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Help me understand downloadable maps, please
- Thread starter Erica
- Start date
Just stumbled on this thread. I think Erica is sorted, but for others' reference:
I also make use of the Avenza smartphone app. I get by on the free version, which lets me load up to 3 maps at a time. I can have more downloaded to my phone and load them into Avenza as needed. NYS DEC provides free downloads of GeoPDFs for most state lands - these work well with Avenza.
I will also say that Google Maps satellite imagery can be quite useful for navigating tricky wetland areas, searching through a labyrinth of channels for the one that actually goes through. You can download a specified area in Google Maps to your phone and then pull it up with your location, even without cell service as long as your GPS is working and the area was saved to your phone while still connected (I recommend wifi at home, not data service at the put-in). It takes some of the fun out of exploring a wetland trial-and-error style. There are times when I want the challenge, and times when I'm exhausted and just want to make it to my destination - in the latter times the satellite imagery can save a lot of time and frustration.
One can also make one's own GeoPDFs, combining whatever features you want. I download the NYS campsite, trail and put-in locations and overlay those onto aerial maps for some trips, but I use professional mapping software (GIS) to do so. Most times, the combination of the above two options is easier, faster, free, and available to those without professional software.
I also make use of the Avenza smartphone app. I get by on the free version, which lets me load up to 3 maps at a time. I can have more downloaded to my phone and load them into Avenza as needed. NYS DEC provides free downloads of GeoPDFs for most state lands - these work well with Avenza.
I will also say that Google Maps satellite imagery can be quite useful for navigating tricky wetland areas, searching through a labyrinth of channels for the one that actually goes through. You can download a specified area in Google Maps to your phone and then pull it up with your location, even without cell service as long as your GPS is working and the area was saved to your phone while still connected (I recommend wifi at home, not data service at the put-in). It takes some of the fun out of exploring a wetland trial-and-error style. There are times when I want the challenge, and times when I'm exhausted and just want to make it to my destination - in the latter times the satellite imagery can save a lot of time and frustration.
One can also make one's own GeoPDFs, combining whatever features you want. I download the NYS campsite, trail and put-in locations and overlay those onto aerial maps for some trips, but I use professional mapping software (GIS) to do so. Most times, the combination of the above two options is easier, faster, free, and available to those without professional software.
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