Tag:

update

AndroidApp UpdatesGaia GPSHuntingiOSNew Maps

Easy to Read, Tiny to Download: The All New Gaia Topo

by Julien Friedland
written by Julien Friedland

Today, we’re proud to announce the launch of one of our biggest projects yet. A combination of under-the-hood tech and visual design work, the all-new Gaia Topo combines world-class cartography with industry-leading download speeds and sizes.

Click here for instructions to access this map on iOS, the web, or in Android via the public beta.

  • Gaia Topo before
  • Gaia Topo after

World-Class Cartography

This project was driven by map-maker Lee France, who joined the Gaia GPS team this spring as the company’s first full-time cartographer. He brings over a decade of mapping experience to the new Gaia Topo, and early in his career, worked on some of the National Geographic Trails Illustrated Maps you can also access in Gaia GPS. You can read more about Lee’s background on the Gaia GPS team page.

The new Gaia Topo features a cleaner look and smarter labeling. That means it’s both easier to use and more beautiful to look at than ever before. We’ve tuned the map to the needs of many stripes of the outdoor adventurer. A new visual hierarchy system causes national and state parks, peaks, and campgrounds to appear first as you zoom in. We’ve also curated features and polished up the labeling system to improve information density. The result is a map that’s both more aesthetically pleasing and more efficient: It shows you exactly what you need at each zoom level without cluttering up your screen.

  • Water labels and contour line styling (before)
  • Water labels and contour line styling (now)
  • Road networks (before)
  • Road networks (after)

Road networks and main trails are now easier to find on the map. You’ll also find better hill-shading and toned-down landcover colors that don’t inhibit visibility.

Finally, we’ve improved contour line styling worldwide. Contour lines also appear sooner, making it easier to picture the terrain during large-scale route planning at low zoom levels. We also corrected a number of user-reported issues with the contour lines in various locations around the world.

Faster Downloads, Beautiful Rendering

With the new Gaia Topo, map downloads are faster and take up far less storage space, even though the new map has better data and styling.

To achieve that difference, we combed through all the data contained in Gaia Topo and eliminated redundant information, and did a neat trick to optimize how we packed each little map tile to be stored for offline use. This sort of optimization is something that defines R&D at Gaia GPS, and it’s what keeps our maps on the cutting edge of quality and download speed.

Download sizeDownload speed
AreaBefore updateAfter updateBefore updateAfter update
Yellowstone National Park63.8 MB28.8 MB1 min, 33 s33 s
Washington State1.34 GB470.8 MB28 min, 20 s9 min, 21 s
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park		42.2MB22.8 MB33 s24 s
Adirondack Park112.8 MB45.2 MB3 min, 19 s1 min, 8 s
Texas1.28 GB538.2 MB1 hr, 2 min20 min, 14 s

Comprehensive Geographic Information

The new Gaia Topo is more thorough and information-rich than ever before, thanks to an expanded roster of data sources. Gaia Topo pulls official government records, crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap information, and existing Gaia GPS data into a living map that constantly updates as new information becomes available.

In addition to comprehensive hiking and camping information, the new Gaia Topo highlights features specific to cyclists, thru-hikers, skiers, anglers, and other more niche categories of adventurer. You’ll find new icons for bicycle parking, ferry routes, beaches, dog parks, hot springs, forest service gates, fishing access points, and backcountry ski huts, to name a few. You can see all new icons in the Gaia Topo map legend.

We’ve also added more ski runs and cross country ski trails, styled to indicate trail difficulty. One-way trails are now marked with small arrow icons.

POI interest icons before the update(left) and after the update (right) ; Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

How to Get the New Gaia Topo

Gaia Topo is the main map source in Gaia GPS, available to all Gaia GPS users—with or without a paid membership.

The new Gaia Topo is now available on iOS, the web, and in the latest beta test version of Gaia GPS for Android. To access it:

  • iOS: download the latest version of the Gaia GPS app for iOS
  • Android: download the latest version of the Gaia GPS app on Google Play
  • gaiagps.com – visit gaiagps.com/map.

If you had previously downloaded maps, you’ll see a notification offering to let you update your downloads.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

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Gaia GPSNew Maps

Map Updates: MVUM, and USFS Roads and Trails

by Corey Buhay
written by Corey Buhay

We’re excited to announce some great updates to two map layers from the USFS: the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), and the Roads and Trails layer. These updates include improvements to the style of the maps, as well as improved data.

To improve map readability, we created more polished, more compatible styles for both layers. The new styles adopts the same symbology used by the U.S. Forest Service on their PDF maps, making it easier to cross-reference your paper backups with your layered maps in Gaia GPS.

To improve the data, we re-rendered the maps to add more trails to the MVUM overlay, and added both snow-only and water-only (canoe and boating) routes to the USFS Roads and Trails layer.

Style Updates to the USFS Roads and Trails Overlay

For USFS Roads and Trails, the update declutters the map. Thoughtfully designed trail styles reduce visual overlap of nearby routes, letting you view more possibilities at a higher zoom level.

The symbology is also more intuitive. For example, a series of progressively dashed and dotted lines delineate trail accessibility by vehicle type. They’re also color-coded to distinguish snow- and water-only routes from maintained trails.

The new symbology is similar to what you might find in USFS Visitor maps, allowing you to mesh these maps together without having to reference separate legends.

Style Updates to the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) Overlay

You’ll find similar style updates in the MVUM overlay. The result is a cleaner, more efficient navigation experience and better integration with other maps, including USFS Roads and Trails. Roads are now labeled by road ID number instead of name to better correlate with the signage you’re likely to encounter in the field.

To view map keys for either overlay, visit the Gaia GPS Map Legends page.

How to Use the MVUM and USFS Roads and Trails Maps

Both the MVUM overlay and the USFS Roads and Trails overlay are available to users with a Premium Membership. You can find them in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager.

If you’ve already downloaded the layer, delete and re-add it to see the updated styling.

We recommend using the MVUM overlay in conjunction with USFS Roads and Trails to make sure you’re looking at all the possibilities available to you. Since the maps come from different datasets, the MVUM overlay contains routes unavailable in USFS Roads and Trails, and vice versa.

These maps are transparent overlays that contain only linear features marking roads, trails, and other routes. As such, they’re best used layered over Gaia Topo, satellite imagery, or any other base map of your choice.

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App UpdatesGaia GPSHuntingiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Interactive Hunting Maps for Game Management Units with Stats

by Nathan Copeland
written by Nathan Copeland

Interested in hunting stats for all game management units and wildlife areas? With Gaia GPS, you now have access to interactive hunting maps with helpful statistics to plan a successful hunt. Pairing the interactive hunting maps with the private and public land overlays will show your hunting unit’s boundaries alongside current landowners within the unit so you can stay on legal ground.

Comprehensive Hunting Stats

The scouting information you always wanted, now at your fingertips — Gaia GPS hunting maps now include the critical information you need to select the right units for all your draw tags and plan your hunts.

The hunting stats can be accessed from basecamp or in the field when you download an offline map of your unit.

Stats include:

  • Game Management Unit Name
  • Size
  • Public Land Percentage
  • Covered Game Species
  • Land Cover Types
  • Open Water Percentage
  • Elevation (min, avg, & max)
  • Monthly Temperature (min, avg, & max)
  • Average Monthly Precipitation Rates

Accessing the New Hunting Stats


Hunting stats come built into the US Hunting Maps available with a Premium Membership in the latest iOS version of Gaia GPS. Following these steps will display the hunting stats for your next hunt:

    1. Add your state’s hunting overlay to the Layers menu.
      Step 1: Open the Layers menu and tap Edit
      Step 2: Tap the US Hunting Overlays category
      Step 3: Tap the green “+” icon next to the correct overlay for your hunt
    2. From the main Layers menu, drag your hunting overlay to the top position in the Visible section.
    3. Position the main map over the area you plan to hunt
    4. Tap any of the game management units to reveal their name
    5. Tap the Information “i” icon for the game management unit to view the hunting, precipitation, and temperature stats.
    6. To access the stats for your unit offline, download an offline map for the area you plan to hunt. If you already have offline maps for your hunt, deleting and re-downloading the areas will update your offline maps to include the stats for your hunting unit.

 

Share your favorite game management unit or hunting area with the Gaia GPS family by tagging @gaiagpshunting on Instagram or Twitter.

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App UpdatesCompany NewsGaia GPS

New Year, New Gaia GPS for Android

by Nathan Copeland
written by Nathan Copeland

With the closing of 2017, the beginning of a new year also brings the next generation of Gaia GPS for Android. The v7.0 update for Gaia GPS includes shared folders and a completely redesigned interface. Gaia GPS v7.0 also brings an overall upgrade in performance speed and syncing with gaiagps.com.

Shared Folders

Going on a group trip or use Gaia GPS as an organization? Check out the new shared folders feature to create a folder that everyone can access or add waypoints, maps, or routes too.

Groups or organizations ranging from two to 100+ Gaia GPS users can receive real-time updates to the shared folders with an internet connection. When creating a shared folder, you have complete control over who can edit and who can only read the data.

Gaia GPS v7.0 shared folder settings

Follow these steps to convert any of your existing folders into a shared folder:

  1. Download or update to Gaia GPS v7.0 from the Google Play Store
  2. Head to the Saved tab in Gaia GPS
  3. Pick a folder you want to share
  4. Tap the   icon
  5. Tap the “+” icon next to Authorized Users to invite users to your folder
  6. Enter the email address for who you want to share folder access with

People with “Edit” access to the folder will be able to add data directly to the folder, and the data will automatically be shared with your device.

 

Streamlined Interface

At first glance, you will notice the updated user interface which gives easy access to the main map, track recording, any saved data and the settings menu from anywhere in Gaia GPS.

Gaia GPS v7.0’s new menu bars

 

The redesign Saved menu also offers a quick and easy option to filter your data by type.

View all of your saved data or filter the Saved menu and only view your waypoints.

 

All of the great Gaia GPS tools like adding waypoints, creating routes, and downloading offline maps have been surfaced for quick access.

The new Create menu gives easy access to all of the tools you need for your next trip.

 

Try it For Free Today

Anyone can download or update to the latest version of Gaia GPS for free.

 

 

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App UpdatesGaia GPSiOSNew Features

Gaia GPS 1.2 for iOS with Shared Folders

by Ashli Baldwin
written by Ashli Baldwin

This week we released version 1.2 of the new Gaia GPS on iOS. In this update, you can share folders with other Gaia GPS users directly in the app and collaborate on them, too.

Don’t have the new Gaia GPS app yet? Download on the App Store today and get a free 7-day trial

Share and Collaborate

Fill your folders with data and share directly with other Gaia GPS users, app-to-app. Set ‘view only’ or choose ‘edit’ allow read & write permissions to let your friends add tracks, waypoints, routes, maps, and other data.

Share folders with any size group, and get real-time updates with an internet connection. Enable shared folder notifications via Saved or Settings tab.

Use shared folders to plan for your next group backpacking trip, share important data with your organization, or get creative and let us know how you plan to share.

To Start Sharing

  1. Download the app or update to the new version from the App Store
  2. Head to the Saved tab in Gaia GPS and tap to enable notifications
  3. Pick a folder you want to share
  4. Tap the down arrow and select share, or open the folder and tap the   icon
  5. Tap the plus sign to invite users to your folder
  6. Enter the email address for who you want to share folder access with

People that you’ve shared Edit access with will be able to add data directly to the folder, and the data will automatically be shared to your device.

Interactive Map Options

Last month, we announced interactive map capabilities. Tap on roads, trails, peaks, and other icons to get more information, download maps, and more.

Version 1.2 adds even more data to this, making more things on the map tappable, such as camps, parking, and other amenities.

Feedback and Support

We work hard to listen to your feedback and make Gaia GPS the best mapping app available. If you like the update, you can support us by rating us in the app.

Head to Settings > Help > Release Notes and tap the smiley face!

Want to give more in-depth feedback? Send a note to support@gaiagps.com.

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Screenshot of USFS 2016.
Gaia GPSHuntingNew Maps

USFS 2016 Map Now Available in Gaia GPS

by Nathan Copeland
written by Nathan Copeland

You can now access an updated version of the United States Forest Service (USFS) National Forests maps, called USFS 2016.

The USFS 2016 map source includes updated roads, road labels, and vegetation shading. We left the existing USFS Raster source, and renamed it USFS Classic, because the Classic source includes some private property boundaries not available in USFS 2016.

Both USFS sources show up in the United States section of the Gaia GPS map source collection, on iOS, Android, and gaiagps.com.

Updated roads in USFS 2016 vs USFS Classic

Updated roads in USFS 2016 vs USFS Classic

Anyone planning a backpacking, off-road vehicle, hunting, or fishing trip to any of the 154 national forests or 20 national grasslands will benefit from including the new USFS 2016 map in their list of map sources.

The USFS 2016 and USFS Classic map sources only cover national forests and grasslands, but Gaia GPS Premium Members have the option of layering either USFS map on top of Gaia Topo or USGS Topo to get a seamless nationwide map.

Layering USFS 2016 over Gaia Topo produces continuous map coverage across the US.

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Gaia GPSNew Features

Add Map Sources on gaiagps.com Main Map

by Ruthie Irvin
written by Ruthie Irvin

You can now customize your map sources on the main map of gaiagps.com, and these changes sync seamlessly with the app.

In the past, using non-default map sources on gaiagps.com required adding them from within the Gaia GPS app, then syncing the changes back to the website. So instead, you can now add all available layers directly on gaiagps.com.

Adding a map source on gaiagps.com/map works similarly to the Gaia GPS app. Access the Add Map Sources option from the Layers menu, then choose a source from within one of the available categories, and add/remove with the + and – symbols.

Click on any source listing to view details about the map

Click on any source listing to view details about the map

For detailed instructions about adding map sources on gaiagps.com, follow the step-by-step instructions with pictures in this Help Center article.

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AdventuresCompany NewsGaia GPSHow-ToNew Features

Use Snap-to-Trail with Gaia GPS v10.9 for iOS

by Ashli Baldwin
written by Ashli Baldwin

Gaia GPS version 10.9 for iOS, now available in the App Store. Make snap-to-trail routes from your device, and download maps along the way with an entirely redesigned routing UI. Click here for a full list of 10.9 updates and fixes.

snapgif2

Similar to the Snap-to-Trail feature on gaiagps.com, toggle between Hiking, Cycling, Driving and Straight line routing. Use snap-to-trail in the app whenever you have WiFi or cellular service.

View and interact with the elevation profile as you build your route.

elevations1

After saving your route – get taken to a new download screen that lets you customize an offline map.

map1

In the next few weeks, snap-to-trail routing will get introduced to the Android version of Gaia GPS, too.

Feel free to email support@gaiagps.com with any questions or comments.

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AndroidGaia GPSNew Features

Gaia GPS for Android version 6.5.12

by Ruthie Irvin
written by Ruthie Irvin

Gaia GPS for Android update 6.5.12 adds the ability to import custom map sources directly into the app as an alternative to using the addmapsource page on gaiagps.com.

Create a TileJSON using a TMS map source by following the instructions in this Help Center article. Test out your TMS URL here: http://trailbehind.github.io/TilejsonTester/.

After creating the TileJSON file, Android users can save it to the internal storage or SD card. Navigate the filesystem from within Gaia GPS to import the file, then find the custom map source in the Layers menu when the import completes. Follow the instructions here for importing via the SD card.

—find the custom map source in the Layers menu after import

—find the custom map source in the Layers menu after import

You can also import TileJSON files in the iOS app, or import the TMS source directly to your account on gaiagps.com, then sync back to the app.

Read more about this release and others on the Gaia GPS updates page.

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Gaia GPSNew Features

Introducing Pagination and Search on gaiagps.com

by Ruthie Irvin
written by Ruthie Irvin

The gaiagps.com datasummary pages got a functionality makeover, with a new search feature and the ability to handle large amounts of data better than ever before.

Find and Organize Your Data Faster

  • search through your tracks, routes, waypoints, and maps lists
  • load your data faster and more reliably with pagination
  • better animations and updated page load indicators

Watch this short video demonstrating the new features, or check it out for yourself at http://www.gaiagps.com.

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