# Mien — Geospatial Information System > Geospatial information system for identifying features using camera bearings and GPS. (iPhone/iPad app by Robert Atherton.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mien/id1271223766 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Robert Atherton](https://appshunter.io/developer/893229237) - Category: Navigation, Utilities - Price: Free - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 15.0 · 3 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2017-09-25 - Data updated: 2026-06-01 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mien/id1271223766/reviews.md ## What is Mien? Mien is a simple app which uses the device screen as a viewfinder to take a bearing, just like a prismatic compass. The app then draws this bearing onto a map, so you can see what features you are looking at. The app is useful when working out what a geographical or architectural feature is in the distance. You can also import and visualise geographic data from GeoJSON files. To use just tap the play button or the middle of the viewfinder. The app will then turn on the camera and begin to use the device GPS capability to determine your location. When you have your feature in your sights tap the stop button or the graticule in the centre of the viewfinder. Tap the little map in the viewfinder to show a map full screen. You can start and stop the device from the full screen map by tapping the play button. You can also change the map type and switch back to the viewfinder from here. There is a graded slider at the bottom of the screen which determines how far out the bearing is to be drawn and the app displays the point at which the drawn bearing ends in GPS decimal coordinates. The other slider controls the level of zoom in the viewfinder. In the settings menu the distance to the projected point can be entered manually as centimetres. The projection distance can also be set in the full screen map view by tapping and holding, then moving your finger around, which manually sets the projection location and projection distance. The updated heading is displayed above. The newly set projection distance remains even when you hit play and use the viewfinder. The heading can be displayed in degrees, radians or NATO mils. Please note: continued use of the app with the compass and GPS on will use a considerable amount of battery power. This is because the app needs your location as accurately as possible in order to draw the bearing onto the map. The app doesn't use the camera or GPS system when it is in the background. In addition the app will require a data connection to display map and satellite imagery. It should be noted that this app should not be used as an emergency tool and its accuracy is directly dependant on the accuracy of the GPS system within the device. ## Key features - Camera viewfinder for taking bearings - Draws bearings onto a map - Import and visualize GeoJSON data - Adjustable projection distance - Multiple heading display options (degrees, radians, mils) - Map type selection ## Recent user reviews (2 of 2) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mien/id1271223766/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Not working on iPhone 13?? *2022-03-13* App worked fine on my old iPhone 11. But not working on the 13 which is a shame. ### 4/5 — It’s great, but... *2021-02-06* I really enjoy the fact that I can upload my individual district maps onto a real satellite map and have them all appear on the map in their appropriate places. However, I really hate how it takes forever for all my layers to load onto the map. Also, I would love it if there was a way in which I could download my map as an image file. Other than those two things, this is a really great app which I would highly recommend! **Developer response:** Thanks for the feedback! If you like, get in touch via the App Store support page (for this app) and we will look into your use case. There could be a couple of reasons for this, most likely a slow network for downloading the satellite imagery. ## Frequently asked questions about Mien ### How does Mien help me identify features? Mien uses your device's camera as a viewfinder to take a bearing. It then draws this bearing onto a map, showing you what geographical or architectural features you are looking at in the distance. ### Can I import my own geographic data into Mien? Yes, Mien allows you to import and visualize geographic data from GeoJSON files. This enables you to overlay your own datasets onto the map view. ### How do I adjust the projection distance in Mien? You can adjust the projection distance using a slider at the bottom of the screen, which determines how far out the bearing is drawn. In the full-screen map view, you can also tap and hold, then move your finger to manually set the projection location and distance. ### What map types are available in Mien? Mien allows you to change the map type directly from the full-screen map view. Specific map options are available for selection to suit your viewing preferences. ### Does Mien have ads? No, Mien does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application. ### What devices is Mien compatible with? Mien is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It requires iOS 11.0 or later. ### How often is Mien updated? Mien was last updated on January 20, 2024, with version 2.4.2. The developer regularly releases updates to improve functionality and address any issues. ### Is Mien suitable for emergency use? No, Mien should not be used as an emergency tool. Its accuracy is directly dependent on the accuracy of the device's GPS system, which can vary. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.4.2 — 2024-01-20 + Improved use of space when viewing maps + Choice for coordinate display style used throughout + Current location, projection and bearing now shown on the layers view ### 2.4.1 — 2021-10-05 Improves the speed and precision of the projection drawing onto the map. ### 2.4.0 — 2021-01-19 This version focuses on reliability and robustness for the user interface. It includes: + Minor visual refresh with some new, updated icons. This should make the icons function easier to understand at a glance. + Under the hood performance and robustness improvements + Fixes a bug that would cause the app to crash if the projection distance was set to less than 0 whilst the compass was updating + Fixes an issue with the Settings that always shows projection distance in the device preferred display units instead of the user selected units, in settings + User interface consistency improvements for iPad ### 2.3.4 — 2020-10-29 This is a minor functionality update to add support for extra compass (bearing) units in the viewfinder. Mien now supports: + Degrees + Radians + NATO Mils ### 2.3.3 — 2020-05-30 · Under the hood performance improvements · Improves GeoJSON area metrics for imperial units ## Apps similar to Mien | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Mapilio](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapilio/id1609035791) | — | Free | Navigation | | [Geodata Map Viewer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/geodata-map-viewer/id6444589175) | 4.3 (32) | Free | Navigation | | [GE0](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ge0/id6748872301) | — | Free | Navigation | | [Visual Intelligence Platform](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-intelligence-platform/id1526813103) | — | Free | Navigation | | [BEIDO MAP-Satellite Streetview](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beido-map-satellite-streetview/id1574502941) | — | $0.99 | Navigation | | [Cuspart: Altimeter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cuspart-altimeter/id1673776644) | — | Free | Navigation | ## More apps by Robert Atherton - [Nod](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nod/id1442484542) All apps by Robert Atherton: https://appshunter.io/developer/893229237 --- *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 2026-06-01.*