The smartphone app will give outdoor fans a fix
Britain’s national mapping agency has launched a free smartphone app to provide navigationally challenged walkers with their location.
Ordnance Survey’s OS Locate will give outdoor enthusiasts a grid-reference fix even when there is no mobile phone signal, as long as they have a model with built-in GPS receiver.
OS said it is being released for the iPhone operating system first and an Android version will follow.
The app has a digital compass and hints on navigation. Users can also share their location with friends.
Ted Crosbie, chairman of navigation on foot at the Royal Institute of Navigation, said: “OS Locate is the ideal app for recreational navigation.
“It has a clean and simple to use interface and provides quick and accurate national grid references that are as accurate as recreational GPS receivers, allowing individuals to find their location on an Ordnance Survey published map sheet.
“With instructions on use, as well as an overview of good practises on the hills and mountains, it is an invaluable app that will lead the way in smartphone navigation.”
OS said the application should be used with mapping and not relied upon solely for finding your way in the outdoors.
The iOS version can be downloaded free from iTunes.
Mike Taylor
25 March 2014Great App. Does anyone know when it will be available for windows phones.?
With all the electronic mapping that is increasingly available these days I'm amazed that people still manage to get lost!
Mike
DodgyKnee
25 March 2014Not another one...
Blodwyn
25 March 2014Just downloaded it, I will do a comparison with my Gamin on next walk.
Simon
25 March 2014Other apps already do this and give altitude too so you can locate on a mao contour.
Mike Taylor
26 March 2014I've not been able to find a suitable free app for a Windows phone. Can anyone advise what's available.
John
27 March 2014For Windows Phone on the app store: "GPS To Grid Ref" was free when I got it (I think, or very cheap) works well and even has OS 1:25k mapping if you have a mobile signal and data connection; otherwise it utilises phones GPS to provide a simple OSGB Grid Reference - I use it as a backup to the Viewranger app on the I-phone.
Sheepy
28 March 2014Ever thought of buying an OS Map from Waterstones and learning how to use it?
iantoandsue
30 March 2014I used to buy my OS Maps from Smiths but they never gave me my location, altitude, direction of travel etc or recorded my route. Are those from Waterstones better?
Martin
19 September 2014I used this on two phones within a couple of metres of each other and neither agreed with the map location. Sometimes it seems to work ok and other times not. I wouldn't rely on it!