CalTopo Mapping App (1 Viewer)

[pigmony]

I tried out a new mapping app today on the "snow" run. It's called CalTopo and it is the non-Search and Rescue version of SARTopo, which is what Gallatin Valley SAR is currently using. It doesn't have as many features as onX Offroad, but all of the features that it does have seem to actually work. The interface is much simpler than Gaia, but it seems to have most, if not all, of the same functions. It's easy to start a track, the map tracks with you at a reasonable scale, it doesn't do that stupid thing that onX does where it displays backwords once in a while, it works offline with pre-downloaded maps (NOT the free version, but it's $20/year), the maps are really good and show a lot of detail, you can turn map layers on or off to adjust the amount of information displayed, it doesn't constantly try to create waypoints that you can't exit out of, and it actually works in both portrait AND landscape orientations. There are a couple different tiers of subscription services. I started with the cheapest one as it allows for offline maps. The next tier up allows for some route planning functions. I'm interested in how that works and may upgrade to that tier to try it out. If you are connected with SAR, CalTopo has some discounts available, which is nice.

I'm going to continue testing this app, but I'm quite pleased so far. If you find Gaia to be a clunky awful mess and have been disappointed one to many times by onX, then I'd encourage you to try out CalTopo. I'd be interested to hear additional feedback. I want something very specific from these apps and my use case isn't universal, so do take my opinions here with a grain of salt.

If you happen to be an onX employee, PLEASE keep improving your app. The Hunt version is SO GOOD and the Offroad version has the potential to be equally as good, but it's not there yet. Unfortunately it's really frustrating to use the app in it's current state. The browser version is really nice though.

 

[hygge]

Thanks for sharing @pigmony ! I’d be interested in checking this out. I’ve never really understood how to use onX or Gaia. I had to watch a few YouTube videos to figure them out and I’ve rarely used many of their various features. I think as long as you have offline mode and downloading with high fidelity, you are usually pretty set. Maybe I am just really dumb - highly possible.

Agree the use cases are always limited to what you want to do with the app. And everyone is different.

Cheers !

 

[clemson55]

May have to check this out. I've always used Gaia for offroad stuff, I like being able to map routes in Google Earth and import them. I ended up downloading OnX for hunting though since Gaia doesn't have any of those hunting features. Was hoping some day OnX would improve the offroad information and functionality enough that I only need 1 app.

 

[pigmony]

Thanks for sharing @pigmony ! I’d be interested in checking this out. I’ve never really understood how to use onX or Gaia. I had to watch a few YouTube videos to figure them out and I’ve rarely used many of their various features. I think as long as you have offline mode and downloading with high fidelity, you are usually pretty set. Maybe I am just really dumb - highly possible.

Agree the use cases are always limited to what you want to do with the app. And everyone is different.

Cheers !

I like to do rough route planning at home. I try to have an idea of where I can get gas, if necessary, or find camp spots. Then I transfer that to the app on the tablet. It's really nice to have offline maps with enough detail to be able to find alternative routes if you end up behind a locked gate, for instance.

 

[pigmony]

May have to check this out. I've always used Gaia for offroad stuff, I like being able to map routes in Google Earth and import them. I ended up downloading OnX for hunting though since Gaia doesn't have any of those hunting features. Was hoping some day OnX would improve the offroad information and functionality enough that I only need 1 app.

I haven't figured out how to import routes yet, but I do believe it's possible. I'll try to figure that out in the near future.

I really love how you can seamlessly move from computer browser to tablet app to phone app with OnX, but it really falls short of map detail and all the quirky annoying things it does while tracking. I hope OnX keeps improving based on feedback from users. OnX Offroad feels, to me, like it's still in testing/development, and I don't love that I end up with a list of problems to email to their support email every time I use the app.

 

[MontanaLax]

CalTopo is a super powerful tool!! And you are correct, it's the same base as SARTopo which is what Gallatin Co. SAR has switched to over Gaia. I happily cancelled my Gaia subscription and am a convert!! I don't use it for trip planning but for real time tracking it's hard to beat.

 

[406Camper]

May have to check this out. I've always used Gaia for offroad stuff, I like being able to map routes in Google Earth and import them. I ended up downloading OnX for hunting though since Gaia doesn't have any of those hunting features. Was hoping some day OnX would improve the offroad information and functionality enough that I only need 1 app.

Same here. And now I have 3 apps. Going to have to ditch one (probably OnX for now until it gets better).