FAQ

1. Q: What is the difference between the free and paid versions of the app?
   A: Currently, with Version 1.3, there are two differences between the paid and free versions. The paid version includes the ability to automatically locate your position on the topo map. Your current position will be indicated with a circle. The size of the circle indicates the accuracy of the position estimate, as reported by the device. In addition, the paid version includes the ability to export/import waypoints.

2. Q: How can I load my own GeoTIFF files into the app?
   A: There are two ways to load your own GeoTIFF maps into the app. Probably the simplest way is to use the embedded web server. Tap on the upload/download button from the Map Library screen. Then, from another computer on the same network, point a web browser to the address indicated on the device (you can also use the Bonjour bookmarks in Safari to automatically get to the site). You will be shown a page that lets you download maps in the app and upload new maps.

   The second way to get your own maps on the device is to host your GeoTIFF file on a website. Then, from inside the Topos2Go (or Topos2Go Free) app, bring up the embedded web browser (e.g. tap the + button from the Map Library). Tap into the URL box, clear the contents and type in the site that is hosting your GeoTIFF file. Tap on the link to your file and Topos2Go should begin downloading the map.

3. Q: Why does it take long to display the map?
   A: Most topographic maps are of very high resolution and cannot be displayed in their original form without crashing the iPhone/iPod Touch. Topos2Go performs a tiling process in which the original map data is broken up into tiles at various levels of resolution so that it can be more effectively displayed on the device. This process is performed as you view the map. Thus, the first time you view an area it will be a bit slow to display, especially if you have zoomed out. But once the tiles have been generated, map display is very fast at all zoom levels.
   If you need to use the map right away, stay at the default zoom level. If you have more time, you can zoom way out and let the app tile away. In order to generate tiles when zoomed out, the app must generate the lower level tiles. Thus, once tiling has been done at the furthest out zoom level, all tiles will be available and map display will be fast.

4. Q: Why does the map go blank when I zoom out?
   A: This is most likely because the app needs to generate tiles at this new zoom level. Once the tiles have been generated, the map will show up.

   Most topo maps are very high resolution and cannot be directly displayed on an iPhone or iPod touch. Topos2Go deals with this by breaking up the map into smaller tiles at different levels of resolution. These tiles are cached so, although it can be a bit slow to draw a new area of a map, once the map has been fully tiled, viewing the map will be fast at all zoom levels.

   An update to the app has been submitted to the store that provides more feedback to the user when tiles are being generated. Also, we will be working on ways to make this tiling process go more quickly.

Cynic Software