Walking Forum
Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Warbler on 14:36:49, 07/11/19
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Is anyone else who subscribes to OS online mapping having problems?
When I select "OS Leisure Maps" from the drop down menu, I'm prompted to either sign-in (I'm already signed in), or purchase a subscription (I already subscribe).
Or is it just me?
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Is anyone else who subscribes to OS online mapping having problems?
When I select "OS Leisure Maps" from the drop down menu, I'm prompted to either sign-in (I'm already signed in), or purchase a subscription (I already subscribe).
Or is it just me?
I am going off it because of problems since they did a lot of work on their site....When selecting a route, I can no longer re-centre my cursor, so if I move the map too fast I can end up at John O Groats and have to find my way back to where I should be (mentally speaking I mean)...I no longer use it when out and about now...I sort a route out and move it to my etrex. I also print the route off...but to use the OS mapping app on a walk now is becoming a chore for me.
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Is anyone else who subscribes to OS online mapping having problems?
When I select "OS Leisure Maps" from the drop down menu, I'm prompted to either sign-in (I'm already signed in), or purchase a subscription (I already subscribe).
Or is it just me?
Haven't had that problem. They lost my activities and when phoned about it no apology. When the app updated it took forever to download routes and despite being downloaded if I have no signal there is no map.
I am looking for an alternative for OS - the upside is price and coverage but the downside is reliability. I want to plan routes at home on a PC and print off maps for use on the hills. I have been using the OS app on a water resistant phone but am now thinking about a Garmin 20 with the maps installed. I have taken a look at Route Buddy for planning but it is so expensive and will not update unless new maps are bought.
Is there a realistic alternative to OS maps?
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I've had same issue as Apache. Pain in the [censored]. And they call it an improvement!
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They do seem to have spoiled what was a really good App with the latest update. It appears, in a daft attempt to keep up with the jones's, they have tried to add too many bells and whistles at once and spoilt the overall feel of the app. I now find it a real pain when off grid, as the 25k maps I have loaded on my phone try to switch to a 50k map that is not there and instead just give me a blank screen unless I am zoomed right in. I have told them about this, but received no feedback.
Back to your problem. It appears you can only use your downloaded maps on a device that has a sim in these days. I can no longer view them on my home tablet, only on my phone. Another backwards step.
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...I want to plan routes at home on a PC and print off maps for use on the hills. I have been using the OS app on a water resistant phone but am now thinking about a Garmin 20 with the maps installed. I have taken a look at Route Buddy for planning but it is so expensive and will not update unless new maps are bought.
Is there a realistic alternative to OS maps?
Yes. ViewRanger - either the subscription service which gives you the same access to UK OS mapping as the OS online service but is better for planning/following routes or the non-subscription which gives you Open Street Mapping for free and you can buy map tile packages where you can download the areas you want when you need them (and you own them offline on your phone too) and still plan/follow routes as normal.
A bit faffy on the initial setup (unless that's been simplifed since I started using it) but a doddle once you've registered/synced your phone to your laptop to your VR account.
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Haven't had that problem. They lost my activities and when phoned about it no apology. When the app updated it took forever to download routes and despite being downloaded if I have no signal there is no map.
I am looking for an alternative for OS - the upside is price and coverage but the downside is reliability.
Is there a realistic alternative to OS maps?
Viewranger use OS mapping and many love it...I never got into it as I was used to the OS mapping from the start without, what seemed to me, the commercialisation in viewranger. I would recommend at least giving it a look though, as so many are happy with it. I am tempted to have a years subscription with it, when my OS subscription runs out...
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Reading this thread prompted me to send OS apps customer service another email expressing my issues with the App since the update. Let's see if I get a reply this time.
I would encourage others to write them an email too. O0
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+1 for Viewranger.
Free App. Free maps. You can purchase OS if you want either by annual subscription for the whole lot or just the areas (tiles) that cover a specific area.
I csn synch to my PC, phone and my dedicated simless phone. No extra cost.
As an aside I don't understand GnP commercisation comment. No more commercial than OS itself in my experience.
I find it useful for Europe a hikes as I can choose to buy and download tiles for areas that I feel the need for.
Downloading maps is a doddle, and picking up routes that others have walked is useful, some can cost but so what. The authors of said routes also benefit not just VR.
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I use Anquet maps. I can't say it is best because I haven't tried all the others but it is the best so far :-)
Happy with it .. uses OS maps, amongst others
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Yes. ViewRanger - either the subscription service which gives you the same access to UK OS mapping as the OS online service but is better for planning/following routes or the non-subscription which gives you Open Street Mapping for free and you can buy map tile packages where you can download the areas you want when you need them (and you own them offline on your phone too) and still plan/follow routes as normal.
A bit faffy on the initial setup (unless that's been simplifed since I started using it) but a doddle once you've registered/synced your phone to your laptop to your VR account.
Thanks Mel.
I am trying the 7 day free trial. How do I print maps? I have been unable to find the instruction.
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Once you’ve plotted your route and saved it, re-load it then click on the “menu” button. Print as PDF then Export.
I don't think you can just print a "blank" map (I use a screen grab / snipping tool for that).
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Once you’ve plotted your route and saved it, re-load it then click on the “menu” button. Print as PDF then Export.
I don't think you can just print a "blank" map (I use a screen grab / snipping tool for that).
Thanks. Works a treat.
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Some interesting facts about Viewranger.. (https://www.viewranger.com/en-GB/about-us/company-history).
https://www.viewranger.com/en-GB/about-us/company-history (https://www.viewranger.com/en-GB/about-us/company-history)
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I'm glad this thread has appeared as I've been getting a bit fed up with OS myself. Following Mel's post I have just had a quick look at the ViewRanger software.
Instantly I noticed so many more tracks on the 'free' maps than exist on OS. Admittedly there are a lot of ground features missing with the ViewRanger but so far... I'm sold on it.
Think I may be moving to the Premium ViewRanger and ditch the OS mapping as I'm getting fed up with only having a tiny amount of screen map visible (mainly obscured by route rubbish I do no need to know, or my alternative is to get rid of said rubbish and useo 'Follow' route.... then phone battery dies within 8Hrs)
Thanks Mel
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No problems here on phone app or website version. I have over 400 routes loaded on it and they all come up just fine. No sign in prompt problem either.
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The thing about any electric GPS device is always going to be battery life. I have fallen foul of this once in the past on an "easy" walk. No matter what devices I carry, I now also carry enough battery backup for double the amount of time I think is required. I also use a solar charger on multi day hikes.
I am definitely a belt, brace, piece of string and some gaffa tape type of person. Phone with VR, simless phone with VR, ancient garmin gps device, compass and relevant maps. Spare batteries for garmin, big Anker battery pack for phones and solar charger (multi day only).
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The thing about any electric GPS device is always going to be battery life. I have fallen foul of this once in the past on an "easy" walk. No matter what devices I carry, I now also carry enough battery backup for double the amount of time I think is required. I also use a solar charger on multi day hikes.
I am definitely a belt, brace, piece of string and some gaffa tape type of person. Phone with VR, simless phone with VR, ancient garmin gps device, compass and relevant maps. Spare batteries for garmin, big Anker battery pack for phones and solar charger (multi day only).
My phone in normal mode will use well less than half its charge a day running VR in track mode. Don't forget, if you have "Location" selected on in your phone settings, the gps receiver is running anyway. My gps uses 2 AAs and they last ages. My normal night time routine includes putting my mobile on to charge so I never leave home with less than 100% charge. I check the charge on my gps at the same time as I outload a route to it. When it is down to 2 out of 4 bars, I swap the batteries. I have a small ziploc bag of spare AA and AAAs for my head torch and radio in my pack all the time. One lesson learned is to check them from time to time. I swap batteries in the field so rarely they have been known to go off in the bag.
My gripe with the OS app is that you cannot record a track while following a route.
General gripes with all phone based nav apps:
If you have any standard phone security, for example mine has fingerprint or PIN, it is a PITA to have to activate the phone each time to use the app.
Phone screens can be hard to read in bright light
The screen switches off after a short period of inactivity to conserve the battery and you have to reactivate it.
(I know I can change this in the settings but I prefer it that way for normal use to conserve the battery and protect my security. I do not want to keep changing my settings every time I take it for a walk which is why I prefer the gps - long battery life and screen always on).
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I check the charge on my gps at the same time as I outload a route to it. When it is down to 2 out of 4 bars, I swap the batteries.
Any reason why you do that? Mine runs quite happily for another day on 2 bars, and if it switches off mid walk I change the batteries then.
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I am definitely a belt, brace, piece of string and some gaffa tape type of person. Phone with VR, simless phone with VR, ancient garmin gps device, compass and relevant maps. Spare batteries for garmin, big Anker battery pack for phones and solar charger (multi day only).
Snap, except I don't carry a map or solar charger.
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Well.....I feel somewhat foolish now :-[
I had an email from OS a couple of weeks ago, saying my subscription would be renewed in 7 days time and I didn't need to do anything. So I didn't do anything.
However, since my last renewal, my bank card details have changed, so obviously OS were unable to renew my subscription. They had emailed me to explain this, but it was hidden in my junk folder (I often forget to check this).
Anyway, all is in order again now.
I must add also that I appear be one of the few that hasn't experienced any problems since the big update, except through my own stupidity, of course.
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Ninthace all your gripes can be sorted by using a dedicated simless phone with setting set exactly to suit you when out and about.
Those second hand/pawnbroker type shops are full of large screen smartphone for less than £30.Older version of Android is a risk but even so perfectly usable for VR and GPS use.
Anti glare screen Shields are also readily available.
My main gripe is phones now with batteries that are not consumer changeable. Such as my new Honor10.
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I'm glad this thread has appeared as I've been getting a bit fed up with OS myself.
Think I may be moving to the Premium ViewRanger and ditch the OS mapping as I'm getting fed up with only having a tiny amount of screen map visible (mainly obscured by route rubbish I do no need to know, or my alternative is to get rid of said rubbish and useo 'Follow' route.... then phone battery dies within 8Hrs)
Thanks Mel
You never mentioned that last weekend ;D .
I've also just moved over to VR after another fail to download properly - I had a blank screen with a pink line, and a downloaded map without my position marked, but the two things could not combine. OS help is a wste of space, so I won't be renewing.
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I quit using OS Mapping a while ago. Flawed, frustrating, a complete waste of time.
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Had some initial problems with the upgrade (asked to sign in, being asked to rate it) but these seem to have disappeared now. Just hope that they don't over-elaborate it. (I tend to use it to work out routes then use a marked up paper map with the online map as a backup to check that I've not lost the path.)
Dave
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... (I tend to use it to work out routes then use a marked up paper map with the online map as a backup to check that I've not lost the path.)
Dave
Puts me in mind of someone who worked for me who I found using a pocket calculator to enter data on a spreadsheet.
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Harsh! Must be the jetlag ninthace :o
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I quit using OS Mapping a while ago. Flawed, frustrating, a complete waste of time.
Do you use anything else now.
I have stopped my recurring subscription for OS. I love creating routes on it and being able to print off. However the way it plays up when out and about has put me off now. I have tried it on three different phones and cannot re centre the map on any. It still has some months remaining but I`m looking at Viewranger for the future or anything else you or other members may recommend.
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VR with a subscription to OS Premium mapping should meet your hearts desire then.
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Harsh! Must be the jetlag ninthace :o
Sorry, didn’t mean to be. If someone wants to practice paper map reading and check their answers with an app that is fine. It just seems a bit like extra work if you are following a predetermined route that is already on the app. I map read off the app and just use the paper version as a bigger screen on the odd occasion when if I need it.
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Hello... When using the OS mapping on the mobile screen is there anyway of Suspending/or moving aside the black 'press button' assists? That appear when Using? They do kindof interfere with the screen map when using.
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Hello... When using the OS mapping on the mobile screen is there anyway of Suspending/or moving aside the black 'press button' assists? That appear when Using? They do kindof interfere with the screen map when using.
I haven’t found that an issue. On my phone there are 2 bottom left, 2 bottom right and 1 top right. Touching the bottom left symbol centres the map to my current location so my position is well clear of any on screen buttons. The map can also be dragged with a finger to clear it from any button.
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Yes that's fine....another of the five 'button things' seems to be a kind-of linear compass.
I, probably like many walking folks, went for the Memory Maps on the PC many years ago. You appear to be stuck with the version downloaded to your PC at the time of asking whereas with the OS on screen subscription you get the updated annually maps? however the MM system allows for the position of the curser to give a read out of the precise ten digit map ref along with the 100kl alphas.
I am using both for my maps on screen stuff.:-)
….should have said that the OS maps are much clearer than the MM ones on screen.
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I liked using MM to see all the routes I had already done as it made filling in the gaps with new routes easier. However, I found with MM there appeared to be an undeclared limit on the number of routes it could hold before it started to misbehave generating a grey screen of death whereby the area of the map you were using came up as a grey screen when you first opened the display. The fix was to work at a different the zoom level. I do not know if that is still an issue. I also resented having to rebuy maps I had already downloaded to get a more current version.
For these reasons and the appalling user support, I abandoned MM about 7 years ago in favour of a Garmin Etrex plus Basecamp with ViewRanger on my phone as a fall back.
I now have both the OS app and VR on my phone plus using my Etrex as my preferred dedicated navigational tool.
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Hello... When using the OS mapping on the mobile screen is there anyway of Suspending/or moving aside the black 'press button' assists? That appear when Using? They do kindof interfere with the screen map when using.
I am like you, in that I think it would be great to have a lovely clear screen with only the map visible, or map overlaid with a route.
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I am like you, in that I think it would be great to have a lovely clear screen with only the map visible, or map overlaid with a route.
The latter is possible - map with route. I still do not have an issue with the buttons. They are at the edge of the screen, my position is centred in the middle of the screen so the buttons are over a km away on 25k mapping.
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The latter is possible - map with route. I still do not have an issue with the buttons. They are at the edge of the screen, my position is centred in the middle of the screen so the buttons are over a km away on 25k mapping.
Oh I know they do not hinder your actual location.For me though It is the same with a paper map. When I am looking at one, I like to open it out and have nothing cluttering the surface of it. Just a personal Feng Shui thing... 8)