “Export Data”, and then select the tags, routes, trips, and waypoints you wan to export.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_24_23_AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_24_26_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.24.52 AM

 

Once you have selected the data you want to export, select the format (KML or GPX), and then tap on the Export button.  You will then be able to email that file or open it in another app that supports that file format.

photo_1

 

ICS and NWCG Symbols

ICS & NWCG Symbols

Firefighters and search & rescue personal can now add Incident Command Symbols and NWCG symbols to waypoints.  When you add a waypoint, open the waypoint details, scroll down and tap on the “ICS & NWCG Symbols” button, and then select the symbol you want.

iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_35_27_AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.36.06 AMiOS Simulator Screen shot Jun 26, 2014, 7.35.44 AM iOS_Simulator_Screen_shot_Jun_26__2014__7_35_38_AM

Measuring Distance on a Map

Topo Maps+ has a few ways to measure distance on a map.

1. Distance Rings

Distance rings let you see distances from the center of the map.

Pasted_Image_3_13_14__5_22_AM Pasted_Image_3_13_14__5_21_AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Mar 12, 2014, 7.15.50 AM

 

2. Tracing Routes

You can trace out a route to see how far that route is.  In this example the route from the campsite at Image Lake to the lookout is approximately 1.19 miles. This article goes into depth on how to trace routes.

iOS Simulator Screen shot Mar 13, 2014, 5.24.42 AM

 

3. Map Scale

You can choose to always have the map scale turned on.

Pasted_Image_3_12_14__7_12_AM iOS Simulator Screen shot Mar 12, 2014, 7.13.10 AM