⚡ With OutdoorActive acquiring ViewRanger, many people feel let down as the OA platform isn't nearly as good as VR. I'm continuing to use VR as I purchased map tiles rather than a subscription. I plan to continue using VR until if or when they pull the plug on the app.
I came here looking for an alternative to the dreadful OA. Although they have given me a Landranger OS map for the whole of the UK as replacement for my LR tiles, you can not store it locally unless you go Pro. .you have to be online , which isn't alway possible. I fear it will cost somebody their life. Do you know of another app that we can use our LR tiles on. Feell ripped off!
@@hitsgroundrunnin hi Ian, I've downloaded a previous version of VR and got all my map titles back. I got it from this link: www.apkmirror.com/apk/augmentra/viewranger-hike-ride-or-walk/viewranger-hike-ride-or-walk-10-11-50-release/viewranger-hike-ride-or-walk-10-11-50-android-apk-download/download/ Switch off automatic updates though. Failing that I quite like Locus Pro that allows you to download map tiles.
Amazing what is available today. Way over twenty years ago I bought a GPS which was basically for yachtsmen and cost a small fortune. First time out with it a white out came down on us on Creag Megaidh plateau. Got a grid reference off the GPS, navigated to the Window and the cost of the gadget had been worth every penny. Suddenly everyone wanted one. Next thing was trying to run MemoryMap on a PDA but that's another story.
You've reminded me when my uncle bought a GPS unit, must have been over 20 years ago as I was a kid. He strapped it to my handle bars and told me to go for a cycle. He guessed where I went with the squiggly lines on the screen. I was blown away. 😂 Technology has came along way since then.
@@WalkWithWallace I have had Viewranger for years and find it really useful for pinpointing my exact location on the map. I then switch to a paper map to get a wider view. It seems though it is being discontinued and migrated to a new app.
@@wildfisher yeah, they've moved to OutdoorActive. If you had life time map purchases or tiles on VR then you can continue to use the original app. Just pray they don't eventually pull the plug on it.
Thanks for that Robin, that's two new apps I have just downloaded, both look very useful and even better free (that's the Scottish blood in me) . Appreciate that buddy and I hope you are keeping safe and well, cheers Alan
Very useful and well presented video. After a gap of many many years I fancy doing some more wild camping in 2021 so looking at YT for tips and tricks Do any of these apps work offline, as getting a phone signal in some places may be impossible. Sometimes in my local town, Whitley Bay, the signal is lost so what chance a signal at the top of a mountain?
Hi Brian, all the apps work offline apart from the weather app. Ironically mountain tops are usually good for a signal, it's when you drop into valleys it can be a problem getting a signal.
Really useful video Robin. When I saw the title I wasn't sure their was anything that would apply to me but these apps are really very good. I don't even take a phone out with me. Old skool a lot of the time. I must get my head around it. Good stuff. Mark
I said over on FB I thought you'd be old school, but I'm glad you found the video useful. 😁 There's a bit of that thinks I take too much tech with me, but I've struck a balance where I don't let it intrude on my enjoyment of the great outdoors. Phone is always on flight mode so I can't be pestered.
@@WalkWithWallace Aaah, not been on F.B for the past hour or more Robin - sounds bad that. I have struggled with tech - just the idea. But I am willing to explore it. Don;t blame you for keeping it low profile.
Btw, a couple of years ago I contacted ViewRanger and purchased the entire UK OS maps in 1:25000 for a one off fee. As I recall it was about £120. Now I just keep it stored on my phone. Worth every penny.
Walk With Wallace 👣 OS Locate is particularly handy you never know when you or someone else may require emergency care either on the hill or anywhere slightly remote. I also like Peak finder the amount of times someone asks me “what’s the mountain one there” so now I’ll be in a position to respond, thanks for taking the time to list your video and stay safe🤧
I have got things that do the same as all yours, but given my BBC Weather Watching NOT the weather one, so will download it. I have Maverick for mapping which I got free from a friend, but then I lost the code and had to buy the Lake District (not literally) but didn't cost as much as Landranger.
Hey mate, that was a great bit of information and has just cost me £4.00 😂 That Peak Finder is great and really tidy looking. Now I'm spinning in my back garden looking at all the peaks I can't go to just now 😂 Hope you're well and here's hoping we get out soon.
@@WalkWithWallace The British hills app and your photo editing one at the end , The British hills app looks better than the one i'm using though ..mines is just Hills list
Used Viewranger last year by Premium subscription. Looking at it again, for using in Scotland it might be better purchasing the 5 regions for £15 more. I assume they are then on your phone for life.
Walk With Wallace 👣 morning Robin, I'm quite old fashioned in my approach.... map and compass. My son uses OS locator which is very good also I've heard of view ranger which I may give a try 😀 Stay safe ATB
John from. NZ. Thanks for the great tips. Another great weather app is YR from the Netherlands. Any little settlement over here is mentioned .Have a look? KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Cheers John, I'm just downloading YR for a look. You can't have enough weather forecasts when deciding where to go. Great news by the way, hearing lockdown is effectively finished in NZ. 😁
Walk With Wallace 👣 The country was behind our PM and her chief medical officer ! Lockdown here was done properly. Scotland seem to be OK, despite Boris! Go well!
@@WalkWithWallace viewranger for one, my OS is about to renew so going to change, I don't like the auto zoom from the updates. The OS compass one is good too, just to use as reference. The weather one looks good too, I use mwis and if this gives more info could be good
@@gainesy_walks I suppose that's one bonus with subscriptions, makes it easier to jump ship. The weather app is good, MWIS is my first choice, but I always cross reference with the Met Office. So to have both in the app is handy.
@@WalkWithWallace Only the first 5 Robin, lol. I tried downloading the OS Location but I'm not sure if you have to pay ? Because you did not put up a price on your post.
Cheers Robin. I've always been loathe to load the mobile up with tiles & apps (carry big ol' SatMap GPS for nav back up) but might load more stuff up off the back of this. If it's not being used it can always be put in the background so as not to drain battery eh?
I totally get that, if I had invested in a GPS with mapping I wouldn't have bothered with Viewranger. The easiest way to preserve your phone battery is to keep it on flight mode, GPS still works, but your battery will last much longer. I use 15-20% battery a day this way.
@@WalkWithWallace I'm usu even more paranoid switching phone off and turning on at prearranged times, every 3 hours or so, and on high tops or by visible boosters! Makes for minimal battery drain and discipline of checking for and sending check-in texts.
@@WalkWithWallaceIf I can follow up and just so I can compare what's the expected capacity of the phone you use with the 15-20% daily power drain? For ref mines a Motorola G7 Power with 5000mAh bought specifically because we live in a poor reception area with lots of drop out. Thanks
@@james-kinnear I've got a 4000 mAh battery in my Huawei P20 Pro. I use the phone for pics and checking my location. 15-20% is based on recording my track, which I don't do these days. So more likely 10%. Searching for a signal is the biggest drain of a phone battery, so if you're in a valley with no signal you want to use flight mode, then when on the tops, turn off flight mode to touch base with friends or family.
Viewranger is the Daddy, I've been using it for years now. I try my best not to look at social media when I'm out. With the spread of 4G even in remote parts it can be difficult when you're in the tent. 😅
There’s a decent one that you can plan you routes on it’s free on the store it’s called footpath I believe you have to pay to use some of the special perks but the bog standard app is decent and worth a download it’s rather easy aswell
Hi Wallace Happy New Healthy Year! I am looking for paper / book map that is ultra lite and detailed for my first solo mid trek and wonder what you'd suggest. Have been suggested a couple and just aiming to see if the same maps keep coming up as I do not wish to just rely on my phone even tho will have all prepped with charging aids etc. Just wish to test my resistance on navigation and become more aware of my directional skills. So any tips on best ✋ map be great THANKYOU 😁 All the best and keep a trekking!
Hi Yve, what trek are you planning to do? I find the OS Landranger maps scale 1:50k are fine for most Scottish hiking. Harvey's maps are also excellent.
@@WalkWithWallace bless you thanks for that! Still working out what trek. Aiming for even blanace between undulating and flat semi stretches with a good river measure route.
Great stuff. Some useful apps there. One question though, will they drain your phone battery life which you might need to actually use as a phone. Best wishes from Brian👽🛸
@@WalkWithWallace I did the cape wrath trail using ViewRanger and the camera for pics on my phone . I usually had about 70/80 percent of battery left end of day if I had the phone on airplane . Battery pack kept me topped up.
For the last 10yrs I have lived in the city and the last time i walked we had Landranger maps, I want to go walking but the local footpath signs are hopeless and I keep failing foul of landowners, can someone recommend an app that actually shows public footpaths pls
Hi Robin , I tried to download the British hills App but my phone could,nt find it. I am using apple apps maybe its just for Android users. All good apps.cheers.
Might try Peak Finder, that looks great. Have you tried the OSM-based maps from OpenAndroMaps? They're free, very good and often have paths not shown on OS maps. They're 'vector' maps so the entire UK with contours isn't much more than 1GB on your phone. Viewranger couldn't import vector maps last time I looked at the App. Locus Map is an amazingly powerful map app. That does import the OpenAndroMaps very well. I'm not affiliated with either! Just an enthusiastic user :-) www.cumbriasoaringclub.co.uk/kb/osm.php#android
