Topo Maps :: Beta

A new app, provisionally called simply Topo Maps 2, is currently in development. Ultimately this app will replace the existing app, but they will co-exist for the time being.

A test version of the new app is now available to anyone who has the current Topo Maps or Topo Maps for iPad installed. The test version is distributed using an Apple system called TestFlight. To get started, Click Here. (If you are subsequently asked to enter a code or link, come back here and click the same link again.)

Please try it out and send your feedback. But do please read the notes below!

The new app will include significant new features, many of which have been frequently requested over the years, including:

• Display of GPX tracks and routes from imported GPX files.
• Track recording.
• A 3D mode.
• Panorama mode.
• A new base map with roads and cities.
• Display of geolocated photos on the map.
• Dark Mode support.

Much of this functionality is shared with my other apps for the UK and New Zealand. See below for some preliminary screenshots.

Release Notes

Setptember 23, 2023 - build 23660

New features in this version:

• Search is now implemented. I believe some filtering of the data will be needed - please let me know if you find anything in the search results that shouldn't be there. For example, do we need all of those "census designated places"?
• You can now enter UTM or MGRS coordinates when adding waypoints.
• You can move existing waypoints.
• There is a new "variable" button size setting.

Bug fixes include issues crashes when the system language is set to something unusual, e.g. Chinese.

Setptember 13, 2023 - build 23611

New features in this version:

• "Measure mode" shows distance rings, and the distance and bearing between the selected point, the center of the screen, and your current location.
• All US Topo maps, 2.5m imagery in the US and 10m imagery in Canada should now be present on the server, and the index grids should be correct (there were previously issues in Hawaii, Alaska and Arctic Canada).
• Bearings can be shown in Mils.

Bug fixes include issues when US Topo and traditional topo maps are adjacent, and crashes when US Topo, traditional topos, and imagery are all shown simultaneously.

Setptember 1, 2023 - build 23559

This is another bug fix related to downloads. If you previously found that the "Synchronize Terrain" button or other downloads failed, please update and try again.

August 30, 2023 - build 23551

This update is a bug fix; the previous version was downloading more terrain data than necessary.

August 28, 2023 - build 23533

This update has the following new features:

• Some map and imagery downloads are now possible. Traditional topos are not yet ready, but you can download the new "US Topo" maps, and imagery. In the US the imagery is 2.5 m/pixel and in Canada it's 10 m/pixel. Some parts of Alaska and the Canadian Arctic are wrong and will be fixed later. To download, tap "More" then "Maps" then follow the instructions.
• Note that this version may be slow to start the first time as it has to convert some internal data; please be patient.
• If you import a GPX file from the old app, it will attempt to translate some pin styles and colors.
• NAD27 datum is now supported.
• You can now customize the map modes, i.e. Topo / Imagery / Hybrid, adding your own modes with different combinations of map types.
• A crash when importing GPX files has been resolved.
• The coordinate display now uses the more conventional layout with latitude before longitude.

July 28, 2023 - build 23331

First beta release.

Important Notes about the test version

• The new app shares traditional topos with the old app installed on your device; maps that you have installed in the old Topo Maps will now also be visible in the new app. This is currently the only way to get these maps into the new app, though this will change in the future.
• When you first open the new app you need to download terrain data corresponding to the shared maps. Until you do this maps may appear blurry or may not display at all, and 3D mode, panorama mode and some other features certainly won't work. Tap "More", then "Maps", then "Synchronize Terrain".
• If you download more maps in the old app, you'll need to restart the new app before it will notice them. You'll also need to tap ""Synchronize Terrain" again to get the additional terrain data.
• Your existing Topo Maps or Topo Maps for iPad must be the most recent version of the app, 1.19.
• Your device must be running iOS version 16 (or newer).
• Search is currently disabled.
• Note that your waypoints are not shared with the old app; if you want to view them, you'll need to export a GPX file from the old app and import it to the new app.
• To distinguish the two apps' icons on your device's home screen, note that the old app has a blue pin and the new app has a yellow pin. (Subject to change.)
• Please don't rely on this experimental software for anything like a safety-critical situation.

How to send your feedback

It's probably best to send your feedback by email. Please attach a screenshot if you think it will help describe what you are seeing.

TestFlight does provide a couple of mechanisms to send feedback. If the app crashes, you can send the crash report along with a description; you can also send screenshots. Note that if you use either of these features I probably don't see your email address, so I have no way of replying. Consider putting your email address in your comments.

What to look for

I would especially appreciate feedback about any of the following:

• Does the app crash?
• Do your existing maps work correctly? Are they correctly aligned?
• Does the app correctly show your location?
• Please try to import any GPX files that you have created with other apps or obtained elsewhere, and let me know if the app displays them correctly.
• Please try the track recording feature.
• Does the core functionality of viewing maps (in 2D) work as well as the old app, or other apps that you have used?
• What do you think of the new roads-and-cities base map? Would it be sufficient for you to identify which detailed maps you need?
• Does map downloading work for you?
• What do you think about the waypoint and track/route features?
• What do you think of the imagery, and the hybrid map mode?
• If you have multiple devices, does the iCloud sharing of GPX files work?
• Please report any spelling mistakes, or similar. Because the app shares code with my UK and NZ apps, it's possible that you'll find unusual spellings related to that - please tell me about them so that they can be localized. Similarly if any Canadian users find spelling or language that should be different, let me know. Would a French-Canadian localization be popular?

Known Issues

The following are areas where I know that work is required before release; you don't need to send detailed reports about these:

• 3D mode has various minor glitches.
• There are some bugs with GPX files - for example, if you try to delete one it may reappear when the app is restarted.
• Some features of the old app are not yet present in the new app.

How the TestFlight Beta Test works

The app that you install using TestFlight will work much like an app installed from the App Store, except that it will expire and cease to work after about 90 days. When I release updated test versions you should be notified that they are available; they may be installed automatically if you have enabled that in the TestFlight app.

Eventually, when the final version is ready you'll be able to install that from the App Store. Note that I believe there is no automatic notification about that from the TestFlight system, as far as I can tell.

I have not yet decided on the business model for the new app. It may include a subscription element. It won't be free.

Screenshots

All subject to change.