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CalTopo Maps not supported

Luca Chiarabini shared this question 10 years ago
Answered

How can I add Caltopo Maps to Locus? It is not supported natively nor by the tweak tool. Caltopo.com has the best High Def scanned US Topo maps available and it is all free. Other Android Apps like Gaia GPS and Backcountry Navigator already support CalTopo.

Replies (16)

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Hi


CalTopo maps are not supported in Locus because terms of use. On the other hand I have to say that we`re planning to negotiate some rules that Locus users would be possible to purchase CalTopo maps.


At this moment I can only suggest to use Maps - Online - USGS (scanned)

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@Petr: I briefly read on CalTopo homepage but I do not see anything letting me think that I`m not allowed to use it in Locus. Where are these restricting terms of use described?

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Hi Luca and Tommi,


for us, it was quite a surprise. We contacted CalTopo map server before around three months and we received information that access is paid and no free access exists. Surprise was, that mainly Gaia seems not to be so succesful and even such program has these maps.


Result was, that we decided not to use these maps, because USGS Topo maps are in Locus and it seems to be good alternative. Or are these CalTopo really so good?


As Peter wrote, we plan to negotiate some conditions in near future so it should be possible to access, probably with some fee, these maps.

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Actually, Gaia GPS is quite successful. We employ 4 developers full-time, and several part-time developers as well. Gaia is the best outdoor app for iPhone, and we`re now heavily focused on Android.


Some people might have the impression that Locus Maps or Backcountry Navigator is better on Android, but actually we just rewrote our entire Android app between May 2013-January 2014.


I challenge anyone to compare Locus or BCN to Gaia GPS, and write us for a refund if you don`t agree Gaia GPS is better (support@gaiagps.com). Gaia is awesome now, and we`re continuing to work on it into the spring release.


the best maps - Gaia has the best US maps (such as CalTopo) and the best OpenStreetMaps (such as MapBox) - because we pay for them


Gaia can use any Locus map - if you want any of the map sources in Locus in Gaia, send an email to support@gaiagps.com, and you can add any of them - they are all free as far as I can tell, and we`ll help you get set up


sync, back-up, and share data - With GaiaCloud, you can sync your data between all devices and the website - it`s slick, easy, and protects your data against your device getting lost


great map overlays - you can overlay all of your tracks, waypoints, photos, weather, and more on our map, and tap all of it, vector-style


great support - we always respond to our emails and take care of people

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Gaia does not support offline vector maps, which for me is a deal breaker.

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Looks like CalTopo support may be added by manually editing the list of custom map providers... email me if you need more info.

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@Luca - That`s a fair point. We focused Gaia on use in the outdoors, as opposed to traveling abroad, and we didn`t start out doing vector maps mostly because the maps we care about didn`t exist as vectors.


But, I can say that we are working on vector topos, which will be unique and awesome, though this will start off on iOS-only first. Here is the open source vector topo tiles we started working on, and we`re also doing work on the iOS app for this, this very day: https://github.com/trailbehind/TileMi...


My wife and I used Gaia GPS to download OpenStreetMap for our honeymoon in Costa Rica, and we were able to get everything we need in a couple of gigabytes, but you could cut down the download size a lot with vectors, and show labels nicer as well.

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Hello Andrew,


nice to see you on Locus support site ;)


After your small propagation of your "successful, rewrote, awsome, best" Gaia program, I tried to play with it again. And have to say - why not. Fortunately on Android exists many users with many many different needs. Someone needs better maps, someone for example a lot more possibilities.


And sentence "we were able to get everything we need in a couple of gigabytes" ... funny. Just hope you don`t download it from official openstreetmap.org map server ;)

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Andrew Johnson wrote:


"I challenge anyone to compare Locus or BCN to Gaia GPS, and write us for a refund if you don`t agree Gaia GPS is better (support@gaiagps.com). Gaia is awesome now, and we`re continuing to work on it into the spring release."


sure - i will try,


and you talking about "Gaia GPS: Topo Maps and Trails"


not "Gaia GPS (Topo Maps) BETA", right?

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That is correct. The beta exists because of how we do user testing - only a few people download that one, and we usually reimburse the cost for beta testers.

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@Menion Locus seems like a good app... I think the fast vector maps are impressive, and I wish you the best!


Also, we didn`t hit the OpenStreetMap.org server :). We really like www.thunderforest.com for OSM-based topos, and more recently MapBox too.

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@Andrew


Locus doesn`t seem like a good app. It actually IS a good app.


It needs more than a lot of coders to have a good app.


About testing your app, would you send me an apk? I don`t want to rip it myself. And I really don`t want to spend twice the price of Locus just for having less than 10% of the features just for a quick testing purpose.


Thanks

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"As Peter wrote, we plan to negotiate some conditions in near future so it should be possible to access, probably with some fee, these maps."


I am currently paying $35 USD per year for a elite subscription to Trimble Outdoors just get access to the USA BLM Boundary maps. I have also purchased several individual state BLM Boundary map files from Backcountry Navigator at about $10 USD each. Although I rarely use them they are extremely important in certain situations.. Land owners get very upset if one is hiking on their property without advance permission.


With that I would much rather be paying a subscription to LOCUS as it is the app that I use with confidence on a regular basis.


.

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Hi Andrew


You wrote


"I challenge anyone to compare Locus or BCN to Gaia GPS, and write us for a refund if you don`t agree Gaia GPS is better (support@gaiagps.com). Gaia is awesome now, and we`re continuing to work on it into the spring release."


Done! and here the conclusion:


What makes Gaia GPS better than Locus Pro?


or, how many features i miss in Locus Pro compared to Gaia GPS?


hm.. 5, max 8 points. A few of handlings are really well done!


How good works Locus and how many features i really miss in Gaia GPS compared to Locus Pro:


15-30 points!


I can`t write details, because I`m not a betatester for Gaia GPS. ;)


Hint:


http://docs.locusmap.eu/doku.php/manu...


So finally, i have to ask for a refund now (I will write a mail soon)


Sorry Andrew - and thank you for fair offer.

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@gynta Thanks for trying it out. Please send an email for the refund, and keep the app in case you like it better in the future!


I probably am not going to comment on this thread anymore. I just poked my head in because we were mentioned.


Happy trails everyone.

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Ahww...

You`re leaving before all the fun starts? ;-)


Btw, it took me around 3 minutes to start using CalTopo maps in Locus. I really don`t get the point, why you started promoting Gaia as the better "than Locus" app?

You got in here, because you were mentioned, right.

But imagine somebody promoted Locus on the Gaia support site like you did here.


No more questions so far...


Waiting for answers...

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