Maps 3D PRO Reviews

I was looking for an app to provide a reasonable user interface for Opencyclemap. Well, Maps3DPRO has the maps but that's about it. I can sort of navigate around so I guess Maps3DPRO does what it's supposed to do but, boy, what a poor user interface. If you are used to the haptics of Google Earth or Apple's own Maps app you'll be horribly disappointed. I could write pages about what's wrong with Maps3DPRO but the bucks I spent for it are already way too much so I will surely not make another investment for nothing.

Since I have not found anything better yet, I will probably keep using Maps3DPRO for a bit but as the next best thing comes around I'll be happy to ditch it. Oh my... so sad to see hardly any mapping app with a reasonable UI.

Maps3DPRO is useful, but like many others it can be frustrating when trying to plan a route. Often times there may be small gaps or sections of unmarked trail between established trails on the map. There is no way that I have found to use a combination of route calculation AND direct path measurements within the same planned route. So either the route calculation winds around an obscure path to connect 2 route points, or you’re stuck connecting a million route points, even on the parts that cover established map trails. Really there should be a setting to be able to change the routing options between set route points, instead of just for the whole planned route.

Other features seem great, but I really wanted Maps3DPRO to accurately plan routes ahead of time, and it just doesn’t deliver in that realm.

My hiking group used Maps3D ALL the time exclusively because we were able to exchange tracks via email. Now, when it is emailed, it comes up with gibberish. What happened? We are now exploring different apps to use that we can send GPX. Also, lately, it’s not been working as well. Very difficult to bring up the map whilst hiking. Just grid lines...so disappointed as I’ve used it for four years now and I have so many tracks in there. Would love it, if it could be resolved. That would be a five star rating.

I've used this pretty extensively to map hikes in and around Seoul. Almost always works well, although I've had it stop tracking twice - I THINK because I switched to too many other apps and Maps 3D was closed in the background. I now just remember to switch back to Maps 3D after using another app and all is fine. Perhaps that was even a bug that has been fixed in more recent versions, as it hasn't happened recently.

At any rate, two things I'd really like:
- the ability to show more than one recorded track on the map at a time. Maybe it is there, but I haven't found it. Like I said, there's a learning curve.
- Apple Watch support. I'd really like to see my pace, distance, and altitude and be able to pause/resume recording without digging the phone out of my pocket.

I’ve used this and its predecessors since at least 2015. I like it a lot.

Sometimes it is a bit confusing, but it does just about everything.

I would like to be able to save all tracks automatically to iCloud so I can see the tracks I record with my iPhone and Apple Watch on my iPad. Now I have to save each track individually and each one takes three or four taps. Making it automatic would be very nice.

I would also like to have a way to put two tracks side by side on a map so I can compare how a trail has been changed over time. Or a way to load tracks onto Apple Maps. Maybe via a MacBook. I will have to fiddle with that.

I appreciate that the earlier maps 3d app is still being updated but on my devices you can’t tell which is which other than to remember that one icon is blue on white and the other is white on blue. When managing apps it is confusing.

Another cool thing would be to have it talk to Apple’s workout app the way that Strava does. I’d like to get away from strava.

Used free for a year, was great. Paid for pro. This week on casual day hike, loaded Maps3DPRO and received error reporting that the map data server was down. Still no map data.

Had to reselect default map provider. This is link in white border at bottom of window of saved maps. 5 stars for great app, -1 star for UI / error handling.

I like the several different map layers available. I would prefer a layer that combines the features of Topo Map 2 and 3, since 3 has a lot of labeled Forest Service routes, but is low contrast. A slightly higher contrast Topo Map (like ViewRanger) would be nice too.

The 3d feature is nice for visualizing trail altitude profile. The track recording features are very nice and the stats for a track are nice as well.

The UI is the best I've seen on this type of mapping app. Clean, intuitive after minimal practice, and not at all clunky.

Three things that leave me wanting:

The biggest thing I would like to see from Maps3DPRO is the ability to store multiple map types for a given region. That way I could quickly switch from Topo 2 to USGS in the backcountry.

The next is satellite imagery.

Finally, the ability to use different coordinate systems like National Grid and MGRS, with the option to display at the top right under the elevation.

Bonus: the ability to import and export GPS tracks.

Maps3DPRO seems to lag sometimes and has difficulty loading maps in mountainous areas. I tried loading maps while on forest service roads, where I had cell signal, and the maps would freeze and not load as I zoomed in to look for roads and plan a route. I have purchased the full app, so I’m disappointed so far. I’ll continue to use it and hopefully have more success. This should work fine without cell reception anyway, seeing as how it is based on GPS for location, versus cell reception and data.

Great for hiking!! Many hiking trails intersect with other trails (that may or may not be shown on the map) so I find Maps3DPRO invaluable when hiking a trail for the first time. It takes away those nagging feelings that you may have taken a wrong turn. Hard to make mistakes when you've got the tracks for a trail imported to Maps3DPRO.

However a big negative is how complex it is to import tracks. The instructions should be step-by-step and clearer to follow. Ideally there should be an easier way to import tracks but I guess once you get used to it, it's something you can live with.

Probably the best 3D outdoors map app for the price. I always download a map before my hikes and they are a great help for any overgrown trails or wilderness areas with minimal markings. I have used this trail many times to help navigate old abandoned trails. The various types of maps make it easy to choose which one is best for your need. Friends always ask what is that cool app on your phone. Maps3D is a must have for the outdoor enthusiast.

Updated review:
I have been using Maps3DPRO on and off for the past few years. The developers have clearly been working hard the whole time. Unlike many tracking and routing apps that seem to be released and abandoned, Maps3DPRO has been consistently cared for.

The original review's issues have been addressed mostly as well.

Thanks for this awesome app guys!

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Original review:
This is a very nicely done app. The routing and map saving functions are really cool. The topography and POIs are a bit lacking. Staring at a trail on the map, I searched for the name and it didn't show in results. I use my old neotreks app to find trails and then this to plot and track the hike. Stuff like shelters and pay stations would be amazing. Please? Keep it up though guys :)

Maps3DPRO is amazing. I used it to hike the Quilotoa Loop in Ecuador which is notorious for getting people lost. It showed the trails perfectly and was especially useful because the hike has so many shifts in elevations. Being able to see and rotate the 3D map was invaluable. It was also great to be able to track our hike and save it. Don’t forget to download the area map BEFORE you leave home and mark your known waypoints. Other people on the trail had MapsMe which was not nearly as useful.

Overall this is a great app for planning and tracking a hike. The ability to view location and tracks offline without a cell signal is fantastic and helped me a great deal during a 2 week backpacking trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where the boys are responsible for navigating, but having a 3d map of the routes as a backup was so valuable. It helps me during a hike to check the terrain to see how much more uphill or downhill I've got to do before giving the knees a break.

A couple of usability improvements would be greatly appreciated. 1) When downloading a map, it would be nice to have the default map area be the area currently being displayed, not the current location. The use case is this: I've downloaded a route or waypoint list and now want to download a map of the area. I choose "Add New Map", and the default region is my current location, and I have to pan and scroll over to where I hope the waypoints are. So annoying. 2) The process to import a .gpx file is cumbersome and not intuitive. Save to Dropbox, then Open the Maps 3D app, then go to Track List, then Import Tracks, then choose Open Dropbox, then Select the File, then Export > Open In ... and finally Maps 3D. It's a convoluted exercise that I wish was easier.

There are many hiking apps out there, and I have tried most of them, but this is the best. Not only does it do a great job in terms of offline maps at varying levels of detail and customizable coverage for each, but the 3D functionality really gives you a sense of the terrain you just can’t get otherwise.

The best feature, however is the ability to preplan routes and specify just a few points along trails that appear on the map and themn have Maps3DPRO automatically create a oath that actually follows the selected trails!

Maps3DPRO is incredible. It's what I've been looking for since the first iPhone came out. Finally someone has executed the backcountry gps app to near perfection. Unlike other apps that have come before, this doesn't feel janky and half baked. Even if it didn't have 3D mode it would still be way better than others. The features are well thought out, the UX is great and the product is polished and high quality. The 3D mode is the icing on the cake and makes navigation even that much easier than using maps with just contour lines. Offline map support works great and you can even choose between different map sources, e.g usgs or open street view. Maps3DPRO is built with energy conservation in mind and doesn't use much power even whilst tracking your route. It includes great stats too such as an elevation graph, speed, vert covered, etc. As an example of how well thought out Maps3DPRO is, you can choose between displaying altitude based on the terrain map that's more accurate or altitude from the gps that's less accurate but useful if you're flying.

I can't stop raving about how much I love Maps3DPRO. As a climber, backcountry skier and paraglider pilot this just became one of the best pieces of 'gear' I own, for $5 bucks it's an absolute bargain.

We tested this out on a 20 mile snowshoe. My $600 Garmin ran out of battery half way there. Maps3DPRO kept tracking. I’ve been using it now for years. You don’t have to load extra maps that cost hundreds more, you don’t have to bring an extra item, just your phone, the mileage and elevation are accurate, it works reliably without service even deep in the North Cascades, and it is far more intuitive to use. It allows you to plot your own route but has most hiking trails already available. This is better than Gaia, Carin, and All trails. Please stay in business forever 🙏🏼

I would like to begin my review by apologizing to the developer and any potential user who saw my previous review. I was having trouble with some features in Maps3DPRO and wrote the review out of frustration. I was able to fix it by turning on the Compass Calibration in the Privacy Settings of my iPhone 6s. I use Maps3DPRO every single day at work so I rely a lot on it. I’ve found myself sometimes deep in the forest and thanks to Maps3DPRO I’ve been able not only to find my way back, but the safest way. I appreciate the developer for being so kind to me with his or her response. The only thing I need now is to recover all my waypoints.

I have been using Maps3DPRO for about two years now, and it has proven itself useful time and time again. The GPS is surprisingly accurate, and the terrain models show a sufficient amount of detail. The ability to save offline chunks and plot and track routes is what makes Maps3DPRO awesome. It has saved me many times when the trail disappears under snow or I decide to take a ‘shortcut’ or excursion and lose the trail. It helped me through a 5-day trip in the Sierra range, as well as more day hikes than I can count. It also has proved useful for plotting overland 4x4 trips. Can definitely recommend. Only problem is the step-up structured payment system... it would be nice to just have one Pro version that gives full access to whatever Maps3DPRO can offer.

tl;dr:
Maps3DPRO is accurate, helpful, and awesome. Only drawback is the payment structure. Recommend for any outdoor enthusiast.

Bought this a few years ago when I was doing walks. I just wanted to have a journal of my activity. Back then I didn’t expect Maps3DPRO to continue to update. A combination of factors including Covid made us stop all activities shortly after, meaning I didn’t launch Maps3DPRO for ages. Recently, I started cycling again. I was surprised to see Park-Connector-Network (PCN) included in the map. Yesterday, Maps3DPRO actually led us to a better path (PCN) not shown on Google map. By better, I mean away from crowd (regular pavement) as it is difficult to cycle along narrow pavement with many people walking around. I am really impressed with the data that is made available. Maps3DPRO has way more features than I am using. Again, something within expectation since Singapore terrain isn’t as complex. I should try Maps3DPRO overseas. Have to wait for Covid to become a non-issue first before any leisure travel is possible.

Saved me from getting lost a few times already. I almost never write reviews but I made exception for this excellent app. Far cheaper and better than many alternative apps. Only complaint, as many other has noted, is how Maps3DPRO always takes you back to your current location when you click to download so you have to scroll all the way to find the area you were looking at. This is tricky sometimes because you might have been looking at the location of a particular landmark not easy to find on the map in the first place.