A year has just passed since we introduced our new project - Locus Map 4. And since we are not really into those classic anniversary parties, we want to celebrate this event with you in a somewhat unconventional way - by introducing some major new features:

• Import and satellite maps on the web
• New options for purchasing Premium features
• Locus Map Pro is now Locus Map 3 Classic

News on the web

Import routes and points

Finally, for many of you, there’s a crucial piece of functionality. It took a long time, as it was not easy for us - you are used to importing not only routes, but also points or combinations of them from the mobile app. All this also in multiple numbers. All of this is now possible in the web planner as well.

You can start the import using the button, or by simply dragging the GPX file directly onto the map (you need to be logged in for this to work):

The web application then gives you a choice of what you want to save from the imported file to the library:

Then click "Save", select the folders for routes and points separately and you're done (but you can only save with the Premium Gold package activated).

LoMap or aerial view?

We recently introduced global satellite maps to Locus Map on mobile. Now we've done the same on the web. You can now choose between cycling/touring LoMap or aerial/satellite imagery to plan your routes or view your trips.

Dynamic LoPoints are of course displayed over both. This takes the comfort of trip planning one step further again.

The maps show data from Here and Maxar and can be zoomed down to level 18.

In addition to subscriptions - the one-time payments

You all probably understand that all the gadgets and new services we have been throwing at you for a year now cost a lot of money.

Still, we know that paying for premium features as a subscription is not popular with some of you.

That's why we have prepared one-time payments for you. You pay for a specific period of time, the Premium Services are activated, the period expires, and the app returns to the basic state. No automatic payment renewal, you are in full control:

Premium for 3 months

If you're a fan of summer-only outdoor activities, this plan is for you. On this plan, you'll only pay for Premium features for the peak outdoor season of the year, when you're guaranteed the best weather and longest daylight hours. So ideal for hiking and biking.

Of course, you can use the same plan in winter, when the cross-country skiing and skialp season is in full swing. Anyway, it's up to you, you can start the 3-month Premium at any time.

Premium for 1 year

This is the plan of choice for die-hard outdoorsmen who want to be in full control of the payments for their hobby. Just pay once, you're set for a year and you don't have to deal with automatic renewal.

Try Premium for 14 days for free

So you don't buy into the hype, you can try the premium app for FREE. You have a full 14 days to do so, so if you time it right, you'll be able to make it through two weekends. The trial is included with annual Silver and Gold subscriptions. If you cancel your subscription before the end of the trial period, it won't cost you a cent.

Can I switch from a subscription to a one-time purchase and vice versa?

Yes, we have several transition scenarios, all of which have one thing in common - they are always fair to you.

For example, if you have an annual Silver subscription and want a three-month one-time Gold for the summer, your subscription will not be deactivated, but instead extended by the three months you use Gold. So you won't lose a day of the subscribed features.

Or, if you are switching from an unfinished three-month one-time Silver to an annual Gold subscription, the remaining unused funds will be used to extend the annual period pro-rata.

All options for one-off purchases, subscriptions, and transitions between them can be found directly in the app under the "Go Premium" menu.

Locus Map Pro changes to Locus Map 3 Classic

Throughout the year we’ve been explaining to our users that Locus Map 4 and Locus Map Pro are developed and maintained in two different projects. However, we are aware that the name of the older application containing the word "Pro" may evoke the opposite impression, especially for new users, that Locus Map 4 is an older or lower-end application.

That's why we decided to rename the original Locus Map Pro application to Locus Map 3 Classic.

The number 3 in the title refers to the number series of the original "Pro" application, which we are now releasing in version 3.59. The word "Classic" conveys the feeling of "good old", reliable, and time-tested software.

Some of our users are rejecting the novelty of the 4th series of the app. For example, they are used to the original user interface. Locus Map 3 Classic is primarily for them, and we will continue to maintain and update it so that it works seamlessly on the latest versions of the Android operating system.

For those who want to take advantage of our latest gadgets, there's Locus Map 4, which in Premium Silver includes the same features as Locus Map 3 Classic, plus a lot more. 

Článek Check out the presents for the first anniversary of Locus Map 4! se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

a guest blog post by Matej Halouska and Adriana Plotzerova

We have been actively traveling for many years and Locus Map is our most favorite map application. As far as outdoor hiking maps go, there is simply no competition for Locus Map. One of the most useful features is the ability to import maps with custom points and routes created on Google Maps. We just love maps and we are creating maps into almost every article at blog Czechtheworld.com. The readers can then easily upload these maps to Locus Map and make their travel planning much easier.

Let's have a look at the detailed instructions on how to create your own map on Google Maps and how to upload it to Locus.

How to create your custom map on Google Maps

Google Maps has a MyMaps page, where you can create your custom maps. Just click "Create a New Map" to start creating.

The procedure is that you always search for a specific point (such as an interesting landmark or your hotel) and click to add to the map.

The point is saved to your map and you can then edit it:

• Change name
• Add a caption (such as opening hours, address, website, or anything else)
• Change color and icon

You can also add points to different layers - such as interesting points to the first layer, accommodation to the second layer, a route to the third layer, etc. It has the advantage that you can show and hide individual layers or export single layer instead of exporting all points at once. 

You can also create routes. Use the "Create Route" button to start creating the route and then add more points. Maps will automatically calculate the best route for you. You can choose a calculation for a car, bike or walk. There is a maximum of 10 points in each route. If you reach this limit, you must create a new route and continue with the second part.

Importing the created map to Locus

Let's have a look at how to import the created map into Locus. Click the "3 dots" icon next to the map name and select the "Export to KML/KMZ". Choose whether to export the entire map or just a single layer. A KMZ file with the map will be downloaded to your computer.

Upload this file anywhere into your phone's memory and try to open the file. If you have Locus Map installed, you should have an option to open it directly in it. Then you just need to choose or create a folder where you want to import the points and that's it. Points are imported into Locus.

If your phone doesn't show you the option to open it directly in Locus:

1. Open Locus.
2. Go to Points.
3. Press the "Plus" button.
4. Select Import.
5. Find the map file.
6. Select a folder where you want to import the points to.

Manage points in Locus Map

Then you can continue to manage your imported points in Locus. Besides adding and deleting, you can also filter and hide/show the points. Which is useful if you have a map with a lot of points and it’s a huge mess if you have them shown all.

For example, you can only display points of a certain type (icon colors). For this reason, it is good to divide points into categories by color when creating a map. You have 5 function keys below the points list:

1. Create a new point.
2. Show / Hide - You can show or hide all or selected points.
3. Sort - You can sort points by name, creation date, edit date, or distance from you.
4. Filter - you can display only points of a specific color or title.
5. Tools - more operations with points like copying, exporting, deleting etc.

Exporting a map from Locus and uploading it to Google Maps

You can also create a map in Locus. For example, add points during your traveling - where you slept or record a hiking trail. It may then be interesting to upload the map to your computer and show it to your friends. Or send it to someone who's going there after you and help him with planning. It's quite easy to do:

1. Click the „3 dots“ next to the folder, which you want to export.
2. Select Export.
3. Select a folder in your phone memory, where you want to save the map file.
4. Copy the file from your mobile to your computer.
5. Create a new map on Google My Maps or open an already created map, where you want to upload points.
6. Select "Add Layer".
7. Select "Import" for the newly created layer.
8. Upload the map file and points will be uploaded to your map.

Outdoor enthusiasts and map lovers Matěj and Adriana write the travel blog Czechtheworld.com. There you can find hints, tips, and guides for other travelers and fans of outdoor activities.

Článek How to import custom points from Google Maps to Locus and vice versa se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

What is GPX?

You must have met this GPX abbreviation many times before when working with tracks or points. GPX importing into Locus, track or points export into GPX... Anyway, what does this magic formula mean?

A file with GPX suffix, meaning GPS eXchange format, is a common GPS data format based on XML and used in various software applications. I describes georeferenced line and point objects, tracks or points in our case, e.g. geocaches. Its detailed description can be found on this Wikipedia page. As it 's been already mentioned, in general it is used for transferring information about tracks and points between applications. In case of Locus it means communication between it and e.g. websites where you can upload your tracks in GPX form or between Locus and other similar apps (e.g. OruxMaps) or between Locuses mutually. One GPS file can contain both tracks/routes (even more at once) and points - Locus can handle them all. Let's show it on a few examples.

GPX into Locus

You love riding a bike, hiking in the mountains. You always plan your routes carefully but when you are headed to some unexplored places you can find out it could be worth getting yourself inspired by someone who had visited the place before you and had planned the routes, or even better, tested the routes on his own. And so you start browsing the Internet. There are loads of options, loads of route database servers all over the World. Locus directly cooperates with one of them, GPSies.com - you can browse their database directly within the app, as we have mentioned here once. Anyway, it might happen you won't find the right route on GPSies or you just prefer some other service. For instance, Bikemap.net.

When you export the route out we recommend to store it in your Dropbox. That the shortest way to a mobile and subsequently to Locus that is able to display Dropbox folders as one of the file manager tabs. You have several options in Locus how to import a GPX route. Over the Data import button in the main menu, over the Import in a route folder action menu... all about import can be found in our User guide.

Routes and points at once

As we mentioned in the beginning, GPX can contain both routes and points. When importing such a file Locus offers storing points to an extra folder or merging them with the route and store in one folder. This way, however, you'll miss the option to manipulate with the points individually.

GPX from Locus

You are going on a trip, recording your track so that you can view it comfortably later at home on your PC. Displaying track on a mobile is fine but the big PC screen gives the track a completely different perspective. So now it requires a reverse procedure. Open the track detail window from the track manager and pick Export from the bottom bar:

If you don't have GPX set as the default export format, tap the item under the Export type title and select GPX. Name your track, define the storage place (again we recommend Dropbox) and export.

On the Bikemap.net, click the "Upload" button in the upper right "New route" menu. Find your file on Dropbox and import.

GPX with geocaches

If you'd like to sent a tip for afternoon geocaching hunt to you friend, GPX again may be the solution. Mark the caches for export in your points manager in Locus and select Export from the bottom bar. Save the file where you need and sent it via e-mail.

Your friend can import it to his Locus or some web based map service.

GPX format can handle a pretty huge amount of data as we have recently seen in the article about a unique database of sleeping shelters, that we transferred into Locus as one big GPX file as well.

Do you have any other tips or tricks on using GPX in Locus and would you like to share them? Write in comments.

Článek What is GPX and what can you do with it in Locus? se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.