Anyone know what happened to the USGS topo map API?

[fossana]

I recently noticed that I was unable to view non-scanned USGS topo maps on both CalTopo and Backcountry Navigator. CalTopo has since removed the broken feed option. Anyone know what happened to the old API, or is this another casualty of budget cuts/neglect? I prefer non-shaded maps with contour lines/labeled landmarks. While they meet my criteria, the USFS ones are limited to Forest Service lands.

 

[tennistime99]

I'm able to with US Topo Maps, but concur on Caltopo. I have the paid version and there are no options for non-scanned maps.

Is the main difference the shading? Is the shading and overly that might be removable?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

 

[fossana]

I'm able to with US Topo Maps, but concur on Caltopo. I have the paid version and there are no options for non-scanned maps.

Is the main difference the shading? Is the shading and overly that might be removable?

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk

On Caltopo it's removable if it's an overlay, but not for all map views. Also have the paid version.

 

[LarryBoy]

I'm not sure precisely which map source you mean by non-scanned. But I suspect it's related to this update from Caltopo, wherein it's no longer licensing its layers to outside parties like Gaia or BCN, effective this month.

It's a total bummer, because it effectively kills BCN IMO, which was previously a great cost-effective alternative to Gaia. And Caltopo's app shows promise but I still don't trust it on the field quite yet.

http://caltopo.com/about/2020/09/02/ending-layer-licensing/

EDIT: nevermind all that; I'm an idiot. You're probably talking about the USGS National Map, yeah?

 

[fossana]

EDIT: nevermind all that; I'm an idiot. You're probably talking about the USGS National Map, yeah?

Yes. However, I did see that if you're a Caltopo subscriber you can still have access to the Caltopo maps in BCN (it prompts you to login). I have not yet tested it with my basic legacy Caltopo account.

 

[LarryBoy]

Yes. However, I did see that if you're a Caltopo subscriber you can still have access to the Caltopo maps in BCN (it prompts you to login). I have not yet tested it with my basic legacy Caltopo account.

Yeah sounds like they haven't pulled the plug quite yet. Caltopo maps are also still available in Gaia. I quick downloaded it all before it goes away!

 

[Titans]

Yeah sounds like they haven't pulled the plug quite yet. Caltopo maps are also still available in Gaia. I quick downloaded it all before it goes away!

Thanks for the heads up with Gaia.

 

[Kmatjhwy]

There is also ... naturalatlas.com ... which have come across as of late. Hope this helps.

 

[wsp_scott]

I'm not sure precisely which map source you mean by non-scanned. But I suspect it's related to this update from Caltopo, wherein it's no longer licensing its layers to outside parties like Gaia or BCN, effective this month.

It's a total bummer, because it effectively kills BCN IMO, which was previously a great cost-effective alternative to Gaia. And Caltopo's app shows promise but I still don't trust it on the field quite yet.

http://caltopo.com/about/2020/09/02/ending-layer-licensing/

EDIT: nevermind all that; I'm an idiot. You're probably talking about the USGS National Map, yeah?

FWIW, I switched from BCN to CalTopo about a year ago and have not had any problems with the CalTopo app

 

[LarryBoy]

FWIW, I switched from BCN to CalTopo about a year ago and have not had any problems with the CalTopo app

I'm guessing you're not using big data sets? My main beef with Caltopo is that it needs to re-load the map whenever you navigate away from the app on power saving mode (and perhaps otherwise), and it can often take 30 sec to load if you're dealing with a lot of data. Plus that sucks an enormous amount of battery.

 

[wsp_scott]

I'm guessing you're not using big data sets? My main beef with Caltopo is that it needs to re-load the map whenever you navigate away from the app on power saving mode (and perhaps otherwise), and it can often take 30 sec to load if you're dealing with a lot of data. Plus that sucks an enormous amount of battery.

The loading the map annoys me, but hasn't been a problem. But, I am not trying to load a map of the GYE

 

[Rockskipper]

whoops, replied to the wrong thread -

 

[Bob]

I'm guessing you're not using big data sets? My main beef with Caltopo is that it needs to re-load the map whenever you navigate away from the app on power saving mode (and perhaps otherwise), and it can often take 30 sec to load if you're dealing with a lot of data. Plus that sucks an enormous amount of battery.

Phone? That would be slow for lots of data to load.