Here it is again, we are proudly launching a New Locus Map 3.31! It is full of improvements in its controlling - we are doing our best to make it easier to use. Now we'd like to pin point three features that has been reworked or expanded majorly. Especially geocachers will appreciate two of them:

Better structured geocache logging

Logging geocaches directly from the app is possible in Locus for years - both online and offline. We've rethought our approach to this process and decided to make logging even smoother and comfortable.  Screens of logging method selection and logging itself have been redesigned so that all aspects are pretty handy and clear to use.

There are three methods of geocache logging available - online logging, uploading field notes (drafts) and storing logs offline for later online logging:

Logging online

The screen is clearly divided in three sections - basic info, images and trackables:

Select type of your log, add comment, date and time. If you particularly liked the cache, add it to your favorites:

You can add images from your phone or take them right on the spot:

Trackables can be loaded directly from the loggin dialog:

Uploading field notes (drafts)

The dialog has been unified with online logging, nevertheless, it's simpler as you would expect with drafts:

Storing offline

A very useful feature for outdoor geocachers who often don't catch mobile signal in the mountains. Again, the dialog is almost identical with the online logging.

All online and offline logs are stored in Logs manager where you can edit them, upload them at Geocaching.com or export to a file:

Enhanced options of filtering

Thanks to your feedback at our helpdesk we know exactly what you need for your best geocaching experience. Therefore, we added possibility to filter geocaches by minimum number of favorites:

by size:

by attributes:

Now you can save your filter definitions for later usage so you don't have to set it up again. All is done comfortably in the filter manager:

That's pretty cool, isn't it? It is also possible to apply filter by one click when you display a whole folder of caches:

Clear and intuitive settings structure

You know, Locus Map is a pretty complex app with loads of settings. We ourselves sometimes got lost in its labyrinth. So we decided to change it - we made a wide user survey, experimented, tested several variants, all thoroughly evaluated. Finally as a result of all these efforts, we simplified the structure and hierarchy of settings and clarified all titles and descriptions for your better user experience. Some categories and sections were joined, some divided according to their inner logic and results of users testing. Following sections were re-structured the most:

Controlling

A new category, grouping display, the main map screen, panels and buttons settings - all in their individual sections:

Maps

This section needed cleaning the most. Finally all settings in it really regard just maps and related auxiliary graphics:

Points & tracks

A new section created by extracting point/track related settings from the original Maps section:

GPS & sensors

Originally two individual categories are joined in one common. All hardware settings are concentrated here now:

We sincerely hope you'll like this Locus version, the same as we like it! Enjoy coming summer with it.

Článek Geocachers rejoice – flawless logging and more filtering options in new Locus se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Locus is here (besides others) so that you can fully focus on your geocache hunt - so that you don't have to haul papers with printed listings with you, so that you find the caches more quickly, so that you are aware of all downloaded caches around you at the moment... to sum it up, with Locus, geocaching is more fun. Today we're here with a few tips how to make your GC hunt even more enjoyable.

1) Be aware of all the caches around

Nobody wants to stare in the map all the time in order not to miss a geocache on his way. Therefore, Locus has the POI alert.

Firstly, set the folder with your downloaded geocaches

then set the type of alert - select among 10 kinds of beep,  your custom sound, vibration or TTS - we recommend TTS as this is the way how Locus tells you the distance and direction of nearby caches.

and, of course, the alert trigger distance. The alert can be launched only once or repeatedly, it's up to you.

And press START. Locus notifies you every time you go near a geocache you have downloaded in your folder.

2) Locus, please guide me to the cache

In the free terrain, you surely appreciate Locus guidance. Just tap the geocache on the map and select guidance from the action menu.

Or tap the geocache in the folder and select guidance from the bottom bar menu:

Locus will show you the direction and distance of the geocache.

Also in this case we recommend setting of a sound or vibration notification of a coming prey. You can find it in Settings > Guidance > Points/Notification. The setting options are the same as in the previous case but one - you can choose increasing frequency of beeping relating to the distance.

The geocache hunt resembles a mine field survey a little bit with this setting but it's very effective :)

3) Log right in the field and without internet connection

Hurray, we've got the geocache! We're logging in the logbook and so as not to forget logging in Geocaching.com, we're putting the log also directly in Locus. And we don't need internet for this, Locus offers offline logging! Choose Log visit > Store offline from the cache menu (default offline can be set before)

Select the right logging status (not always you're lucky, eh ;) and insert your comment.

TIP: if you're keen hunters and you find loads of caches daily you can set an automatic comment, containing cache order number and a time stamp in the Settings > Geocaching:

All the same, you can set a few more automatic actions after storing - removing of the found geocache from the map, its transfer to another folder or switching guidance to another nearest geocache. All can be set in Settings > Geocaching > Action after 'Found it'.

Your saved logs can be viewed in the Field notes manager (Menu > More functions > Geocaching tools). When you come home you can start batch online logging from there to Geocaching.com.

We wish you a lot of fun!

P.S. Do you have your own tips for improving geocaching workflow? Let us know!

Článek A few tips for your Locus geocaching workflow se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.