GeoNav How To

Quick summary

Open a mapUse Load New PDF Map or Open PDF Map. Georeferenced PDFs unlock the GPS blue-dot.

Move the mapDrag to pan. Pinch to zoom. Twist with two fingers to rotate. Double-tap to zoom in.

GPS recenterPan away to show crosshairs + arrow. Tap the arrow to return to GPS and north-up. Tap the north arrow to realign north without recentering.

Place featuresAim with the crosshair (or stay GPS-centered), then tap to place. Use Finish to complete lines/polygons.

Timed precisionTurn on in Settings. While GPS-centered, Feature points average GPS samples before saving.

MeasureDraw Line/Polygon with the crosshair, or inspect an Existing Feature to see distance/area.

1. Getting started

Allow location access when prompted so GPS can show your position on the map.
Open a USGS GeoPDF or other ISO 32000 georeferenced PDF.
After the first successful open, the map is saved for offline use.
Use Settings on the home screen for units and Timed Precision Points.

2. Map navigation

Pan: one-finger drag.
Zoom: pinch, mouse wheel, or double-tap to zoom in.
Rotate: two-finger twist.
When you move the map off GPS, crosshairs appear at the center and a recenter arrow appears near the top-right.
Tap the recenter arrow to snap back to your GPS location and restore north-up orientation.
If the map is rotated, a north arrow appears beside the recenter control — tap it to realign north without moving the map center.

3. Feature tool

Points

Feature → Point.
If Timed Precision is off, or the map is not GPS-centered: pan to aim the crosshair, then tap to place the point on the crosshair.
If Timed Precision is on and the map is GPS-centered: tap to start GPS averaging, watch the compass settle, then Use Average.

Lines and polygons

Feature → Line or Polygon.
Place each vertex the same way as points (crosshair tap, or Timed Precision when GPS-centered).
Tap the green Finish button when done, or double-tap near the last vertex.

4. Measure tool

Draw Line / Draw Polygon: aim with the crosshair (or map center / GPS), tap to add vertices, then Finish.
Existing Feature: tap a saved line or polygon to show distance and area.
Units come from Settings (feet/miles/etc. and acres/hectares/etc.).

5. Timed Precision Points

Enable in home Settings → Timed Precision Points → On.
Only applies while the map is GPS-centered (following GPS).
The compass view shows the running average at the center and each GPS sample connected in order.
Stop when the average settles and the sample cloud looks tight, then Use Average.
If you pan away, Feature/Measure placement returns to crosshair tapping until you recenter.

6. Select, Clear, Undo

Select: tap a point or vertex to edit name, comment, color, navigate, or delete.
Navigate: while navigating, the top strip shows live distance and azimuth from your GPS to the target. Tap Stop Nav to cancel.
Clear: Clear Vertex, Clear Feature, or Clear Map.
Undo: top-bar Undo reverses the last add/delete action when available.

7. Tips

GPS and Timed Precision need HTTPS (or an installed app) and a georeferenced map.
Stay still during Timed Precision collection for a tighter average.
Use Finish instead of double-tap if completing a shape on a phone feels finicky.
Import/export KML from the Maps menu when you need to move features between tools.