CalTopo sources in Gaia GPS
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Hello all,
We’ve received a few questions about what is going to happen to CalTopo map sources used in Gaia GPS when CalTopo ends their licensing agreements in Jan 2021.
We will have replacement/improved map sources for these CalTopo layers up and running before our contract terms expire.
These sources will be built by our in-house team from source data. We have actually been working on this since early this year. Some sources have already been updated. We expect this to be a seamless transition and we anticipate most users won’t even notice the change.
If you experience any issues please contact support.
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Hey @rescuejg,
Nothing will happen to your downloaded maps from CalTopo sources. You can continue using offline maps from CalTopo sources without any interruption throughout this switch over.
The only exception to this rule is with the Slope Angle Shading source.
If you have downloads of Slope Angle Shading, you will receive a notification in the app that an update is available.
The update notification will appear as a green banner on the Saved tab.
Accepting the update will update your map downloads with the new source.
If you have any other questions, please contact support. -
@srheid
We are creating our own version of the USGS Topo, from the same data as the CalTopo source. It should be available before January so you don't need to worry about interrupted access to this source. Additionally, you will still keep your downloaded maps from USGS Caltopo. Anything you have downloaded previously, you will still have, even after January. That's true for any source that we may discontinue in the future. Just make sure you've synced so your offline maps are backed up to the Gaia Cloud.
Some other sources that are similar that may interest you are Gaia Topo and USFS 2016.
If you have any further questions, please contact Support here. -
@dernis11
CalTopo's layer will no longer be available as they have ended their third-party license agreement. Can you please contact Support here and give some more information on why the ESRI layer is not meeting your needs? I'll compile your feedback and pass it on to the rest of the team. -
@dernis11
An update on the Shaded Relief options in Gaia GPS:The Caltopo shaded relief layer, titled "Shaded Relief (US)", has been replaced with our own shaded relief layer. This layer has been updated with a new gray scale shaded relief layer that uses higher resolution data and a newer multi-directional relief shading that tends show more detail in areas that would otherwise be shadowed. It is still US only, but will likely be expanded to world wide coverage later this year.
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@Chris. I just wanted to extend a warm thank you to the Gaia team for taking the time to develop a replacement for the generic unshaded CalTopo layers.
I was devastated when Caltopo pulled the plug. For my needs, the Caltopo mobile and browser products are useless and unstable products. I"m also a paid member of Backcountry Navigator's products and they were not able to provide a good replacement when Caltopo cut them off. It makes their product hard to use now that it's missing a useful topo layer. They did try to provide a replacement layer, but it was a blurrier topo layer with less zoom and less detail.
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I still have a layer in my layers selection called FEATURES -No Longer Available
Its the caltopo features.I can move it to the inactive section of my layers.
I just cant get rid of it.
How do I get rid of that layer. Its annoying to have to see that in the list without the ability to remove it.
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Hi Richard,
Sorry for the trouble removing the Caltopo Features map source from your layers list.
You can remove that source directly from the layers list by following these steps:- Turn off Layered Maps if enabled: Add and Adjust Layered Maps
- Swipe the map layer you want to remove to the left
- Select Delete
If you have any further questions, please contact Support here. -
I think ESRI imagery is Gaia's equivalent? My 2 cents, understand Gaia is catered to recreational users. Caltopo seems to more catered to Search and Rescue + Wildfire Response outfits. I think it was probably a compromise on Gaia's part to get the best res sat imagery from a reasonable source. Remember Caltopo don't play nice and seem to keep all their data to themselves.
It does raise an good question, maybe insiders on here know - where does Caltopo source their hi res sat imagery from?
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There is no harm is using both:) Each have their pros and cons. It also forces you to learn to regularly export your tracks and waypoints, which makes swapping between apps and other tools less painful.
Ps, don't forget to compare Caltopo vs Gaia on a desktop computer as well. I actually like Caltopo better on desktop and hardly ever pull up Gaia that way. But I'm glad Gaia has focused on mobile, since that's what counts for me.
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