Go Deeper Into The Backcountry
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+.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3. Map Scale
You can choose to always have the map scale turned on.
Search Auto Complete
Search now has an auto complete list. You can use this list to select which of the locations you want.
Please note, the service Topo Maps+ is using to find locations does not work the best for sub word matches. So be sure and type in the full word.
New Distance Measuring Tools
When you zoom in on the map a scale will now appear. You can also turn on a setting to always have this scale visible.
In the settings you can also turn on distance rings. The distance rings will overlay circles on top of the map to to show you distances from the center of the map. The top of each circle has the distance from the center.
Reorganized Download Maps
Download maps has been reorganized to make it more efficient. The settings for downloading maps was moved under settings. The download settings are rarely needed now that Topo Maps+ has the ability to download regions.
Added Help Manual
There is now a help manual under the Help/About section.
Adding waypoints to a map are a great way to add your own markers. The easiest way to add a waypoint is to tap and hold on the map. Then to add a waypoint, drag the crosshairs around on the map to the location where you want the waypoint and then tap on “Add Waypoint” in the bottom right corner.
After the waypoint is added you can tap on the various tabs at the bottom of the screen to bring up the details. Alternately, you can tap on any waypoint on the map to bring up these details for the waypoint. Here you can change the name of the waypoint and change the icon for the waypoint.
You can also add a waypoint from My Data –> Waypoints –> Scroll down and select Add New Waypoint.
When you select any of the waypoints from this list, the map will jump to that waypoint. You can also, sync your waypoints between your iOS devices by using sync in the menu.
You can enter the following formats when searching for a coordinate.
Topo Maps+ is designed for offline use while deep in the backcountry. Most of the features of Topo Maps+ will work as is when there is no internet connection. For example, GPS and compass work without an internet connection so Topo Maps+ can know where you are and where direction you are headed without the internet. To get ready to go into the backcountry you need to download the maps you want to view before you go out since downloading and viewing new maps require an internet connection. Once you have downloaded maps, you don’t need an internet connection to view them.
Downloading New Maps
Topo Maps+ makes it easy to download maps. First you want to zoom and pan the map to the area you want to download. (For this example, lets say we are hiking to Image Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.)
Then you want to go to menu -> Download Maps -> Download Maps (for offline use).
Now you can select the regions you want to download. The map will automatically zoom to the correct zoom scale for selected maps to download. When you tap on the boxes you want to download a blue check box will appear in the box.
Once you have selected the regions you want to download, tap on the download button and let the download finish.
Checking Downloaded Maps
You can easily check if you have downloaded maps for a region before you go out. Pan and zoom the map to the region you are wondering about and then select to download maps. This will show you what has already been downloaded.
Managing Downloaded Maps
In the download maps section of Topo Maps+ you can jump to downloaded maps and you can delete downloaded maps. If you tap on any of the downloaded maps the map will go to the location that was downloaded.
If you swipe your finger to the left over one of the downloaded maps you can choose to delete the map from your device. You can still download that map again in the future.
You can also delete a downloaded maps from the download map selection view by tapping on the red circle over the region.
Now that you have downloaded maps to your device you are ready to go deep into the back country far away from an internet connection.
Topo Maps+ version 2.4 has a number of new features!
New Unshaded USGS Topo and NRCAN/GEOBC Canada Topo Maps
There is now a new unshaded USGS and NRCAN/GEOBC Canada map type. (Not all of Canada is supported with this map).
Search Supports More Coordinate Formats
You can now enter the following formats when searching for a coordinate.
Coordinates on Waypoints
Waypoints now show their coordinates in the waypoint detail view.
Coordinate setting
You can set the display format for coordinates in the settings.
Tap and Hold to add waypoint
You can easily add a new waypoint by holding your finger on the location you want to add the waypoint. When you do a tap and hold the location crosshairs will appear under your finger. You can move this around to get the exact location you want and then select “Add Waypoint”.
Download MapBox Cloudless Satellite and Terrain Maps
You can now download the MapBox Cloudless Satellite and Terrain maps for offline use.
Version 2.3 of Topo Maps+ is now live on the App Store and it has a beautiful new map from CalTopo. This map has high resolution USGS maps and much better maps of Canada from geobc and NRCAN. The Canadian maps cover southern and western Canada. The USGS maps now include Alaska and Hawaii.
To use this new map tap on menu (upper left corner), then Map Type, and then select the CalTopo map.
Here are some sample of the USGS topo maps from CalTopo.
And here are some samples of Canadian maps from CalTopo.
