Thank you for all the great advice everyone. I have been offered an iPhone 5 for free , so I am thinking of going that route without a cell plan .
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Originally posted by Trail Boss View Post
2. Downloading online maps
This is the fastest and most efficient method to ensure you have a local copy of a desired map area with full coverage. You draw a rectangle around the area of the map you want, indicate how many zoom levels you need, and the app will retrieve it from the map server and store it on the phone. Done and done!
- Here are the instructions for AlpineQuest. If you have a map composed of several layers (example: USGS + Hill Shading) it'll retrieve data for all the layers.
- Here are the instructions for Locus Map.
- Here are the instructions for ViewRanger (unfortunately they describe it as "automatically cache online maps" which is confusing).
- The instruction manual for OruxMaps is a PDF file so I can't link to the relevant chapter.
I've installed Locus Map Free and I'm trying to figure out which OSM Map to download:- Outdoors is not downloadable
- Hike & Bike is free but seems to be a static version generated from an older version of OSM (for example it's missing the trail before the gatehouse from Lake road to the West River Trail)
- OpenCycleMap is a paid download and while better than Hike & Bike it is still outdated
What source do you use to download up to date OSM maps?
BTW, Cathedral Rocks and Bear Run are now in OSM (but not on any of the maps I checked via Locus). I don't see it in your change set on adkhighpeaks so I guess someone else added it.
Thanks,
AP
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- Here are the instructions for AlpineQuest. If you have a map composed of several layers (example: USGS + Hill Shading) it'll retrieve data for all the layers.
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When it comes to maps, almost all backcountry navigation apps work the same way.
1. ONLINE
When connected to the Internet, you can display and browse online maps like USGS Topo, TF Outdoors, etc. These are "raster maps" which means it's like looking at a JPG or PNG image (the map is built of small square "tiles").
2. OFFLINE
When disconnected from the Internet, you can't display any of those maps.
3. CACHED
Some apps can "cache" portions of a map (keep a copy in the phone's local storage). In other words, while browsing a map online, they keep a local copy of whatever you're looking at so later, when you're not online, it can show you the "cached" portions of the map. However, it can't show you anything you didn't look at when online, nor can it display the cached map at another magnification level (unless it was also cached when online).
4. COPY OF AN ONLINE MAP
While you're online and browsing a map, you can define an area you want to keep on the phone and instruct the app to "go get it". You also tell the app how many magnification levels you want (the highly-magnified levels contain more detail and take more space) and then it downloads it to your phone. Now you can use the downloaded map offline. Because these are raster maps, they aren't very space-efficient (each magnification level is a separate map). It will only contain whatever area you originally specified and only the magnification levels you requested.
5. OFFLINE VECTOR MAP
Locus Map (and a few other navigation apps) convert OpenStreetMap data into "vector maps". Each vector map typically contains an entire country, state, or province. It can be viewed at any magnification level. It also contains searchable Points of Interest (search for "Lake Placid" and it will pan the map to the town). It can also contain a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which means it knows the elevation of every point on the map (this is not the same as contour lines). It is also far more space-efficient than a raster map. The entire state of New York fits into less than 300 Mb. Locus Maps calls these maps "LoMaps" and gives you 3 free LoMaps. Within Locus Map, there's a link to the Locus Store where you can download your first three free maps. Afterwards, the maps cost a few cents per state. OpenAndroMaps is another source of (free) vector maps but stick with LoMaps for now.
I recently did extensive OSM work on the streams and trails located on AMR property (including Cathedral Rocks and Bear Run). I don't usually post my Changesets on ADKhighpeaks until a few days after I've done the work because it takes several days for the changes to "percolate" to all magnification levels.
I should caution you that the mods I made to the West and East River trails as well Cathedral Rocks, etc are based on skimpy data I sourced from Strava's Heat Map. I also referred to the DEC "Roads and Trails" data but it was demonstrably inferior (its highly simplified trails disagreed with data collected from multiple GPS tracks). I added "Fixme" tags to the trails (only visible to map editors) to ensure the next person knows these trails need to be refined.
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Thanks for the detailed response.
Originally posted by Trail Boss View Post
4. COPY OF AN ONLINE MAP
While you're online and browsing a map, you can define an area you want to keep on the phone and instruct the app to "go get it". You also tell the app how many magnification levels you want (the highly-magnified levels contain more detail and take more space) and then it downloads it to your phone. Now you can use the downloaded map offline. Because these are raster maps, they aren't very space-efficient (each magnification level is a separate map). It will only contain whatever area you originally specified and only the magnification levels you requested.
Originally posted by Trail Boss View Post
5. OFFLINE VECTOR MAP
Locus Map (and a few other navigation apps) convert OpenStreetMap data into "vector maps". Each vector map typically contains an entire country, state, or province. It can be viewed at any magnification level. It also contains searchable Points of Interest (search for "Lake Placid" and it will pan the map to the town). It can also contain a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) which means it knows the elevation of every point on the map (this is not the same as contour lines). It is also far more space-efficient than a raster map. The entire state of New York fits into less than 300 Mb. Locus Maps calls these maps "LoMaps" and gives you 3 free LoMaps. Within Locus Map, there's a link to the Locus Store where you can download your first three free maps. Afterwards, the maps cost a few cents per state. OpenAndroMaps is another source of (free) vector maps but stick with LoMaps for now.
Originally posted by Trail Boss View PostI recently did extensive OSM work on the streams and trails located on AMR property (including Cathedral Rocks and Bear Run). I don't usually post my Changesets on ADKhighpeaks until a few days after I've done the work because it takes several days for the changes to "percolate" to all magnification levels.
I should caution you that the mods I made to the West and East River trails as well Cathedral Rocks, etc are based on skimpy data I sourced from Strava's Heat Map. I also referred to the DEC "Roads and Trails" data but it was demonstrably inferior (its highly simplified trails disagreed with data collected from multiple GPS tracks). I added "Fixme" tags to the trails (only visible to map editors) to ensure the next person knows these trails need to be refined.
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It may take several days, if not weeks, for changes to appear in all derivations of OpenStreetMap (like TF Outdoors, OpenCycleMap, etc).
LoMaps indicates the date when the map was generated and, no, it isn't created the moment you purchase the map. All offline maps have a "shelf life" and eventually need to be replaced with fresher versions. This is true for all downloaded or cached maps.
If you record a GPS track, I'll definitely use it to perform a "sanity check" on the trails I've created. The more data, the better. For example, I recently updated the trail to Lyon Mountain. I used two tracks I recorded plus ten I downloaded from Wikiloc. I used several maps:
NYS GIS Ortho Imagery
USGS TNM Hydrography
US Topo 7.5'
Bing aerial
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OK, thanks for the tip re: LoMaps.
I downloaded New York and Ontario as my first 2 free maps. Easy compact download. They were at least as current as any of the online options.
Quickly deleted the copies of online maps I had saved (which covered a fraction of the area of the LoMaps) since they were now redundant and taking up too much space.
Still have a free download should I ever require it. If I need any after that I'll simply purchase the LoMap. The ease of download and space savings are well worth the low cost.
Now that I own Ontario and New York am I entitled to updates? Or will I need to purchase to keep current?
Thanks,
AP
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Their policy is that you can download the same map as many times as want for a period of a year. However, an updated map is not the "same map". Therefore updated maps count as a new map (even though it is the same state or province) and will consume your third free LoMap voucher (or cost you about CDN$0.25).
Earlier I mentioned OpenAndroMaps. It's another source of vector-based maps based on OSM. It's free but the author does ask that people make a small voluntary contribution because he pays for the web site's operating costs and the continuous improvements to the maps offered.
Free cycle and hike maps for Smartphones based on Openstreetmap for the whole world. Pure offline solution, works without data transfer.
OpenAndroMaps is tightly integrated with Locus Map. When you select the map you want from OpenAndroMaps, Locus Map will start and take over the entire download and installation process (meaning it's nearly as seamless as installing their own LoMaps). In OpenAndroMaps, its maps typically cover several states (i.e. not just one state) so they may occupy more space than LoMaps with its single state/province maps.
I overlooked to mention another advantage of vector maps is the ability to quickly change their appearance using "themes". You can switch from Driving to Hiking to Cycling and certain map details will be shown/hidden to best suit the activity. Map themes come bundled with LoMaps but in OpenAndroMaps it's a separate download.
In OpenAndroMaps, you also have to download a map theme (at least once). The recommended theme is "Elevate LE". It gives you fine-grained control over what the map should display.
NOTE: Although you can use the "Elevate LE" theme with LoMaps ... it doesn't work 100%. Some things fail to show up (like some trails) and the result is a misleading map. For best results, use the Elevate LE theme exclusively with maps from OpenAndroMaps.
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Thanks.
For now I think the LoMaps are going to meet my requirements.
$0.25 each to update New York and Ontario once or twice a year sounds like a plan to me.
The LoMap doesn't reflect the recent changes you've made in AMR. But I created a track using my routing software which does see the current OSM map. Then exported a kml file and imported into Locus Maps. So I will have the current OSM trails available when we do our hike next month.
AP
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Two things for you:
1) Export to RideWithGPS
I know you use RideWithGPS so you'll be pleased to know you can upload your tracks directly from Locus Map to RideWithGPS. Instructions are here.
2) Vector maps contain searchable data.
Vector maps can contain searchable data like Points Of Interest (POI). Locus Map has a Nearest Points function that lists nearby POIs like amenities, shelters, viewpoints, etc.
Here's an example of how to use Nearest Points followed by a very simple example of how to navigate to a selected POI.
You're standing at the western end of Marcy Dam. You want to know more about the nearby POIs. Specifically, you want to go to Marcy Dam #2 Lean-to.
- Tap the Map Content tab to reveal its menu.
- Tap Nearest Points to display a list of POIs sorted in order of distance from your location. A small blue arrow shows the POI's direction.
- Tap the entry for Marcy Dam Lean-to #2 to display its information.
- Tap the Navigate button in the lower menu to create a route to the lean-to.
- Your choice of transportation is Hike and you're traveling from the Map Center to Marcy Dam #2 Lean-to. Tap the blue Navigate button and the router will calculate a route.
- The route is displayed along with the estimated distance (294 m) and travel time (< 10 minutes). It also shows the first right turn will be in 109 meters. It also (optionally) speaks the instructions and the first thing it says is "Let's go!"
FWIW, the routing function might only be available in the paid version.
(Click image to magnify it.)
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Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
I was very pleased with how easy it was to export my route from RideWithGps to Locus Maps via a kml file. It didn't include my POI's but not sure I need them. Perhaps I'll investigate further at some point.
Also took a look at the route in Google Earth was really cool. Made me realize that my routing along the Lost Lookout trail had us hanging off the side of a cliff so I corrected that.
Happy to hear it will be as easy to export from Locus to RideWithGps when I began creating tracks.
Thanks for the info regarding search and navigation. Worked exactly as you detailed so it appears the functionality is included with the free version. Will be helpful next time I need to use an outhouse.
It appears that the app can also be used for vehicle navigation. Didn't realize that, I'll check it out.
Thanks again,
AP
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To preserve the waypoints, try GPX format.
Yes, once you start working with GPS tracks, you notice they are very good approximations but still approximations. Walk back and forth over the same trail and the tracks will never precisely overlay one another (using consumer grade GPS receivers).
A tip about routing:
Locus Map's default routing engine relies on an Internet connection. If you want to do offline routing, you have to install a companion app called BRouter.
That's what was used to create the example above. Locus Map will transparently use BRouter whenever it need to calculate routes (you don't normally interact directly with BRouter).
Instructions are here.
The BRouter routing engine is the same one that powers this site:
BRouter has the ability to understand "go" and "nogo" via points. For example, you want to get from point A to B following a very specific set of trails (or streets) but the router keeps picking the fastest, most direct route. You can use "go" and "nogo" points to force the router to select/avoid specific trails (or streets).
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I also recommend the phone in airplane mode option. Modern apps are much more capable than the handheld options from Garmin and the like. There is the Garmin Android handheld option, which will run the Android apps listed below, but it's much more expensive an option than a cheap, old phone. An external battery with USB port may also come in very handy to recharge the device at night.
Android Apps: LocusMaps, OruxMaps
Apple App: Map Plus
I use mbtiles format for everything, they are super efficient and fast.
Besides MOBAC (which is great) to create your offline mbtiles data sets, look at Maperitive too.
You can also create custom mbtiles files including multiple overlays with GlobalMapper (expensive) or QGIS (free) with a plugin.
I've attached my mapsources from MOBAC 2.0 if anyone wants to use them. Not all of them work, but there are some really good ones in there.Attached Files
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Thanks for the list of map sources. It looks nearly identical to what I have available with the two apps I use: Locus Map and AlpineQuest.
Seeing that there's a wealth of "off the shelf" maps, what kind of custom maps do you create with MOBAC?
FWIW, the mbtile file format is MapBox's specification for a database (SQLite) storing map tiles. https://www.mapbox.com/help/an-open-platform/#mbtiles
That's effectively a portable "raster map". It has the advantage of fast rendering and the disadvantage of requiring greater storage space (as compared to vector maps).
For example, I downloaded a 2 by 3 mile rectangle of an online map (satellite imagery), in zoom levels 13-18, and the resulting file size is 29 Mb (and it's a SQLite file). Compare that to the entire state of New York in vector format which is only 249 Mb.
BTW, when you instruct Locus Map to download a section of an online map, for offline use, it stores the result in a SQLite file.
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I agree regarding the efficiency of vector data vs raster. That's why vector maps are so useful for mobile! Unfortunately for my uses, vector data is typically not very useful.
Most of the work I've done with mbtiles has been documented here on my website for navigating Stillwater Reservoir. See the "Offline map tiles" section on the main page, and the "Available Imagery" link at top left. Any time I find new imagery, step one is to package it up in an mbtile file and a KMZ file (if possible) so I never lose it. You never know when online repositories will go away (eg. Mapquest Open Aerial). I do all my map data creation (routes, hazards, etc) in QGIS. Mbtiles load up very easily and quickly into this program, and I can stack imagery layers based on water height.
Besides the satellite and aerial imagery I've located, I've also created a custom depth map of the reservoir, which is also available in mbtile, as well as KMZ.
I don't really make "custom" maps with MOBAC, I just create the offline repository with it, or sometimes GlobalMapper or Maperitive depending on the source of imagery. To make the custom map, I use QGIS.
For example, in QGIS I could load up one of the topo map mbtiles, set the satellite imagery over top of that, but only show it over the topo inside the shoreline of the reservoir. Then add the depth map over top of that, but at 50% opacity so you can still see the satellite imagery underneath, and export it all as a brand new mbtile file. You could also integrate in vector data, like routes, polygons, etc into the final mbtile export file. I usually avoid this since it can easily be done in the apps, and you never know how you'll want to mash up that data on site. I can take paper maps (link on site) and create an overlay for them as well.
If the mobile apps allowed loading up multiple mbtile files at once with varying opacity levels, I wouldn't have to create the custom maps. I haven't figured out a way to achieve this yet though. Maybe there's a way?
If you want to try out QGIS, there's a quick guide on my site, albeit a pretty simple one. It's a great tool, and is pretty easy for basic stuff, but can get really complicated fast since it's so powerful. One of my favorite things to do is to download the "DEM" elevation data for a region from here and create my own topo maps, typically with much more accuracy than the old pre-made topo maps. The DEM data is also raster data similar to satellite imagery, but the pixels in the imagery are encoded with elevation information, rather than color information. The data is often created using LIDAR, which is very accurate. Lots of cool stuff you can do with this program, and there's a ton of free source data.
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You've done a lot of interesting mapping work and I plan to explore your site in greater detail. Thanks for the link!
I've heard of but have never used QGIS, mostly because I haven't found a need for it (yet). However, you've opened my eyes to its possibilities.
Although it isn't as comprehensive a mapping tool as QGIS, Alpinequest has very impressive map-handling abilities. I can select several (online) maps, layer them, easily adjust the opacity of each layer, and then (optionally) download the whole shebang for offline use.
Here's an example with three layers ("Base Map" is a default layer):- Caltopo Slope Shading (45%)
- Strava Bike Heat Map (45%)
- Thunder Forest Outdoors (100%)
If I now want an offline version of this "layer cake", I specify the area I want, the number of zoom levels, and then have Alpinequest download it. Easy-peasy! I now have a custom map I can use offline.
FWIW, Locus Map's "LoMaps" are derived from OpenStreetMap and are vector based. They also include a DEM (SRTM; or download and use another source) which the app can use for map shading. It offers three shading palettes (hill shading, slopes, and colored elevation) or you can define a custom one.
Alpinequest recently added the ability to auto-download a DEM for whatever area of map you are currently viewing. It also uses it for map shading.
Locus Map can also use the DEM to calculate a trackpoint's altitude or the entire track's ascent and descent. I've found this to be very useful given that GPS vertical measurements aren't as precise as a barometric altimeter (and my phone doesn't have one). The app gives you many ways to use a DEM for determining altitude.Last edited by Trail Boss; 05-01-2017, 11:00 PM.
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