Apps

There are many smart phone and tablet applications which have U.S. National Grid capability. To find these apps, simply search for US National Grid, USNG and/or MGRS at your favorite App Store. The apps listed below were described in the article, Configuring Hardware for the United States National Grid in the December 2012 issue of Florida Fire Service magazine in their series of articles on the U.S. National Grid. Contact us if you have used an app related to USNG and would like to see it listed here.

The USNG Center has rated the apps between 1 and 5 stars with 5 stars being an outstanding app.

Avenza PDF Maps

Avenza PDF Maps is a powerful, award-winning offline map viewer with a connected iTunes-like map store to find, purchase and download new professionally created maps for a wide variety of uses. Downloaded maps are stored on your device and are always available even when not connected to the Internet. Maps don’t need network coverage to be viewed and which helps you avoid data roaming charges when traveling. Maps display coordinates as Lat/Long, Northing/Easting, or United States National Grid (USNG). Carry maps around like books or music! Download Avenza PDF Maps.

Esri

Not yet rated.
This Esri “green app” is based on the successful Geographic Information System (GIS) software package ArcGIS offered by Esri, Inc. This app allows you to view a variety of maps that are dynamically viewed via web services or via packaged data that gets stored locally. To find a map that includes USNG, search for “USNG”. Some maps are simply provide the USNG coordinates, while others bundle with data current hazards. Download ArcGIS is available for download from the iTunes App Store and from Google Play. Esri and the Esri Logo are licensed trademarks of Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.

GeoCam

GeoCam by Wazar is a geophoto and video application for Android. It has similar functionality to Thodolite. It uses augmented reality to show on top of your camera a layer of geographical information such as Compass orientation, GPS position and different phone inclinations like a theodolite optical instrument. Download GeoCam.

GPS Toolbox

This app provides a wide variety of GPS and map related tools such as saving locations to exportable lists, convert between coordinate formats, and view different map formats from multiple data sources. Download GPS ToolBox.

GPSts

Not yet rated.
GPSts is an application to convert UTM/MGRS coordinate values obtained using GPS for iPhone. Download GPSts.

MilGPS

Described as an ultra simple GPS app for those that need to read MGRS grid references, milGPS is available for download from the iTunes App Store. USNG Center highly recommends this app and thinks MilGPS should be on every fire-rescue, law enforcement and emergency management phone in the USA

Mobile USNG

USNG Center’s own Mobile USNG App. In support of the USNG Emergency Location Marker (ELM) system, this FREE browser based application has been developed which uses the GPS chip of late model smartphones and hand-held computers (models since about the start of 2011) to generate a USNG position display. Because the program is browser based, it can be used with ANY operating system.Learn more about Mobile USNG. Use the app: usngapp.org

MotionX GPS

Described by many as the “ultimate GPS app”, MotionX GPS is available for download from the iTunes App Store.

Pro Compass

Pro Compass is the latest app from Hunter Research and Technology, developer of the popular Theodolite app series. Pro Compass replicates the look and feel of classic pocket compass hardware in use since the 1800s, adding modern features and technologies. Download Pro Compass.

Theodolite

Theodolite is described as a multi-function augmented reality app that serves as a compass, GPS, map, zoom camera, rangefinder and two-axis inclinometer. It can provide coordinates in MGRS and many other reference systems. This app has good reviews in the iTunes App Store and with the tools it provides, it could prove useful in an emergency situation to provide photos, location and information to a command center. Theodolite is available for download from the iTunes App Store.