Altitude profile for tracks

Since Locus Pro 2.0.2 (the newest version on Google Play Store aka Android Market) there is some SRTM support.

You can add altitude data to tracks by "+ Fill altitude"/"+ Höhe eintragen" in the list of actions after tapping on a track.

However this SRTM data needs to be downloaded if you use this for the first time on a certain combination of latitude/longitude which is triggered after you tap on "+ Fill altitude".

As a reference you can have a look at

https://getsatisfaction.com/locus/top...

Well, I missed that thread but that`s not quite the same what I`m looking for.

I edit my tracks online at my PC with http://www.naviki.org and then I load them into locus. The altitudes are already included in the XML file.

When riding on a bike I would like to see not only my location in the guide but also the next ascents and descents. A small additional diagram with a moving cursor would be the best solution.

Mat

Or altitude lines in map view (like Topo maps)? I started an Idea for this...

ok, but I think that a simple graph is more visible when the phone is mounted on the handlebars while riding. Here a mockup of my idea

Your idea is very similar to the latest airliner navigation displays which show a plot of terrain along your intended route-

Nice! The principle is the same. Only the use case differs a little (air craft vs. bicycle). Where can I find this app?

Oh, this would be very nice! So one can see the altitude on the way ahead. Perfect for bikers. Do it!

another type of integrated view could look like this:

thanks Rob, if you don`t mind, I`ll delete "duplicate" topic

yes pls...

No matter where you place the altitude profile, it is going to obscure part of the map. In aircraft navigation displays, the profile is placed at the bottom, with the logic that you are usually not as concerned with what is behind you, as you are with what is ahead of you.

for trekking and biking I assume that it`s good to know if you already have past the top or if you should save some power for the coming peak :-)

Yes, you should always save enough energy to open the door to the pub! Would the graph cursor be dynamic, and follow your position, or would you have to tap on the graph. Seems dynamic would be more technoerotic.

"technoerotic" lol !! great word...

of course dynamic :-) would be the cherry on the cake...

rethought this issue: both ways should be possible: for planned routes a tap on track or chart should be indicated, for guiding a dynamic view.

Sounds challenging for programming.... poor menion ;-)

"poor menion"??

Yes, I used to also feel sorry for "poor menion".

I even gave him last weekend off.

But then tommi62 mentioned that menion is married to beautiful Hana.

Now I do not feel quite so sorry for "poor menion".

you`re funny guys :)

It is good idea. Please support custom screen too :)

an enhanced altitude profile display would not only include my current position but also mark all visible waypoints. implementation should be straight forward, since locus obviously knows the coordinates for each point in a profile. it could search through the currently enabled waypoints and write them into the profile when they are "close".

sorry - no news yet.

only a refresh for this idea :)

+1

Current fill altitude only adds altitude data at track points so get very sparse altitude data in chart view if planning and creating tracks rather importing from GPS. Would be good to have chart view and altitude data based on up sampling the number of track points if sparse/far apart either to a fixed minimum number of points or a fixes inter point distance.

Alternatively add the ability to create a copy of a track with adjustable point up sampling and we can then use the existing chart on this track.

Is it possible to view a chart of the real time altitude and speed information as we are recording a track? I do not mean viewing the information of a prerecorded track or navigation route. The "MyTracks" custom screen seems to have all the information,real time that is being recorded, as is shown in the Data>Tracks>Information page for a recorded track except for the Chart page. Either something as shown by Maddel on the Map screen or a separate page as on the GPS and Compass pages.

Thanks

hi, chart tab (in information page) display! current profile and all values. It`s refreshed every time, new point is recorded so it`s possible to view here real-time values. This isn`t working for you?

What`s about the original idea? It is `under consideration` for a long time...

Next bicycle season starts soon and I`m waiting so eagerly!

this is something that I would like to create, I also see that quite a lot of people is interested in this, but it will also take quite a lot of time to create it fast and usable.

Currently, if you plan a track manually by "Add new route" function, you may also check current profile under tools button. Track profile itself is also available in information screen for every track. So it`s already there, just not so simply visible ...

Menion

I`m not sure whether it`s really part of the topic here, but I would appreciate a lot being able to enter the planned altitutde of a trackpoint manually for later guidance. I know, that it can be added automatically, but I use Locus for aviation and the ground level is usually not the one I need. BTW, I highly esteem your work!

Sure a nice feature for bike tours. An alternative, but definitely as difficult to implement like a profile view, could be a colouring of the rack shown in locus itself.

Lets say the track will be shown in red if that part is steep, orange for medium acclivity and green if its flat.

came here to request this very feature - altitude (elevation) is extremely important when planning a bike trip and i`m still quite amazed it`s not conveniently available in Locus which is otherwise crammed with tons of features.

it is somewhat absurd that i find myself switching to google maps ever so often because of this. Many people don`t know that, but you can enable the Measure tool in the Labs section of the settings, be sure to check it out. It draws a route and creates a nice profile with some simple stats.

frankly though, even though the profile graph is great, i`d be trigger happy even if Locus allowed me to just display elevation at each point of my planned route. i have the turned on the feature that displays elevation of the map center after some idle time, but that`s very cumbersome.

i`d also happily trade the azimuth markings for an elevation-change reading in the add route graphic! now, wouldn`t that be cool? see, my girlfriend always fusses about how much of a climb there will be ;).

@karl - this is already possible. You firstly need to "fill altitude" for specific track and then "edit" this track and in tab "apperance" change coloring to what you need (altitude in this case)

@LaCroix - this is also there. Did you tried function "Add new route & measure"? Try to add there for example three points and in bottom menu choose "tools > show chart"

what is missing is requested feature. So missing is visible chart directly over map. Currently I would like to add possibility to show chart integrated into dashboard, but it`s it`s matter of free time ....

@menion: yeah, i know it`s there, but it`s just too "far away" to really be convenient. i suggest you try the labs measure tool in android gmaps, you`ll see what i mean.

but i understand it will take time. so how about a wee little switch somewhere in the settings called "Show elevation at route/measure points"? ;)

(and a humble subcheckbox "Also show elevation change instead of azimuth at route segments" ;).

anyways, keep up the great work, appreciated!

fwiw, here`s the measure tool in gmaps. it`s actually quite primitive compared to the possibilities that Locus could offer to go with it (like draggable points).

Hi guys,

after long time, I bring small update to this second most wanted feature. It's a small step for a human, but ... :)

What you may see is

1. new side panel for a track record

2. integrated small chart panel

3. improved display of points recorded with track.

Chart panel is currently hard-coded in this track screen. So even that content of track record panel is created in same way as dashboard, it's not yet possible to include chart also into dashboard. But worst part is done - create chart as a separate small window.

Enjoy first taste, hope you like it.

Here is what I realy need:

(sorry, but i can only talk about my own usage)

- load or record a track

- show me the elevation profile

- show me my position

That's all!

I don't need the other stuff because i have my own dashboard.

You also do not need to reapeat what's this topic about ;)

I just wanted to inform, that there are some news about implementing small chart in Locus

i know, i know.

You spend lot of time for new features.

So i want give you a first response as early as possible :)

so you may test it. Feature is available in new testing version

https://plus.google.com/100542396837873535122/posts/Gg9P692mSwk

[CZ] Zdravím, boční panel nahrávání stopy vypadá efektně, ale člověk si tam snadno něco rozhodí. Šlo by dát do toho menu, které se zobrazí pod ikonkou [stranový klíč+šroubovák] (nebo někam jinam) checkbox "Zamknout nastavení"? S tím, že pokud by to bylo zamčené tak, by nešel měnit profil, nešlo by měnit, co se na daném místě zobrazuje apod. Prostě by fungovalo jen tlačítko pro start nahrávání a v režimu nahrávání pauze/stop/přidání bodu. Pokud bych kliknul jinde, tak by se jen zobrazil toast s informací, že je to zamčené. Nebo alespoň ty změny udělat na dlouhý stisk.

Dále se mi stává, že místo na start nahrávání kliknu na nějaký ten oddálený start, takže mi to začne nahlas počítat 10, 9, 8, 7, ... Nevím, k čemu to má být, tedy nenapadá mě nějaké rozumné použití (i když věřím, že se to někomu k něčemu hodí) a rád bych měl možnost tam tuhle věc odstranit. Tohle se mi stávalo i doma, natož pak když to bude mačkat někde na sluníčku, kdy toho na displeji moc neuvidím, jednou rukou, ...

Aneb pokročilé možnosti jsou fajn a na Locusu si jich velmi cením, ale měly by být vypínatelné, pokud nějakým způsobem ztěžují běžné používání bez nich.

close, very cose :)

Do we REALLY need digits?

Díky za podněty. Promyslím to ale myslím, že dlouhý stisk by mohl fungovat. A ten odpočet jako volitelné nastavení taky :)

@gynta:

perfect, now we are in point, when it seems to works, but needs some

graphical improvements. If you tap on chart in edit mode, you may

currently define only size and colors of title and background. Here

comes question, what settings should be most useful and should be placed

in this edit dialog.

I'm listening :)

1. I'm listening :)

- Disable/enable labels

- View Altitude/KM OR/AND Speed/KM

- Viewing range (x KM or All) in case of guiding,navigate track

Hmm even this is second most wanted feature, seems it's just two men show :)

Never mind ... see screenshot. I think this was missing.

I'm

sure that you will want to discuss about "Max num. of ...". This is how

I have done charts in Locus. And I think that such parameter is useful

for normal usage. Anyway testing in the field will show.

Its not a 2 men show, as I am sure there are quite a lot of people, who follow this with big interest, as I do.

I would like to:

- zoom in and out the graph, x-axis and y-axis independently without going into settings but on the graph.

- not in graph, but in dashboard: altitude done and to go

- the possibility to integrate the graph in the dashboard

If this features are included I will sell my Garmin Oregon :-)

Good to hear about more interest

- zoom in/out for charts in dashboard is not planned. I hope it will be serve only for a fast and quick overview. Not for some advanced handling. For this exists chart directly in track detail.

- "not in graph, but in dashboard: altitude done and to go" - you mean some values about already passed elevation and elevation before you? It's task to dashboard, not to "Altitude profile"

- in dashboard - both last screenshots from above are from dashboard ;)

Hello.

It would be nice to select a point on the graph and we locate that point on the map / track. That functionality exists today in the graph on the screen track information, but selecting a point to locate it on the map, close the screen with the chart.

Apparently the graph is coming up now just for information in real time and not so much for a subsequent analysis of the track. Otherwise, it would be good to move the chart to the right / left to change the zoom without going to such properties which discussed above.

Greetings.

PS: maybe this idea is for a new display track information.

tigus, I'm worried that you, as well as Tino, wants overpower this feature.

My imagination and hope that also most of people here, was to create very easy to use version of visible chart directly over map without any crazy features aroung. As I wrote - for some analysis and work with charts exists big screen directly in track details. I believe there is no need for such features in dashboard!

Also I can't imagine how it should work, zoom buttons, tapping on chart etc ... everyone want's different size, also map on background should be still active, ah ...

Hello Menion, it is understood that it may be overloading the current idea. But "physical / visual" space I think as shown above image Gynta, with graph on the bottom (or top) could slide a finger to the chart to the right or left to "forward / backward" in graph, and play on the chart to select a point which locate on the map.

I see very useful for further analysis of the track.

Greetings.

You are right, I meant already passed elevation and elevation before you. A feature I strongly wish for the dashboard.

I just didn´t realize the screenshots are from the dashboard. I expected it way more basic. Probably the zoom feature is overpowering the Altitude Chart in the dashboard. I thought there is, apart from the (simple) dashboard chart, a more advanced Altitude Chart (which you can e.g. expand from the side?). Than the

zoom feature is really helpful. Are you familiar with the Garmin Devices? There is a + and - symbol on the x and y axis to zoom. This is quite useful depending if you do a tour with 2000 hm or just 300 hm or wether you want a overview of the complete tour or just the next 5km.

The feature Tigus mentioned sounds also useful to me. As I mainly use Locus for mountainbiking, information to altitude is quite important for me.

I hope it doesn´t sound to demanding. I have great respect for your work already done and Locus is by far already the best biking-solution I know!

@max. visible points:

eg 100

how much points to go/done ?

50/50? means my pos dot is in center?

and if I like to see 70/30? or 80/20?

and btw. agree with "don't overload it"

so guys, understand what you wrote, but my last word on some major extending of functionality - in next version will be light version as is now. Tuned and working. If this will work fine, without any problems, we should discuss improvements (but don't expect a lot because I will try to keep this as final solution :) ).

@gynta: currently it's for track record 0/100 (surprise) and for guiding 50/50. I'll anyway move your location in guiding little bit back, to 25/75, so you'll see 1/4 of backward and 3/4 forward. Any settings for this? Hope it won't be needed :)

Hi to all,

new version of Locus (version 3.0+) is out for one week, so enough time to at least quickly test this feature - ability to display charts directly on map.

I would like to hear your impressions and ideas to improve. Just please keep in mind one serious information - there are no plans to make this super-ultra-configurable feature. I need to find middle way useful for 99% of users with minimum settings. Some specialities may be added to config.cfg file, but only if there won't be other way :)

Hey,

based on my experience on

a week mountain biking in the alps I would like to give a feedback on

this long desired feature. First of all: Using Locus I did not miss my dedicated GPS device at all!

1. To my opinion it is

kind of a drawback that I need to activate navigation or guiding in

order to have the altitude profile in dashboard. I prefer to simply

follow a track (less elements on screen, less CPU, to my experience

lower battery consumption).

How about adding an option

to indicate the position of the screen cursor on the altitude profile

as soon as it is positioned on a track (point)? This would serve two

functions: first, if you are following a track, your position will be

shown on the profile whenever you are exactly on a track point (at

the same time when track point information is shown). Second, such a

function would allow for moving the cursor to any point along the

track on the map and find its position on the altitude profile. This

may be useful to estimate the altitude to go until a certain position

on the map (eg shelter, water, pub ;)) is reached.

2. Instead of setting the

number of points to show on the profile, it would make a lot of sense

to set the range of kilometers that is shown forward and backwards.

Depending on the way a gpx track is plannend (or recorded,

downloaded), track points may be more or less frequent. I would like

to have the, let's say, next 40 km and past 10 km shown, while

someone who is hiking or on a motorcycle might prefer a different

range.

3. One additional wish:

Would it be possible to include in the track point information (which

pops up if the cursor is on a track point) the meters in altitude

backwards and forward same as it is there for distance?

I really hope that these

features do not qualify as "super-ultra-configurable features",

since for anybody who is moving along a track and desires to have a

glimpse on what is coming, this might be a real help.

I absolutely agree with Tirfo!

The most missed function is altitude forward or "altitude to go".

The possibility to show the next 40km or next 20km in the profile is the zoomfunction I miss.

Apart from this, I think it´s perfect.

Hi guys,

to #Tirfo suggestions:

1. to simply follow a track is not so easy - there is still need to say "hey this track should display this chart". Because there is no limit in amount of tracks on map at once. And this is quite complicated now - at least I don't see any simple solution.

2. Agree - I was think about same before. It's logical. But to be true, it was a lot more complicated that current solution with "amount of points". Anyway - done

3. I've added this values also into popup of points. But more and more I feel, that these popup labels are really bad looking and more and more need rewrite to some new better design. I'll leave it for now, but expect that they will change in near future.

Hope this is better then nothing for now ;).

Because in latest 3.1.0+ is also dramatically increased speed of offline altitude compute, I believe that these charts will be more useful then before.

Hi Menion,

thanks a ton for implementing these changes, it is pretty close to perfect now! The only thing that I don't understand is, why is there a limit of 10000 m for the max visible range in the dashboard altitude profile? Don't you think it makes sense to have, for instance a whole day trip (50-100 km) on the profile? Of course, the profile should then be set big enough... or the symbol that indicates the current position should be more fine.

Glad to hear it

Reason is really simple ...

1. small charts in dashboard has really only informative reason

2. for big overview of chart exists "Track detail screen", where you should have full screen chart with all it's possibilities

3. You won't believe me, but chart are very battery consuming compare to other features. Bigger charts (more points at once) a lot more computations and a lot lot more battery consumption. Trust me, you really do not want to have a huge chart on display for full time ;)

Agree with Menion''s last post reasoning...

How do I actually choose the track to show in chart? I tried guide but it always say "no data for chart"

Ok, I got it. I chose the wrong chart. Took the one for track rec instead of navigation. Didn't realize there were different ones for each purpose.

Thanks for the great work!

Hello pietzke,

it's possible, that track for which you wanted to display chart, had no altitude values. You may use function "Fill altitude" in track bottom menu, to fill manually altitude values to all points. Then chart should work as expected.

Hi!

I have an idea that can practically be implemented.

The route is currently drawn in only ONE color, but how about use TWO colors?

if "next point altitude" is higher than "current point altitude" (uphill) than draw the route RED.

if not (downhill or flatland), draw the route BLUE.

I think that the user get easily feel of the altitude profile by using two different colors in uphill and downhill.

I hope it could be implemented and Thank you VERY much for your app.

Please try tap on your track (that has altitude values), tap on "line" below map overview, to edit track style. In "Line style" dialog, uncheck "Use forlder style" and from "Mode" selection, choose what you need.

WOW!!!!!

It's Wonderful.

Thanks a lot!