Go for your rant and explain why.You've only said that because you know I'm lurking and about to break into a massive rant as to why W3W is an absolute pile of poo.
That’s a good point RaaB. I should have said the app is useful for plotting and tracking, but for serious hill walking you always need the paper OS and a good (not phone!) compass. The OS app will zoom down to 1:25k. Apologies for the H&S lecture!I used to use Viewranger with an OS map subscription but it is no longer supported by OS so I switched to their own OS maps app. I found both apps very good to use and you can search for routes from specific areas with filters such as activity type, mileage, etc.
The OS map subscription is about £25 and is good value in my opinion.
With both apps I'd download the route and map for offline use before you leave home if you're going to be somewhere where signal may be patchy. A paper map and compass might be a useful backup too.
Both apps will record your route but I prefer to use Strava for that.
RumbledYou've only said that because you know I'm lurking and about to break into a massive rant as to why W3W is an absolute pile of poo.
I've requested a 'massive rant' from chickenrunner on this subject.Rumbled
I used to have Viewranger and I fioud that app over complicated particularly on mobile and why I like OutdoorsGPS much betterI have used Viewranger for a long while. Very useful if you just need to quickly check your location and loads of suggested walks/routes. Now taken over and is outdooractive. Same deal but actually better maps.
Your wish is my command.I've requested a 'massive rant' from chickenrunner on this subject.
We used Walking World for most of last year. It actually gives you walks, rather than having to plot your own, which you can download onto your mobile and check your location compared to the route. The only issue is that you do run out of walks but at £18 for the year it's good value.Wondering if anyone has any recommendations for Apps for walking routes. I'm late 50s and retired about 6 weeks ago, bit earlier than planned but kind of dictated by circumstance. Used to get enough exercise with work but like many others lockdown rather diminished that. Anyway now I've time on my hands I want to get out and about more and generally get a bit fitter and healthier. Currently wandering around Marton, headphones in listening to my tunes and am more than happy but suspect will need to broaden my horizons to keep it up. Not brilliantly fit but can do an hour ok, few joint issues but wanting to push on. Basically after something showing the paths and cuts in town but also out and about in the fields and countryside. GPS and route tracking would be good, bound to get lost sometime. Any advice appreciated.
With the other half on driving duties!Your wish is my command.
1. The W3W system is not open. They have not shared the algorithm with anybody which means the coordinates are not useful outside their software and apps.
2. The coordinates cannot be related to a paper map and never will be able to be shown on a hard copy map, it's impossible.
3. In reality expressing your position as 3 randomly generated words is utterly nonsensical. If you were given 2 such positions there is absolutely no way of telling how far apart they are or in what direction as you can with any normal grid system.
4. If someone from France visits the UK with the French version of the app on their phone it will generate an entirely different set of (French) words for the same location.
5. The OS grid has been around since 1949, it's not complicated. Nowadays you can get several different apps, including third party, that will give you your OS grid location, often to 10 figures i.e 1 metre accuracy.
Given we already have a perfectly good, simple grid system in the UK W3W have basically reinvented the wheel but made it triangular.
W3W clearly launched a huge PR campaign. For a spell the major news outlets were constantly running stories on how people had been saved by W3W. So much so I began to wonder if any of these so-called emergencies had actually taken place. Try typing 'why W3W is crap' into Google search, see an example below.........
W3W have a great PR team - pushing press releases which are then reported as uncritical news.
The most recent press release contains a ludicrous example:
Here's the thing... If the person's phone has a data connection - the web page can just send the geolocation directly back to the emergency services! No need to get a human to read it out, then another human to listen and type it in to a different system.
- Person dials the emergency services
- Person doesn't know their location
- Emergency services sends the person a link
- Person clicks on link, opens web page
- Web page geolocates user and displays their W3W location
- Person reads out their W3W phrase to the emergency services
There is literally no need for W3W in this scenario. If you have a data connection, you can send your precise location without an intermediary.
Here's an interesting link.........................................
Why we're not using W3W
I was going to bid you good evening from my W3W location but unfortunately all I'm getting is 'An error 404 occurred on server' on their web page (my ancient Vista may be the issue but it kind of proves a point). So sorry NC it'll have to be so long from NZ5985003953
Edit: I'd rather be at SE6788299706
I totally get and agree with what you are saying but I do find W3W useful when used with my DofE students in an area I know. We use the same expedition routes and have a good idea of the points they will go wrong in. I usually find it is easier for a 14 year old to give me W3W than a grid reference when they are lost. To complete the DofE they are also not allowed to use phones or electronic navigational devices (other than an emergency) and 9 times out of 10 I will be watching them with binoculars from a distance they cannot see me.Your wish is my command.
1. The W3W system is not open. They have not shared the algorithm with anybody which means the coordinates are not useful outside their software and apps.
2. The coordinates cannot be related to a paper map and never will be able to be shown on a hard copy map, it's impossible.
3. In reality expressing your position as 3 randomly generated words is utterly nonsensical. If you were given 2 such positions there is absolutely no way of telling how far apart they are or in what direction as you can with any normal grid system.
4. If someone from France visits the UK with the French version of the app on their phone it will generate an entirely different set of (French) words for the same location.
5. The OS grid has been around since 1949, it's not complicated. Nowadays you can get several different apps, including third party, that will give you your OS grid location, often to 10 figures i.e 1 metre accuracy.
Given we already have a perfectly good, simple grid system in the UK W3W have basically reinvented the wheel but made it triangular.
W3W clearly launched a huge PR campaign. For a spell the major news outlets were constantly running stories on how people had been saved by W3W. So much so I began to wonder if any of these so-called emergencies had actually taken place. Try typing 'why W3W is crap' into Google search, see an example below.........
W3W have a great PR team - pushing press releases which are then reported as uncritical news.
The most recent press release contains a ludicrous example:
Here's the thing... If the person's phone has a data connection - the web page can just send the geolocation directly back to the emergency services! No need to get a human to read it out, then another human to listen and type it in to a different system.
- Person dials the emergency services
- Person doesn't know their location
- Emergency services sends the person a link
- Person clicks on link, opens web page
- Web page geolocates user and displays their W3W location
- Person reads out their W3W phrase to the emergency services
There is literally no need for W3W in this scenario. If you have a data connection, you can send your precise location without an intermediary.
Here's an interesting link.........................................
Why we're not using W3W
I was going to bid you good evening from my W3W location but unfortunately all I'm getting is 'An error 404 occurred on server' on their web page (my ancient Vista may be the issue but it kind of proves a point). So sorry NC it'll have to be so long from NZ5985003953
Edit: I'd rather be at SE6788299706
You can take your cattle issues up with @Bernie's view who posts on here. They belong to him.I totally get and agree with what you are saying but I do find W3W useful when used with my DofE students in an area I know. We use the same expedition routes and have a good idea of the points they will go wrong in. I usually find it is easier for a 14 year old to give me W3W than a grid reference when they are lost. To complete the DofE they are also not allowed to use phones or electronic navigational devices (other than an emergency) and 9 times out of 10 I will be watching them with binoculars from a distance they cannot see me.
Personally, I would use a grid reference in an emergency situation and did so when I had to call the MR out to a student on the moors.
The groups were making their way back from Commondale to Guisborough and one of the students twisted her ankle on a part of the walk. If someone had asked me the worst spot for an incident to take place, it would have been at the point she went over. Myself and another member of staff went to the aid of the group and I called the MR and gave the GR by using a paper map. When the MR arrived they asked who had given the GR and asked if I had used an electronic device. At first, I thought I must have cocked it up but I was told it was perfect.
I have carried a storm shelter with me for over 10 years now and this was the first time I got to use it in anger.
I also find using the grid below useful when plotting routes or passing on GR's.
The first grid reference is an area I know well and a part of my Bronze DofE groups qualifying expedition walk. We always have issues with cows in the fields just in front
The second is where I take my Silver group for a well earned rest on their practice walks.
View attachment 31125
There would normally be either dairy heifers or beef cows in those fields ( if anything) The only time they are a danger are if the cows have young calves with them. We try to avoid putting cows and young calves in fields with footpaths. ( unlike a a neighbour who does the opposite) Cattle are curious so they follow you and come for a nosey. In that situation keep walking slowly and you will come to no harm. The worst thing you can do is run because they may run with you and if you trip you are then in danger of being trampled.You can take your cattle issues up with @Bernie's view who posts on here. They belong to him.