Scenic Map Grand Canyon 1.9.2

The Scenic Map application offers a comprehensive tool for exploring the diverse landscapes surrounding the Grand Canyon and other regions of Arizona. As a topographical resource for iPad and iPhone devices, it features detailed 3D vector map data that functions independently of internet connectivity, making it suitable for use across various modes of transport including cars, boats, planes, and during outdoor hikes.

One notable feature is the integration of online satellite imagery overlays, which provide enhanced realism and visual detail to the maps when enabled (by selecting preset 2 or 4). These overlays facilitate viewing terrain features obscured from ground level, thereby enriching the user's spatial understanding. An optional in-app purchase expands this coverage globally via the Scenic Map online database, with caching capabilities to support offline usage.

The application offers intuitive gesture controls for dynamic map interaction. A two-finger vertical swipe tilts the map into a 3D perspective. Users can navigate by scrolling as on a traditional map or engage a flight simulation mode by enabling Joystick Gestures—allowing terrain exploration using a virtual joystick. For those preferring a purely 2D experience, there is an option to disable 3D mode within Settings.

Scenic Map distinguishes itself through its high level of detail and smooth performance during map manipulation. It accurately displays all roads—even at satellite heights—and reveals intricate terrain features such as small bumps and hollows at high zoom levels down to approximately ten meters. The map data benefits from updates via OpenStreetMap.org, ensuring current representations of roads, trails, urban polygons, commercial establishments, buildings, and natural features like lakes and rivers sourced from USGS and Canadian databases.

The built-in GPS functionality allows real-time location tracking with a dedicated button. As movement occurs, user tracks are recorded and can be replayed with video-like controls—enabling pausing, speeding, or segment skipping. The app supports concurrent recording and playback of multiple tracks and can generate routes directly from the user's current position to any destination on the map when connected online. Tracks can be exchanged with other applications in GPX format for comprehensive route management.

Customization options are extensive: users can toggle visibility of roads, adjust lighting direction, disable terrain shading, or display contour lines over satellite imagery. The interface provides five preset styles for quick map style switching and supports metric, imperial, or nautical units alongside various coordinate systems including UTM.

Additional contextual information about specific features can be accessed by tapping the target icon; this reveals details such as feature name, type, elevation, coordinates, nearby urban areas or regions, along with bearing lines connecting your location to waypoints or features. The status bar conveniently displays directional and distance metrics alongside altitude and speed data.

The in-app Help section supplies documentation links—including coverage maps, tutorials, installation instructions, and a blog—accessible through the Settings menu at ScenicMap.com. Map data credits go to OpenStreetMap contributors under the Open Database License.

Furthermore, Scenic Map supports GPS tracking even when the app runs in background mode; however, users should be aware that continuous GPS usage may significantly impact battery life.