very useful map app for iPad, iPhone

[alcom]

Pocket Earth ($2.99) is a highly practical map app for iPad and iPhone. It downloads and stores maps for offline use. Map downloads are free, and there are no in-app purchases. You can drill down to details as fine as a side road on Scugog Island. It shows topo details like marshes.

You can pin locations and add a title and note. Pinned locations show up in a favourites list. There are import and export options for GPX, iTunes, e-mail and SMS. You can mark routes and e-mail or TEXT data.

I use Pocket Earth with the Backroads fishing map books. I find a location that offers good access, load it onto my iPad in Pocket Earth, zoom in, and pin it with a location title and note.

Pocket Earth requires iOS 5.0, so it works with all iPads and iPhones. Once map tiles are loaded, they're kept. So you can use the app while on the road -- you don't need ongoing WiFi.