When last did you use a compass or even see one? If you are a millennial, it is possible you may not have used or seen one. The simple compass of those days were used for navigation but thanks to technology, you can conveniently use it on your smartphone. If you’re a serious backpacker or hiker, it is compulsory to have a compass with you as this may determine life or death in your adventures. A compass tells you your position in relation to the other parts of the world. Get these best compasses on your iPhone or iPad and enjoy navigation.
Best Compass Apps for iOS
1. Altimeter GPS Pro
When you talk of the compass apps available, Altimeter GPS Pro is better than most of the compass apps out there. There are certain features that make a good navigation app and this compass app delivers its navigation features in a great way. It even does more than what you might imagine.
Coming to what it can do, it can do a lot. Starting from its basic mode, you’ll get a precise measurement of time traveled, direction, total time elapsed, distance, and speed. You don’t just get only these basic functions in Altimeter GPS Pro, there are other additional useful features that make navigation easier. One of these features is the variety of maps the app comes with. These maps include photography maps, standard topo maps, aerial maps. The maps are well equipped to aid you in your destination.
Why not get others involved in your journey? The Altimeter GPS Pro has a sharing feature through email. Via email, you can share your speed, distance, location, time and direction which the app tracked.
2. Compass 55
For those that want more of the nitty-gritty of navigation, you should check out Compass 55. It provides information about your adventure in an in-depth format. All the features are presented in a simple and clean interface. With great detailing, this compass app has maps, GPS coordinates (which are available in different formats) and off course compass.
The map can let you set a waypoint location and you can always refer back to what you have set using a photo or audio note you attached. What’s more? Coordinates can be set and converted to what you want or like so it’s up to you. And friends can also have a glimpse of your adventures with the sharing options which are integrated into the app so you can share your location on social media and have fun.
3. Smart Compass
Some people don’t want all the extras a powerful compass may bring on, they prefer something more basic and easy to use. If you are in this category, then the Smart Compass by Then Nguyen might be the best you’d need. It’s basic though but still has some features that you can find in more advanced compasses. The developer developed the app bearing simplicity in mind.
The compass gives you information about your bearing, speed, and coordinates. It is equipped to give you the accuracy of a real compass. Whenever you point your smartphone to a particular direction, Smart Compass gives you the accurate and exact bearing of that location. The app can allow you to capture the screen so that you can make reference to it later.
There are different modes that you can set the app too which includes night mode, telescope mode, etc. There’s a pro version that is loaded with more benefits such as sharing options and you get an integrated metal detector.
4. Commander Compass
Commander Compass is an all-rounder featuring powerful features that makes it a full-featured compass app. It is a standard compass possessing many features onboard. The varieties of map backgrounds work with the compass to make navigation with your smartphone possible.
Let the compass help you navigate. All you have to do is to navigate to the point already known or manually input the point and saving it. This will enable navigate back there. You can ascertain proximity by saving multiple points which is equally great. The complexity of the app gives you the ability to see different navigation variables such as speed, distance, time of arrival, azimuth, direction, and elevation.
Don’t just limit yourself to navigation by land but use the extensive feature of navigating by the stars, the moon or the sun. Commander Compass also lets you see coordinates in different ways, maximum and vertical speed, altitude, course, and current. It is very powerful and functional.
5. Compass x
The iPad does not possess the stock compass app and we have an alternative for that which is the Compass x. If you’re up on an adventure, you can use the app which was a nice-looking interface and works on both iPhone and iPad. Any device running iOS 9 or later can install the app and navigate including the iPod Touch.
With Compass x, you get a concise measurement of your GPS coordinates and altitudes. The measurements are given in feet or meters. You can read the coordinates in any of the formats including DMS, DDM, DD, making it understandable to read. The app points you to true north via the magnetic and geodetic technology used in compass x.
