CoPilot GPS App Review

Before we got a caravan, I didn't particularly relish the thought of towing one. However, after <a href="https://mcshow.co.uk/whats-on/towing-taster-session/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trying out towing with the Camping and Caravanning Club</a>, it was much more comfortable than feared.
 With years of towing and thousands of miles, we've encountered many situations on the roads.
What can make a break your trip with the caravan is the route. Especially as many great campsites are in remote rural areas, with narrow lanes and sharp turns, and not somewhere reversing back out is going to be viable.
Today, we should have the technology to help us out; a SatNav that knows you are towing a caravan and makes sure you don't end up in these situations.
Unfortunately, all too often, SatNavs can still direct you down '*interesting*' routes, which don't save any time. Not something you want to experience when towing a caravan.

## The Garmin Camper

<Link href="/travel/europe-caravan/caravan-italy/">When we towed our caravan to Italy</Link>, we borrowed a <Link href="/reviews/garmin-camper-satnav/">Garmin Camper GPS</Link>.
The Camper GPS has caravan towing designed into the unit. And while it worked OK a few times it took us on those interesting little detours.

## An Alternative: The CoPilot GPS App

After reviewing the Garmin Camper, people mentioned that they like <a href="https://copilotgps.com/en-gb/">the CoPilot GPS App</a>. So, time to check it out :-)

## Using Apps for Navigation

 We never had a car with a built-in SatNav for years. Now, we do, as built-in SatNavs have been around so long, when we bought our car second-hand, it had one :-)
Unfortunately, the maps aren't up-to-date, and finding places with it isn't easy. :-(
Recently, I have been using <a href="https://www.google.com/maps">Google Maps</a> to navigate using my phone. The maps appear to be up to date, and it re-routes traffic problems. It isn't perfect, though, and we still end up on those interesting detours SatNavs like to provide.
Like all SatNavs, it isn't reliable when towing a caravan.

## CoPilot GPS App

The CoPilot GPS App installs onto your phone like Google Maps. CoPilot isn't a free app; there's a subscription, though you do get an initial 14-day free trial period to test the app out.
You set up your towing profile, entering the length, height, and weight of your unit so that CoPilot can plan Caravan-friendly routes.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/09/Entering-Dimensions.jpg" alt="Entering your dimensions" width="828" height="484" caption="You can enter the dimensions for your total towing unit." />
Note that it's not just for caravans. The app works with motorhomes, too.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/09/Selecting-Vehicle-Type.jpg" alt="Different vehicle types supported in the app" width="831" height="1800" caption="The app supports navigation for different vehicle types. The icon for a Caravan is a Motorhome! Is this app confused?" />
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/09/Lots-of-Settings-1800px.jpg" alt="Setting options in the app" width="831" height="1800" caption="There are lots of settings to tweak the app." />

### Quirky User Interface

I find most GPS Apps work the same. However, using CoPilot was slightly different from regular apps, which sometimes became frustrating when trying to plan a route.

### Test One: Going to the Campsite in Wales

We headed off to <Link href="/places/campsite/glanllyn-caravan-and-camping-park/">a campsite on the shores of Lake Bala in Wales</Link>.
The quickest route from where we live is over <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berwyn_range">the Berwyn Mountains</a>, which is not the best route when towing.
The best towing route is along the main roads. Occasionally, holiday traffic causes congestion on the main roads, but it's a very straightforward towing route to the campsite.

### Route Good, Maps Not So

The CoPilot GPS picked the best caravan towing route via the main roads and avoided SatNav's favourite over the Berwyn Mountains. That immediately a big plus to the CoPilot GPS App over Google Maps.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/09/Longer-but-safer-route.jpeg" alt="CoPilot GPS Navigation Screen" width="1125" height="2191" caption="The first time out, and the CoPilot GPS plotted the better route when towing the caravan." />
While driving, it spoke clear instructions and helped display which lane to be in at junctions.
The map display has icons with warnings and information. I found these icons too small while driving, and were not clear what they were telling me.
It also displayed the speed limit on the screen. The speed limit was just for the road and didn't consider the speed limit while towing. It would show 60mph instead of 50mph, for example.
It also got the speed limit wrong, often showing 60mph through 30mph villages (and some of these have speed cameras in Wales).
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/09/Hands-Free.jpg" alt="App on phone mount" width="2448" height="3264" caption="It works hands free while driving; you don't need to operate your phone." />

### Test Two: Returning Home - A complete fail!

After picking the best route to the campsite, the return trip was not the same. Instead, it insisted we took the caravan over the top of the Berwyn Mountains.
I kept checking it was in caravan mode, and it was. But it just would not plot the best route, despite my trying.
What is worse, is that as we drove back along the caravan-friendly route, the CoPilot GPS App kept trying to direct us down narrow lanes back up to the Berwyn Mountains.
I know the area quite well, and it was instructing us to take hairpin turns, down single lanes and farm tracks, and I know there are some very narrow bridges with sharp corners. CoPilot GPS was obsessed with directing us down the most unfriendly caravan-towing route possible!
We ignored the CoPilot GPS, stuck to the main roads, and returned home in excellent time.

## Verdict

Using CoPilot GPS was a little frustrating, but I was happy to let that pass after it plotted a good caravan-towing route the first time around.
However, the app was extremely unhelpful on the journey home.
All-in-all, I found it worse than sticking with Google Maps.
I might try CoPilot GPS App again in the future, but for now, I won't be buying a subscription.

CoPilot GPS is an app that should help you safely navigate when towing your caravan. It's not free; there's an annual subscription.

CoPilot GPS App Review for Towing a Caravan

Garmin vivofit jr. 2, Kids Fitness/Activity Tracker, 1-year Battery Life, Adjustable Band, Disney Princess, Pink

Garmin

Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 trackers

Vivofit Jr Stretchy and Adjustable Bands

Any app or device that gets kids moving should be a good thing. However, we all know as parents, kids get bored quickly. They also break things! So given the high price tag of the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2, is it worth getting?

## The Tracker

The tracker itself is a small device with a colour screen that fits into a wrist band that works with a Garmin App so that children can earn points for steps and progress in the app.
They've got popular themes such as Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/03/Garmin-Vivofit-Jr-2-trackers.jpg" alt="Garmin vivofit junior trackers themed for Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars." width="1748" height="1102" caption="Here are some of the Garmin Vivofit Junior 2 activity trackers themed for Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars." />
The bands can either be bought as adjustable, which is for kids older than 4 (fitting wrists 130-170 mm), or 'stretchy', which is for kids ages 4-7 (wrist circumference of 147 mm).
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2019/03/Vivofit-Jr-Stretchy-and-Adjustable-Bands.jpg" alt="The stretchy and adjustable kids wrist bands" width="1980" height="1222" caption="There are two types of wrist bands: stretchy and adjustable." />
The tracker and band are waterproof, and so can be worn when swimming.
<YouTube video={"DgP3Lk-rkIY"} />
It also comes with one-year battery life, so you don't need to keep recharging it. However, many parents have reported that the battery fails sooner than a year, and the straps break.
Given the age range is 4 to 7 year's old, if you watch the YouTube videos on how to use it, the menus appear a little complicated for kids to get full use out of it.

## The App &amp; Games

Apps and games are everywhere these days. Very few 4 to 7 year-olds will not have used an app or played a game on a phone.
The idea with the Gramin Vivofit Jr 2 is that your child earns points through the number of steps they take, which then unlocks more levels in the game so that they can level up.
<YouTube video={"e1nfpZ-LCfc"} />
Again, parents have reported issues with this too. The Vivofit doesn't always sync, and the games aren't that great.
Typically the game is installed on the parent's phone, so the child needs to borrow their parent's phone to play the game.
<YouTube video={"Tj7FyBLGqUU"} />

## Playing Together

If another child has a Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 activity tracker, then they can pair with another child and do what Garmin calls the 'toe-to-toe' challenge. This game aims to see who can get the most steps in two minutes.
<YouTube video={"zVcEWSW6QKE"} />

## Where it goes wrong

I think the idea behind this is a good one. We can't separate kids from apps and devices these days; it's a part of the world they are growing up in. So, combing an app with an activity tracker should be a good idea.
<Link href="/go/reima-go/">We've reviewed the ReimaGo before</Link>, which has a similar concept, though that wasn't a wrist band.
From what I've seen of the games, I think they may be too complicated for the younger children, and not engaging them enough. For the older child, they may appear a bit 'boring'.
At the upper end of seven-years-old, they will be at school age. Although the 'toe-to-toe' challenge is something they can do with their friends, what is missing in the games are cooperative play. Most of the successful games can be set-up so that they can challenge their friends.
The game also involves travelling around a fictitious landscape. If children are doing steps to unlock game achievements, perhaps the game should be based around the child's local environment. For example, what if it offered parents the options of setting some challenges up in the local park, and then the kids could use the app like <a href="https://www.pokemongo.com/en-gb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pokemon-Go</a> to walk to places and unlock challenges through the steps they take to get there?
Of course, most 4-7-year-olds don't have a smartphone. If the game is on the parent's phone, the game isn't accessible to them most of the time, so they'll probably forget about it.

## What do you think?

I'm really encouraged that Garmin has tried to solve the problem of getting kids active. However, for me, I don't think this is worth the money (currently RRP of £79.99 on <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/c571-p1.html?series=BRAND562&amp;sorter=featuredProducts-desc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Garmin website</a>!).
We have created our own step challenges for the kids using an old pedometer. Much cheaper :-)
But **what do you think?** <a href="#section-reviews">Add your views to the comments below</a>.
**Do you have one?**
I notice many other reviews on the web (<a href="https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/garmin/1406569/garmin-vivofit-jr-2-review-the-fitness-tracker-for-kids" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>, <a href="https://www.wareable.com/garmin/garmin-vivofit-jr-2-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/consumer-advice/technology/a573983/garmin-vivofit-jr-2-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>) rate these much higher than we have (though some appear to call out the same flaws). Yes, I didn't mention the 'chores' feature. But I'm not convinced that using the fitness tracker for that is a good thing.
<a href="#section-reviews">**Have I got it wrong?** Leave your review below</a>.

Garmin have designed an activity tracker for children called the Vivofit Jr 2. It&#8217;s quite expensive, but is it worth the money?

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2 - Is it worth the money?

ordnance-survey

Ordnance Survey

Better family hikes with OS Maps

Fly-through visualisation

printing-options-in-os-maps

Accessing My Routes on the OS Maps App

Finding routes on the OS Maps App

Printed OS Maps

Ordnance Survey OS Maps App

Saving offline maps in the OS Maps App

Importing GPX files into OS Maps

An example of a Premium Route on OS Maps

Searching for routes on OS Maps

Red Squirrel Trail Loop Map

Using OS Maps app

OS Maps showing different views of the Ragleth Hill walk

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/On-track-with-OS-Maps-Hiking.jpg" height="1500" width="2000" alt="On track with OS Maps" />

***We've used, reviewed, and recommended the <Link href="/family-hiking/ordnance-survey-getamap-review/">OS Get-a-map service</Link> before. That service has now been retired for the new kid on the block: <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinaffid=128419&amp;awinmid=2495&amp;clickref=OSMapsReview&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fosmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk%2F" rel="noopener">OS Maps</a>.***

***OS Maps does everything Get-a-map did, and so much more.***

## OS Maps in a Nutshell

Whereas <Link href="/family-hiking/ordnance-survey-getamap-review/">OS Get-a-map</Link> lets you print your own maps, <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinaffid=128419&amp;awinmid=2495&amp;clickref=OSMapsReview&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fosmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk%2F" rel="noopener">OS Maps</a> does the same but also gives you mapping on your mobile device, a lot like <Link href="/family-hiking/viewranger/">ViewRanger</Link>. You get the power of both in one package.

<ul>
<li>Print your own OS Maps for areas at home.  That includes the standard 1:50K OS Map and 1:25K OS Leisure Maps.</li>
<li>Plot your own route or find one of the many walking or cycling routes available in OS Maps.</li>
<li>Access routes from your mobile. Follow the route using your device's GPS.</li>
<li>Download maps to your mobile for offline access where there is no signal.</li>
</ul>



> I thought it was really good value and decided to subscribe.



The basic use of OS Maps is free. However, if you want to print and use OS Maps, get premium walks, and download maps to your mobile, you'll need a Premium subscription. However, you can sign up for a free Premium trial to try it.

I tried it out, and since a full year's subscription for Premium was just under £20 (at the time of writing), I thought it was really good value and decided to subscribe.

Read on if you want to see inside OS Maps Premium and what you get.

## How to use the OS Maps website

If you are used to using websites like Google Maps, you'll find OS Maps easy and simple to use. It's very simple to use, and I prefer this simplicity over ViewRanger's website.

### Creating Routes

You can create your own routes by merely pointing and clicking.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Create-a-Route-with-Point-and-Click.jpg" height="514" width="1354" alt="Just Point and Click to Create a Route" />

But what if you've found a route on another website and it's not in OS Maps? Well, if that site lets you download the map as a GPX file, you can then import that route into OS Maps.

Here's a GPX <a href="http://www.mudandroutes.com/ragleth-hill-from-acton-scott/" rel="noopener">Route of Ragleth Hill</a> that I imported from the excellent <a href="http://www.mudandroutes.com/ragleth-hill-from-acton-scott/" rel="noopener">Mud and Routes website</a>.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Importing-GPX-into-OS-Maps.jpg" height="988" width="1866" alt="Importing GPX files into OS Maps" />

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Ragleth-Hill-route-on-OS-Maps.jpg" height="1054" width="1464" alt="OS Maps showing different views of the Ragleth Hill walk" />

### Finding Routes

When you create a route, you can optionally make it public for other people to find, so there are quite a lot of walking routes available. (I'll put some of our walking routes on OS Maps. <a href="https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/918659/ragleth" rel="noopener">Click here to view the Ragleth route shown above</a>.).

With the Premium plan, there are published routes from the AA, Trail Magazine and other organisations.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Trail-Magazine-Premium-Route.jpg" height="935" width="1800" alt="An example of a Premium Route on OS Maps" />

A nice little touch is that it also shows you what the weather is like where the route is. Handy for those impromptu walks.

We decided to go for <a href="https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/521688/AA-Walks-Idyllic-Valle-Crucis-and-Dinas-Bran" rel="noopener">a walk at nearby Llangollen</a>, and OS Maps came up with several suggestions.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Searching-for-Routes-on-OS-Maps.jpg" height="1248" width="2400" alt="Searching for routes on OS Maps" />

### Printing maps and routes

Electronic maps on your computer are all good, but you can't beat a paper map, primarily as a backup for when your electronic gadgets run out of battery.

Fortunately, you can easily print from OS Maps.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Printing-options-in-OS-Maps-1.jpg" height="1026" width="2068" alt="Printing options in OS Maps" />

The printing options are quite flexible, letting you get as much of the map as possible onto the page. You can turn off route markers if they obscure too much detail on the map.

As well as the map, you can print out each waypoint, which can generate a lot of paper on some routes, but it will at least give you the grid references if you get off track.

As a premium customer, you can also print larger maps on A3 - if you have a printer that can print A3.

With our <a href="https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/route/521688/AA-Walks-Idyllic-Valle-Crucis-and-Dinas-Bran" rel="noopener">route around Llangollen selected</a>, we printed it out. As you can see, the quality of the printouts is excellent.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Printed-OS-Maps-Hiking.jpg" alt="Printed OS Maps" width="2000" height="1500" caption="The route printed, complete with the route plotted onto an Ordnance Survey map." />


## How to use the OS Maps Mobile App

With our increasingly powerful phones always on us, it made sense for the Ordnance Survey to make OS Maps available as an App, which you can get for both iOS and Android.

As with the OS Maps website, the mobile app is simple and straightforward.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Ordnance-Survey-OS-Map-App-Screenshots.jpg" height="1012" width="1868" alt="Ordnance Survey OS Maps App" />


### Accessing your Routes

Any routes saved on the OS Maps website will appear under 'My Routes', making it easy to plan on a larger computer screen and then take the details with you on your phone.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Accessing-My-Routes-on-OS-Maps-App.jpg" height="1048" width="1270" alt="Accessing My Routes on the OS Maps App" />



### Finding New Routes

Finding routes is easy using the OS Maps App, too.

There's a dedicated guide to the National Parks, plus you can search any area and see all the nearby routes.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Finding-routes-on-the-OS-Maps-App.jpg" height="1026" width="1266" alt="Finding routes on the OS Maps App" />

### Downloading Maps for Offline Use

Many places where most of us want to hike has poor mobile signals. Fortunately, you can download sections of a map to your phone and access them when you are offline.

Downloaded map tiles are shown with a green tint, though you can turn the colour off if it is too distracting.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Saving-Offline-Maps-in-OS-Maps-app.jpg" height="714" width="1614" alt="Saving offline maps in the OS Maps App" />

I also like how it tells you how large the map will be when stored on your phone.

### Following Routes

Finally, the app can also help you navigate the route.

We downloaded our walk from Llangollen and set off to test it out.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Downloaded-Route.jpg" height="1024" width="1198" alt="The route downloaded on my phone" />

To start navigation, you click *Follow Route*.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/Following-the-OS-Map-Route-Hiking.jpg" height="1500" width="2000" alt="Following the OS Map Route" />

To ensure it was working entirely offline, I put my phone into *flight mode*, and the OS Maps app continued working a treat with the offline map.

It showed some non-offline maps, which it must have saved when I used the phone to browse the area.

The app doesn't give you turn-by-turn instructions but will trace your actual position on the Ordnance Survey map.

As with any plotted route, the accuracy of the plotted route may not completely follow the actual footpaths on the ground, but I found this a lot easier than following route instructions from a guidebook.

## Getting routes onto a GPS device

What if you have a proper outdoor GPS to use when hiking? Well, firstly, lucky you ;-)

You can download a GPX from the OS Maps website to import a route into your GPS device.

I haven't tried it, but given how well it imported a GPX file, I have no reason to expect it not to work.

## Visualising Your Route

If you go to the <a href="https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer">OS Maps website</a>, you can visualise your route by clicking on ***Start fly-through***.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Click-Start-Fly-Through.jpeg" alt="The Start Fly-Through link on OS Maps" width="601" height="469" caption="Click 'Start Fly-Through' to start the visualisation" />

The Fly-Through shows the route on the landscape and follows the route so that you can better understand where it takes you. It also points out summits and towns, and villages.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Fly-through-visualisation.jpeg" alt="The OS Maps fly-through" width="457" height="573" caption="The OS Maps fly-through shows you the route in 3D." />

## Visualising your Route with the App's Tabletop 3D

You can also visualise the route using the App using the ***Tabletop 3D*** feature.

Locate a route you want to walk in the app, and then tap the Tabletop 3D icon.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Click-Tabletop-3D-e1571296105187.jpeg" alt="The OS Maps Tabletop 3D icon" width="348" height="693" caption="Tap the 'Tabletop 3D' icon in the app" />

Once this starts, it uses your phone's camera and asks you to find a flat surface, like a tabletop. When you have pointed your camera at the tabletop, tap the *Place Map* button.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Place-the-3D-map-e1571296600725.jpeg" alt="Placing the 3D map on the Table Top" width="1016" height="463" caption="After you have placed the map, you can now see a 3D model of the route on your tabletop." />

As it says on the screen, pinch and zoom or rotate the model until you get a view that helps you see the route.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Zoom-the-map-to-the-right-size.jpeg" alt="The 3D Tabletop Map zoomed in" width="1016" height="473" caption="Zoom in on the 3D model to see the route's details." />

Once you have the model to a size and position you are happy with, tap the ***Lock position*** button. After the 3D model is locked, you can walk around your table to examine the route. Move your phone closer to the model to zoom in.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2016/11/Move-around-the-table-to-view-the-route.jpeg" alt="The 3D tabletop map locked into position" width="1014" height="472" caption="With the model position locked, you can walk around your table to examine the route from all angles." />

## Verdict

I was impressed with <a href="http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinaffid=128419&amp;awinmid=2495&amp;clickref=OSMapsReview&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fosmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk%2F" rel="noopener">OS Maps from the Ordnance Survey</a>, and as I mentioned before, I signed up for the full Premium membership as soon as my free trial ended.

We undoubtedly give this bit of outdoor tech the GOWTK Thumbs Up Award.


## Finding and using OS Maps on 'Get Out With The Kids'

After trying out OS Maps, we have enhanced the maps on this website to link to OS Maps.

When looking at a route, campsite, or activity, you'll see a button to open on OS Maps. This will show you that location on the OS Maps website (even if you don't have a premium membership). You can then find nearby routes or plan other activities in the area using an Ordnance Survey Map.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/1970/01/OS-Maps-on-GOWTK.jpg" height="694" width="1428" alt="os-maps-on-gowtk" />

*Please note:* all OS maps are <a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk" rel="noopener">Copyright Ordnance Survey</a> and are shown here for educational/information purposes only. To access the full maps suitable for navigation, you must access the maps and routes on OS Maps.

We give the Ordnance Survey's OS Maps system a try and are impressed. View our guide to using OS Maps.


OSMaps

Geocaching Premium App Review

***The Geocaching Premium App is quite expensive for an app, but is it worth it? We take a closer look...***
<hr/>
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/11/Geocaching-Premium-App-Review.jpg" height="550" width="960" alt="Geocaching Premium App Review" />

If you've not come across Geocaching before, you're missing out on a great trick with getting kids out for a walk. If you're not sure what Geocaching is, <Link title="What is Geocaching?" href="/family-hiking/what-is-geocaching/">read our getting started guide</Link>.
We've tried many <Link title="Walking, Geocaching, and GPS Apps for iPhone" href="/family-hiking/iphone-apps-gps/">Geocaching apps</Link>, with some success with the free <Link title="Geo Bucket – Geo Caching App Review" href="/product/geo-bucket-geo-caching-app-review/" rel="noopener">Geobucket</Link> and <Link title="c:geo – Andriod GeoCaching App you can use offline" href="/product/cgeo-andriod-geocaching-app/">c:Geo on Android</Link>.
There is, of course, the official <a title="Geocaching Intro on iTunes" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/geocaching-intro/id329541503?mt=8" rel="noopener">free Geocaching Intro from Geocaching.com</a>, but it wasn't long after getting that we decided to upgrade to the Geocaching Premium App.
<hr/>

## Geocaching Premium App Review

As apps go, the <a title="Geocaching Premium App on iTunes" href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/geocaching/id292242503?mt=8" rel="noopener">Geocaching Premium App</a> is on the more expensive side. At the time of writing it was £6.99. So is it worth it?
With the free Geocaching Intro app, you can log into your <a title="Visit Geocaching.com" href="http://www.geocaching.com" rel="noopener">Geocaching.com</a> account and query for nearby caches, and navigate to them. So why would you want to upgrade?


> ability to save caches to the phone and work with it offline



The big selling point of the paid app for us was the ability to save caches to the phone and work with it offline. Many places we walk don't have a good mobile signal, and so this feature is vital.
The ability to find caches when connected to Wifi and then use them offline later also saves on any data charges you may have on your phone.

### Searching for Caches

Finding caches with the app is straightforward.
If you do have a mobile connection when you are out, a 'Find nearby caches' on the app's home screen allows for some impromptu geocaching when out and about.
It's also possible to save caches and make groups of favourites to find later. Very handy when planning ahead.
Even saved caches have their description, and even the hint is easy to see without having to decrypt.

### Navigating to Caches

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/11/Using-the-compass-to-navigate-to-the-cache.jpg" alt="Using the compass to navigate to the cache" width="640" height="1136" caption="Using the compass to navigate to the cache" />
This is, of course, the main purpose of the app, and I'm pleased to say it's simple and works well.
The navigation mode works in either compass or map view.
Compass is simple: just follow the orange arrow that points to the hidden geocache. The screen also clearly shows you how far away from the cache you are.
The other mode is tracing your route to the cache on the map view.  When there's a data connection I find it really useful sometimes to use use the satellite map, especially when out in the hills.
The only wish I'd have for this app would be to have the option to display UK Ordnance Survey maps.
The maps it uses on the iPhone are Apple Maps (street, hybrid, and satellite), Open Street Map, and Open Cycle Map.

### Logging your finds

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/11/Logging-a-cache.jpg" alt="Logging a cache" width="640" height="1136" caption="Logging a cache" />
Another thing you can do with this app is log when you've found a cache.
You can save a log for later and sync when you are back on Wifi, or you can send there and then if you have a connection.
If there are trackables in the cache, or you are dropping one off or just visiting the cache, you can record that too.
We found one slight issue here though. It appears to need a data collection to look up what trackables you have in your inventory, and this can make filling out the log screen a bit slow.
If you want to take pictures and send them with your log you can do that too.
<hr/>

## Issues

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/11/A-beautiful-spot-for-a-bit-of-geocaching.jpg" alt="A beautiful spot for a bit of geocaching" width="590" height="392" caption="A beautiful spot for a bit of geocaching" />
The only real issue we found was with logging a trackable (apart from the speed of logging trackables, mentioned above).
To be fair, I think it's a general issue with Geocaching.com, and not specific to this app.
We were lucky enough to <Link title="Why you should do a family road trip – at least once" href="/travel/usa-road-trip/family-west-coast-road-trip/">visit the Sierra Mountains in California</Link>. We'd taken a trackable across the Atlantic and dropped it off in a beautiful location.
As expected though, we had no data connection. So we logged the visit and trackable drop-off and saved it for syncing later.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/11/The-geocache-that-it-never-recorded.jpg" alt="The geocache that it never recorded" width="590" height="392" caption="The geocache that it never recorded" />
While exploring the Sierras and Yosemite, syncing geocache logs wasn't a priority. By the time we did a sync, someone had picked up the trackable from the cache.
Geocaching.com would not allow us to sync our log, as the trackable was now with someone else. I found no way of logging it online at Geocaching.com either. So it never recorded us dropping off this trackable in the beautiful location after putting thousands of miles on the trackable.
This was a double blow to us, as our geocache visits were also plotting our adventure across the west coast of the USA.
<hr/>

## Geocaching App vs c:Geo

For a long time, we had been using <Link title="c:geo – Andriod GeoCaching App you can use offline" href="/family-hiking/cgeo-andriod-geocaching-app/">c:Geo on a Samsung Galaxy</Link>. This was working OK....but which is better: the free c:Geo or the paid Geocaching App on the iPhone?
Well, perhaps it's a little unfair to compare them directly, as the hardware in the Samsung Galaxy II is older than the iPhone 5s, so that may give the Geocaching App an advantage.

I had been finding that c:Geo on the Samsung wouldn't always find the GPS signal, and sometimes when you got close to a geocache, it wound then vary +/- 50m, which is not very helpful.
The accuracy with the iPhone/Geocaching app has been a lot better. It finds the GPS quickly, and gets us quite close to the Geocache, usually +/- 2m accuracy.

## So is the Geocaching Premium app worth it?

As you can see, you can get free apps that have the same functionality, and the Geocaching Premium app hasn't been perfect.
However, I don't regret buying it. It has worked well on the iPhone, and accuracy has been the best phone based GPS/Geocaching combination we've tried to date.


> 
more-or-less "just works"



So if you don't mind parting with £6.99 for something that more-or-less "just works", and Geocaching is something you do a lot, then getting the Premium App is worth it.

The Geocaching Premium App is not a cheap app. So is it worth spending the money? We have a look and compare it with some free alternatives.

Geocaching Premium App - Is it worth the money?

cgeo geocaching app review

Today we tried <a title="c:geo - Android GeoCaching App" href="http://www.cgeo.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">c:geo</a>, which is a FREE android <Link title="What is Geocaching?" href="/activities/what-is-geocaching/">GeoCaching</Link> app.


<MediaImage url="/uploads/2013/04/cgeo-Live-Map.png" alt="cgeo map" width="1080" height="1849" caption="The map display in the c:geo geocaching app" />

Having used <Link title="Geo Bucket – Geo Caching App Review" href="/gear/geo-bucket-geo-caching-app-review/">iOS GeoCaching before</Link>, it was interesting to see what was available on Android.



The requirements were simple:


<ul>
<li>I want to use my premium <a title="GeoCaching.com" href="http://www.geocaching.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GeoCaching.com</a> account to find caches and update finds.</li>
<li>I want it to store the caches when I am at home on free internet and not use expensive mobile tariffs for data downloads.</li>
<li>I want the app for free.</li>
</ul>

Fortunately c:geo ticked all those.



## c:geo Installation and Setup


This was quick and easy. Once installed, simply enter your Geocaching.com credentials and the app is ready.



## Offline GeoCaching


c:geo can work both in 'Live' mode and with stored caches in an 'offline' mode.



With Live mode you can search for a location, or find caches near your current location.



It was the offline mode that interested me. I just wanted to use the phone's GPS capabilities, and not use the expensive data network.



We knew where we were going, so with the phone connected to WiFi I used Live mode to find the caches in that area.



The caches load quite quickly. Not all will load at once though. Give it 10 seconds and more may get displayed on the map.



Some caches on the map have an orange circle around them. These are caches the app is still getting from Geocaching.com, and the orange circle disappears when the app has all the info.



Once you have all the caches displayed on the screen you can press a menu option to download all the displayed cache details to the phone. The download estimates how many minutes it will take.



Downloaded geocaches have a little computer disk picture next to them when you see them on the map.



Once completed, I put the phone into 'Flight Mode' so that there was no mobile signal.



## Finding Geocaches

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2013/04/cgeo-compass-navigation.jpg" alt="c:geo Compass Navigation pointing to the next geocache" width="300" height="400" caption="c:geo Compass Navigation pointing to the next geocache" />

In offline mode the app worked well.



You simply click on the 'stored caches' icon on the app's home screen and it displays a list of all the caches stored on the phone with how far they are away from you.



Click on a cache and it brings up basic details (type of cache, difficulty, etc.). Click on the little navigation icon and it then displays a compass pointing to that geocache, and how far it is away from you.



We did this test using a Samsung Galaxy SII, which has a built-in GPS.


<MediaImage url="/uploads/2013/04/cgeo-offline-map.jpg" height="400" width="300" alt="Using the map with cgeo, even when offline" />



Using the map with cgeo, even when offline




The navigation was quite responsive (better than many car Sat Navs) but we did find that when you were about 5 metres from the geocache the accuracy wasn't great. This is not surprising really and you would need a dedicated GPS unit to get better, especially with some tree cover (mind you, phones are getting better all the time).



With c:geo the full geocache description is available, including the hint (decipher with one click), and the log book - so if you get stuck there's a few clues available.



If the compass isn't helping you can switch back to map mode, even if the phone is in Flight mode. This uses the maps it stored on the device with the caches.



You can zoom to a certain amount of detail, but without being connected to the internet you don't get the full mapping experience.



After you have found your cache you can log your visit in offline mode. This will place a red smiley face next to the geocache on the map so that it easy to spot which caches you've visited.




## Reconnecting to Geocaching.com


When we returned home I connected the phone back to WiFi and updated the saved caches.



c:geo downloaded the recent updates to the caches, but it didn't upload my visits that I saved when I was offline. I was a little disappointed in this, however it was easy to see the caches we visited on the map and to log the visit.



When the visit is logged with Geocaching.com a green smiley face is shown next to the cache on the map.



A quick check on Geocaching.com confirmed that c:geo had recored our visit to the caches.



## Conclusion


We were very impressed with c:geo.



For a free application it is put together well and felt like a paid app.



I never noticed any adverts either.



I had one crash when I first used the app, but in the field there were no issues.



The ability to use this app without network costs (or where there's no mobile signal), and that we found lots of caches with it, gets c:geo the thumbs up from us.



### More Information


More details can be found at <a title="c:geo FAQ page" href="http://faq.cgeo.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">c:geo's FAQ page</a>, including how to use c:geo with a full <a title="How to use an offline map" href="http://faq.cgeo.org/#5_19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">map when offline</a>.


c:geo is a free GeoCaching app that lets you download caches to your phone and use it without needing a network connection or maxing out your download limit.




c:geo

Reima

The ReimaGo activity set

Testing the ReimaGo

reimago pocket

It's in the news practically every day the startling figures that represent children's inactivity. According to the World Health Organisation children should aim to do at least one hour of physical activity a day. So how do you monitor children's activity, well an interesting new gadget has hit the market to monitor children's activity levels.
We are big Fitbit fans, and our oldest two have their own, but what about for younger children? This product might be of interest, so we just had to check it out.

## So what is it?

Children's Nordic clothing brand <a href="https://www.reima.com/int" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Reima</a> has partnered with sports watch brand Suunto bringing a wearable sensor that attaches to a pocket positioned on the arm of the ReimaGo jacket.
The waterproof sensor can track the duration and intensity of physical activity. It collects data and sends it to a specifically designed fun app that's free to download.
The app turns the collected data into energy for a virtual character to travel through imaginary world levels that the child has to complete. The sensor does not monitor steps, heart rate or calorie counts. It's all about encouraging an active lifestyle in a fun way.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/reimago-pocket-_.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1500" caption="The activity sensor is placed in the pocket" />

## The ReimaGo App

The <a href="https://www.reima.com/int/reimago/app" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">app is free to download</a> and simple to set up, adding your child's details. You can edit the details at any time and add additional children.
The screens are easy to navigate, but I could have done with a bit more explanation as to what some of the symbols represented. And yes I did go the help section.
However, there was no symbol explanation that I could find.
It is easy for parents to follow the child's activity levels and keep an activity log.
The game rewards children for their efforts with stickers and parents can also set their own rewards. I  like this feature of the app, as it makes it more personal and achievable for the individual child. It's a great way to motivate the child.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/Rewards-_.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="1334" caption="The app gives rewards for activity. You can also add your own rewards." />
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/set-target-_.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="1334" caption="Set a daily target for your child" />
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/Track-Progress-TOM.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="1334" caption="Track their progress" />

## The ReimaGo Sensor

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/The-Activity-Sensor-_.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1500" caption="The activity sensor designed for kids." />
The sensor is a wearable movement sensor that just clips into the designated ReimaGo pocket on the jacket on the left arm.
Now you don't have to have the jacket to use the sensor. You can just put it in inside a pocket on any clothing.
We gave this a go, and it still did work, but you do get a more accurate reading with the jacket and wearing it closer to the torso.
Now our little tester is known for losing things, so a small device floating freely around in his pocket would probably get lost, and it's an expensive item to misplace! If you are looking at using the sensor this way it may be worth considering how you are going to keep the sensor safe.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/Sensor-in-the-Pocket.jpg" height="3264" width="2448" alt="Sensor in the Pocket" />


## The jacket

The jacket is excellent quality as you would expect from the Finland brand. All their clothing range are designed to give kids the freedom to be active.

## Verdict

We are big advocates to getting kids outside, so anything that encourages this is a good thing.
It's a fun way to help your child to be active. With the popularity of phones and apps, this is going to be very appealing to young children.
The child doesn't have to wear a fitness band on their wrist so less intrusive.
Interestingly, the first thing our tester asked after wearing it was how many steps he had walked. Now the sensor doesn't record this, so he was a little disappointed and lost a bit of interest in it.  As a family we are always checking how many steps we have walked on our FitBits, so this could have influenced his thinking.
If you buy the jacket and sensor it's quite an expensive purchase for a child's activity tracker, so you could just purchase the sensor, but as it's not attached to anything, it is easy to lose.
I love the innovation and the ethos behind this product but am in two minds whether I would buy one. Should we be needing to measure our children's activity? If you get them outside walking, cycling, etc then you know for yourself what level of activity they are attaining and as a parent encouraging them to be active by setting an example, is likely to be a lot more influential than any app!  On the other hand, some children need a lot of encouragement to get outside, and this could just be the answer. What do you think?
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2017/07/Testing-the-ReimaGo-TOM.jpg" height="1500" width="2000" alt="Testing the ReimaGo" />

The ReimaGo is an activity sensor for kids, but is it any good, and should you get one?

ReimaGo

Love the ethos and innovation of this product. If you're really struggling to get your child outside, the Reimago maybe the motivation your child needs.

Using the ViewRanger app

We've covered apps before that help you find walks, and apps that help you track where you're going.
Well, another app that can do both is <a href="https://www.viewranger.com/en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ViewRanger</a>.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2015/10/Using-the-ViewRanger-app-e1445195276854.jpeg" height="535" width="1024" alt="Using the ViewRanger app" />



## Finding Walks

You can access ViewRanger either in a web browser or as an app on your phone.
There are a number of routes within ViewRanger that you can search for. Just enter a location and find nearby routes, and with the app, you can search for routes near yourself using your phone's GPS.
ViewRanger works on a credit system. Some routes you can find are free, and others you buy with credits.

## Plotting your own route

One of the things you can do is plot your own route ahead of time. This can be particularly useful if you are planning a route you're not sure about, as you can then use ViewRanger when outside to check you're still on course.

## ViewRanger Maps

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2015/10/Purchasing-an-OS-Map-Tile-in-ViewRanger.jpg" alt="Purchasing an OS Map Tile in ViewRanger" width="308" height="550" caption="Purchasing an OS Map Tile in ViewRanger" />
Any routes you've purchased or created can be downloaded to the ViewRanger map on your phone.
It comes with a number of free maps, but for best results, I recommend you download the Ordnance Survey maps.
Again, you can purchase these with credits.
Complete maps of national parks are available, or you can download just the map tiles you need, either at 1:50,000 or 1:25,000.
Here's a quick video I put together to help you see how to download maps and routes.

<YouTube video={"5fBtxYpdG34"} />

## Using ViewRanger for Family Walks

So let's get down to business. What's ViewRanger like to use?
<YouTube video={"HXvP77G4uDg"} />

Well if you've used a GPS for your car, then it's very similar.
Simply start navigation on your chosen route with your chosen maps.
The route is displayed on your the map, as well as the route you've walked.
We did find a few tweaks that helped us use it better.
By default, the maps stay static. You can go into the settings and change it so that the maps rotate to reflect the way you are facing. What you are looking at is what's in front of you.
With ViewRanger set-up like this, even our youngest was able to follow the route.

## How good are the routes in ViewRanger?

We found ViewRanger's position on the map quite good. The quality of the route though depends on who and how it was made.
I created a few routes using the ViewRanger website, and getting them perfectly accurate is extremely difficult.
Another way to create a route is to record it as you walk. This may result in a more accurate route.
Some common sense is always required so don't just let the device dictate where to walk. On a route we tried it would have had us clambering over the top of an old building, instead of just walking around the side where there was a public path.
By the way, you can upload and sell your routes for Credits if you wish.

Always looking for new places to take the kids, we test out the ViewRanger app.

Viewranger

OS getamap review

***Did you know you can print your own Ordnance Survey maps at home? We give OS getamap a try...***

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/OS-getamap-review.jpg" height="627" width="1200" alt="OS getamap review" />

<InfoMessage title='UPDATE'>

**OS getamap** service has now been replaced with the new **OS Maps**, which does everything **getamap** did and so much more. <Link href="/product/os-maps/">Click here to read our review and a how-to guide to using OS Maps</Link>.

</InfoMessage>


We are fortunate that this country has some excellent maps for outdoor activities, thanks to the Ordnance Survey.

## Are paper maps still needed?

We use a lot of electronic maps these days: sat navs, geocaching apps, and all sort of route planners that are available on our mobile devices.
It's not that many years ago that such technology was science fiction. Driving somewhere? Just put in the address, get directions, plus you can nearly always zoom in for a birds eye view of even a street level view.
But what about a decent hiking or biking route that takes you miles away from the road? Most electronic maps on our devices are sorely lacking there (you can of course get electronic Ordnance Survey maps).
And what about where there's no internet signal? No battery?
You'll always need to a paper map, even if just a backup, when out in the countryside.

## But how may paper maps?

The Ordnance Survey has excellent maps of England, Wales, and Scotland.
I don't know about you, but a number of times I've found the route I want to follow actually spans two maps!
And as good as the OS Maps are, getting two maps when you only need a few square inches on both, can get expensive.
Fortunately there's a solution: OS getamap.
<hr/>

## What is OS Getamap?

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Using-OS-getamap-for-Sandymouth-Bay.jpg" alt="Using OS getamap for Sandymouth Bay" width="812" height="664" caption="Using OS getamap for Sandymouth Bay" />

OS getamap is an online tool to search the Ordnance Survey's large map database and print out the map tiles you want.

You can try OS getamap for free, and pay to print a map when you need it, or you can take out a subscription. 

A year's subscription is about the same as buying a few maps, so if you do a lot of hiking, or are planning to get your kids out in the great outdoors, then OS getamap is can be a cheaper option than buying paper maps.

## Navigation and Routes

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Using-OS-getamap-when-outside.jpg" alt="Using OS getamap when outside" width="590" height="392" caption="Using OS getamap when outside" />

If you are thinking about taking your family on a hike somewhere, like any good outdoor leader, you should plan your route first.
I spend a while going over the OS maps trying to find the best route. What I've really wanted to do is mark the route on the map to make it easy to find when we're out. But with the cost of maps, I've never actually drawn the route on one.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Shared-routes-and-places-of-interest-on-OS-getamap.jpg" alt="Shared routes and places of interest on OS getamap" width="1177" height="634" caption="Shared routes and places of interest on OS getamap" />


The good thing about OS getamap is that you can electronically plot routes onto your map and then print them out. With a subscription you have unlimited printing, so mark as many routes as you want and it won't cost you anymore ;-)

If you have a GPS you can also download the route to your device, helping you stay on track when you are outside (more on that later).

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Country-Walking-Magazine-and-Good-Pub-Guide-on-OS-getamap.jpg" alt="Country Walking Magazine and Good Pub Guide on OS getamap" width="1465" height="806" caption="Country Walking Magazine and Good Pub Guide on OS getamap" />


That's not the only thing. If you are walking somewhere popular, OS getamap may show you routes others have plotted and shared, which could take some of the effort out of planning.

It also has things like the Good Pub Guide built in, as well as routes published by the Country Walking Magazine, so you get much more than what is available with just the paper maps.

<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Our-Rattlinghope-and-Wild-Moor-on-OS-getamap.jpg" alt="Our Rattlinghope and Wild Moor on OS getamap" width="1178" height="803" caption="Our Rattlinghope and Wild Moor on OS getamap" />


Using OS getamap is also useful when <Link title="Teaching Kids Map Reading Skills" href="/family-hiking/teaching-kids-map-reading/">teaching your kids how to map read</Link> since you can just given them a sheet of A4 and don't have to worry about maps getting ruined.
<hr/>

## Using OS getamap for Geocaching

We find<Link title="What is Geocaching?" href="/family-hiking/what-is-geocaching/"> geocaching a great way to keep kids motivated on a hike</Link>.
OS getamap currently doesn't use Geocaching.com's API, and so you can't automatically plot geocaches on the map. OS getamap does import GPX files, and Geocaching.com can export geocaches in a GPX file, but after a few hours of messing around and trying different GPX file formats (including exporting to KML), I couldn't get OS getamap to plot the imported geocaches.
To be fair, geocaching is not what OS getamap is designed for. So use OS getamap to print out your paper route, and use a geocaching app to locate caches along it.
I suspect I also have a compatibility issue with my system (Apple Mac with Safari Browser).

<hr/>

## Using OS getamap on Mobile Devices

The current version of OS getamap only works on PCs or Apple Macs (though at the time of writing, the latest version of Silverlight in Google Chrome on Mac wasn't supported).  Since the idea behind OS getamap is to print your maps at home, using it on a mobile device wouldn't be too useful. However, that doesn't stop you using one of the many navigation apps available to help you when on your walk.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Exporting-GPX-from-OS-getamap.jpg" alt="Exporting GPX from OS getamap" width="272" height="177" caption="Exporting GPX from OS getamap" />
Underneath your saved routes click on the Export link to download a GPX file.
(Note: that this didn't work for me using the latest Safari browser with the latest Silverlight plug-in on Apple Mac. It did work in Google Chrome with an older Silverlight plug-in.)
There are a great many navigation apps available.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/Imported-OS-getamap-route-in-Map-My-Run.jpg" alt="Imported OS getamap route in Map My Run" width="637" height="777" caption="Imported OS getamap route in Map My Run" />
One I use regularly is <a title="View Map My Run App" href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MapMyRun</a> for recording my runs. (There's also a <a title="View Map My Hike app" href="http://www.mapmyhike.com/app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MapMyHike app</a>, but it's essentially the same app).
I was able to use the Map My Run website to create a new route by importing the OS getamap GPX file.
As you can see, it's the same route as we plotted in OS getamap (pictured above) - though with only the basic Google maps, and not the rich OS maps, as May My Run only uses Google maps.
<MediaImage url="/uploads/2014/08/OS-getamap-route-on-phone.png" alt="OS getamap route on phone" width="640" height="1136" caption="OS getamap route on phone" />
This route was of course instantly available in the MapMyRun app on my phone.
With this app I would be able to use the GPS on the phone to track my position on the route. I can even do this without any mobile data connection. This won't plot the route on a map when not connected, but then I'd have my OS getamap print out for that and this GPS just acts as a back up to confirm we are walking along the planned route ;-)
<hr/>

## Support for GPS Devices

If you have a Garmin GPS device then you should be able to connect it up and export your routes directly to the device. This is not something we tested.
Alternatively, use the GPX export feature mentioned above and import the route into your device.
<hr/>

## Conclusion

For what it's designed to do, <a title="Get OS getamap" href="http://tidd.ly/abb14d5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">OS getamap</a> provides a cost effective way to print maps off to take with you on hikes or bike rides.
I think the Ordnance Survey has so much potential with this. It would be great if in the future you could use this seamlessly with OS-enabled mobile hiking apps and integration with further resources such as Geocaching.

Need lots of OS maps cheaply? Want to mark routes on your maps? Want to give your kids a map but don&#8217;t want it lost/wet/ruined? OS getamap is the solution.

Ordnance Survey getamap

Geobucket geocaching app

We had some excellent weather today and decided to go out for a hike and geo-caching.



So today I downloaded <a title="Geo-Bucket" href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/geo-bucket/id426675790?mt=8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Geo Bucket</a> and gave it a try.



<MediaImage url="/uploads/2012/03/mzl.ctycmsvr.480x480-75.jpg" height="480" width="367" alt="" />




Geo Bucket works for both iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.



Now there are many Geo Caching apps out there (see <Link title="Walking, Geocaching, and GPS Apps for iPhone" href="/gear/iphone-apps-gps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this review of Hiking and Geo Caching iPhone Apps</Link>), but this one doesn't need a GPS - which is fine, as we wouldn't be using it in that manner.



Instead of installing it on an iPhone we installed it on our iPad.  This is a WIFI only iPad, so it contains a digital compass, but no GPS and no 3G for connecting to the internet.



So how does Geo Bucket work then?  Before leaving I downloaded the app and entered my <a title="Geocaching" href="http://www.geocaching.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Geocaching.com</a> credentials.  It works with both the free and premium Geocaching accounts.



I could then zoom in on a map to the area we would be visiting and download all the caches and their details.  This can include the hint and all recent comments as well.



So, with iPad securely stowed in the backpack, off we set.



Although we had the cache stored in our GPS for navigation, I deliberately didn't look at any of the cache's details.



Out in the field, we turned on the iPad.  No, internet connection remember, but there was the map with all the caches in the area.  Tapping the cache and I could then see the details (and even peaked at the hint - I know, cheating a little!).  This was just as well, as the cache was where it was described, and not at where the GPS said.



Once back home and reconnected to the internet, I could open the app and record the find directly at Geocaching.com.



Taking the iPad is not something we would normally want to do, but as a free app (which also works on the iPhone), it was good to see something working that didn't mind no GPS and no internet signal.



<MediaImage url="/uploads/2012/03/mzl.nkzalkmn.480x480-75.jpg" height="480" width="367" alt="" />


A handy Geocaching app that doesn't require an internet connection.




Apps Reviews

CoPilot GPS App Review for Towing a Caravan

Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2 - Is it worth the money?

How to have Better family walks with OS Maps

Geocaching Premium App - Is it worth the money?

c:geo - Andriod GeoCaching App you can use offline

Tracking your kids activity with the ReimaGo

View Ranger: Another useful app for exploring outdoors

Ordnance Survey getamap Review

Geo Bucket - Geo Caching App Review

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Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2 - Is it worth the money?

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