Topo mapping software for mac how to#
Topo mapping software for mac android#

Unless money's mentioned, the OSM apps and maps discussed here are free. The best OSM maps don't require huge amounts of storage and a detailed topo map of the UK could live permanently on your phone. Maybe you just want to find the wooded shortcut up Clough Head, an offline OpenAndroMap does the job.įlight computer app XCTrack uses OSM based OpenAndroMaps and OSM data is probably behind the proprietary mapping for other flying apps too. Looking for a restaurant, pharmacist or cashpoint in an unfamiliar town? These are shown or named on OSM maps. Thinking about flying off the summit of Mont Blanc? OpenTopoMap shows the popular routes up. Included are step by step instructions, video tutorials, screenshots and useful links. I hope this article will make it easy to get started, to more quickly understand what OSM maps offer and what their limitations are. If you've never used offline OSM maps before then do try them. I have become a fan and use OSM maps on all the above devices. Some of the best maps and apps are completely free. Your position is typically shown by an arrow on the map which will point in the direction you're moving. Most can be stored on smartphones, tablets, Garmin hand helds and computers.Įven if you are a card-carrying technophobe, just switching an app on is enough to show exactly where you are on a stored map, away from any phone signal. The OSM maps are viable alternatives to Ordnance Survey maps and government funded maps in other countries too. There are now excellent free topographic maps based on OpenStreetMap data, that cover many of the places we fly, both here in the UK and abroad.

It is helpful to understand a little about OSM mapping but if you'd rather just try an OSM map out on your favourite device then jump straight to Getting started. It is an amazing resource that's completely free to use. OpenStreetMap is the 'Wikipedia of mapping'. So the included OS mapping information was added retrospectively. It was only after I'd finished that I thought it might be better to include something on digital mapping from the Ordnance Survey too.

Topo mapping software for mac how to#

I wrote this article to raise awareness of free, offline, OpenStreetMap-based topographic maps and show how to use them on smartphones, computers and Garmin hand helds. L Map download sites l App websites l Desktop software l

Topo mapping software for mac android#

L Which OSM map? l Android phones l iPhones l Garmins l Computers l L Raster vs Vector l Import prebuilt maps l In-app downloads l L Map file formats l Mapsforge l Garmin l MBTiles & SQLite l L How accurate is OSM? l Contours l OSM vs OS: Ben Nevis l L Routing l Tiles l Zoom levels & scale l L No phone signal needed l Vector & raster l Themes & styles l How to use OpenStreetMap and OS digital maps