Maps

OSM Pixel Map

The OSM Pixel Map is a map that shows a lot of details. Technically, this map type works differently than the other map types. The maps themselves are calculated on a server as PNG pixel images and transferred as such to the iOS device. As a result, new pixel images must be loaded from the server when changing the zoom level.

The zooming and the rotation works in the same way as for the Apple Map. However, tilting the map is not possible here. In the settings you can switch between the styles OpenStreetMap and OpenStreetMap - Big. In the latter, all texts and symbols are shown much larger.

OSM Map OSM Big Map

A major advantage of the OSM Pixel Map is the ability to load offline maps for any region, which you can then use without an Internet connection.

Offline Maps of OSM Pixel Map

To load offline maps for the OSM Pixel Map, you must first tap the globe to open the settings. Then tap the entry Offline Maps.

Switch map OSM offline maps

Now there are two ways to load offline data:

  1. You can add more offline data to an already existing map style.
  2. You can create a new, named offline map.

In both cases, you must set the maximum zoom level for which offline data is to be loaded. The map data for the area currently visible in myTracks is always loaded. If you want to load the offline data for Hamburg for example, then you must first align the map section on Hamburg. Then you have to start the loading of the offline data in the settings.

Add offline map

When you create a new, named offline map, it then appears in the list of available map styles.

New offline map Offline map in list

To delete an offline map, swipe the list from right to left in this list. You can not delete the fixed maps OpenStreetMap and OpenStreetMap - Big. However, if you swipe over this entry from right to left, you can clear the map cache, i.e. all previously loaded map data will be deleted.

OSM Vector Map

myTracks also offers a vector-based version of the OSM map. This offers the following advantages in contrast to the pixel-based map:

  • The map is infinitely zoomable.
  • There is no need to load new data from the server for each zoom level.
  • The map occupies significantly less memory on the iPhone. The map data can be downloaded for individual countries completely on the iPhone, so that they are available even without an Internet connection.
  • The map data can be searched for places or POIs (point-of-interest). This search is also available without internet connection.
  • The appearance of the maps can be changed without having to load new data from the server.
  • The map can be rotated without the street names being upside down.

Unlike pixel-based maps, however, this map does not contain as many details.

OSM Vector Day OSM Vector Night

Offline Maps of OSM Vector Map

If you are working with this map type for the first time, myTracks will load the required map data directly from the server. Thus, first of all an internet connection is needed. However, the use of offline maps is more practical, because then the data of a complete country is always available. This has the advantage that you can always work without an Internet connection.

The offline maps of the OSM vector map are always country related i. e., each country has a complete map that contains all zoom levels. The list of all available offline maps can be found in the settings of the OSM vector map. Tap the entry Offline maps. The list is sorted alphabetically by country name. In the case of the US, a list of all federal states will appear again, as they are available as offline maps individually. In addition there are some map packages available, e.g. for Europe.

OSM Vector offline maps OSM Vector offline packages

By tapping the download icon, an offline map can be downloaded from the server to the iPhone. Each offline map requires an in-app purchase. A once-purchased offline map can be loaded as often as you like on all your devices. The prerequisite is that all devices use the same Apple ID. The map packages bundle several countries in a single in-app purchase.

Once you have confirmed the purchase, the actual loading of the offline map begins. A progress bar indicates how much has already been loaded. Please leave myTracks open until the download is finished. Otherwise, the download can not be completed correctly.

Download offline map

If a download is unsuccessful, you can start the download again. In any case, you never have to pay twice for an offline map.

If the offline map has been loaded, then it is available directly. You do not need to activate it explicitely. If you have loaded several offline maps, all these maps will be used by myTracks at the same time.

Installed offline maps can be identified by the fact that no download symbol is displayed next to the flag. You can also delete installed maps. In the list of all offline maps, swipe from right to left over the entry. Then a button appears with the text Delete. You can download the map for free at a later time.

Setting of the OSM Vector Map

In the settings of the OSM vector map the following things can be configured:

OSM Vector settings
  • Compass: By default, the map is displayed North-Up. If you activate the compass in the settings, a compass will be displayed in the upper right corner of the map. You can rotate the map manually with the help of two fingers. The compass needle rotates accordingly. If you tap on the compass, a small iPhone symbol appears as an overlay. This means that the map matches the orientation of the iPhone. However, when the iPhone is in motion, it is not the orientation of the iPhone that matters, but the current direction of movement of the iPhone. Touching the compass again changes back to North-Up.
  • Local Names: If this feature is activated, then the map uses the country-specific names and fonts. In Russia, for example, the names are displayed in Cyrillic fonts.
  • Bicycle Lanes: If this feature is activated, bicycle lanes are displayed on the map.
  • Style: Here you can set the map style. The styles Day, Grayscale, Night and Outdoor are available.