Just stumbled across this and downloaded the PDF Maps app... we'll see but it looks promising.
http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2013/releases/11/e-maps.shtml
http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2013/releases/11/e-maps.shtml
USFS digital maps for Android / iOS
- Thread starter AimCOtaco
- Start date
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I'm having trouble finding the FREE motor use vehicle maps and can only find the forest visitor maps for $4.99. You guys having any luck?
- Thread starter
- #5
Check the FREE box when searching to see only the free stuff. Seems funny that the park maps are $4.99 but our poor 'ol gov needs our money more than we do afterall.
I still have only used it minimally but it will make a nice companion to the other mapping apps I use.
Hmmm. I'm using the iOS version and can't seem to find the FREE box to check off. Let me guess, you're using the Android version? I guess the iOS and Android versions are slightly different?
Got the app. The ios version works. Im downloading the topo maps. In each area, there seems to be two versions, the free one and the 2.99 version. Im getting the free ones. Going to Ocotillo tomorrow. See how they work.
- Thread starter
- #8
Yep, I'm on android.
I think the developers just assume everyone on IOS likes to pay for everything
The free 1:24000 topos look pretty good.
- Thread starter
- #10
Don't know about BCN as I haven't used it yet.
I've found the PDF Map app to have some good and bad in my limited use. The main "good" is that I can get and use a digital version of the USGS 7.5' Topos for free. I grew up staring at and navigating by the 7.5' series so they're like an old pal. Finding them and using them I hope will improve a lot.
When searching by map name, the search does not recognize state codes or names just the quadrangle names so for example if I search for Erie I find all the quads named Erie but can't tell without viewing them whether I'm looking at lake erie, or erie CO, etc. This leads to it taking forever to download quads and I can't find any way to down load a batch (by state perhaps?) to speed it up.
The second and biggest disappointment for me is that you have to select which map to display manually so If you're out in the wilds and using the GPS tracking (display) feature to see where you are it won't move to the next quad when you do. Would be great if the app would display a list of available base maps based on your current GPS location and let you choose rather than just going dumb when I'm not located on the currently selected base. You can cross a lot of 7.5' map sections in a Landcruiser in a short time and constantly trying to figure out which quad to display simply by name is a drag.
I've found the PDF Map app to have some good and bad in my limited use. The main "good" is that I can get and use a digital version of the USGS 7.5' Topos for free. I grew up staring at and navigating by the 7.5' series so they're like an old pal. Finding them and using them I hope will improve a lot.
When searching by map name, the search does not recognize state codes or names just the quadrangle names so for example if I search for Erie I find all the quads named Erie but can't tell without viewing them whether I'm looking at lake erie, or erie CO, etc. This leads to it taking forever to download quads and I can't find any way to down load a batch (by state perhaps?) to speed it up.
The second and biggest disappointment for me is that you have to select which map to display manually so If you're out in the wilds and using the GPS tracking (display) feature to see where you are it won't move to the next quad when you do. Would be great if the app would display a list of available base maps based on your current GPS location and let you choose rather than just going dumb when I'm not located on the currently selected base. You can cross a lot of 7.5' map sections in a Landcruiser in a short time and constantly trying to figure out which quad to display simply by name is a drag.
- Thread starter
- #11
UPDATE:
I contacted the authors and they tell me the iOS version currently will highlight maps in your list that you are currently located within so that should make the ease of moving from one map tile to the next a bit easier.
They also tell me this functionality should come to the Android version before too long. I hope it comes soon.
I contacted the authors and they tell me the iOS version currently will highlight maps in your list that you are currently located within so that should make the ease of moving from one map tile to the next a bit easier.
They also tell me this functionality should come to the Android version before too long. I hope it comes soon.