# iHikeGPS NZ : LINZ Topo Maps — user reviews > 43 indexed App Store user reviews of iHikeGPS NZ by James Associates Inc., rated 5.00/5 from 2 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ihikegps-nz-linz-topo-maps/id490570230/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ihikegps-nz-linz-topo-maps/id490570230.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 2 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 0 ## Newest reviews (14 of 43) ### 4/5 — 4 stars *2020-01-03, version 8.3.3* I do love this app however, It would be awesome to be able to “trace” a route rather than have to string waypoints together or import a gpx file from another app. In my opinion that would make this the best gps hiking app. ### 5/5 — IHIKEGPS-NZ *2018-11-15, version 8.2.3* Great app, very useful for big mountain adventures. ### 5/5 — You should charge more *2018-08-09, version 8.1.9* This app is fantastic ! Absolute must if you plan on doing a hike ( don’t forget a battery pack 😉 ) ### 5/5 — Excellent *2018-06-14, version 8.1.7* Bought a couple of weeks ago on recommendation of hard core tramper and already it has rescued me when disorientated in the depths of the bush without internet reception. Intuitive to use, great value. ### 5/5 — More Cost Effective than Mud-Maps *2018-03-16* I have been a loyal user of Mud Maps on my iPhone for a number of years. I'm Also a User of MacGPS Pro on my MacBook Pro 17". I was forced to Upgrade the iPhone 6S+ to iOS 11 by the Apple Store while purchasing an iWatch. Right away I found that my long used Mud Maps APP would no longer work. Downgrading to iOS 10 was not possible as the Apple Certificate showed expired by Apple after iOS10 was re installed. So I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Upgrade to Mud Map at $99 as they refuse to make their App compatible with iOS11. OR By a Hema Maps APP at about the same price. Then I noticed that James & Asc. now have iHike for AUSTRALIA which uses the sam 250k NatMap Raster 250 Series Govt Maps that I have on DVD and that Mud Maps in Melbourne Use. So... for $17 I could get the Maps that I use for Prospecting the Outback each year. Great! I havent used the App too much as yet, but I will post an update when I find out more. I still think the title throws Australians off purchasing the App with the NZ in the title. Searches don't show it up as Australian Maps. ### 5/5 — Indispensable *2017-11-17, version 8.0.2* If you frequently get into the back country, where there's no cellular signal, this is the only app I know of which can track your location and show you where you are. If you keep your phone on airplane mode, so it doesn't go flat looking for a signal, it'll last all day with this on. Getting maps into it is a bit tricky (turn automatic screen locking off while you do it) and screen refresh can be a bit laggy, but when it counts this app is a lifesaver. ### 4/5 — Nice public domain maps, but cap on memory *2017-08-29, version 7.1.3* Access to the public domain Land Information NZ and 250K Australian maps is good. For some reason there is a limit on the number of maps that can be downloaded. So one cannot actually access all of the free maps. More if a problem for me was a limit on the size of GPX files to 8000 points. This meant I could not store a trip longer than about 130 km. ### 5/5 — Very very goos *2017-01-23* I use the app for my hikes and off road drinving in NZ. I really like the option to make waypoitns. So I can use it like a diary for my flyshing. The best thing is, that it works even without any connect to the internet. Which is quit often happens that you have no more connect with your divice in NZ. ### 3/5 — Minimise problem *2016-12-03, version 7.0.1* Work fine now but unable minimise to country view. Even no available for view of NI or SI. ### 4/5 — Ok so 4.5 if it would let me. *2016-02-26, version 6.1* It works and it works well assuming you know how to use a map and a gps which in my experience most folk don't - just saying. As good as my etrex20 with nztopo installed. If you are looking for predefined routes etc. this is not the app for you. Chews battery - but that's a smartphone issue not the app. Found a bug and got a reasonable response and a fix in the next version so what more can one ask for? ### 5/5 — Absolutely wicked! *2015-08-06, version 5.2.2* This app has always done we well hunting and hiking I even use it for work finding places in the middle nowhere even way pointing fishing spots off the coast of Gisborne. Would be great if it had a way to search in coordinates for camping spots etc. ### 4/5 — Great companion in the hills *2015-06-30* I've been using this app for a year now. It's incredibly useful, giving me access to all of NZ's topo maps at no extra charge. They are quick and easy to download, with the option of downloading all of them at once. It records a track of your route, along with speed and altitude data which I then email to my computer and load into Google Earth to see where I've been. The interface is a bit clunky but recent updates are improving this. Overall a great app which I use every time I'm go out in the hills. ### 5/5 — Kiwi Review By BT *2015-02-15, version 5.0.3* The iHikeGPS NZ is great, a mate of mine just showed it to me a few weeks ago and I downloaded it right away! It works with the New Zealand Topo Maps which I really like, the maps are downloaded within the app for whichever area you require at no charge (just remember to have them downloaded before you go I learnt the hard way) the maps will need to be downloaded when you have cell coverage. The GPS uses satellites so works even when there is no phone coverage. Another great feature I like is that I can edit the way points, I have even checked out a good river fishing spot on Google Earth and just edited a way point to match it and saved it and away you go, for this you just need to change the position format in the settings to match the one you require easily done and this would be good if you were reading the paper Map to check you location using the Grid on the topo maps. I wish I had this years ago! would recommend a battery pack if you are going out a a long Tramp/Hike or a Solar charger. Totally recommend this app! Brendon ### 5/5 — My favourite app for NZ *2015-01-28* Love this app very much. Good maps with lots of details. The only thing that is a little bit annoying is the download. I would be happy to have an option to download all maps at once. **Developer response:** The current version allows you to download all of the North Island maps at once, all of the South Island maps at once, or all of the Australia maps at once. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Terrible search function and hard to use generally *2020-10-02, version 9.1.0* What a waste of money. Purchasing the Topo maps alone or through a subscription to ViewRanger (for full GPS functionality) is a MUCH better way to go. ### 1/5 — Review *2017-11-18, version 8.0.2* At the point of buying this app, I was on a holiday to Australia( great ocean road). And I think this app may help me get better understanding of the highway and secluded walking track. However, it works very slow and it can not download the map at all. But they may already solve the problem now. ### 1/5 — Poor *2016-06-10* I found the app difficult to use and also poor quality. You can find your current location which I guess could be useful although apple and google maps does that too. Overall, I feel I wasted my money on this product **Developer response:** This is an app for New Zealand, focused on both high resolution 50K hiking maps and wide area coverage 250K overview maps. Access to the classic Australia 250 K wide area coverage maps is just included as a free bonus, and were never intended for use on the ground while hiking. There is no access in this app to detailed 50K maps for Australia. We apologize for the past confusion. Our earlier marketing materials obviously did not make this distinction clear enough. We have changed them to avoid future confusion. So don't buy it if you need detailed hiking maps for Australia, but all the good reviews indicate that you should buy it if you need them for New Zealand. ### 1/5 — Poor quality *2015-12-29, version 6.1* App is very hard to use and does not provide routes or walking tracks. You have to preload tracks and waypoints via files or coordinates. Unusable! ### 1/5 — Consider alternatives *2013-02-23* This is one of the most clunky and poorly designed apps I have ever used. If you want to simply browse NZ topomaps and you are online, you are far better off going to the free topomap.co.nz in safari. There are two killer problems. 1) Maps can only be downloaded one by one, so if I'm going to go on a cycle tour of the South Island (which I am) I need to spend hours manually selecting hundreds of maps to download. Why on earth can't I select the whole island or at least multiples at once? 2) Once you have downloaded maps, you can only view one at a time. Separate maps was supposed to be a limitation of the paper world, not the online one! 3) The Killer: To select a map to view, you have to know it by name! You can't even select it on the map you used to download it in the first place or your current map view, and it won't automatically browse into it. (It will load if you are currently located in it). This makes it totally useless for planning where you will go on separate maps. And makes it not even worth considering downloading it. **Developer response:** The current version allows you to download all of the North Island maps at once, all of the South Island maps at once, or all of the Australia maps at once. iHIkeGPS NZ has two map viewing modes. You can choose to view just one map at a time, but the default mode does automatic seamless map stitching, allowing you to load new maps just by scrolling into them on the screen where you are viewing the maps. You switch the mode in the Settings App by scrolling down to iHikeGPS NZ and flipping a toggle switch. ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2012-03-11, version 3.2* Maps are good but cannot link to other maps, regretted buying it and have already deleted it, don't waste your money like I did ### 1/5 — Not worth it *2012-01-26, version 3.1* I regretted buying this app 10 minutes into using it. It is very clunky and not very user friendly. I can't imagine using it while I'm out trekking. The developer is not even from NZ! ### 1/5 — Too slow, too boring *2012-01-17, version 3.1* This app has no pc software to create routes with. The maps are too slow to download, many taking several attempts to download! Other apps have PC software and the opportunity to download entire countries and areas in one download! ### 2/5 — Ok if you want to stay home *2021-02-15* Not anything like I was hoping for. I followed a previous review thinking these maps would be detailed. Believe me, they are not. I would like my money back as I will not use these maps at all. Very disappointed. Don’t believe positive reviews if you want a detailed map this is not it. I live in Australia and these maps will not be of any functional use in the real world **Developer response:** This is an app for New Zealand, focused on both high resolution 50K hiking maps and wide area coverage 250K overview New Zealand maps. Access to the classic Australia 250 K wide area coverage maps is just included as a free bonus, and as this user points out, they were never intended for use on the ground while hiking. There is no access in this app to detailed 50K maps for Australia. We apologize for the past confusion. Our earlier marketing materials obviously did not make this distinction clear enough. We have changed them to avoid future confusion. So don't buy it if you need detailed hiking maps for Australia, but all the good reviews indicate that you should buy it if you need them for New Zealand. ### 2/5 — Clunky and difficult to use *2015-11-02, version 6.1* When dragging to navigate the map, tiles at the edges of the screen don't load until you lift your finger. This makes for a jarring and unpleasant experience. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — What More could you possibly want *2024-01-03* Excellent official 1:50,000 topographical maps, overlaid on your GPS, all on an iOS device thats working offline in flight Mode What more could you possible want in a GPS? The Map stitching is seamless and this App is pretty much a must have for any Hunter in NZ Highly recommended. ### 5/5 — The best navigation app *2023-10-19, version 9.4.1* This app is the simple to use, accurate, and by far and away the most functional navigation tool available. There is nothing that you can’t do in terms of routing, sharing, import/exporting and much much more - and all with clear, crisp updatable topo maps. ### 5/5 — Fantastic app *2023-09-30, version 9.4.1* Iv found this to be my favourite topo maps app for all my trips. Iv used it in thick off track bush to on the mountains and even sea kayaking. Very accurate and a great backup to a laminated paper map. My one wish is that they would make this available on the Apple Watches. ### 5/5 — Essential Back Country App *2022-02-22, version 9.3.2* Have just returned from a tough off track multi pass alpine trip. This App made route finding and navigation very much easier in these open wilderness areas. Putting in regular way points helped track progress and guide us past unseen obstacles. Being able to track real time progress and distance to go helped decision making late in the evening when we needed to decide to stop and camp or push on. One of the party left a brand new iPhone at a break point by mistake but fortunately because we put in way points at break points it was possible for one of us to quickly back track (without heavy pack) and retrace the route to find it. So many thanks to the iHike team for providing such a useful tool. We highly recommend it! ### 5/5 — Fantastic app! *2022-01-10, version 9.3.1* Just to say the iHikeGPS-NZ app has become an essential part of my tramping experience. It’s accurate, timely and a pleasure to use. Especially good when you sometimes lose the track and need to ensure you’re not drifting even further away! ### 5/5 — Excellent app! *2021-12-28, version 9.3.1* This is my go to app for tramping adventures. Works with no cell coverage and is very accurate. Not a big drain on the battery. There have been several instances where knowing where I was was very important for safety, even just being off the track a little bit can be rectified thanks to this amazing app! ### 5/5 — Essential *2021-10-17, version 9.3.1* I bought this app a couple of years ago as a temporary solution while deciding which model Garmin I should upgrade my old eTrex to. Well, I never bought that new Garmin, the eTrex is in a box somewhere and this app is all I use on every walk, hike or camp. Full marks to the developer for an essential tool I wouldn’t be without. ### 5/5 — Excellent GPS mapper *2020-02-08, version 8.3.3* I tested iHike GPS NZ over 12 days of hiking and it’s now part of my essential kit. Just pick one of the Record Track options and hit the trail - your location and track travelled is clearly displayed on the free Topo 50 maps. It’s easy to add waypoints - just one press for your current location or choose a point from the map. I created routes in advance from waypoints, but you can also import a GPX file. Displays ETA at next waypoint which is nice, but would be great to have route ETA as well. Switching between topo 50 and 250 map series is a bit clunky, although you don’t need to do so very often. Highly recommend this app. ### 5/5 — Whole of NZ Topo when out in the sticks *2019-09-25, version 8.3.1* This is a great app and used it extensively while riding the Tour Aotearoa. Link the GPX file tracks and you are off. Does use more power when using GPS as opposed to cellular position but the maps sit local on the device so when you are out of coverage you can still see your position on the map. You can download maps you require or whole NZ North island and South Island and Australia All of these sets of maps are from the free Lins sites so are true 50k or 250k maps. Full NZ maps is about 5Gb so check your phones memory. Tracking and elevation work well and can be exported. Get out there!! ### 5/5 — Jam packed with features. *2019-02-27* I have been using mapping programmes for many years using all sorts of equipment. It has all been replaced with an iPad mini and the iHike programmes. The NZ version also covers Australia so it is great for hiking in my own state as well. I really find that I can do anything with this, it is all in the help screen. And the tracking is seamless. So far I have done the Kepler and the Queen Charlotte tracks in New Zealand and Half Dome in CA and the Lost Creek Wilderness in CO in the US and most of the Bibbulmun in Western Australia. I thoroughly recommend this app for the antipodes. Now we just need Europe, hint hint. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*