Mud Map – Outdoor Off Road GPS (Australia)
Cost: $59.99 | Developer:Equibs Solutions | Platform:iOS | Version 3.0.3| 520MB | 4.0+
The Mud Map Outdoor Off Road edition is exactly what the name suggests: an off-road navigation system designed for outdoor exploration within Australia.
Perhaps the key feature of the app is its built-in Navteq SmartTopo Australian map database which eliminates the need for an Internet connection, which is necessary for outback exploration. This can also be convenient in urban areas as it saves 3G data allowance.
The map operates efficiently, with fast rendering times resulting in nearly instant loading, and is updated regularly.
Additionally, the app combines standard GPS functions with enhanced specialised features to cater for outback explorers.
It contains address and POI search, route calculation and guide, tracklogs which records your every move, waypoints, 2D/3D view, contour line toggle, compass, and terrain colouring, as well as a collection of tracks and trails of all sizes across the country.
The app also has a map library where you can download any further specialised maps you may require. To use this feature, you must first create an account, or sign in.
The “Where am I?” feature ensures you avoid getting lost in unfamiliar territory, providing your location’s co-ordinates, altitude, and GPS strength.
Convenience and detail come with a catch, though. The app is slightly costy for a smartphone app, and is a fairly large file size.
The two extra maps included in the app – Australia Base Map, and National Geographic World Map (Political) – although providing an overview of larger areas, appear to come directly from an atlas and therefore do not offer the detail found in directory-format maps like the SmartTopo does.
Pros: Specialised for outback explorers, full in-built map database, no Internet connection required, fast map rendering, In-built map database eliminating download requirements and need for Internet connection, caters for explorers with tracks and trails, fast map rendering.
Cons: Costly, large file.
Verdict: Despite the price, it is an essential navigation solution for outdoor off road exploration.
Get it here:Apple App Store
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