What Is The Best Topo Map App For iPad

[CruiserMog]

To be clear, you only need an external GPS with the non-3G model. There has been extensive analysis on this forum regarding the viability of the built-in GPS in the 3G model. I've now used mine extensively in an area very unfriendly to GPS signal reception, dense tree cover in mountainous Vermont, and have enjoyed, according to my HEMA map app, 16' accuracy almost continuously. Don't know about you, but that's good enough for me.

Regarding apps, I've found HEMA to be superior to any of the other apps due mostly to additional features and data provided on the primary screen. Also, very large areas can be set to download automatically, I can't believe you'd spend more than an hour downloading topo coverage for a few states if you needed it.

[off-roader]

You're absolutely correct Seth.

I wish someone just came out with an app with the Topo tiles on an SD card that you could download via the Camera Connect Kit. At least the low res topo images. Better yet, instead of the USGS map scans, dynamically drawn topo lines. It would probably be a smaller file than the map scans.

[The BN Guy]

ok so I just had a thought...correct me if I'm wrong...

One could still use Topo Maps on a non-GPS iPad but use it just as a mapbook?

Apparently the one I bought Handbrake is not 3g (darn) so I'll probably just stick with my other methods.

[off-roader]

ok so I just had a thought...correct me if I'm wrong...

One could still use Topo Maps on a non-GPS iPad but use it just as a mapbook?

Apparently the one I bought Handbrake is not 3g (darn) so I'll probably just stick with my other methods.

Yes you can.

Alternatively you could also...
1) Use an apple approved gps for it. There are 3 that I know of but can only remember the Dual bluetooth unit right now. A search should yield more results for you though.
2) Jailbreak the ipad and use any of a number of bluetooth gps units with it.

Just a thought anyway...

[MTDIRK]

I have been playing with this recently also as I upgraded from an Ipad wifi to an Ipad2 3G. Here is what I have found.
Apple Maps:
Works ok in town but not useful for driving and doesn't update the directions as you progress.

Motion HD:
So far not a fan. The problem I had with the motion HD app is when I lose cell service the map goes blank. The software is also not very user friendly for navigating around town and the routes are rarely the "fastest".

Topo Maps:
Topo maps works pretty well but not a lot of features and I haven't yet mastered the art of downloading enough maps before I head out. Would be nice if there were numbered sections that you could highlight so you visually see what you have downloaded or be able to download a whole state at one shot. It would also be nice to be able to download gpx files so you don't have to enter your own waypoints manually.

North America iGO primo Lite:
So far for street navigation I like it better than Motion HD. I just purchased the extra options and will be trying them out today. Updates for this app take a long time but it downloads maps that work offline. Not sure yet if the routing software works without internet connection or not. The advertisement of the updates make it seem more like my old garmin nuvi.

[loren85022]

I use a free one called pdf-maps (i think it was free, or dang cheap). I like it because you download and store the entire topo-map. This to me makes more sense that Motion-X, which I have and like, where you outline an area of topo while 3G/wifi connected and then use later offline. The biggest dislike is that when you venture from one map to another, it doesnt pull up the 2nd. So you look at the map's edge and get the name of the next map. I paid for Motion-X as well and it has numerous bells and whistles I like, but I guess I'm still semi-old school.

[off-roader]

Are there any packages that allow you to download and save map sections/quadrants to an SD card that you can then load into the ipad using the camera connect kit while remote (i.e. w/out wifi or cell access)??

That kind of setup would be ideal imho since the ipad is limited in storage space and sd cards or powered hdd are cheap remote storage solutions

[CruiserMog]

A few thoughts:

The camera kit SD card reader in an un-jailbroken iPad will only recognize image formats, and I believe it's impossible to retain the geo positioning data imbedded in the geo-PDF format in a conversion to an image file, and without the geo data the maps will be useless in a GPS program.

[off-roader]

A few thoughts:

The camera kit SD card reader in an un-jailbroken iPad will only recognize image formats, and I believe it's impossible to retain the geo positioning data imbedded in the geo-PDF format in a conversion to an image file, and without the geo data the maps will be useless in a GPS program.

I love how a company (hello Apple) makes a platform with such great potential, then intentionally cripples it so you cant do what you want on it.

[DaveM]

A few thoughts:

The camera kit SD card reader in an un-jailbroken iPad will only recognize image formats, and I believe it's impossible to retain the geo positioning data imbedded in the geo-PDF format in a conversion to an image file, and without the geo data the maps will be useless in a GPS program.

On the map creation side you can usually output a map file to either GeoPDF or GeoTIFF. If the software you are using the TIFFwith can read a world file you may be able to create that yourself in notepad.

As for map apps, I think this was mentioned but I'll second it: "PDF Maps" from Avenza, available on iTunes. http://www.avenza.com/pdf-maps. Very simple GeospatialPDF reader that also reads GeoTIFFs. Maps can be preloaded (free access to US topos from inside the application) and used without data connection. You can add way points, notes, get distances, input coordinates etc. Basically takes what would be a standard static map and overlays some essentail GPS functionality. I suspect that new versions of the app will have auto loading and other enhancements. There will be a map store in the near future where cartographers (like me!) can put up special purpose maps designed for particular areas or uses with much higher detail and better design than most in cab GPS units now use.