Topo apps for ipad

[Geo Kruger]

Hi all, I've been looking for some help.

 

Can anyone recommend a solid topo map viewer for ipad? My primary GPS is a Garmin eTrex 20, I don't have a desktop or laptop computer but I do have an iPad. I've been looking for a piece of sofware that would allow me to simply view Topo maps as well and mark waypoints and maybe some additional mapping/planning functions. When I get home I like to view where I've been on a topo map and simply plug in a few waypoints for perspective, I like doing it on a computer mainly so I don't have to stare at a small gps screen all the time. It's more just for fun than anything,

 

I know there are a good deal of apps out there but I thought I would get some opinions if possible before purchasing. I know that Gaia and Phil Endecotts software are very well received. I'm also aware that there are many reviews out there, but almost all of them focus solely on the softwares function as an offline GPS. I really could care less for this function, as I use my etrex for gps and NOT my ipad.

 

In short, I'm simply looking for something to view USGS maps and mark waypoints here and there. If anyone has experience with any such software and has something good to say, feel free.

 

Thanks a lot!

-Scott

 

Update (10/19/14): I also do not care about etrex20 connectivity, as this is challenging/not possible with an iPad. This is a completely seperate entity.

Edited October 19, 2014 by Geo Kruger

[+user13371]

You've already touched on the two best: Endecott's Topo and TrailBehind's Gaia. I use both, find myself going back to Topo for its simplicity - it ONLY does USGS Topo maps. Gaia has lots more layers available, but to me seems to suffer from feature bloat.

 

As for that thing you don't care about - ransferring waypoint and track data from your iThing to your eTrex - it's easy, but another thread altogether...

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=311111

Edited October 19, 2014 by user13371

[+geodarts]

I use one of the apps that you mention, gaiagps. There are a lot of options for the maps, and it does all that I need. It supports GPX files, works seamlessly with the caching app I use (Geosphere), makes it easy to save maps for offline use, and allows me to plan hikes and look at waypoints. The developer is very responsive.

 

Just as an aside, for other OSM maps, I use Pocket Earth. But for Topo, Gaia keeps getting better.

Edited October 20, 2014 by geodarts

[Geo Kruger]

Excellent! Thank you both for the responses thus far. I'll definitely have to check out Endicotts software sometime this week, it really is fairly cheap. Sounds like the simple solution I'm looking for.

 

I use one of the apps that you mention, gaiagps. There are a lot of options for the maps, and it does all that I need. It supports GPX files, works seamlessly with the caching app I use (Geosphere), makes it easy to save maps for offline use, and allows me to plan hikes and look at waypoints. The developer is very responsive.

 

Just as an aside, for other OSM maps, I use Pocket Earth. But for Topo, Gaia keeps getting better.

 

Gendarts, doesn't Gaia also allow you to back up your map data to your online account? If so, that is huge. Sounds like a promising feature for sure!

[Mapping Support]

Gmap4 does exactly what you want. It runs in almost any browser on almost any device (including iPads) and displays high resolution scans of USGS topo maps ("t4 Topo High"). The following link starts Gmap4 and displays the topo map for a random spot in Kentucky.

 

http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.813141,-84.553528&z=15&t=t4'>http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=37.813141,-84.553528&z=15&t=t4

 

Use Menu ==> Search to find your own area.

 

Use Menu ==> "Draw and Save" to add waypoints and/or a line to the map and then save your work either as a GPX file or as a "map-in-a-link".

 

Full disclosure time: I am the developer of the Gmap4 software that is showing you the map. This project is part of my way to "pay it forward". Translation: Gmap4 is free for non-commercial use. It is popular with people that enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities.

 

Gmap4 can display these types of files: GPX, TPO, KML, KMZ, Google MyMap, and a delimited file format.

 

The Gmap4 homepage has a FAQ, examples, quick start info (on the Help page) and more to quickly get you up to speed.

 

One of the articles on the Help page shows you how to use Gmap4 on your smartphone (or iPad) offline.

 

Gmap4 default map: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php

 

Gmap4 homepage: http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.html

 

Joseph, the Gmap4 guy

Redmond, WA

[+allory]

You should also look at iHikeGPS. http://www.ihikegps.com/

[+user13371]

Gmap4 does exactly what you want... the Help page shows you how to use Gmap4 on your smartphone (or iPad) offline.

Joseph: I've tried this with GMap on my iPad but found it very tricky to view/save all of the tiles I want ahead of time. For that specific feature I haven't found anything easier/better/faster than Endecoot's Topo Maps program. I just wish it had other map layers available than the older USGS ones. -Lee

Edited October 20, 2014 by user13371

[Mapping Support]

Gmap4 does exactly what you want... the Help page shows you how to use Gmap4 on your smartphone (or iPad) offline.

Joseph: I've tried this with GMap on my iPad but found it very tricky to view/save all of the tiles I want ahead of time. For that specific feature I haven't found anything easier/better/faster than Endecoot's Topo Maps program. I just wish it had other map layers available than the older USGS ones. -Lee

 

Thanks for feedback. Certainly using browser caching to save tiles has disadvantages. On the other hand, if you want to look at Google aerials offline then browser caching is one of the few methods that complies with Google's terms of service. You do need to keep in mind that you need to cache the tiles at the same zoom level that you wish to view them offline.

[+user13371]

Joseph, thanks for the reply. I know GMap 4 is focused on delivering Google's data in a convenient way. I was more commenting on the linked concept of how easily Topo Maps lets the user select and download maps for offline. I don't really think there's any way you could do that in a web-based app.

 

Have you ever used that Topo Maps application? It shows a grid of topo quads, you drag a selection marquee around them, and it downloads them. I'm pretty sure he has ALL of them already bundled for his app to download and use, all zoom levels -- stored up on Amazon's cloud server for his app to download. Easy and fast from the user side, though limited to the available data!

Edited October 20, 2014 by user13371

[Mapping Support]

Joseph, thanks for the reply. I know GMap 4 is focused on delivering Google's data in a convenient way. I was more commenting on the linked concept of how easily Topo Maps lets the user select and download maps for offline. I don't really think there's any way you could do that in a web-based app.

 

Have you ever used that Topo Maps application? It shows a grid of topo quads, you drag a selection marquee around them, and it downloads them. I'm pretty sure he has ALL of them already bundled for his app to download and use, all zoom levels -- stored up on Amazon's cloud server for his app to download. Easy and fast from the user side, though limited to the available data!

 

I did take a look at Phil Endecott's Topo Maps app (http://topomapsapp.com/) after seeing it mentioned here.

 

Wow! I am very impressed. From his website it looks like he lets you download to your iDevice the very hi-res topo scans made by the USGS. These are the same scans that Gmap4 calls "t4 Topo High" and IMHO are the best USGS topo maps. I do not know of any other mobile app (Gmap4 is a browser app) that provides such easy access to these topos.

 

Joseph

[+user13371]

Wow! I am very impressed

 

Says a lot when the developer of one mapping app says that about someone else's You're not really competitors in the same market space, but still...

 

I wouldn't think the one-time purchase price of the app covers the cost of hosting all the scans. Maybe it's a labor of love for him.

[Geo Kruger]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I really appreciate it. I originally came to this forum simply to ask this one question, but I might have to stick around for a while.

 

Thanks a lot!

-Scott

[+geodarts]

Wow! I am very impressed. From his website it looks like he lets you download to your iDevice the very hi-res topo scans made by the USGS. These are the same scans that Gmap4 calls "t4 Topo High" and IMHO are the best USGS topo maps. I do not know of any other mobile app (Gmap4 is a browser app) that provides such easy access to these topos.

 

 

Gaia GPS Offers these maps as well - with a marquee type of selection tool that allows you to easily download them for offline use - along with OSM, open hiking or cycling, the newer USGS topos, Google (road, satellite, terrain), and other options.

 

Sometimes when planning hikes I will switch between the maps: look at a number of waypoints with a terrain view to get a feel for the area, switch to a topo map for a better look at the area or trails, and then see how things look with the satellite imagery.

Edited October 22, 2014 by geodarts

[Mapping Support]

Gaia GPS is actually what I have been recommending to people. Gaia also lets you download the same hi-res topo scans that Endicott's software lets you download.

 

I know that Gaia is using the "Cal Topo" map tiles that Matt Jacobs produced (from the USGS scans) and is hosting on Amazon's cloud.

 

Either Endicott is also using Matt Jacobs' map tiles or someone in addition to Matt has also processed the hi-res USGS scans into tiles and is hosting them on Amazon's cloud.

 

Joseph