Mobile Device Feature Requests
I am a huge fan of CalTopo. If I had to choose one app on my phone to keep it would be this one. When working professionally in the field and extensively recreating I use my CalTopo Pro to plan and execute all sorts of adventures. Over the years of using the app there have been just a few missing features and bugs that have caught my attention and it would be amazing if they could be addressed. Some of the below are very simple (possibly- I’m no software developer) and others I would love to see be put on the roadmap for future development.
⁃Issues on “low” cell service.
When in an area where I have layers downloaded, but do not have the device in airplane mode it often will try to pull the map from the cell signal, likely trying to get a higher-resolution version. However, when on less-than-perfect internet this is often quite slow and I have to switch into airplane mode to get the map to load. It would be nice if the offline map was served first and then the higher resolution map was loaded in next without interfering with the usability of the offline map.
⁃Lines, profiles, and points
As a recreational user, I use points on lines extensively. Marking lakes, passes, trail junctions, ect. I love to be able to view the profile of the line (often my path for the entire trip or day) and see each decision point marked on the profile. This is one of CalTopo’s best features.
To take this a step further, it would be a great feature to be able to navigate to a point via a line. Currently when you navigate on a line you can navigate only forward or backwards to the end of the line. If you try to navigate to a point, even if it exists on the line, it only offers the straight line option.
I understand this is achievable by duplicating the line, cutting the line at the point, and then navigating. However this is cumbersome and gets messy in the field. Furthermore, when in navigation mode, it would be amazing to see a quick profile of the path ahead between your current location and the destination either via the straight line and/or the line to the destination.
Finally, I am always having to drop a point at my current location to see where I am on the profile of a line. It would be amazing to automatically have an icon showing your current location on the profile chart when you view the profile of a line. There could even be a horizontal line cutting across marking your current elevation.
⁃Snap to OSM on mobile and offline
When I am planning on my computer, the snap to OSM tool is incredible and one of my absolute favorite features. Being able to use this on mobile and especially offline on mobile would be a game-changer.
⁃Download Geology layer for offline use
Currently, the geology layer is not available for offline download. If licensing for the data permits, it would be great to view this in the backcountry.
⁃View Google layers on mobile or stack Google layers on top of other layers
When using CalTopo on my computer, The access to the Google layers is a great tool. However, it can be challenging that these layers can only be the very most base layer and not stacked on top as well as that they cannot be used in the mobile app. There may be licensing challenges here but progress would be welcomed here.
⁃Better axis labels and mobile usability for weather charts. Link to source data.
The mobile usability of the weather charts is often disappointing. When flipping a device horizontally to see the chart larger, the graphs often don’t react.
Furthermore, on mobile, not having labels on the X and Y axis with indicators of depth or whatever the variable is makes it challenging.
Next, having a quick link to the USGS, NWS, NRCS, or other location of the source data would be ideal within each chart/weather station. The basic chart is often not enough to make a data data driven decision and many of the source tools have better charts with more interactivity and mobile responsiveness.
Furthermore, these charts in general could use some better interactivity. I would love to see averages for this date, abilities to zoom in and out, ect.
⁃Sun exposure often needs relaunching the app
I love the sun exposure tool. However, as I assume it takes quite a bit of processing power, I almost always have to close and restart the mobile app in order to get it to show up.
⁃legend for USGS topos
It would be awesome to have a robust legend available for USGS/forest service topos with links out to learn more. Explaining adits vs. test pits. Different types of glacier demarcation, ect.
⁃Switch between magnetic north and true north in mobile app
It would be a helpful feature to clearly show and change if the compass is showing magnetic or true north.
Comments
1 comment
Agree on all these especially the cell service and profile points.
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