Viewranger replacement? Outdoor Active?

Lots off folk used to recommend backcountry navigator, it was a one off payment IIRC, not heard it mentioned for a while.

I've been with Backcountry Navigator for probably 10 years and was one of the early advocates on this forum for it. Still use it regularly and still happy with it. For some reason it didn't seem particularly popular on here, with many people seeming to opt for ViewRanger when the two were recommended (I've used VR and the UI was probably a bit nicer than BcN). The app uses Bing OS maps which potentially could cause issues as I believe there is some sort of daily usage cap (same as likes of wheresthepath3 and bikehike). So, you just need to make sure you have the OS map areas saved onto your phone memory before you go into the wilds in that area (which you'd do anyway) and it's not much of an issue these days to have many areas of the UK OS down to 1:25k saved on your phone as most phones now have 64gb memory as min. They used to have a 30day free trial app version. Also not sure exactly what's available these days as the owner (Nathan?) used to be very active (regular newsletters, regular app updates/improvements) then was trying to push a new version (XE?), but it's all gone very quiet over the last few years. I think the older version is still an Android only app.

Nobody using fat map?
I am a viewranger user, mainly here in France for IGN maps and nothing seems to have changed in its functionality. I am also using Fatmap mainly for ski touring but starting to use it when i would use viewranger: when I can't be bothered to dig out my dedicated GPS and head out for a run, and also in parallel with following a route on a dedicated gps (bikepacking etc) for getting a better feel of around me etc.

Cheeky sods - going via Viewranger app it quotes £30 for a new subscription in Outdoor Active

Downloading the app separately and it comes out at £27!

Anyone know if the OS App lets you swap between OS and OSM? That was generally how i used view ranger before it got screwed.

If not, anyone know an app that lets you easily swap?

fatmap.

Ha, outdoor active just failed at the first hurdle for me. Downloaded the app; it couldn't "determine my location" to set my home region. I'm sat on my sofa.

Mapmyride has just gone tits up, failing to record distance.

My viewranger still seems to be working same as ever

My viewranger still seems to be working same as ever

When does your subscription run out ? Mine worked fine until the day of my renewal

Have lots of tile on VR...seem to be able to access more on OA but only online. Not much use then.

Lots off folk used to recommend backcountry navigator, it was a one off payment IIRC, not heard it mentioned for a while.

I use this and it hasn't let me down

I've still got OA on the phone as I've got free OS maps for a few more months but for my day to day (well weekends really) OS mapping I forked out the £40 for a years memory map subscription. What did it for me was the ability to download the whole of Scotland in 25k and 50k in 2 downloads. Never have to worry about being online.

OA works well for me online, but as soon as I download say more than a few maps, it lags and I get a black screen. It sometimes eventually displays the map, but that's no good when out in the hills.

I got outdooractive last month, with one months free pro trial I really liked the way it shows all the footpaths and byways etc
It worked ok until 2 days ago, it had logged me out so i couldnt use it.
I changed password just now and logged in, all my saved tracks etc have gone.
I still have a week to cancel my PRO subscription, so I shall probably do just that

My viewranger still seems to be working same as ever

Same here, but I always bought ‘by tile’ rather than with a subscription. Looking to the future, the OSMaps app (with a subscription) I find to be pretty good for most things these days, apart from one thing: when following a route offline where you have the route on-screen but haven’t “started” it, i.e. where you occasionally check to see whether you’re still on track, a good portion of the screen is occupied with a summary of the route that you don’t need (as opposed to ViewRanger, where full screen is really full screen).

Oh crap, Just got hold of VR a couple of months ago. Have been trying it to see how good it is as a navigation tool on my phone. It works really well.
I hope it won't be discontinued in the next week or so as I'd planned to use it this coming weekend as I have a opportunity for a days riding in the lakes, I've ridden the route a number of times following other so don't know the route. VR seemed perfect..

I don't think it's going to suddenly disappear. Presumably the app will stop getting updates, but it won't stop working if you have it on your phone. Perhaps you won't be able to download OS map data you don't already have, so probably best to do that sooner rather than later, but once it's on your device, I don't think it's going to evaporate.

I don’t think it’s going to suddenly disappear. Presumably the app will stop getting updates, but it won’t stop working if you have it on your phone. Perhaps you won’t be able to download OS map data you don’t already have, so probably best to do that sooner rather than later, but once it’s on your device, I don’t think it’s going to evaporate.

I would imagine you will also lose the ability to sync routes etc. and you won't be able to activate the maps on a new device.

The remaining lifespan may be governed by the length of the support contracts Mountain Rescue, RNLI etc. have with them.

A recent article

I don’t think it’s going to suddenly disappear.

A few mates that use VR say it went west at renewal time.

I’ve just bought 136 credits on VR for £1.99. All my purchased ones are still there too.

So my Viewranger deleted all of my offline maps about a month ago. I was an annual subscriber. I've not come up with a suitable or equal alternative. OutdoorActive, nowhere close, OS which I've subscribed to lacking the functionality I'm after. Offline map downloads for OS come in tiny chunks & the download speed is painful. Now experimenting with BCN. Looks like BCN will do what I need but I'll have to relearn how it works. I'm hoping something similar to Viewranger comes along soon.

So how come I can still buy VR credits? Only thing is, I used to be able to top up whenever, but this time I’ve had to run out & then top up. Couldn’t see any other amount to top up with apart from £1.99 either.

I’m hoping something similar to Viewranger comes along soon.

Don't think we will see anything like Viewranger again. Everything seems to be going to subscription model.

I didn't get on with Outdoor Active. Crashed twice on walks testing on routes I knew and failed to sort itself out even on restart so stopped using it.

Its still installed as I transferred a lot over form Viewranger and currently at least Outdoor Active allows you to download GPXs that you didn't personally creatt which Viewranger have blocked now it seems.

I may give it another try sometime but even though the whole of Europe/The World? is included in the subscription price and that that price is the same as just the UK in the OS Maps app I begrudge paying for what I don't want, hence why I loved ViewRanger and the ability to grab the tiles for what you needed.

So how come I can still buy VR credits? Only thing is, I used to be able to top up whenever, but this time I’ve had to run out & then top up. Couldn’t see any other amount to top up with apart from £1.99 either.

I noticed that too. Not as easy to get to as it used to be and like you say only gives 133 credits or 6 tiles at 1:25k but an option still at least.

Personally I am now just using TalkyToaster OSM maps in Bandcamp (Mac) and then transferring to my Gamin Fenix 6. hasn't let me down yet but I've only used it in pretty well used/defined areas.

...and currently at least Outdoor Active allows you to download GPXs that you didn’t personally creatt which Viewranger have blocked now it seems.

Still working on viewranger for me. Just downloaded a gpx and it opened fine

Still working on viewranger for me. Just downloaded a gpx and it opened fine

Weird. Didn't work for me the other week. Wonder if they fixed something in a recent update. Will try next time I want something.

Further to the above. I stopped to talk to three people on MTB's who were headed over from Morvich to Glen Affric. The subject of navigation came up & they were still using Viewranger. They would have to be using offline maps as defo no phone or 4G up there. So this has got me wondering why my offline maps got deleted & I kept getting emails asking me to transfer my membership to Outdoor Active? I'd go back to VR in a heartbeat. Anyone still using VR & are your offline maps still there?

As above, I'm still using viewranger with offline maps. Still working at the moment. I can't see how your maps can get deleted if you have bought them, unless you were on a subscription that ended.

Anyone still using VR & are your offline maps still there?

Are you talking purchased OS map tiles or OpenstreetMap map/free map tiles areas?

I never used the latter but all my OS tiles in both 25k or 50k are still available.

If you are talking OS map tiles have you tried re-downloading them?

Options (3 dots on iOS) > Maps > Select either the 1:25000 or 1:50000 map and then 'Download Tiles from Account'

I currently only have my 1:25 maps on the device but have just downloaded the 1:50 and they loaded fine.

As above, I’m still using viewranger with offline maps. Still working at the moment. I can’t see how your maps can get deleted if you have bought them, unless you were on a subscription that ended.

Ok so on the advice of VR i switched to OA after receiving the following.

Your ViewRanger: Trail Maps for Hiking, Biking, Skiing subscription from Google Commerce Limited on Google Play will be canceled on Apr 27, 2021. No refunds will be issued (Refund Policy).

After this I assumed VR was defunct & non operational but that's obviously not the case. They've got a UK phone number. I'll call them next week.

My 1:50k OS offline maps, purchased as a whole-GB one-off years ago, are still working.

I emailed VR & within an hour had this.

Hi David,

ViewRanger is still available to use for free, with Open Cycle or Landscape map, but it is not possible to buy or renew OS map subscriptions now. Sorry.

I'll give them a call. Might be that if you have purchased map tiles as opposed to having a subscription everything is still working.

I’ve been using OS Maps now for a couple of months after my VR subscription ended.

It’s ok, but takes a while to find your location which is frustrating. Route planning doesn’t have a snap to function, and I really miss knowing my current altitude which I know is quite irrelevant, but I did like that.

I’ve been using OS Maps now for a couple of months after my VR subscription ended.

It’s ok, but takes a while to find your location which is frustrating. Route planning doesn’t have a snap to function, and I really miss knowing my current altitude which I know is quite irrelevant, but I did like that.

That was the first thing I did. My gripe with OS was the lack of functionality compared to VR & the map downloads were in tiny chunks. In defiance of download speeds it was a real chore getting the OS maps onto my phone. I had the whole of Scotland on VR which suited me as I plan a lot of rides offline. I'm using BCN now which is probably the closest I'm going to find.

I'm never going to get over this :o)

I don't know what functionality VR had over OS (And tbh it's irrelevant now as it's tits up) but you can download vast areas for offline use on OS, and very quickly too.

Both mine are still working but I purchased both the dark and white peak park maps.

Both mine are still working but I purchased both the dark and white peak park maps.

And I think therein lies the difference. Annual subscribers have been duffed out & anyone who purchased their maps still has theirs.

As a maps for life owner, quite tempted to hit them with a letter before proceedings if they try to delete my access. I'm sure there will be something in their terms and conditions that will render any legal proceedings a likely failure but would be fun to see their response.

I've taken the plunge and switched to the OS app.

Had VR for over a decade, but tried the OA one after I stopped being able to get tiles in the old way and it just did not work right.

OS not as good as VR but good enough

Viewranger website now point you towards Outdoor Active, though there is a link at the bottom to continue to VR, and the app continues to work, not sure how long for.

Gripe and moan. I pay about £5 for VR and it allows offline storage, and has open cycle map which I like as it mostly differentiates paths and bridleways.

OA is £26/year for offline mapping and doesn't appear to have open cycle maps (does it have anything better?)

The price seems about the going rate though, just that VR was cheap.

So, decision time -
OA, Komoot, Trailforks, Strava...

I am pretty sure I had the maps for life option too and further to my previous post it's no longer accessible. Meh.

I've paid quite a bit for ViewRanger map tiles over the years. I'll be annoyed if they drop support for the app, which will then inevitably stop working after an iOS update at some point.

Modern Life Is Rubbish sometimes.

For anyone with old memory map tiles, there's a new MMTracker apk, works great.

Edging closer.. the ViewRanger FB page just updated it's cover photo to something a bit more OA.

Also, the latest Android update to the app says : Remove the new account sign up, registered users not affected.

I'm really trying to persevere with OA but I have thrown my phone a couple of times 🙂

I really love VRs ability to use OpenCycleMap - I find the mapping really clear, good differentiation between bridleways and footpaths, nice contour lines.
Komoot seems better than OA for the mapping, but neither are as clear as OCM to me.

One thing I cannot seem to find anywhere is the ability to overlay specific trails on the map for on-the-fly route planning.
In VR, I can have a bunch of short routes (that I have imported from GPXs) all showing up on the map, and I can decide to loop out to that bit of trail, or this one a bit closer - as the weather/fitness/daylight allows.
Both Komoot and OA are more geared towards setting up an entire route and following it start to finish.
Strava segment explorer still does an appalling job by not showing segments that I know are there (or only showing them at certain zoom levels), trailforks and strava both need to be online, and you can only use 'official' routes/segments on there.

I've paid for the Komoot global mapping, as it seems to be the best of the rest, but if anyone knows how I can overlay my own routes in any other app, I would love to hear about it!

I really love VRs ability to use OpenCycleMap