ViewRanger Outdoors GPS Open. A must-have app for hikers, walkers, bikers, cyclists & explorers!
by Paul Wilks
Dec 14, 2012 8:17 AM –
Install
ViewRanger GPS is a holistic service for walkers, hikers and mountain bikers. It includes an app which tracks your routes and links to a webservice that provides additional features and social networking elements. It’s very much an all-in-one service rather than ‘just’ an app, so read on for more details and features.
Price: Free, plus In-app or online purchases ($various)
Tested on: Nexus 4
Content Rating: Low Maturity
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Navigation and Location Sharing!
- Interactive social networking features!
- Choice of maps!
- Useful statistics!
- Route discovery!
Cons
- Could perhaps do a little more in terms of tutorials. If you’re into technology and outdoor activities the app is relatively intuitive, but if you’re a technological novice, the app might take some patience to get used to.
Features:
Ok, I have to put my hands up and say that, while I’m a big fan of walking and getting out and about, doing so in the winter isn’t a pastime I’m keen on. If this had been summer I might well have been able to test the app even more, collated a number of routes and gotten more involved with the online community. However, it’s -6 outside at the moment and while I’m dedicated to thorough testing, I did call it a day when I lost feeling in my ears! 
However, even using the app and visiting the website for a short while can give a good idea of the scope of service ViewRanger provides. I would recommend you explore both the web and app interfaces to get a fuller understanding, but here are a few features that stood out to me.
Location and Navigation Sharing
The app includes the ability to locate you via GPS and track your route as you move about. You can make a small additional download which makes the GPS even closer, so this is good for accuracy. You can also share your location via the beacon option, in addition to your own created routes for people to try out themselves.
Social Network
The ViewRanger website is, in many ways, a mini social network for walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and runners. You create your own profile, post your locations and routes and follow others on their adventures too. It’s very interactive with lots to explore. You can sync your activities seamlessly between the app and the webservice so you can share your movements quite easily.
Choice of Maps
The app lets you choose what kind of map overlay you would prefer, perhaps dependent on your needs. So, you can opt for street maps or cycling maps. Alternatively you might use aerial maps for walking which will give you a better idea of the terrain. There are several maps to choose from and each represents a different kind of theme.
Landscape mode, view other routes
Stats
The app collects all manner of cool statistics for your consumption. From how long you’ve been out, to speed, distance and elevation. While this might not be for everyone, it’s a great feature to have. As I mentioned, I haven’t been able to use this as much as I’d liked, but I know come the summertime I can collect all kinds of info about the walking and exploring I do, so I’m already looking forward to that.
Discover New Routes
From either users sharing their routes online, or the routes available by searching in-app. It’s a little like finding restaurants on Google Places- just search and read in-screen info on the submitted route. This is excellent for finding routes local to you that you may not have been aware of and feels highly intuitive.
Now, this really is only the tip of the iceberg with all the other features the service includes. Things like; journal creation, offline map access, BuddyBeacon, trip planning and the ability to purchase full topographic maps for even more detail. My advice would be that, if you’ve read this far, read up about these features on the ViewRanger website which provides far more info than I am able to include here.
The bottom line is that ViewRanger GPS is an incredibly powerful and feature-rich application for outdoorsy types of all persuasions. Definitely check it out and see if it suits your needs.
Watch on Mobile
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ViewTracker GPS – Maps and tracking samples (1)
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ViewTracker GPS – Maps and tracking samples (2)
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ViewTracker GPS – Maps and tracking samples (3)
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ViewTracker GPS – Maps and tracking samples (4)
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ViewTracker GPS – In-map menu
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ViewTracker GPS – Location features and premium map downloads
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ViewTracker GPS – Search for places and routes
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ViewTracker GPS – Various map themes
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ViewTracker GPS – Cool Midnight map
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ViewTracker GPS – Tracking
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ViewTracker GPS – Tracking sub menu
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ViewTracker GPS – Menu
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ViewTracker GPS – Profile
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ViewTracker GPS – Sign in
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ViewTracker GPS – Logging in
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ViewTracker GPS – Create profile
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ViewTracker GPS – Landscape view
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Landscape mode, view other routes
Usefulness:
Wow, where to start regarding its usefulness. From the planning, mapping, navigation, sharing of routes and discovering new ones, to the different map types and the fact you can exchange info with fellow hikers/bikers/runners/walkers online. If you enjoy these kind of hobbies, you might begin wonder how you did without it.
Ease of Use:
I kinda wished there was a little more tuition in the app- you kind of have to explore and try new things out to find your way around and some things are easy to miss. I guess the problem lies in creating a tutorial that covers all the features (of which there are many) without overloading the user with pages and pages of instructions. I think there could be more included in the app, but it’s a tricky balance to strike.
That said, it’s not rocket science. If you generally like exploring places, you might actually prefer this! I would recommend you play around with some features before you go out, instead of having to rely on them when you are half way up an mountain and can’t find the feature you’re looking for.
Frequently Used:
This will, of course, depend very much on the user and how often s/he gets out and about. Might just be something you have the opportunity to use at the weekends, although it’s fully capable of being used on a daily basis.
Interface:
The interface is functional and, while it’s not the very best looking app, it works really well. I think because the app includes just about everything besides a flask of coffee and the kitchen sink, navigation isn’t as intuitive as lesser-functioning apps but I think it’s something you can get used to in little or no time.
Tags:
Android App,
Android Apps,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Apps for Runners Joggers,
Biking,
Geography,
GPS,
Hiking,
Hobbies,
Location,
navigation,
Outdoors,
Topography,
Travel,
ViewRanger Outdoors GPS Open,
Walking
Categorised in: Travel
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