Locus
Locus is an Android GPS app that works particularly well with Ropewiki, as it can import KML data preserving all colors, icons and links.
You can download Ropewiki locations in KML format and import them into Locus to display the available canyons in an area, both as a map and as a list. Clicking on a location will provide a summary of the route along with a link to its Ropewiki page to get more information and to download PDF/KML contents by clicking on the download icon 
. If a KML route is available, you will also have a link to directly download the KML in Locus.
Key Features
Locus is an extremely powerful app with lots of useful functionality, but it may take some time to learn how to use it. Some key features:
- Title: Clicking on the title allows to quickly display GPS coordinates, time to Sunset/Sunrise, time to destination and other useful information.
- Right panel: A long press on the right panel (initially a '+') allows to configure Locus panel with links to the most used features such as: Weather, Waypoint/Track Data, Quick Map Change, Insert Point, Record Track, etc.
- Map Download: Locus supports many online maps, all of them can be downloaded to be used offline (no wifi or cell coverage) by specifying an area and maximum zoom level.
- GPS Data: GPS data is basically of two types: Points (icons) and Tracks (lines). Locus can use Garmin, Google Earth or custom images as icons for points. Tracks can have any color, thickness and transparency.
- Adding Points: Long pressing on the map will provide information on the point (address) and allow to permanently save it as a new point. Locus can also add a point at current GPS location or any other coordinates.
- Adding Tracks: Tracks can be recorded in the field or created beforehand by defining a set of points.
- Import/Export: Points and Tracks can be imported or exported in GPS/KML/other formats to/from local SDCard, DropBox, Google Drive etc. greatly facilitating transfers to/from a Computer or other devices.
- Folders: Points and Tracks are stored in folders, clicking on the icon of a folder will show/hide all data stored within, so you can have a lot of routes loaded but show/hide the details when needed.
- Guide: Locus can provide a Guide to Points (direct line) or provide Guidance for Tracks (follow tracks) and sound an alert whenever you get off course.
- Navigation: Locus can download and store for offline use turn by turn instructions on how to get to a specific point, the route usually will follow roads for driving but will follow trails for hiking.
- Navigation apps: Locus can also easily invoke external Navigation apps (Google Maps, Here, MAPS.ME, etc) to provide detailed driving instructions, but you may have to download maps for offline use for those apps too.
For more information refer to this excellent tutorial.
Vector Maps
Locus is compatible with FREE OpenAndroMaps vector maps, which are extremely compact and detailed versions of OpenCycleMap. The main advantage of vector maps is that as long as you stay within the region, you will always have a map for it. You won't have to remember to download specific areas before visiting, like you have to do for online maps.
How to use it:
- From your smartphone, open the following page: http://www.openandromaps.org/en/downloads/countrys-and-regions
- Locate the region/country you are interested in and then click on the + sign, then click on the Locus icon
- The phone will start downloading and installing the map, it may take a while, but once finished the map will be available in Locus 'Offline Maps' menu
- You can have multiple countries/regions in your phone at the same time, and configure Locus to automatically choose the right map to display based on location
NOTE: You can also BUY vector maps with POI database directly in Locus, or use the WikiLoc app to download free vector maps compatible with Locus. These vector maps usually have higher topo definition, but they may be older than OpenAndroidMaps.
Ropewiki Explorer Maps
Locus is compatible with Ropewiki Explorer overlay maps and allows to download them and take them offline like any other built-in raster map.
How to use it:
- From your smartphone, click on the following link: INSTALL ROPEWIKI EXPLORER MAPS IN LOCUS
- After installation, the new maps will be available under the group 'Ropewiki Explorer' in Locus' 'Online Maps' menu
- For offline use click on the ... icon next to the map name and choose 'Download', then specify an area and zoom level
Map Tweak Add-on
You can expand online map choices even more with Map Tweak Add-on. Simply download on install the app then open it and follow the instructions.
