How to use iTopoMaps v. 1.3

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Here’s a QuickStart guide to using iTopoMaps Version 1.3

 

When initially using iTopoMaps, you need connectivity, preferably WiFi. 3G and/or Edge may be acceptable. iPod Touch users require Wifi.

 

When iTopoMaps first starts, it will show you an overview of part of the continental US. Simply move about by touch and zoom in or out by spreading or closing your fingers. You can rotate the device to show portrait or landscape views.

 

Tap the info-bar, the dark transparent rectangle with coordinates, to cycle through various information such as location in lat/lon, UTM, Altitude, Course and Distance to your GoTo waypoint, and GPS sensitivity.

 


 

Icons

 

  • Lock Map to Current Position

When this icon is blue, the map will follow the current GPS location, if available. To stop map-following, tap again or move the map with your finger

  • Flip to settings view for non-graphical access to Quadrangles and Waypoints

On the reverse view, you can list downloaded quadrangles as well as waypoints. You can also add, modify, delete, import or export them.

  • Quickly shift between zoom levels

Simple viewpoint change without having to use the two-finger stretch/shrink

  • Enter a coordinate to move the map to

Know where you’re going? Enter the coordinates here.

  • Look up Features of Interest in your area

Search for GNIS Features of Interest (Summit, Streams, Waterfalls, etc) in your viewing area

  • Add a waypoint

Lookup Features of Interest from the GNIS database and optionally add them as Waypoints!! Or if you already know the location, add it by coordinate entry. You can also add a waypoint at the current map or GPS location.

  • Toggle between Quad-Selection mode and Normal mode.

If you want to download quads to your device, for access without Wifi/Cellular Coverage, enter the Quad-Selection Mode. In this mode, simply double-tap an area and confirm that you wish to cache it. The download shoud start and show a progress bar at the top of the screen. You may pause/continue the download by press the play/pause buttons. Depending on your internet connection, a quad may take from a few minutes to much longer to download. Once a quad has been selected, it will show a green transparent area. If you wish to delete this quad, simply double-tap again and confirm.

After you have selected several quads, your screen will look similar to this:

It is recommended that you wait for all quads to download before continuing to use iTopoMaps, as the device is being heavily used at this point. If you have lots of quads

to add at one time, simply hit the pause/play button to pause the downloading while you’re selecting. Hit the pause/play button to resume the download and leave

the device alone, preferably connected to power for the duration. You can exit the app during downloads, as the transfer will resume when you restart iTopoMaps.

When you are done selecting quads, tap the Grid icon again to return to normal mode.


Waypoints

  • How do I add a waypoint?

In normal mode, simply double-tap where you want the waypoint placed.

  • How do I find course and distance to a waypoint?

Tap on a pre-existing waypoint, and mark it as “GoTo”. Your current GoTo waypoint will have a green flag.

To see your Course / Distance, tap the Info Bar until it shows the desired info

  • How do I delete a waypoint?

Tap on an existing waypoint and select Delete.


  • What does “Select Quads A:? D:? R?” mean?

iTopoMaps is showing you the status of your download. A stands for Available Tiles, and there are approximately 300-350 per quad. D stands for tiles yet to be downloaded. R stands for tiles

yet to be removed from your flash after you have de-selected a quad.

 


  • How do I configure iTopoMaps?

A variety of configuration options are available under the generic Settings.app -> iTopoMaps, including disabling the screen lock and disabling the Helpful Tips. Settings.app is a standard Apple application you can

find on your home screen labeled “Settings”

Settings.app

Config

 

 

 

 


 

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in FAQs, Latest News | No Comments »

How to use iTopoMaps v. 1.1

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Here’s a QuickStart guide to using iTopoMaps Version 1.1

 

When initially using iTopoMaps, you need connectivity, preferably WiFi. 3G and/or Edge may be acceptable. iPod Touch users require Wifi.

 

When iTopoMaps first starts, it will show you an overview of part of the continental US. Simply move about by touch and zoom in or out by spreading or closing your fingers. You can rotate the device to show portrait or landscape views.

 

Tap the info-bar, the dark transparent rectangle with coordinates, to cycle through various information such as location in lat/lon, UTM, Altitude, Course and Distance to your GoTo waypoint, and GPS sensitivity.

 


 

Icons

 

  • Lock Map to Current Position

When this icon is blue, the map will follow the current GPS location, if available. To stop map-following, tap again or move the map with your finger

  • Flip to settings view for non-graphical access to Quadrangles and Waypoints

On the reverse view, you can list downloaded quadrangles as well as waypoints. You can also add, modify and delete them.

  • Quickly shift between zoom levels

Simple viewpoint change without having to use the two-finger stretch/shrink

  • Enter a coordinate to move the map to

Know where you’re going? Enter the coordinates here.

  • Look up Features of Interest in your area

Search for GNIS Features of Interest (Summit, Streams, Waterfalls, etc) in your viewing area

  • Lookup Features by Name

Use this feature to lookup Features of Interest from the GNIS database and optionally add them as Waypoints.

  • Toggle between Quad-Selection mode and Normal mode.

If you want to download quads to your device, for access without Wifi/Cellular Coverage, enter the Quad-Selection Mode. In this mode, simply double-tap an area and confirm that you wish to cache it. The download shoud start and show a progress bar at the top of the screen. You may pause/continue the download by press the play/pause buttons. Depending on your internet connection, a quad may take from a few minutes to much longer to download. Once a quad has been selected, it will show a green transparent area. If you wish to delete this quad, simply double-tap again and confirm.

After you have selected several quads, your screen will look similar to this:

It is recommended that you wait for all quads to download before continuing to use iTopoMaps, as the device is being heavily used at this point.

When you are done selecting quads, tap the Grid icon again to return to normal mode.

 


Waypoints

  • How do I add a waypoint?

In normal mode, simply double-tap where you want the waypoint placed.

  • How do I find course and distance to a waypoint?

Tap on a pre-existing waypoint, and mark it as “GoTo”. Your current GoTo waypoint will have a green flag.

To see your Course / Distance, tap the Info Bar until it shows the desired info

  • How do I delete a waypoint?

Tap on an existing waypoint and select Delete.


  • What does “Select Quads A:? D:? R?” mean?

iTopoMaps is showing you the status of your download. A stands for Available Tiles, and there are approximately 300-350 per quad. D stands for tiles yet to be downloaded. R stands for tiles

yet to be removed from your flash after you have de-selected a quad.

 


  • How do I configure iTopoMaps?

A variety of configuration options are available under the generic Settings.app -> iTopoMaps, including disabling the screen lock and disabling the Helpful Tips.

 

 

 

 


 

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in FAQs, Latest News | No Comments »

Upcoming Version 1.10

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

 

Version 1.10 is on its way! Expected release in the App Store is this Friday or Saturday, depending on Apple.

New features include:

  • Look up Features of Interest in your viewing area, display them on the screen, and add the as pre-entered waypoints! No more typing in waypoints by hand, just see what’s around.
  • Drag to reposition waypoint, tap to modify or us.
  • Add/edit/goto/center/delete Waypoints from the text list.
  • Add/edit/delete Quadrangles from the text list, w/ user comment.
  • Many performance and usability improvements.
  • Alaska and Hawaii are now included in the feature database.

 

 

Course Navigation

 

GNIS Lookup

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in Latest News | No Comments »

Features

Friday, March 6th, 2009

  • Full 1:24k USGS Quads that can be locally cached on your iPhone
  • Scrollable multi-zoom map interface (likeGoogleMaps!)
  • Full 50 states
  • Waypoints
  • Goto Waypoint – distance and bearing
  • Magnetic Declination Calculations
  • GNIS Database for looking up features and identifiying them on the map!

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

When can I download iTopoMaps?

Friday, March 6th, 2009

When can I download iTopoMaps?

iTopoMaps is available now in the AppStore!

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in FAQs | No Comments »

Version 1.0 available in the AppStore!

Friday, March 6th, 2009

v1.0 is now available!

 

 

 

 

 

Read the rest of this entry »

| Posted in Latest News | No Comments »