On March 1, a message appeared on Twitter that Viewranger, our very strong competing app, had been shut down by its new owner, Outdooractive. VR users are now forced to use the Outdooractive application. However, not everyone is satisfied with the upgrade, so they are looking for an alternative. Many turn to us and want to know what Locus Map can do. This article is intended primarily for those.

Locus Map is what you are looking for

The Viewranger was great and inspired us in many ways. That's why you can find in Locus Map more or less everything you used in Viewranger. Whether it's basics like activity recording, route planning, navigation, use of various maps… or specialties like Live Tracking (similar to  VR’s “Buddy Beacon”), augmented reality (similar to popular “Skyline”), or wearables support (Wear OS, Tizen, and Garmin).

Let's look at each item in more detail:

Activity recording

All your outdoor activities can be recorded in Locus. Just select the type of activity and press the start button. This is available not only directly in the app on the main screen, but also in the widget or an add-on in the smartwatch.

When recording, the application generates a number of statistics. In addition to the parameters obtained from GPS (length, speed, time, elevation…), it also records data from connected sensors - heart rate, cadence, power, etc. This data can be displayed directly above the map on the so-called dashboard:

Each activity has its own record profile, which can be customized in great detail. You can have an unlimited number of profiles for different types of activities.

The records are stored in a database in an application that synchronizes with the cloud and the web library.

Route planning

You can plan routes directly in the application via the planner, with or without an internet connection. If you prefer a large PC monitor, you can plan routes in the web planner. The route from it is automatically synchronized with all devices in which you have Locus Map installed.

Route planning is also performed using profiles in which you select the type of activity - according to it, the router selects the appropriate types of routes, surfaces, and elevation of the route. Of course, there is a manual mode for planning routes outside the mapped routes or the option to have a complete round trip designed - just enter the direction and distance.

Navigation

You can navigate in Locus in several ways. The first option is along an already prepared route - planned in the planner, imported from elsewhere, or previously recorded. Furthermore, the navigation destination can be specified directly on the map and Locus plans a route to it according to the entered criteria.

Another option that you will appreciate, especially in open terrain without roads, is beeline guidance to the target. The method is especially popular among geocachers.

Choose a map according to your needs

Locus Map offers as a default a hiking/biking map of the whole world - LoMap. It is based on OSM data and can be used online and offline. In addition to map data, it also contains dynamic LoPoints, offline addresses, and elevation data.

Like the Viewranger, also Locus Map offers maps from a number of other providers - Kompass, Outdooractive (DE), Freytag-Berndt (A), IGN (FR, BE), USGS, Neotreks / Accuterra (USA), Ordnance Survey (UK), and also lots of freely accessible online maps based on OSM.

Ordnance Survey maps

Most of the Viewranger users we spoke to use OS maps. We also have them in our Locus Store, in 140 offline packages, covering the whole of the UK. Maps are not subscribed as in Viewranger but are purchased individually for one-time payments. Each package contains two map layers - Landranger and Explorer - in several zooms.

We can offer you also Ordnance Survey OpenData maps combined with OSM data, Rowmaps, and Core Path maps in JohnThornMaps covering the whole UK.

Live Tracking is the new Buddy Beacon

You can share real-time location with family and friends using Live Tracking. It works both mutually - between individual Locus users - and one-way - the location from Locus in the mobile is displayed on the website.

You can share your location publicly or in a private group. You can create groups and invite other participants, you can also chat in them and send points of interest to each other.

Use a smart watch

You can also use Locus Map in conjunction with a smartwatch. We support Wear OS, Tizen (older Samsung watches), and Garmin platforms.

In all cases, Locus Map is the main application on the mobile phone and the watch adds an auxiliary add-on that displays your location on the map, navigation commands and you can also use it to control the track recording.

Where is Skyline?

You can also try out the popular augmented reality feature with Locus, using the Augmented Reality for Locus Map add-on. In principle, it works similarly to Skyline, but before turning it on, you must first turn on the LoPoint view and highlight the mountain peaks in Locus.

Can I customize Locus Map?

Yes, in many ways.

Starting at the main screen, which can be adapted for right-handers and left-handers, you can adjust the visibility of all the main buttons, as well as the function buttons in the sidebars.

You can set the style of routes at all the levels - for the whole application, route folders, navigation, route recording, and in the planner.

Customize the number and layout of items in the main menu, set units, coordinate systems, auxiliary graphics, coordinate grid, even the appearance and size of map and navigation cursors.

What do I need to pay extra for in Locus?

The application is in the basic version after downloading from the Google Play Store for FREE. It basically contains everything you need for everyday outdoor use - track recording, route planner, navigation, cycling/hiking map of the world online, and much more.

You can extend the functionality and remove restrictions on some features of the application by purchasing Premium Silver and Gold packages.

Premium Silver offers a larger map screen without ads and includes a suite of features for sports use as an audio coach or sensor connection manager. There is also a package of map tools for calibration, overlays, and map offsets.

Premium Gold offers maximum - all functions including data synchronization with the cloud, built-in offline router, all offline LoMaps of the world, satellite map, live tracking with private groups, etc.

Detailed comparison of premium plans can be found HERE >>

Maps of our commercial partners are not included in Premium packages. So everyone can buy just the map they really need.

Welcome to Locus Map!

Článek Viewrangers, welcome! se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Using your favorite hiking navigation via a wearable device is welcome by more and more outdoor fans. There are, unfortunately, loads of wearable platforms and each needs its own add-on to communicate with Locus Map running on a mobile phone or tablet. We have already released Locus Map Watch add-on for Android Wear/Wear OS and for Samsung watches running on Tizen operating system.

Now, here comes the long-awaited result of our cooperation with guys from Wearsoft - an add-on for Garmin!

What can I do with it?

Navigate...

Select a place to go in Locus Map. Plan your own route comfortably on the smartphone big screen or import a trip from GPSies. Start navigation - the main process is running in Locus Map in your mobile, you see navigation instructions on your Garmin.

Guide to a geocache...

Hunting for a hidden treasure? Pick your geocache on the map and start guidance to it. Your Garmin will lead you to the very spot.

Plan the route in Locus, export it to Garmin...

...and leave your smartphone at home! Enjoy the freedom of being without the phone for a while and go for a ride just with your rugged Garmin on your wrist (not all Garmins, however, support import of courses).

Monitor your Locus track recording...

Do you like Locus track recording with all its options of setup and recording profiles? Then run and monitor it directly from your Garmin. When your trip is finished, export it directly to Garmin Connect. Or, if you prefer recording your activities directly by Garmin, do so. You can simultaneously be navigated by Locus.

How does it work?

So that you can enjoy all of these features you just need to install Locus Map for Garmin in your mobile phone or tablet running OS Android 4.1 and higher:

Download Locus Map for Garmin >>

When you launch the add-on it takes care of everything else you need:

• Locus Map Android outdour navigation (if not installed)
• Garmin Connect Mobile Android app
• Garmin Connect IQ application Locus Map installed on your watch

Does it run on my Garmin?

Garmin produces a vast range of devices with many levels of functionality. Locus Map for Garmin is compatible with a lot of them and many are still under consideration to be added.

Check the list of compatible Garmins >>

How much does it cost?

Download and install Locus Map for Garmin for free - you can try it in Preview mode. To unlock all its features, go to Locus Store (part of Locus Map Android app) and purchase Premium functionality for cca 4 €.

Enjoy!

Článek Navigate with Locus Map on your Garmin! se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.

Locus Map Watch add-on for wearables has been available for a few months now, gaining bigger and bigger popularity among Locus Map users who own Android Wear or Wear OS devices. However, many outdoor fans use wearables made by Samsung. Those, alas, haven't been so lucky - Samsung wearables Gear S(X) and Galaxy Watch run on Tizen - a completely different operation system than Android Wear/Wear OS devices and therefore we had to develop the add-on on an absolutely different platform.

To be honest, it was a struggle but in the end we won the battle and Locus Map Watch for Gear and Galaxy watches is finally here!

Free and Pro versions

More exactly, there are two Locus Map Watch addons - Locus Map Free Watch and Locus Map Pro Watch. Reason? Unlike Android, Tizen perceives Locus Free and Pro as two independent apps and is not able to connect one add-on to both of them, so:

If you use Locus Map Free, install Locus Map Free Watch. If you use Locus Map Pro, install Locus Map Pro Watch

Both add-on versions are, of course, for FREE. If you use Locus Map Free and you install, by accident, Locus Map Pro Watch, don't worry - you don't have to purchase Locus Map Pro. Just uninstall the wrong add-on and install the right one - Locus Map Free Watch.

Map, track recording controls or navigation right on your wrist!

Samsung version of our Locus Map Watch add-on offers almost the same features as its Wear OS twin:

Find your position right away

• just a short glance on the map and you see where you are:
  

Tap your watch and start to record your trip instantly

• select type of your activity on track
• start recording or insert a waypoint
  

Browse and zoom the map and orient yourself better in the landscape

Besides browsing the map you can zoom the map across several levels and see what is ahead or around your position:

You know where you're heading - the map rotates in your direction during navigation:

Navigate easily with your watch

• watch turn-by-turn navigation commands
• always know your position an route, shape and distance of the next turn
  

Check all stats and adjust your watch dashboard

Each sports freak needs to monitor something else. One needs to check his average speed, another one his HR, cadence or elevation gain. We added a lot more, including energy consumption or battery status.

Not all values fit in the small watch screen so the dashboard can be rolled down. And what's more, the dashboard cells can be customized - you can select what values you need to see on what position. Just long tap the cell and confirm your selection from the vaste range of features.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to Galaxy Apps and install!

Článek Locus Map Watch add-on ready also for Gear and Galaxy Watch se nejdříve objevil na Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app.