Issue w/ Downloading Maps is Fixed!
OCTOBER 2025: The issue with being unable to download new maps to my device has been fixed. when trying to download new maps, I would get an error message saying the map wasn’t available for download or something like that. I sent an email to the app developer last night, and six hours later he had responded and said the problem was fixed. And it really was! After all these years, this is still the best topographic map app out there for use in conjunction with hiking and exploring.
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This is an excellent product
I'm a land surveyor and this app comes in extremely useful. The quads are pretty well registered and the contours are quite accurate. The biggest downside is that many of the usgs quads are not current.
Nothing Better for Exploring
I’ve been using these topo maps for years - pretty much everywhere I go I download the local area with these maps if I’m going to be out and about at all. Also, where I live I like to explore the back country, often overland with no trails or roads or on old two-track roads hours away from anywhere with cell service. These maps have been invaluable for offline use.
I would say, however, that the most interesting use has been the fact that the old WGS84 took maps this app uses show a huge amount of things that modern maps omit. Old structures, mines, prospects, old roads, trails, and miscellaneous items that have been forgotten by all - including modern cartographers - are shown on these maps. A lot of these old things are still around, and are still visible even on satellite maps, but if you were only using modern (non-satellite) maps you would never know they were there many times. I love detail, and I hate how modern maps ignore so many different features that are in fact extant. These maps are perfect in ways so many other newer maps fail.
A few things I wish it had though:
1. The ability to add kml files, including tracks and shapes etc.
2. A mode where the gps would still track but not force you to be centered on your position. The second tap just shows where you were when you tapped it the second time.
3. The ability to switch between a height map and the gps elevation. The app currently uses a hidden elevation map (the same thing it uses for the line of sight feature) to tell you your elevation, not the gps. There can often be pretty drastic differences between your actual elevation and the elevation it shows. I’ve seen these when I’m flying my plane a number of times.
4. All of the above without a subscription and add on features you have to pay for as well (like the new app).
I would say, however, that the most interesting use has been the fact that the old WGS84 took maps this app uses show a huge amount of things that modern maps omit. Old structures, mines, prospects, old roads, trails, and miscellaneous items that have been forgotten by all - including modern cartographers - are shown on these maps. A lot of these old things are still around, and are still visible even on satellite maps, but if you were only using modern (non-satellite) maps you would never know they were there many times. I love detail, and I hate how modern maps ignore so many different features that are in fact extant. These maps are perfect in ways so many other newer maps fail.
A few things I wish it had though:
1. The ability to add kml files, including tracks and shapes etc.
2. A mode where the gps would still track but not force you to be centered on your position. The second tap just shows where you were when you tapped it the second time.
3. The ability to switch between a height map and the gps elevation. The app currently uses a hidden elevation map (the same thing it uses for the line of sight feature) to tell you your elevation, not the gps. There can often be pretty drastic differences between your actual elevation and the elevation it shows. I’ve seen these when I’m flying my plane a number of times.
4. All of the above without a subscription and add on features you have to pay for as well (like the new app).
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Love this app
The new beta topo maps 2 has zero functionality, so please don’t stop supporting the original.
Almost perfect NO SUBSCRIPTION Topo app
I have used this app for years, iPhone 4 days. I wish the developer would update the maps but even as it is it is far more useful than most. It seems like it’s been abandoned which is sad. But it’s still worth it, You pay ONCE and have access to download Topo maps of the entire U.S. for as long as you want. All on your phone so no data connection needed. All is not roses though.
- alignment is seriously bad in some places. Laughably so. Central Washington state has maps so far out of alignment that adjoing maps look like cards tossed randomly on a table. I have paper USGS Topo maps of the exact same sections and those align perfectly. My National Geographic Topo maps of the same area align perfectly as does my Gaia GPS app. Not sure why these are so badly out of whack. Seems to happen somewhere in areas of various different states i have downloaded maps for
-there needs to be a GPS tracking feature. So the app lays down a trail that follows your progress and the tracks can be saved and recalled. The app is really lacking in usefulness without that feature. I am still having to use Topo! Which has this feature so I can save tracks of my adventures. I would love to not have to use Topo! anymore though because it was built for windows 95/XP and that ship has long since sailed.
-this isn’t 2000 anymore so the 36 map or whatever limitation that exists when downloading hi-res versions of maps should be removed. These maps are small and downloading even an entire state would be very manageable on todays fast WiFi connections.
- need to be able to import GPX files
-
- alignment is seriously bad in some places. Laughably so. Central Washington state has maps so far out of alignment that adjoing maps look like cards tossed randomly on a table. I have paper USGS Topo maps of the exact same sections and those align perfectly. My National Geographic Topo maps of the same area align perfectly as does my Gaia GPS app. Not sure why these are so badly out of whack. Seems to happen somewhere in areas of various different states i have downloaded maps for
-there needs to be a GPS tracking feature. So the app lays down a trail that follows your progress and the tracks can be saved and recalled. The app is really lacking in usefulness without that feature. I am still having to use Topo! Which has this feature so I can save tracks of my adventures. I would love to not have to use Topo! anymore though because it was built for windows 95/XP and that ship has long since sailed.
-this isn’t 2000 anymore so the 36 map or whatever limitation that exists when downloading hi-res versions of maps should be removed. These maps are small and downloading even an entire state would be very manageable on todays fast WiFi connections.
- need to be able to import GPX files
-
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Thanks
A very useful app. Thanks for keeping this app updated.
IOS 16.2 issues
I am having the same trouble as others. I can’t open the app. Is there a bug fix yet?
Was great
Loved this app until iOS 16 was downloaded, now app doesn’t work at all, can’t even open it. If you’re running iOS 15 it still works and is a great app. Needs up dated badly, 7 years is tooooo long to not have a update to keep it usable.
This is a update on this app. As of 12-20-2022 this app is again working as before. Not sure who did what to fix it, but thanks. IMO this is the best Topo app that I know of and I have tried a lot of them. It’s simple to use, the price is right, and will show you where your at or want to go without having service, works off GPS. I changed my rating from a 1 star to a 5 star.
This is a update on this app. As of 12-20-2022 this app is again working as before. Not sure who did what to fix it, but thanks. IMO this is the best Topo app that I know of and I have tried a lot of them. It’s simple to use, the price is right, and will show you where your at or want to go without having service, works off GPS. I changed my rating from a 1 star to a 5 star.
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No Longer Works At All
When I got my IPhone 14 this quit working. I deleted it, reinstalled it, and it was even worse.
Don’t waste your time
Don’t waste your time
BEST TOPO APP FOR LAND SURVEYORS
I use USGS topos daily and this app is really the best way to use these in modern day. No other topo app has real USGS quad maps, and this one having the ability to walk me to within a hundred feet of a section/township/ range corner is amazing. It is especially helpful to download these quad maps for when I go to remote locations. Can’t recommend it enough if you are a surveyor.
People complain about the outdated maps but if you want a newer map you shouldn’t be using USGS topos
People complain about the outdated maps but if you want a newer map you shouldn’t be using USGS topos
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Outstanding app
i’ve been using this on backpacking trips for years. It’s fabulous. What could be better than TopoMaps? Thank you for a great product.
App doesn't download correctly
Will score better when update fixes bug.
Wilderness backpackers
Used Topo maps on a 5 days wilderness trip. Cell phone was on airplane mode to preserve battery life. The Topo map app let me know exactly where I was every step of the way. Just download all the Topo maps you need ahead of time for free and then you are set.
Best Topo App
I’ve used this app weekly since installing it in ‘13. It’s perfect! (Could be more perfect if it were updated for current hardware.)
Don’t let this awesome app disappear. Please update it.
Don’t let this awesome app disappear. Please update it.
World Traveler!!
I absolutely love this app! It is seriously the best on the market. I use it for work everyday and would recommend it to anyone. You don’t need cell service once you have downloaded the maps you need. I live abroad and cannot find an app that matches the perfection that this one does. I hope someday soon there will be expansions for the app to include the UK and Europe! Any chance let me know thanks!!
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Great…Could be magnificent
I like almost everything about this app.
Suggested improvement:
1) Allow downloads of satellite imagery in tiles. I have to use other apps for this, but I’d love the option to zoom in and auto switch from Topo to Sat imagery. It’s annoying on other apps you can download imagery, but you never know how much data is being overwritten in the cache memory of the app…so you never know if looking at a new area cause the other area to ‘zero out.’ Downloading tiles would ensure that anything downloaded remains downloaded in only the areas you want.
2) Allow line of sight calculator to add an up to 15% beyond calculation for more realistic propagation of radio waves. The line of sight tool is a fantastic for estimating UHF reception probability while using the direction and distance calculator. If there was a slider to add a yellow color cast to anything 1-15% beyond line of sight, this would assist in estimating UHF/VHF ground wave propagation/refraction fresnel effect of RF energy.
3) Add center point options for your location other than blue dot.
All in all, great app…could be even better.
Suggested improvement:
1) Allow downloads of satellite imagery in tiles. I have to use other apps for this, but I’d love the option to zoom in and auto switch from Topo to Sat imagery. It’s annoying on other apps you can download imagery, but you never know how much data is being overwritten in the cache memory of the app…so you never know if looking at a new area cause the other area to ‘zero out.’ Downloading tiles would ensure that anything downloaded remains downloaded in only the areas you want.
2) Allow line of sight calculator to add an up to 15% beyond calculation for more realistic propagation of radio waves. The line of sight tool is a fantastic for estimating UHF reception probability while using the direction and distance calculator. If there was a slider to add a yellow color cast to anything 1-15% beyond line of sight, this would assist in estimating UHF/VHF ground wave propagation/refraction fresnel effect of RF energy.
3) Add center point options for your location other than blue dot.
All in all, great app…could be even better.
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Very Awesome
This app is incredible. Blows all others away!
…if you’re a naturalist, hiker, or love being in nature, then get this app. GPS functions very well and the US data from survey is incredible and accurate. I’ve used this app while serving USCG & DHS in Alaska and found it works extremely well while having very little to no listed cellular signal… literally in the middle of the deepest of terrain— I had used this due to the nature of my service for a backup in case I ever faced any emergency situations for basic survival.
I’ve had this app since about 2014 and I find it superior.
…if you’re a naturalist, hiker, or love being in nature, then get this app. GPS functions very well and the US data from survey is incredible and accurate. I’ve used this app while serving USCG & DHS in Alaska and found it works extremely well while having very little to no listed cellular signal… literally in the middle of the deepest of terrain— I had used this due to the nature of my service for a backup in case I ever faced any emergency situations for basic survival.
I’ve had this app since about 2014 and I find it superior.
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Will not refund your money
I’m not a fan of the set up. They will NOT refund your money if you don’t like it.
Perfect for what you need
I use this app everyday for work.
EVERYDAY… Great for someone that spends their days in the woods surveying.
-Works offline
-Drop pin within feet of your location
-Download files to open and use in the field
Just the best app
EVERYDAY… Great for someone that spends their days in the woods surveying.
-Works offline
-Drop pin within feet of your location
-Download files to open and use in the field
Just the best app
Amazing for canoeing
This has saved me $500 and counting worth of topo maps.
The more I learn how to better use it, the better it gets.
Just take screen shots with your phone, save them as google docs and then print them, they are absolutely amazing, easy to access and cheap.
Very happy with this app.
The more I learn how to better use it, the better it gets.
Just take screen shots with your phone, save them as google docs and then print them, they are absolutely amazing, easy to access and cheap.
Very happy with this app.
