BrightEyes16 wrote:
Hi Matthew. I've been following this thread for a while as I check out different apps. I've ended up going with BCN and Alpinequest Pro too and wanted to ask you (or anyone else) about the different maps. I haven't used OSM maps before. What is your experience of the differences between the Thunderforest Outdoor map and the OSM Open Topo map? To me they appear to basically give the same information. The Thunderforest Landscape map also appears to be a stripped back version of the Outdoor map with no new detail. I unfortunately could not find the Openandromap on Alpinequest, maybe it is just available on BCN? Does that map have detail that the others don't include?
I basically wonder if the Thunderforest Outdoor map gives everything useful for hiking and camping and is the best option for detail of paths, water, contour lines, forests, etc (besides actual OS maps, which I do have on BCN). Just wondering what I'd miss out on if I don't install the maps I mentioned. I also overlay OS Opendata on top on my other maps and as you say it gives extra detail on burns etc which is nice, so thank you for that suggestion!
Hi, I'll try to answer all of your queries in order but first I'd like to point out that jolly47roger has got it absolutely spot on regarding OSM and it's "descendants."
I recently ended up doing a "seven point shuffle" (hands, bum, elbows and trekking poles
) down a nasty steep slope because Openstreetmap maps said there was a path, I'll be damned if I could see it so I had to find an alternative descent.
They're a fantastic resource, they're still my first go-to choice but bear in mind that they're opensource and rely (mostly) on non professionals for the maintenance of the maps.
And so without further ado ...
In my understanding the difference between the Thunderforest Outdoor map and Landscape map is that the Landscape map concentrates more on the natural features.
The outdoor map concentrates more on what someone might need for outdoor pursuits.
In my opinion it's really strange that they chose to split them like that.
The OSM opentopo map SEEMS to incorporate ALL of the information contained in the Thunderforest Outdoor and landscape maps so in that respect I tend to lean more towards that.
However, good luck using it in bright sunlight because paths, fences, etc are quite difficult to see (although that might be my old eyes).
A tip here if I may is that those difficult to see features can be made easier to see but a bit more "blocky" by reducing the apps' screen resolution.
In Alpinequest there is a setting which allows the resolution to be set very quickly by holding down the zoom in or out button (it always reset after the app is restarted though).
Openandromaps can't be used on Alpinequest, it can be used on some other apps. I do have Orux as a backup but I tend to use BCN pro.
I keep Openandromaps as a backup but to be honest I'm not overly keen on it, I much prefer the Openstreetmap originals.
It does seem to have ALL the Openstreetmap detail but it just seems clunky, perhaps that's my age showing.
Bear in mind that there are two thingmies (I can't remember the term, I want to say "themes") that can be selected for Openandromaps "Elevate" and "elements."
They both have the same data, but elements shows all the data all the time so the map can get very cluttered.
Elevate adds that info as you zoom in so it's less cluttered, a bit like Google maps.
Having said that elements often doesn't always show all the icons at all the zoom levels so you have to zoom in then out, therefore that's one of my "clunky complaints.'
Your question about the suitability of the Thunderforest Outdoor map really is very subjective. Personally I prefer the opentopo map. Mainly because it seems to incorporate all the detail shown on the Thunderforest Outdoor and landscape maps. I reduce its resolution and it's far easier to see.
The only thing I would say there is: contour lines.
I was recently in a position where I was able to test the OS opendata countour lines against various OSM contour lines and I've got to say that the OS opendata wins hands down.
Nothing particularly wrong with the OSM lines, it's just that OS is superior, I'll do a few screenshots in a minute.
Phew, sorry that reply grew arms and legs
I hope it goes some way to helping.