Welcome to the new year 2024 and as a little gift we bring you the new version of Locus Map – 4.21. This version brings many minor improvements and one major new feature – all geocache search and download functions. So you do not need any additional applications anymore.

At the time of its creation in 2010, Locus Map was mainly known as a geocaching tool. It was able to display caches on the map, navigate to them, and provide compass guidance. Over time, it added various graphical and computational tools, a full listing display, and logging capabilities. There was also an import of Pocket Queries for the most advanced.

However, in order to easily find and download caches to Locus Map, you always needed another app. Whether it was the popular c:geo or especially the Geocaching4Locus add-on developed by one of our users. The add-on was so good and the collaboration with its creator so seamless that we had no reason to duplicate its functionality in the app for many years. 

With the advent of restrictions from new versions of the Android operating system regarding communication between apps, this collaboration has started to get a bit murky. In order to maintain the user experience and consistency of the services offered, the implementation of cache downloads directly into Locus Map was given the green light. However, Locus Map continues to support the Geocaching4Locus add-on as an alternative for those who have become accustomed to the established system.

Search for caches around you

Those who are just starting out with geocaching or are more of a casual treasure hunter will find this the easiest option. Set the location you want to search around (your current location is the default), the number of caches to download (at least 10 so you have at least a little choice) and you’re ready to go hunting. 

The more advanced ones can set up a filter to select the right geocaches according to type, difficulty, terrain and other criteria.

Confirm the folder where to save the caches and you’re done – the treasures are on the map. Now you can go hunting even without an internet connection.

To a specific cache using GC code

Each cache has its own unique code, starting with the letters GC, which is why it is also called a “GC code“. If someone sends you such a code, you can easily find the cache and download it to Locus Map.  

Select search by GC code and enter the code in the box. After tapping it, you will immediately see the cache detail and its location on the map.

When being online is not a problem

Are you hunting in an area with good coverage? Don’t need gigabytes of cache data on your phone? Do you want to have caches at your fingertips as soon as possible? The solution is a “Live” map – a dynamic layer directly above the map, showing caches in your area. Turn it on with a single tap in the content panel on the left and shift the map a bit. The caches will appear instantly:

You can also filter the “Live” caches, just like the classic search. The filter settings are displayed by tapping on the feature name:

We are still fine-tuning the planner

Work on the route planner, or LoRouter and its services, continues. In version 4.21 you will find the following new features:

• Based on your comments and ideas, we have modified the way we cluster warning signs on the route so they don’t interfere or get in the way, but still do their job.

• We have taught LoRouter to estimate path surfaces even where they are not implicit in the parent OSM database. For example, a second-class road is 99% certain to be made of asphalt, an unpaved forest road will be made of packed dirt, etc. Thus, we have been able to reduce the proportion of unknown surfaces to units of one percent:

• You can share the route URL directly from the planner. This way you can share the route very quickly, even with those who don’t use the Locus Map app or don’t have Android – the route will be rendered for them on the web planner:

We’ve improved sharing with links

You can now freely send routes and points between the app and the outside world using links. This means that if you send a route or point link from the web planner or library to a phone with Locus Map installed, the app will capture the link and display the route directly on the main screen. Similarly, if you send a link from Locus Map on your phone to a friend and they open it on a PC or iOS device, the route or point will display on the web.locusmap.app page in their web browser. You can quickly get the URL from the share menu of the point or route:

Winter is in full swing, so we hope you’re spending it actively outdoors enjoying the snow. With the help of our app, of course!