Georeferenced PDF MVUM for iOS and Android  
 
In other directions on the MVATV website, we explain how to use Adobe Reader on your iOS device to download and save the MVUM's for viewing while in the field.While this is in fact useful, and I have been doing it for some months, it left me wondering... 

"But where am I at on the map?"  Actually, I knew where I was because I use a Garmin Montana, but that is beside the point.  Sometimes it is nice to see the actual map, but pulling it out, unfolding it, and then putting it away is the pain in the rear end...

Well, I ran across this little app while playing on the Internet one night and ran across a new app that will in fact show you the MVUM in pdf format, and also show you where you are using the GPS in your iOS device! 

The program is Avenza’s PDF Maps app (still in beta for Android). 

Their main website is http://www.avenza.com and a direct link to the iTunes store is https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/avenza-pdf-maps/id388424049?mt=8  (The app is free, as are quite a few of the maps) 

To install, either follow the directions on their website, or, using the App Store, download and install “PDF Maps”According to their site, a Android app is in beta and if you have one of those devices you can go test it out.

Once installed to your ios device you can either search for a specific key term such as "Sawtooth" or go to the store and choose Recreation-Off Roading-North America-USA and get a list of pretty much every MVUM in the US.  Or, use the Google type map in the app and scroll over  the Cassia Division area it will show you a "balloon" to show you that they have a map that can be downloaded of that area.  They have the Cassia Division MVUM as the custom map that CSI helped the club\forest service create and both maps are georeferenced.

Once those maps are downloaded you can look at the list of maps in the app and if it has check mark next to it it tells you that your gps coordinates are located inside that map.  Open the map and it shows you exactly where you are on the MVUM.  If your on a trail, it will show you exactly where you are at on the trail or road.  If the list of installed maps has an arrow pointing to the right next to it, that map is of a location to the west of you.  Since I live in Burley and the Albion division map has the Burley area in the upper left corner of the map it is correctly showing me where my house is on the map although it doesn't show the local roads.

So far I have the Cassia division, Raft River division, Fairfield, Boise, Mountain Home and Pocatello MVUM's installed (free).
Most of it is pretty easy to use, but here are a bunch of screen shots to walk you through the app.

Note #1:  The iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4 has a built in GPS.  As for the iPad, looking on the Internet, only the iPads that are 3g data capable have a GPS in them. If your iPad has the 3g connection, even if your not paying for a data plan through Verizion or AT&T, it *should* still have an active GPS.  One other thing, the GPS in your device is going to suck down battery power pretty rapidly.  Take a 12 volt charger with you, or use this software sparingly while out in the field.

Note #2:  If you have  a device that does not have a GPS, but has bluetooth capability, you can buy a Garmin Glow which is a GPS reciever that will tether to your iPad via bluetooth.
 
Installing the software
 
Using the Store
 
Go to "Recreation"
 
Go to "Off Roading"
 
Go to "North America"
 
Go to "United States of America"
 
See a list of all the maps in this category

Either scroll through the list, or, click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner.

If you click on the magnifying glass in the upper right corner, it brings you to this screen.  It will show you where you are at right now.
 
Use your finger and drag the map to the Cassia Division and you will see balloons which represent all the available maps for this area including topo and MVUM maps.
 
This is one of them (it is free)
 
This is another (it is free)
 
Or, in the search box, type in an area of Idaho...
  
Once I installed a bunch of free maps...
Notice on the picture to the left that each map has an arrow, or a checkmark.

The check mark tells you that you are currently located in this maps area.

If it has an arrow pointing down and to the left, this map is located in this part of the country geographically according to where you are.  So, the Cassia Division is located to my South West, and the Pocatello division map is to my East. 
 
When I open the Albion division map, here is what I see.  The blue dot is where I am right now.
 
Use your fingers to zoom in on the map...

If you were on 914, you should see a blue dot telling you where you are on the map.
 
Zoomed in on this map...
 
The Tools menu
 
The Settings menu.  Notice that it will log your coordinates.
 
Here is what it looks like if you Log GPS Data
For questions or corrections, e-mail me at aaron@atlcomputing.com

Enjoy!

 
 
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