Great App...even when GPS doesn’t work
I’ve been using this app for years. It’s great in a a plane when GPS works, which is not always. I’m an inveterate window watcher, and hydrologist, and love to follow my way across the country. I also think it’s great that this is science based, through U of Minn, and partially funded by NSF. Sometimes planes are apparently too high for the GPS signal, but often the signal does come in and shows you right where you are. It’s great having Wikipedia entries available for the landscape you see, and Field Guides.
Room for improvement?
1) Go back to better terrain maps. The current version’s terrain maps have no labels on hydrologic features and are almost useless.
2) Bring back ability for users to set their own Points Of Interest (POIs). I used to see something from the sky that was unlabeled, mark it as a POI, and then look it up later. Also allow POIs to be exported with gps coordinates.
3) Allow geologic maps to be updated by users with more detailed local versions.
4) Solve the problem of no GPS reception on high flights. Not holding this against the developers though. When we can legally take phones off airplane-mode while airborne, that will help find a signal [I’ve tested it :) ].
Room for improvement?
1) Go back to better terrain maps. The current version’s terrain maps have no labels on hydrologic features and are almost useless.
2) Bring back ability for users to set their own Points Of Interest (POIs). I used to see something from the sky that was unlabeled, mark it as a POI, and then look it up later. Also allow POIs to be exported with gps coordinates.
3) Allow geologic maps to be updated by users with more detailed local versions.
4) Solve the problem of no GPS reception on high flights. Not holding this against the developers though. When we can legally take phones off airplane-mode while airborne, that will help find a signal [I’ve tested it :) ].
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Great for VanLifers, parents and teachers!
This free app is a fabulous resource for those hitting the road, but feeling a bit like they might be missing gems along the way. The local guides and references provided at the end of the narratives are a great way to dig deeper, too.
Also a useful resource for parents and teachers who want to instill in their kids curiosity and an interest in science and history by starting with interesting info about their own city and neighborhood.
Thank you Science Foundation!
Also a useful resource for parents and teachers who want to instill in their kids curiosity and an interest in science and history by starting with interesting info about their own city and neighborhood.
Thank you Science Foundation!
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Absolutely essential app
I absolutely rely upon this most excellent for geological recon, leading field trips, and on vacation. App has been improving continuously. Ability to download and save multiple map sets for off-grid use is very well thought out— and essential for real-life use. Thanks for a great program!
Much Improved
I had an earlier version of this app and it was very clunky. Admittedly that was on an iPhone 5s. Now I have an iPhone 7 Plus.
I didn’t use this app for a couple of years it was so clunky. But then recently on a flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, I happen to open it once again. It’s seem to work flawlessly.
I didn’t use this app for a couple of years it was so clunky. But then recently on a flight from Salt Lake City to Phoenix, I happen to open it once again. It’s seem to work flawlessly.
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Confused
Couldn’t get to load up properly, therefore couldn’t track my flight. Tried several times.
Great geography app
Many features and info on Earth science
App Never Works
This app never works for me. Deleting.
It was ok
This app did not let me track my flight as the app description said “offline flight tracker.” It is a very educative app o give it that but used for offline tracking it needs help.
Ok but needs work
It’s great that one can download paths but it would be nice to be able to label them later. That apparently can’t be done. Also it would be nice to choose the resolution with which you download maps, either to save or use storage according to the users preference. If that can be done I haven’t figured it out yet.
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The app I always dreamed of
This app is one of the best things to happen for bringing science to life for the average person. I download paths for every road trip and plane ride I take (if I remember before I leave WiFi), and it gives me the sixth sense of geology! Thank you to the scientists who helped create this and to the National Science Foundation for funding it.
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