What's your favorite map source?

[MA_Trooper]

It seems most of us are using applications on our smart devices now for navigating. So what is your go to map source and what do you like about it?

Note: I'm not asking about the app you use, just the map source downloaded to the app. We have enough rescissions about apps already.

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[1Louder]

USFS Raster maps. The offer the clearest labels for forest roads and everything else is easy to read. Zoom levels are down to 50ft if you desire that level of detail.

Gaia has them. Not sure what other apps do. I know Hema does not. Motion X does not. Sorry to mention apps but it is relevant if an app can't support my favorite maps. In GAIA the latest versions are called USFS 2016 and the old are USFS Classic.

http://blog.gaiagps.com/usfs-map-source-updated/

https://www.fs.fed.us/ivm/index.html - You can view the data here but there is not a good way to export. The engine allows for GEO PDF exports but they are specific to the zoom level you have selected. Not very useful and an app like GAIA just makes viewing these maps easy (Again sorry for the reference (sorta) :) )

 

[1Louder]

This is a good source, https://data.fs.usda.gov/geodata/rastergateway/states-regions/states.php
Again all of this is very dependent on if your preferred app choice makes it easy to import maps or has a map layer you may have not heard of before or used in the past.

MVUM maps would be my second favorite. Not available everywhere but where they are they are the only legal means of showing which trails/roads are actually open.
https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/maps

 

[DocNOS]

Sorry to crash the topic.

But, what about paper maps? Who do y'all think has the best sources for us?

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[1Louder]

Sorry to crash the topic.

But, what about paper maps? Who do y'all think has the best sources for us?

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It depends on where you are going. MVUM maps where available are free and the law of the land. Meaning they show the only legally open trails. Otherwise the National Geographic maps are nice as are the Delorme books.

 

[Mike King]

In U.K. Ordinance Survey produce the best paper maps most of which are available in electronic form as well