iPhone 3G: GPS and USGS Topos are here!

[dustboy]

This may be the moment we iPhone 3G users have been waiting for..it looks like we're finally getting the ability to download 1:24,000 USGS Topo maps and use our iPhones for navigation in the backwoods. I haven't tested any of these yet, but I was so excited I had to let you all know..

I'm going to buy and try this one, I'll let you know how it works:

http://chezphil.org/topomaps/

The same guy makes a really cool app that allows you to simulate the view from almost anywhere, called Panoramascope, although you have to preload the blocks you might need before you get out of range. It will display the view based on your current location so you can use the app to identify landmarks, very helpful in orientation.

http://panoramascope.com/

So far the list includes:
-TopoPoint USA
-iTopoMaps
-Trails GPS Tracker
-GPS Kit

If you try any of the others please post your impressions here.

 

[shane4x4]

That's is TOO COOL! I'll be buying that right after work today.
Great find!

 

[DaveM]

is the iPhone true GPS or location by signal?

 

[Tucson T4R]

iPhones have a true GPS chipset in them. So this should work even if out of cell range. Not as sensitive as full blown GPS receivers but still fairly functional. :sombrero:

 

[Kilroy]

I've been told the Ipod touch is just like a phone, but without the phone:drool:

Anyone know if it has GPS capabilities? Will it run topo map program?

Too locked into USCellular to switch to AT&T.

 

[Scott Brady]

This is very, very interesting. Please let us know how well it works.

Thanks

 

[Ireland]

I've been told the Ipod touch is just like a phone, but without the phone:drool:

Anyone know if it has GPS capabilities? Will it run topo map program?

Too locked into USCellular to switch to AT&T.

ditto

 

[dustboy]

I've been told the Ipod touch is just like a phone, but without the phone:drool:

Anyone know if it has GPS capabilities? Will it run topo map program?

Too locked into USCellular to switch to AT&T.

I would love to be proven wrong, no GPS on the touch as far as I can tell, although it will run the program. My 1st gen touch could find my location via wifi (how?), but that's obviously useless in the backcountry.

 

[DaveM]

My 1st gen touch could find my location via wifi (how?), but that's obviously useless in the backcountry.

Thats what I was referring to as signal location, most "GPS" enabled cell phones use the network connection to geocode the phones location (approximation by signal to wifi base stations or cell towers). It works ok in urban areas but is only as accurate as most geocoding (which is to say not very), and will obviously not work in the bush.

 

[dustboy]

I downloaded the app "Topo Maps" and it is simple and effective, and easy to use. I haven't used it out of range yet, but it looks like if I downloaded the blocks I would need, I would be able to find my way. You start out looking at a satellite image of the US, and then you zoom in using the familiar gestures. Once you zoom in enough, you can see the lanscape broken into quads. Just hold your finger on the quad you want for half a second, and it begins to download. This takes a little bit of time, up to 5 minutes. However the maps are beautifully displayed, and it will show your location. You can see the details on the map as clearly as they were on paper.
One thing that would make it easier to use is if you could see regional labels to help you zero in on the quad you want. For example, if you wanted to find Death Valley, you would have to know the what the topography looks like from satellite. You can search by the quad name, but this presumes too much.
I expect a lot of this functionality will be added by the author, he seems like a well traveled guy if you look at his website.
I'll still carry a paper topo, but this is really helpful for the navigationally impaired such as myself.

 

[craig]

Thats what I was referring to as signal location, most "GPS" enabled cell phones use the network connection to geocode the phones location (approximation by signal to wifi base stations or cell towers). It works ok in urban areas but is only as accurate as most geocoding (which is to say not very), and will obviously not work in the bush.

I'm not sure if it is most or not. Some carriers do it that way exclusively, but Verizon and Sprint for example use Qualcomm's Snaptrack positioning system. Snaptrack uses the cell towers in the city, and an augmented GPS system in the countryside. In the city cell tower based triangulation is better, in the country GPS is better. In the city, buildings block GPS satellite signals; especially if you are indoors. Fortunately, in the city the cell towers are dense so cell tower based positioning still works well. In the country where there are few buildings (or towers) the GPS has a clear view of the sky and works better. Snaptrack is pretty cool.

Craig

 

[dustboy]

I can confirm that the iPhone gps works outside of network range.

 

[soonenough]

Hey guys I just saw this thread, and was wondering if someone can tell me how much space the main app, as well as each individual downloaded map, takes up on the iPhone? I'm strapped for storage space on my phone right now (desperately need to clean out my iTunes music).

EDIT: nevermind, I should've tried reading the FAQ on his website before posting

 

[dustboy]

I can confirm that the iPhone gps works outside of network range.

Well, I hope I don't have to eat my words here, but on our Death Valley trip we were unable to get a location in Saline Valley and certain other remote areas. I'm pretty sure we were able to get our location in other places when we didn't have network.

Not sure why this happened, two different applications failed to get a GPS signal. It seemed like there was plenty of visible sky.

The "Topo Maps" application did work well otherwise, we were able to find our position on the map several times when we might have otherwise been lost. Note this app only provides your current position on a map, it does not breadcrumb or do waypoints.