Tracks4Africa Guide Map app review

[Flamand]

I have used the T4A Guide Map app for a trip to Lesotho, and a trip to Swaziland and the KZN coast around Mabibi and was very satisfied with it. During these trips, I only made use of the app and was able to navigate around the countries main roads and off roads without any difficulty. The app does not require data or airtime, contains interesting information and is user-friendly. While sometimes the app's location beacon slightly lags, with a bit of patience this does not result in any real problem. It as a useful tool to have when travelling around the region, and I certainly recommend it. In my opinion, those who complain about the app are unnecessarily fussy.

The app will be even better if T4A does decide to increase its zoom capability.

I think that it would be useful if the app had a legend of the different types of roads used on the map similar to its Southern African road atlas. At the moment, some roads are marked as tar, gravel, or sand, but this is not for all roads. It also is not possible to make sense if the road is a major or minor gravel road, a challenging 4x4 road or a moderate one.

[BAX4x4]

Have not used a GPS in years as a result of the Tracks 4 Africa app on my mobile.

Have a good dashboard mount in the Ranger and a good charger. All we need!

[PRA]

In my opinion, those who complain about the app are unnecessarily fussy.

Be careful.
Your trips are hardly challenging.

[Flamand]

Be careful.
Your trips are hardly challenging.

Could you explain this a bit more. I understand that they my trips have been short and not too far from South Africa, but as I understand it the data on the app and the data on the T4A SD card for the GPS are the same. The app doesn't navigate you along a preselected route but still tells you where you are with a regularly updated beacon. Like a garmin the app also uses GPS to positioning itself on the map. So besides the specific conveniences of a GPS what is the aspect that one should be cautious about?

[Paul Dold]

This is a useful discussion. Anyone else using the App?
The limited zoom facilities would be a major disadvantage for me.

[Flamand]

The limited zoom facilities would be a major disadvantage for me.

In my opinion, the maximum zoom level is good enough to position oneself and successfully navigate around. While it could be better, I do not think its a disadvantage.

[Whisky]

I use it and find it quit handy, do not need a paper map. I would also like to see the zoom maybe to 100m. I would really like to see the lettering of the place names to be smaller. It at times covers the area you would like to see.

[Hendel1986]

Kyk ek iets mis, of is daar nie 'n "map legend" wat aandui watter soort pad jy na kyk. Bv, waarna verwys die bruin en wit stippellyn? En die rooi stippellyn?

Dit sal great wees as die kaart verbeter kan word, veral op die iPad raak die dorp en plek name heeltemal te groot en versper dit die detail

[Lizette Swart]

Hallo Hendel,

Jammer ek antwoord nou eers, ek was landuit uit vir 2 weke! Ja ons kyk na die kaart verbeter vir die Guide App, en om 'n "legend" by te voeg. In die algemeen is die soliede lyne hoof roetes (nasionale paaie, metro paaie, ens.) en is gewoonlik rooi of oranje. Bruin soliede lyne is dan kleiner paaie, en stippellyne is "minor" roads, bv. 4x4 roetes en hiking trails. Spoorlyne word aangedui deur wit en grys stippellyne.

Ek hoop dit help, ek sal hierso laat weet sodra die kaart op datum gebring is.

Groete

Lizette

[Hendel1986]

Hallo Hendel,

Jammer ek antwoord nou eers, ek was landuit uit vir 2 weke! Ja ons kyk na die kaart verbeter vir die Guide App, en om 'n "legend" by te voeg. In die algemeen is die soliede lyne hoof roetes (nasionale paaie, metro paaie, ens.) en is gewoonlik rooi of oranje. Bruin soliede lyne is dan kleiner paaie, en stippellyne is "minor" roads, bv. 4x4 roetes en hiking trails. Spoorlyne word aangedui deur wit en grys stippellyne.

Ek hoop dit help, ek sal hierso laat weet sodra die kaart op datum gebring is.

Groete

Lizette

Dankie Lizette.

Ek sien uit na die verbetering op die kaarte, dit sal baie waarde heg!

[Sokkies]

Hi Lizette,

Surely if you are able to export .gpx files off the phone from the track log, are you not then able to import the gpx files and routes created from google earth or other applications?

[javi.relancio]

Hi there,

I am planning a 12 months trip across Southern / East Africa (departing from Cape Town by the east coast all the way to Ethiopia / Sudan - subject to safety and security issues - and back to CT inland) and was considering T4A. I have been reading this and other blogs/forums, and was wondering what would you recommend between the T4A Overland Navigator app and the T4A Guide Map app? Any thoughts on why the one option is better than the other are welcome.

Also, I have a Samsung with 5.5" screen and an iPad (GPS capable). I figured it would be easier / better to have it on my iPad, again any thoughts are welcome

Thanks,
Javi

[Lizette Swart]

Hi Lizette,

Surely if you are able to export .gpx files off the phone from the track log, are you not then able to import the gpx files and routes created from google earth or other applications?

Hi Sokkies

Never thought to try that (palm slap) - I connect my phone and copy my tracks from there, will see if I can copy a planned route to the same location on the phone and if I can then follow that route.

Will let you know!

Regards

Lizette

[Hendel1986]

Hi Lizette, wanneer is die update beskikbaar op die Guide App vir Apple?

Ek het opgelet dat die website se kaart is nou aansienlik beter. Is dit min of meer hoe die Guide App gaan lyk?

[Lizette Swart]

Hi Lizette, wanneer is die update beskikbaar op die Guide App vir Apple?

Ek het opgelet dat die website se kaart is nou aansienlik beter. Is dit min of meer hoe die Guide App gaan lyk?

Hallo Hendel,

Ja, die Guide App se kaart gaan nou soos ons kaart op die website lyk, baie beter. Ek kan jou nie 'n presiese datum gee vir wanneer die update gaan plaasvind nie, maar die plan is vir die nabye toekoms.

Groete

Lizette

[Hendel1986]

Dankie Lizette, ek sien uit om met hom te werk!

Hallo Hendel,

Ja, die Guide App se kaart gaan nou soos ons kaart op die website lyk, baie beter. Ek kan jou nie 'n presiese datum gee vir wanneer die update gaan plaasvind nie, maar die plan is vir die nabye toekoms.

Groete

Lizette

[Whisky]

Ek het gisteraand my Guide app se kaart opdateer. Lyk baie beter. Dankie.

[Lizette Swart]

Great Ben, bly jy hou daarvan!

Groete

Lizette

[Hendel1986]

Ek het gisteraand my Guide app se kaart opdateer. Lyk baie beter. Dankie.

Ben, is dit op IOS of Android? Myne op die iPad, sal graag wil sien!

[Hendel1986]

Hi Lizette.

Ek tel nog nie op dat IOS 'n update het vir T4A Guidance app? Miskien is iets verkeerd aan my kant.

Dit is nog 'n rukke voor Desember, maar ek sou dink dat 'n hele paar mense die app sal wil gebruik tot sy volle potensiaal tydens hulle verskeie reise in Desember.

Enige terugvoering sal waardeer word!