Option to: Select amount of map detail shown per zoom level
Working with a number of mapping apps, I noticed a nagging feature that all are missing and would like to see if Gaia could add this feature. An option to increase the detail shown per zoom level.
I am using a 10.5-inch tablet that has a resolution greater than a printed sheet, yet when I zoom out to get a better awareness of where I am, how to navigate to a smaller road or trail, or to get an overall or bigger picture of roads within a park or national forest, the roads disappear. I wish there was an option to increase the amount of detail seen on the screen. I noticed on some of the Gaia scanned USGS maps layers, that the roads can be seen zoomed out furhter, but the labels and main roads are difficult to see in those scanned layers because they don't increase in size. I like the Open street, Gaia Topo, MapBox and National Map layers, but all of them have disappearing details as I zoom out. It would also be nice to be able to edit the colors of the map features. Some layers use odd colors, like white for roads that are not very legible. I use some on-road navigation apps that allow me to edit colors, text and icon size and it made a much better system. Most of all, I sure would like to see a map detail options for those who are missing out from making use of their high-resolution devices due to software limits. Today's tablets are incredibly powerful, so working with a lot of data on screen shouldn't be an issue. I want to get away from using printed Delorme Gazzeteer Maps, because I have to carry dozens of them when traveling accross the country. With the printed maps, I can so easily see all the detail at a glance and plan my routes to neat areas. So far, it is much more difficult to do that on an advanced digital device due to software imposed limits.
My Ford, in-vehicle navigation system, has to be set for 1/2 mile per inch to see dirt roads and smaller paved roads. Therefore, you can only get a few mile glimpse of where you are and totally miss how to get somewhere and awareness of what is around you, like being in a tunnel.
If you ever used Garmin Base Map software, they have an option to select the map detail from low to highest, and it is a great feature. You may not always want to see the highest detail per zoom level, but having the option makes an incredible difference to visualizing and getting the big picture. Another app that has this feature is US Topo Maps. Google recently improved their detail shown per zoom level as well.
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+1. The ability to see trails and minor roads when zoomed out is my most-wanted feature. If I'm driving all day on minor dirt or 4WD roads, I need to see those roads while zoomed out so I can get the big picture of where I'm going and make decisions about alternative routes. The same for trails while long-distance hiking. This request applies to all versions (I'm running Gaia on iOS).
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Since my post, I switched over to an older version of Back Country Navigator and downloaded free detailed maps that were packaged by entire states, another great feature. The maps were available via a 3rd party. With that app and maps, you can set the level of detail per zoom level. The difference is amazing. I traveled across the country in 2019 using the map system and it worked fantastically! The only thing some people may not like is the older version of Back Country Navigator, is it doesn't have all the community added notes, trails, markers, and photos. But for general navigation of roads, dirt roads, and many trails, I couldn't find anything better than Back Country Navigator and 3rd party map downloads.
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This would be great.
I use OSMand Maps on my motorbike because it does have the ability to exactly this, however OSMand doesnt have the online maps/syncing like Gaia has!
If Gaia had the ability to keep the view of minor roads and tracks when zoomed out, i would be in mapping heaven
(if anyone is interested, this is how to setup OSMand to see minor track, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk0qECGShJs Personally, i made some adjustments to my setting compared to the youtube video, like setting the map type to OffRoad. But be warned, OSMand doesnt have any online sync, so if you want to edit or store you tracks online, you need to export out and import any new routes back in.)
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I have requested this from Gaia twice now over a four year period. It seems they're more interested in the glittery stuff rather than the basic performance of - maps - which arguably are the most important of the basic elements of the product. It's also true (as proven on many Android devices) that downloaded maps will not load or load extremely slowly when cell signal is weak, forcing me into airplane mode just to see my downloaded maps. Easily reproduced - but Gaia won't try to address it. Again, maps matter.
THANK YOU natureguyusa FOR TELLING ME ABOUT BACK COUNTRY NAVIGATOR. I'LL BE CHECKING THAT OUT. Maybe a replacement for Gaia if the maps work better as described.
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