Anyone used the os maps app, is it for numpties ?

[smiggy]

I really need to get some better hacking for my youngster. Was thinking of maybe going to somewhere like cholsey farm and staying the night, so I could get two decent hacks in . But I will be on my own and I am a complete numptie with map reading, I’ve done courses and managed to get lost !
I know cholsey has routes on the OS app but how hard or easy is that to use ?

 

[Matafleur]

Super easy!! Even I can manage.

 

[JenJ]

It's great! You might have to pay for some maps though. It's years ago that I got all my map apps up and running, so not sure what the process is these days.

There are other similar apps that may be better value/(even)easier to use. I also have "Outdoors GPS" which I think I used most, that might actually be the one where you have to pay for maps. Both were good apps anyway!

 

[rhino]

It’s incredibly easy!

 

[MuddyMonster]

Even I can follow routes using the app! And honestly, if I can anyone can

 

[SEL]

I really need to get some better hacking for my youngster. Was thinking of maybe going to somewhere like cholsey farm and staying the night, so I could get two decent hacks in . But I will be on my own and I am a complete numptie with map reading, I’ve done courses and managed to get lost !
I know cholsey has routes on the OS app but how hard or easy is that to use ?

Easy!!! They will provide you with a map with written instructions on too. Literally "turn left at the cottage with the thatched roof"

OS maps easy. You download the route before you leave the farm, make sure your location track is turned on on your phone & it'll plot you round.

And if you want a riding buddy give me a shout (I'm close by)

 

[Clodagh]

I subscribe, and can’t remember how much it is, but it’s an absolute bargain!

 

[Fransurrey]

I've been using it for three years, almost. wish I'd done it sooner. It's useful for picking up someone else's routes, too. Be warned, though, it's not infallible. A few times I've come across some very interesting routes, including one that tried to take me across a live railway line (through a chain-link fence!). The snap-to-route option can play up sometimes, too, when plotting.

If you have a fancy smart watch with maps, worth knowing that the OS maps can be transferred to the watch, meaning you just follow the prompts rather than having to get your phone out all the time. Really useful for being on a horse!!

 

[Burnerbee]

It’s very good but suggest you download routes in advance - it drains your battery if used ‘live’

 

[Skib]

At one point we used a mapping app both for riding and for walking.
The problem is that even on a short ride it wears down the phone battery which one needs to save for emergency calls.
For walking it was worse as the whole day walk was well guided by the phone but the power ran out.

So as suggested above, down load the map to your phone before leaving home. Rural areas even in Surrey may have limited data coverage, so we download a map to the phone and can then follow it without using phone data.
But it will depends on where you are living. In Russia there is satellite coverage so your phone lets you see your exact location. We walked from our hotel to Tolstoy's estate, following a map on our phone. But the map was pretty basic compaired to ordnance survey maps.

Big difference is cost. Ordnance survey costs- so do French maps but in in Russia Google maps was free. In USA local tourist offices have specific local trail maps.