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Tutorial for saving & viewing tracks in real time on mobile devices using
free official geocalibrated United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps
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http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
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The tutorial below is wholly based on this USGS video training:
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https://www.usgs.gov/media/videos/using-us-topo-and-historic-topo-maps-your-mobile-device>
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The tutorial covers downloading & installing:
a. GeoCalibrated current & historical USGS maps (available free)
b. Avenza map app (iOS & Android, free, registration is optional)
And this video covers how to record a track in real time on that map
If you know of *better* cross-platform freeware that makes use of any
downloaded set of USGS geocalibrated PDFs, please advise so that we
benefit from your knowledge.
The advantages of Avenza freeware over most commercial solutions are:
a. Avenza is a cross-platform iOS/Android USGS topo map solution
b. You can track on USGS quadrangles from today back to the 1800s
c. You can upload custom geocalibrated USGS map areas into Avenza
NOTE: USGS topo maps are *far* more accurate than OSM topo maps!
The disadvantage is that the "Avenza" map freeware isn't all that
great as an application (IMHO), where I prefer, for example,
the map app functionality inherent in something like the
US Topo Maps freeware:
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atlogis.northamerica.free>
Or Locus Map freeware with the USGS topographic maps loaded:
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=menion.android.locus>
But those two otherwise very nice cross-platform USGS map based
tracking & routing apps don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
Personally, I prefer the Back Country Navigator USGS-map-based freeware
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crittermap.backcountrynavigator>
Or MyTrails USGS-map-based freeware:
<
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogsparks.mytrails>
But those tracking-only (i.e., no routing) USGS-map-based apps
also don't read custom geocalibrated PDFs (AFAIK).
The main advantages of the simpler Avenza map software are:
a. It's cross platform free on both iOS and Android, and, more importantly,
b. It imports any custom geocalibrated topographic map.
In addition to the fact that you can view your tracks for free
in real time in the software on your mobile device.
With respect to the cross-platform capabilities, the USGS says the
Avenza software works the same on both iOS and Android.
I followed the USGS video which was only showing the Android app
(so iOS users may need to test this out further for the team).
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http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
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Here are the steps...
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1. Install Avenza Maps freeware <
https://www.avenzamaps.com/>
Android <
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza>
iOS <
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avenza-pdf-maps/id388424049?mt=8>
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2. Download the 3-most-important-to-you USGS geocalibrated PDF quadrangles:
Go to
http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/apps/mobile_client
Maps > (select Baselayer = USGS Topo)
Maps > (zoom to, very roughly, your current location)
Press "Go to Datasets"
Press "US Topo"
Press "Find Products"
Press "Add to Cart" for each map quadrangle you want to download
Press "Go to Cart"
Long press on each selected geoPDF to download via the web
Note: Each of my maps was about 25MB in size
Note: Avenza freeware is limited to 3 PDF maps, where it is described
elsewhere how to combine quadrangles to work around that
artificial limitation.
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3. Import those downloaded geocalibrated PDFs into your map app:
Use your file manager to go to your "Downloads" folder
On Android, that's /storage/emulated/0/Download/*.pdf
Run Avenza & select the (+) icon
Select "Add Folder" & give it a name (e.g., SanJose)
Select that folder to step into it
Press the (+0 icon again & select "Download or import a map"
Select "From Device Storage" & choose each of your geoPDFs
Now all your maps are "loaded" into the Avenza freeware
Note: Only the first 3 will be GPS aware for location & tracking
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A. As a quick test of Avenza, let's start tracking on the USGS map:
In Avenza, select a map that contains your current location.
Press the location icon; it should bluedot your location on the map.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Record GPS Tracks" menu item.
That should start tracking your movement on the map.
Press "Done" when you want to stop tracking.
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B. As another quick test of Avenza, measure heading & distance:
In Avenza, select a map of interest to you.
Press the wrench icon & then the "Draw and Measure" item
Place the crosshair on the 1st point by moving the map underneath
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 1st point
Then move the underlying map so the crosshair is at the 2nd point
Tap once, on that crosshair, to "anchor" it to that 2nd point
A total distance, bearing, & elevation change will be displayed
Continue on the next segment, if desired.
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*IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED:*
Since the USGS-suggested cross-platform Avenza freeware is, admittedly,
Spartan in functionality, it would be nice if you know of other
cross-platform iOS and Android free apps which can utilize the USGS
historical & current geoPDFs for location, routing & tracking.
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Best if the map app you suggest has at least these half dozen features
(which I posit only the best USGS-based topographic maps provide):
1. Offline (i.e, maps can be downloaded or tiles can be cached)
2. USGS (OSM topo maps suck on accuracy compared to USGS topo maps)
3. Locate (it should bluedot your current location)
4. Track (it should save a gpx track of your current hike)
5. Route (it should route along a previously saved track)
6. Free (it should be free, and displaying no ads is always best)
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Here is an example of my free USGS & OSM topo maps on Android:
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http://img4.imagetitan.com/img.php?image=18_android_maps_01.jpg>
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Also, if you know of free tools on Windows or Linux which "stitch"
the separate USGS quadrangles together for a larger geocalibrated map tile
that can be used inside of Avenza, please let us know so that we all
benefit from your knowledge.
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Currently I use the Windows freeware OziExplorer (QGIS is also said to
be able to stitch maps together for subsequent geocalibration, and maybe
OpenOrienteeering-Mapper also) as the need is to stitch multiple
geocalibrated quadrangles seamlessly together sans borders - so I'm always
looking for a better geostitching solutions on Windows or Linux:
OziExplorer for Windows
<
http://www.oziexplorer.com/>
OpenOrienteering-Mapper
<
https://github.com/OpenOrienteering/mapper/releases/tag/v0.8.1>
QGIS
<
https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/index.html>
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In summary, above is a tutorial based on that from the USGS explaining
how to use the cross-platform Avenza iOS/Android freeware to load
customized USGS geocalibrated tiles for location and tracking on
geocalibrated USGS maps (or custom geocalibrated maps).
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As always please improve so that all always benefit from your every action.
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