Winter is in full swing outside our windows in the northern hemisphere, we've swapped our bikes and trekking boots for skis and snowshoes, and we've switched LoMap to a winter theme in Locus. But our blog isn't here for some general chatter. Let's recap the pile of news that November and December brought.

New start

Literally! The new version of Locus Map has a completely redesigned launch and boot-up of the application. It's much faster, as a lot of settings and your data are loaded in the background. It's also smoother and prettier thanks to a nice opening animation (hello to our graphic designer Zdenda).

The route planner, continued

We're still tuning the route planner for you because we want to have the best one in the world. We want it to come up with exactly the routes you need. And what's new now?

A new selection of routing profiles

A little heads-up - the route planner uses a little machine we call a router to automatically draw routes along paths and trails. This offers a number of settings depending on the type of activity on the route - and these are profiles. For example, the "hiking" profile will generate a route along paths and hiking trails. Well, since the number of profiles and their parameters is growing in our LoRouter, we had to rework their selection. We simply couldn't fit them into the original solution anymore.

This new feature does not yet apply to the activity selection for the “Navigate to” - direct navigation to a specified destination. On the contrary, we have now simplified it a bit, as a big change is coming. But let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

All for better cycling routes

We have added additional parameters to all cycling profiles that affect route generation. So you can turn on and off tunnels, cycle paths, ferries or stairs, depending on what bike you're riding and what you're up to. And, there are the five levels of terrain difficulty for mountain bikes we wrote about last time. If you have a tip for another useful customization, post it in the comments, we'd be happy to consider it. 

Gravel versus touring

The much-loved gravel has now been added to the group of bike profiles. With this profile, the LoRouter will push you harder on gravel and firm forest roads and is not afraid of hills. We've toned down the original touring a bit so that it plans trips more on bike paths and doesn't bother you as much with climbing.

Online or offline, still the same LoRouter

Thanks to configuration sharing, both versions of our router now offer the same profiles and their parameters. So with or without the internet, you have the same planning options. Soon we will see this option in the web planner as well.

If you're adventurous, you're properly adventurous

In the previous version of Locus Map, we introduced displaying warnings about various pitfalls on the route - unprotected crossings, difficult terrain, barriers, etc. However, the more adventurous among you immediately said they'd rather enjoy the ride with all the risks. And so we've accommodated them - you can turn off the warnings centrally in the settings, at three levels - on the map, in the planner and when navigating.  

And lots of minor improvements

• Something for the geocachers - we continue to add features directly into Locus Map so that they are available without the need to download the Geocaching4Locus add-on. We're adding cache search by GC code (don't worry, the Live Map is in the works).
• Aspect shading - something for those hunting for beautiful sunrise or sunset shots
• the ability to display the dashboard as a separate screen - appreciated by technical types who are bothered by the numbers above the map and want to have them nicely visible extra. This option can also save battery significantly, as the map is not redrawn below the dashboard during activity.

Refreshed Locus Map Watch

We've resuscitated the popular Wear OS smartwatch add-on so it meets the latest standards and works on the most advanced devices. Furthermore, we've improved its UI and added a dark mode to save battery. 

So head out for a snow adventure, the conditions are excellent!

Photos by Locus Map,  Alessio Soggetti and Dmitrii Vaccinium on Unsplash

Článek Locus Map 4.20 and other pre-Christmas news se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

The new version of your favorite navigation app brings again some essential improvements. The most changes have been made to the app's online LoRouter, the “generator” for route planning and direct navigation to the destination. We've finally revived the Locus Map project for Garmin devices and although it’s already fall and the swallows have long flown away, we have the first one in the area of e-bike support.

Warning!

No, this wasn't meant as clickbait (hahaha). Take it more like a joyful exclamation - yes, online LoRouter in the app can now generate warnings for various pitfalls on the route - for challenging terrain, heavy traffic, barriers, tunnels, unprotected railway crossings, and so on. And that’s both in the route planner and in the quick route calculation for direct navigation to the destination.

Some warnings have three color-differentiated levels - from the least to the most serious warning:

If a warning concerns entire sections of the route, e.g., challenging surfaces or heavy road traffic, it also has a zonal variant, so you know exactly which part of the route to be careful on.

The degrees and types of warnings depend on the chosen activity or vehicle you plan to use on the route. If the route goes over cobblestones, it’s not a problem if you’re walking or biking. It’s worse on a road bike, and in such a case, Locus Map will display a warning.

For example, a route through the center of Prague is teeming with such warnings.

Warnings are typically displayed on the route on the map. During navigation along the route, the symbols also appear under the main navigation window:

If you tap on any warning symbol on the map, a list of all warnings on the route opens, sorted by distance. The length is also displayed for zonal sections. By tapping, you center the selected place or section on the map.

The warning system is so far available only in the app - in time, of course, it'll also be available on our web planner. We believe that it will greatly contribute to better comfort in planning your outdoor activities, as well as to greater safety in their operation.

For example, thanks to Locus Map, you already know that this section will require rubber boots... :) :

Do you have any tips on what else you would like to be warned of when planning your route? Let us know in the comments!

I Want My Own Routing Profile!

Yes, we know that many of you secretly (some very loudly) desire this option, however, for now, we can’t offer you such a variant. However, with new customization options for existing profiles, we are much further ahead.

First and foremost, we’ve enriched Online LoRouter with switches, which you’re already used to from its offline variant. For car profiles, these are standard options to omit toll sections, highways or unpaved roads. For walking profiles and trekking bikes, a “wet conditions” parameter has been added, which adjusts the route selection more to paved surfaces with a smaller risk of mud.

The most changes have been made to the MTB profile. Here our routing guru Radim finally had fun and compiled a sophisticated algorithm for route calculation based on the choice of terrain difficulty level. 

There are five levels and they reflect both the surfaces of roads, trails, and footpaths, as well as their slope, elevation, and other properties. So if you choose the lowest level, Locus Map will serve you the smoothest progress with the gentlest available ascent. 

The most difficult level, on the other hand, will dish out a line with a proper dose of adrenaline, where you’ll really give it your all:

Although the mentioned changes concern the online variant of LoRouter, we are already working hard on their introduction into offline - there is really a lot of work ahead and we still haven't left the "experimenting" level in the router development. Anyways, if you have any particular wishes regarding the customization, let us know.

Garmin Add-on for Locus Map Lives!

And now a fantastic piece of news for all the holders of these beloved rugged watches. Despite all the adversities that Garmin constantly throws at independent developers, our colleague Honza has accomplished a formidable feat - he has operationalized the add-on for the latest models. More details revealed by the creator himself:

"The existing functionality of the addon is "saved" again for now, so we can continue to extend the compatibility with devices or develop it further. Unfortunately, the feature of streaming maps from the phone to the watch display is no longer available and, after unplanned restrictions by Garmin, cannot be offered any longer for technical reasons. However, other features continue to be available, including "1-click" route export to supported watches.

This has given me a new impetus to think about integration with Garmin products further and I hope we will be able to pleasantly surprise you in the future. For example, we are well aware of the lack of the ability to easily export routes with Locus Map to Garmin Edge bike computers, but more on that next time."

The First Autumn Swallow - integration with Specialized e-bikes

No, we haven’t gone mad, we have indeed just launched the first swallow in the field of Locus's communication with e-bikes.

In the trial run we launch support for e-bike really fancy - all-suspension Specialized Turbo Levo, on which we first tested the possibilities of connecting the bike software with our application beyond the previously supported sensors of speed and cadence or power… The new sensor not only reads from the bike in aggregate the already mentioned information but also adds data about the currently selected mode of assistance of the e-bike and the status of its battery. We can add all this to our dashboard and keep it all in sight when riding with Locus Map on the handlebars!

The sensor should work with most Specialized e-bikes, including road bikes, but for now, the names of the assists will appear as they are named on their mountain bikes. We will then adapt this further according to interest.

News in LoMaps

The hike/bike theme of our offline LoMaps has gained a lot of improvements over the last months, of which we especially like to highlight:

• the return of road numbering - we managed to solve a stubborn technical mystery and especially long-distance cyclists will again appreciate the road numbers on the map

• marking of ferratas - adrenaline lovers will welcome on the map clearly visible challenging mountain, iron-secured paths (hence ferratas). And soon also with difficulty marking!

• more accurate contour lines - in the new LoMaps we generate more detailed drawn contour lines from 1'' height data, while maintaining the volume of map files. We have completed Europe so far, but the machines are running at full speed, so you can look forward to further additions soon.

And finally, goodbye, Munzee…

Unfortunately, after eight years, we have to say goodbye to this interesting outdoor game. Its creators have terminated the operation of the API, thus cutting off the possibility for the game to develop independent applications. We have therefore also ended the support of the Munzee add-on for Locus Map and removed it from Google Play.

Článek New Locus Map 4.19 Heading for Even Better Route Planning se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

It's been a while since we've written about the release of a new version of your favorite app. Not because nothing has happened, on the contrary - we release new versions more or less regularly every month, as you've probably noticed. There's a lot going on, it's just that it's not so visible "on the surface" - we're just working on a lot of stuff that's going on in the background, but also on already finished stuff that we're tweaking to even greater perfection - we call it internal cultivation.

Version 4.13 is no exception, but it does bring some major new features that we would like to show off. We can summarize them in three thematic groups:

• geocaching
• winter
• cultivation

Download caches without add-on

Locus Map offers a lot of features and gadgets for geocaching players. Until recently, except for one - the ability to search and download caches from Geocaching.com. Until now, we've left that to the Geocaching4Locus add-on, which comes from another developer. However, the add-on hasn't been updated for several years, so in order to maintain availability and get greater flexibility, we decided to add the feature directly to the app.

You can find it in the Geocaching Tools section in the list of all app features. It doesn't yet do everything G4L does - it lacks a live map with streaming caches displayed on the map and search by GC code. But we plan to add all of that to Locus soon. Until that happens, feel free to continue using the G4L add-on.

Predefined lists

Another new feature taken from the add-on is the ability to display lists of caches that you previously defined on geocaching.com. Click on My Lists to see your lists in the app. There is then a button at the end of the line to batch-download all the caches in the list directly into the app for offline use. Your Pocket Queries are also displayed in the same section.

Plan cross-country ski trips

About a month ago, we put a brand new winter LoMap in the app and on the web. We've cleaned up its look, improved readability, added winter LoPoints, and it's ready for the upcoming season. It shows the slopes by difficulty, and also cross-country ski trails divided into several levels. Of course, lifts, cable cars, ski huts, aprés bars, etc., are all there. 

We are now adding a cross-country skiing profile to the map in the planner. You can find it both in the online LoRouter in the app and on the web, and in its offline version - here you only need to update the routing data (if it hasn't already been updated automatically). The profile plans trips on both groomed and ungroomed trails, as long as they are entered into the map. Sections of the route that do not have ski tracks plotted on them need to be plotted with another profile, such as a walking profile. These are usually roads, car parks, or other similar places that interrupt the ski route.

Something for more convenient control

And now a few tidbits from our favorite cultivation section. Starting in the map manager, we've consolidated the menu for adding new maps. Now when you click the + button in the online or offline tab, you'll see the same menu and can add any map you want, even a WMS source from our library. 

We've moved the option to recalculate a complete route for a different activity from the menu in the top bar more "in your face" - directly into the profile selection dialog. For example, you have a route for hiking and want to change it to mountain biking. You open it in the planner, select the MTB profile and click "recalculate all" - only the shaping and via points stay in place.

Quite often we've had to explain where the backup is now hidden, where you can find the option to unload the app data to move it to a new phone, etc. We got tired of this, so we've simplified it dramatically - all settings related to working with app data can now be found in a separate category of Backup and File System settings.

This includes the File System Manager, where you can set up the main and auxiliary directories, manage cloud sync, and the aforementioned backups, and we've also moved the deletion of temporary data here.

As part of the cultivation, you'll of course find plenty of other tweaks across the app, but we won't write about those. If any catch your eye, let us know in the comments.

Článek What new features does the latest Locus Map 4.13 bring? se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Locus Map 4 is so different from Locus Map 3 Classic that there is no need to deal with their differences too much. These are clear - the “4” has a much more ergonomic user interface, it can synchronize data with the cloud, communicate with a web-based route planner, it has its own offline router… Yes, but some of these benefits can only be found in the highest Premium Gold subscription.

But still, we have Premium Silver here. "It's the same as the Classic version so what’s all that hassle about?" many say. So how can you decide what to do? Should you go for a prepaid Silver, or stay with the well-proven Classic (ex-Pro)?

The FAQ section of our website offers a brief answer. However, many probably overlook it or do not find enough detailed information in it, as we are still getting questions about version differences. That is why we're bringing you a more detailed summary here in the blog, which will be pointed out by notifications directly in the application:

Main screen and menu

Locus Map 3 Classic

It is based on years of organic development of the application according to current trends, but mainly according to the wishes of users concentrated mainly in the community on the Locus forum. Admittedly, it's not very intuitive or ergonomic, features and buttons were added gradually, and with the growing amount of what Locus can do, the UI ​​became increasingly confusing. Unfortunately, this discouraged new users in particular. Nevertheless, this version of the interface has its rock fans, which is why we keep it in Locus Map Classic.

Locus Map 4

We've been looking at its UI ​​more in terms of clarity and ergonomics:

• all important controls are at the bottom of the screen for easy thumb control. Only the information bar remains at the top (hidden by default)
• all buttons and panels can be hidden individually

• there's an option to flip everything sideways for left-handers
• and also the dark mode saves the battery
• the 8 core features are in the first level of the main menu, and the number of buttons can be expanded almost twice. All buttons are customizable.
• all functions of the application are then clearly sorted by categories and can be searched for in full text
• we've retained the popular fully configurable sidebars
• we have added a special floating menu for external Bluetooth controllers

Panel with the route or point details

Locus Map 3 Classic

In the original version, you can access the details of the route/point via an intermediate step - a popup box on the map. This popup contains basic information and has its own action menu, configurable in the application settings. The details then expand to a full screen with several tabs. For many, the solution is complicated, but "hardcore" users praise it.

Locus Map 4

The new solution is much more compact. In the case of a route, a panel with basic information, an elevation profile with a trackpoint position, and a toolbar open on the first click.

Each category of information has its own maximize button, which expands it to full screen:

Further sliding the panel up shows more information - types of paths and surfaces, waypoints, classification into folders…

The button at the bottom left opens a separate panel with information about the selected trackpoint:

Similarly, for the point details, we chose a compact solution with a sliding panel. In the case of geocaches, on the first click, in addition to basic information, the number of trackables and waypoints also appears, which you can maximize into further detail. And also a toolbar with buttons, three of which you can reset to suit your needs - put a login button, hint, etc.:

By further extending the panel, the app displays the attributes of the cache, the beginning of the listing, and other parameters. A menu with specific geocaching tools is also at hand.

Online maps, points of interest, and router

Locus Map 3 Classic

The application relies solely on third-party resources for online maps, points of interest, and routers.

• one of the publicly available OSM resources is displayed as the default map when the application is started for the first time
• dynamic online points of interest are not on the maps
• only GraphHopper is used as an online routing service

Locus Map 4

We have equipped the new generation of the application with a complete package of our own free online content, which is also available in the basic non-prepaid version of Locus Map 4:

• LoMap Online - a tuned optimized map of the world in a hike/bike theme with marked hiking and biking trails. A winter version with ski pistes and trails is available too. Maps are updated every 24 hours. Of course, other online maps remain available.
• LoPoints online - places, areas and objects on the map with Wikipedia descriptions and photos, added user photos and much other information like opening hours of restaurants and shops, links or contact info. LoPoints are fully searchable.

• LoRouter online - a powerful router for fast route generation when planning or navigating to a destination. It contains the same routing profiles as our web-based route planner, from where you can export routes for use in Locus. However, you can also use the aforementioned third-party routers if you like them.
• Global satellite map - available in Premium Gold tier, rendered from Maxar and HereMaps aerial and satellite photo data

The integration of our online content services has been quite a challenge for us, but in addition to the benefits they already bring, they give us a wide range of opportunities to further supplement and improve the content in the future. And be sure - we have big plans. We believe you have something to look forward to!

Other differences in details

• directly in the route planner in Locus Map 4, you can open the content panel and easily change the background map, display or hide points of interest, active items, etc.
• Locus Map 4 supports also OneDrive for backup or direct import/export of routes and points
• support for WMTS resources - the long-awaited modification allows you to use a lot of other high-quality map data
• new sensor manager - we have merged Bluetooth and ANT managers into one center, which manages connected accessories - sensors, external GPS antennas, etc. Support for power meters and Specialized e-bikes is included.
• plus hundreds of other minor changes, such as search in settings

What else do we plan to do?

Although we continue to maintain and update Locus Map 3 Classic to make it fully usable on new Androids, Locus Map 4 is the foundation of our future plans. With this in mind, all its parts have been developed - whether we mean UI, content services integration, or a more sustainable financing model. If you decide to activate one of our Premium tiers in Locus Map 4 instead of purchasing the Classic version, not only will you receive more new features in the future, but you will also allow us to implement new features and integrations into other services faster.

We leave it up to you to decide whether to install Locus Map 4 Premium Silver or stay with the good old Locus Map 3 Classic. We provide the care that belongs to both products. And if you've already purchased the Classic or former Pro version and want to switch to Locus Map 4 sometime, you'll get a discount that offsets the original purchase. So you don't have to worry more about the first choice.

Článek Silver or Classic? Take a look at the differences. se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Sometime around this time, in 2021, we slowly began to release the first version of the new generation of your favorite outdoor navigation - Locus Map 4. After a year, we would like to offer you a small summary of what we have accomplished during that time. A lot has been done, mainly thanks to you and your support, both moral and financial.

Brand new app

Let's start with what is most visible:

New user interface

• We clarified it, simplified it and adjusted it for one-handed operation. And both for right-handers and left-handers
• We added options for custom configuration of elements on the display - zoom buttons, map rotation and centering buttons, track recording, function panels - all of them can be combined for several variants of their visibility on the desktop
• The new content panel allows you to easily control everything you see on the map screen - maps and map themes, LoPoints, shading, photos…
• Routes and points got new slide-out panels with information and controls - all in one place, within easy reach of your thumb
• The new bottom-up main menu contains all the basic functions. Of course, it is fully configurable
• Last but not least, Locus can be switched to energy-saving dark mode, even automatically depending on the time of day

We've also added our own content and got rid of dependencies on external applications:

Our own maps, points of interest and router

• LoMaps - our tourist maps of the world are now available in a free online version for all users, not only in the application, but also on our new web route planner
• LoPoints - these dynamic points on the map, describing civic amenities or natural attractions are now available online and offline. In the online version, we managed to enrich LoPoints with information and photos from Wikipedia, and we improved their search on the web.
• LoRouter - our own route calculation machine for planning and navigating to a destination. It is available online in the application and on the web, as well as in the offline version for the most demanding outdoor fans.

Synchronize the application with the cloud, the web planner and across multiple devices

Locus Map has always been a purely mobile application with no server background. There was a radical change a year ago - you can now sync routes and points automatically:

• From mobile to cloud and back - you no longer have to worry about data if your mobile is lost or damaged
• From the cloud to the web library and route planner - what you plan on the web is right on your mobile and vice versa
• Among several devices - do you have a mobile phone and a tablet with Locus? You record the route on your mobile phone, save it and you have it on your tablet right after. The number of devices connected in this way is not limited.

Over the year you've synchronized over 1 million tracks and routes.

Brand new web planner and route library

We used to think that planning a route right on your mobile phone was enough. And we did our best for that and developed the route planner in Locus to the best of its kind on the market. But the big PC screen just makes sense for planning trips and entire vacations. And so we developed a web-based planner with an associated library of users’ tracks and points.

• You plan the route on the web then you go on a trip with Locus on your mobile phone
• You can record the expedition in the mountains with the help of Locus, at home on the couch you can see the route on the big screen of your laptop

We are constantly working on the web planner and library. A lot of improvements await you this year.

It wouldn't be possible without you

Web services, synchronization, cloud, servers, storage, user support, continuous development - it all costs a lot of money. But thanks to you, we manage to get it all running. We are sure that the new subscription financing system really works to your and our satisfaction.

If you continue to support us in this way, we plan a lot of other great things:

What awaits you

• further development of the application - improved search, new dashboard, satellite maps of the whole world (finally!!)
• web planner and library - import of routes, other maps from other providers, more detailed graphs
• more app purchase options - we'll introduce also one-time period purchases with no auto-renewal

Thank you once again for supporting us!

Článek Thanks to you, we have completed the first successful year of the Locus Map 4 project se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.