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Using the Map in the Alpha App

The Map page of the Alpha® App is used to view tracking and location information of compatible devices, as well as creating and managing data like waypoints, tracks, etc.

This article provides a detailed explanation of the information provided on this page.

Explore App Map 


Explore App Map Layer Map Layers

The Map pages of the Alpha Mobile app offers multiple map products that you can download to help you plan your next trip, or view your activity data on.

Descriptions and map legends for each of the available map products can be found below.

Area Maps


Topo North America 

Topo North America Example

Topo North America is a high detail topographic dataset with these features: contours with elevation; geographic locations, place names, landmarks, including public lands, such as state and national parks, forests, wildernesses and wildlife management areas; points of interest; hydrographic features; and land-use or land-cover detail. Map detail is consistent and coverage in rural areas is unparalleled. Scale detail is equivalent to 1:24,000 data, what would be seen on a USGS Topo Quad. 

Topo North America Map Legend

2022 Map Legend


TopoActive

OpenStreetMap Example

TopoActive is a Garmin OpenStreetMap product. OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a community-developed mapping dataset, developed and added to by community mappers around the world. OSM is a highly detailed dataset. In many rural areas of the world, OSM has medium to low-detailed data. Features are added and edited by community members with local knowledge. Coverage of features may vary and includes geographic locations, place names, landmarks, points of interest, hydrographic features, and land-use/land-cover. OSM is an open data source. OSM also includes an open data source elevation dataset. Because the OpenStreetMap data is Volunteered Geographic Information, scale detail is not consistent. Scale detail can vary from 1:24,000 or better in major urban areas to 1:1,000,000 in more rural areas.


TopoActive Map Legend

2022 Map Legend

Digital Atlas of the Earth

Digital Atlas Example

The Digital Atlas of the Earth (DAE) is a medium-detailed, complete, seamless, global dataset, and includes all of the world's continents and countries. It provides a consistent level of detail and reliable horizontal accuracy for features worldwide. The DAE includes major transportation layers, inland and shoreline hydrography, agreed and disputed jurisdiction boundaries, place names, and major topographic features including contours with elevation, and land-use or land-cover detail. This data is topographical, routable, and GPS navigable. DAE medium-detailed data is also available for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, if available memory is limited. Scale detail is equivalent to data seen on a 1:125,000 map.


DAE Map Legend

2022 Map Legend

Color Aerial Imagery

Color Aerial Example

1 meter aerial imagery for the United States, excluding Hawaii. Imagery is from the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP). Data can be downloaded by USGS Topo Quad Sheet name.


USGS Quad Sheets

USGS Quads Example

Scans of the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 Topographic Maps, commonly referred to as a Quad Sheet. Data can be downloaded by Quad Sheet name.

USGS Map Legend


Hybrid Maps

Hybrid Maps Example

Hybrid Maps is a setting that allows a downloaded area map to be displayed on top of a downloaded high detail map. Note that Color Aerial maps and USGS Quad Sheets are not available for all locations.

Hybrid maps can be enabled or disabled in the Map Settings in the Garmin Explore app. For more details on managing maps in either app, see Related.

Explore App Plus Sign Icon

Selecting the plus icon gives you options to Create a waypoint, Create a Course or Import a GPX file
Explore App Add  

Explore App Search Search Icon

The search feature allows you to search for points of interest or items in your library. When you select a POI the app will show you the location on the map.
Explore App Search 

Explore App Arrow Position Pointer

The Position Pointer Arrow gives you two options for navigation. Track up and North Up. These settings are changed by tapping on the arrow.

When the app is in Track up mode You will see a line above the arrow. That indicates the app is using track up mode. This will orient the map so the arrow on the map will always have your direction up travel towards the top of the map. The arrow below will show the direction of North.  
Explore App Track Up Arrow 

The north Up option will only show the arrow. With North up enabled the top of the map will always be north of your location. The arrow on the map will change based on your direction of travel.  
Explore App North Up Arrow 

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