Smartphone apps
From ropewiki.com
Most modern smartphones can be used for GPS Navigation just by installing a couple of free apps.
GPS Navigation can be very useful for both Automotive (Driving) and Outdoors (Hiking/Backpacking/Canyoneering),
If you are unfamiliar with GPS technology, you may want to review the resources listed below:
- GPS: The Digital Map: Sierra Club Wilderness Basics Course Presentation by Luca Chiarabini
There are a number of smartphone applications that can display Topo maps and may be useful for hiking/backpacking/canyoneering, if you are willing to bring your smartphone into those conditions. Some of them are compared below.
| App name | OS Operating system
|
Cost | Record tracks Whether the app records GPS tracks
|
Import KML Whether the app will overlay custom KML data on the map
|
Import GPX Whether the app will overlay custom GPX data on the map
|
Guiding compute distance/time left when following a track/route
|
Topo Maps Type of topographic information that can be displayed on the map
|
Offline How the app functions when no signal is available
|
POI Search to be able to locate cities, addresses, peaks etc.
|
Navigation turn by turn route computation
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Gaia(Android) (iOS) |
Android/iOS | $19.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Caltopo USGS tiles supported by default. Supports CUSTOM vector maps (Gaia Topo), no support for Mapsforgemaps like Backcountry or Locus. | Yes, very easy to use | online and offline when map properly downloaded | Links to Google Maps app |
| Locus Map |
Android | Free/$7.48 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Vector or raster, online and offline, supports many providers. Requires Ropewiki Explorer extension to enable CalTopo USGS tiles.
|
Vector and/or raster maps (tiles are cached). Learn more at Locus | Online and offline if with proper data | Links to Google Maps app and other navigation apps. Can also download and save route as track to be used offline. |
| BackCountry Navigator (free) (full) |
Android | Free/$11.99 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Vector or raster, online and offline, supports several providers. CalTopo USGS tiles supported by default.
|
Topo map data can be cached for offline usage | ||
| Sideroads - Trip planning and companion app |
Android/Windows | Free/Premium Subscription | Yes. Sync between devices with premium sub. | Yes | Yes | Yes. Displays progress along selected track, distance remaining | Online map tiles from Open Street Map, Open Topo Map, Sigma Topo, USGS Topo/Imagery, Wikimedia, Michelin, Stamen Terrain. Also from Bing Maps, Azure Maps, HERE Map, Mapbox, Thunderforest with user-provided API key | Offline map tiles can be downloaded with premium sub. All other trip data is available offline. Includes native support for canyoneering beta. | Searches for hiking and canyoneering beta from various sites. | Automatically generates and saves turn-by-turn directions as GPX tracks and waypoints that can be followed offline. Launches Google Maps app for live navigation. |
| Google Earth | Android/iOS | Free | No | Yes, with KMLZ to Earth Explorer | 3D photo-textured polygons | Completely incapacitated | ||||
| OsmAnd (free) OsmAnd+ (full) |
Android | Free/$5.99 | Yes | No | Yes | No | Vector or raster, several providers | works offline with vector maps | Online and offline with vector maps | Online and offline with vector maps |
| My Tracks | Android | Free | Yes, with automatic Google Drive sync | No | Shaded terrain with basic contour lines | Maps can be cached using the separate Google Maps app, track recording works regardless | ||||
| Topo Maps | iOS | $7.99 | No | Yes | Yes | USGS 7.5" Maps + Canada Natural Resources Maps | One time download for each USGS 7.5" Quadrangle. | Offline search for entries included in USGS meta data. | ||
| GPX viewer 2 | iOS | Free | No | No | Yes | plan, satellite, OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap, Swisstopo, IGN | Yes |
There are a number of smartphone apps that provide street routing and turn by turn navigation, useful to get you to the trailhead and back home. Some of these apps will also display trails but not topo lines. The most popular apps are listed below.
| App name | OS Operating system
|
Cost | Navigation turn by turn route computation
|
Offline How the app functions when no signal is available
|
Download How to download the offline maps
|
Import KML/GPX Ability to import KML/GPX
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Maps (Android) (iOS) |
Android/iPhone | Free | Yes, mostly road navigation | Full offline use is available since 2016, through the 'Offline' menu option | Partial, can download small sections, not whole regions | No |
| MAPS.ME (Android) (iOS) |
Android/iPhone | Free | Yes, good for road and trail navigation | Full offline use, it shows most major trails and can route through them! | In app download, small areas and whole regions. | imports KML tracks and waypoints |
| Here (Android) (iOS) |
Android/iOS | Free | Yes | Free | in app download | |
| MapFactor Navigator (Android) (Windows) |
Android/Windows | Free | Yes | Free when downloading OpenStreet maps $ when using TomTom maps |
in app download |
