Docs

    Compass 55. Version 2.3, what's new?

    Optimized for iOS 14.5.

    This is probably the last release supporting iOS 9-11. Major focus of this version is to leave iOS 9-11 users with version that hopefully keeps working very well on their older devices for the years to come.

    Import/Export.

    ・The app should now always be offered as ‘Open In’ option for GPX files.

    ・Tracks (gx:track and Geometry) can now be imported from KMZ files (only one kml file is supported inside the kmz archive, but it may contain multiple tracks).

    ・Added GPX export option for the whole trip export (with all tracks). Please note that empty tracks are not exported as Garmin Connect can’t import empty tracks anyway. GPX export also generates quite bigger files, compared to KMZ.

    Point editor.

    ・Note text field is moved to its own section at the bottom of a point editor screen.

    ・Point notes now support multiple lines.

    ・Fixed the bug in point editor when subsequent record/play sessions would play the first recording played, not the most recently recorded audio note.

    ・Text fields for MGRS and UTM input are now showing small x-clear buttons to facilitate clearing each individual coordinate field with one tap and starting editing:

    Huge thanks to Frank from Germany for suggesting this!

    Offline and custom maps.

    ・Fixed crash when selecting offline map area in iOS 9.

    ・Refreshed Custom map source editor screen.

    Option for converting routes to tracks.

    It happens quite often that you have a route in your file to import, even when it needs to be a track. And often such routes will have loads of points. E.g. Google “My Maps” navigation route of 10 miles may have a thousand of points. Showing so many points may lead to slowing down the map. The solution might be to create both Route and Track on import - that is done for Google “My Maps” navigation routes and let you later delete the one that you don’t need.

    But for some formats, like GPX rt (routes) import only creates a route. From version 2.2. you can then manually create a track from such a route.

    Here is a route with separate points:

    Here is the corresponding track that is just a path on a map and supports excellent map performance even when it is very long:

    To convert the above route to a track use MENU > WAYPOINT COLLECTIONS > Tap on a settings button in a route row > then bottom-left Action button and pick “Create track from the route”:

    Then you can either delete the route collection or disable it (by tapping on its row in the collections list). Pin the newly created track to the map by opening the tracks list (MENU > TRACKS) and swiping from the right to left on the track row and picking “Pin to map”.

    Credit for the idea goes to James F (UK). Huge thanks to James for also taking part in testing it in the beta version!

    How to import Google turn by turn routes into the app?

    In the Google maps in the web browser, tap on the top-left menu button > My Maps > Tap on the saved previously turn by turn route to show it > Tap on a “Share” button:

    Tap on three dots button in the sharing menu and pick “Export to KML/KMZ”. Save to Files and then use “Open in” speedometer to import to the speedometer.

    This will import a route into the app. For Google KML/KMZ formats, the app will automatically create route and the track on import. You can later decide which one to keep or delete.

    Why to bother? Sometimes you use the app to show something like altitude, distance and time travelled or something else unique to the app and not present in Google maps app screen. This way you can have the app on top with visual hints on the routing (pinned track), while having Google/Apple navigating you along the same route in the background.

    New camera capture/trigger panel for iPads.

    It was harder to tap on the camera trigger button on bigger iPads, new trigger button panel placement should resolve this:

    This new panel is located in the right-bottom corner of iPad’s screen and gives the same finger -> trigger button distance in all screen orientations.

    Bug fixes and optimizations.

    • Avoiding drawing map overlays (like routes) twice at some rare occasions. This only had a performance implication, in the end there was only one overlay staying on the map, the problem was with drawing, deleting and drawing again at some rare cases.
    • Updated waypoint collections screen with collection disabled/enabled hint and added help for this screen as a classic table footer:

    As before, you disable or re-enable waypoints collection by tapping on its row. Collection settings button now has the same blue color as the rest of buttons in the app.

    • Fixed an issue when new voice coach can’t be added after deleting all existing voice coaches.
    • Using downscaled image thumbnails where image previews are shown, e.g. in the points list.
    • New Maintenance screen in the settings allows to delete temporary files in the app.
    • All import/export and sharing operations were reviewed to only create temporary files in the system’s temporary folder that is being cleaned by iOS automatically after some period of time.

    It would be great if you decide to support the app with your review in the AppStore. There are no subscriptions in the app and your reviews are the great source of inspiration that helps to keep updates coming.

    You can tap here to review or rate the app.

    Thank you!

    Stan, the app developer.

    Prague, Czech Republic.