What Is The Best Topo Map App For iPad

[jCubed]

I've tried a lot of apps, I keep coming back to MotionX.

[craig]

Overland Navigator 3.0 will be developed for iPad (w/ Retina support).

I've decided to make the design process completely open via the SpatialMinds blog. http://spatialminds.com/blog/

There's been a fair amount of discussion on Facebook as well. http://facebook.com/overlandnavigator

While I have strong ideas about the design and implementation of Overland Navigator 3.0 as a long time Overlander, I'm VERY open to community participation. If all the other apps have never quite "got it", then talk to me. We can kick some ideas around and come up with solutions together.

This is a serious project. For a bit of background info on me, check out my profile page at http://spatialminds.com/about. I LOVE this stuff and am really excited to be doing an iPad version, but also a version with many improvements!

Craig

[jrose609]

Overland Navigator 3.0 will be developed for iPad (w/ Retina support).

[off-roader]

Overland Navigator 3.0 will be developed for iPad (w/ Retina support).

Awesome. Can I assume it will also be backward compatible for the non-retina display iPads like my iPad 1?

[craig]

Yep, it'll work with the older iPads too.

[scrubber3]

I just downloaded all 4 of the scenic maps and I was very pleased with it once I figured out the user interface. The best thing for me was the fact that it tracks you and gives real time coordinates. No need for wifi or cell service so long as your iPad is gps enabled. I've used a few and for on the ground navigation with my iPhone, I'll go with tactical nav. For the iPad, the scenic maps gets the nod. I will say that downloading all of the maps will take up a good bit of space but thankfully iTunes keeps up with what you've purchased and you can just download the ones you need before you go.

[off-roader]

Good to hear it will be backward compatible. You do face stiff competition with products like Scenic Maps, etc. what are we looking at in terms of pricing?

Granted scenic maps has some limitations, it does most of what I need a topo app for with the exception of having high res topo. data instead of the low res data it uses. That said it works nicely enough.

[craig]

Nothing wrong with competition. Based on what I've read in this thread you guys are still looking for an app that works just the way you'd like. I also have a few features in mind that will be unique to Overlanding.

I won't be able to set the price until I have the app designed along with the backend map servers. The price will be typical for an iOS app.

[TACODOC]

Thats great that you're developing something for the iPad.

Being an Overland Navigator user, one thing I was REALLY disappointed with was the sat imagery. Fairly worthless IMO, hopefully the new iPad version will have some better resolution and zoom capabilities for sat imagery. Being able to blend topo/trail info and toggle it on/off to superimpose it on sat imagery would be the cats meow.

.02

[craig]

Yes, in the iPad version I'll be including topographic maps layers to enable the maps to be zoomed out beyond what the USGS maps provide. It's unfortunate but many people confused satellite imagery with aerial photography and wound up getting something they weren't expecting. The only purpose for the satellite imagery pack was to provide the ability to zoom out beyond the USGS maps. As always, I'm happy to refund your sat-map purchase if it isn't satisfactory, and I'll do my best to create a separate sat-map/aerial photo layer for Overland Navigator 3.0 (free upgrade for you) that includes aerial photography when zoomed in.

The description from the webstore:

Global Satellite Imagery-Pack
Includes satellite imagery for the entire world prepared for immediate use with Overland Navigator. Packaged as a 5 DVD set containing nearly 20gb of compressed satellite imagery, Overland Navigator index files, automated installer, and Installation Guide. Satellite Imagery only, does not include aerial photography. Useful at state to global scales.

• Global Satellite Imagery - 1:1000k to Global Scales
• Images have been compressed and indexed for immediate hassle free use in Overland Navigator.
• Satellite imagery for the entire world at 8 levels having pixel resolutions of 250m, 500m, 1km, 2km, 4km, 8km, 16km, 32km
• Can be used simultaneously with Overland Navigator USGS Topographic maps.
• **Requires Overland Navigator Software (purchased separately)

Craig