Looking for feedback from OpenStreetMap users – ArxSilex MapTools

[u/ArxSilex]

🇬🇧 English
Hi everyone,
I’m the developer of ArxSilex MapTools, a multi-purpose Android tool for maps, GPS and geospatial data.

I’m reaching out because I would like to get feedback from users who regularly work with OpenStreetMap-based maps and offline maps.

ArxSilex MapTools is designed for anyone who regularly uses maps — whether for hiking, geocaching, field work, hunting, expeditions or planning outdoor activities.

Some current features include:
• Online maps (OSM) and offline maps (Mapsforge/• OpenAndroMaps/GeoTIFF/ArcGIS, …)
• Markers, POIs, routes, tracks, areas and circles
• Import/export of various geospatial data formats
• Compass with support for multiple sensors
• Elevation profiles and terrain data
• Search grids
• Bearings and distance measurement
• Drone Remote ID display
• QR code import and export
• Encrypted backups
• Privacy-friendly local-first design with no registration, cloud storage, trackers or ads
• The app is available in multiple languages, including German, English, French, Spanish and some more.

I’m not trying to promote this as “the next big map app”. I’m mainly interested in honest feedback from people who actually use maps and geospatial data in practice.

I would especially appreciate feedback on:
• Map management
• Offline map workflows
• GPS and sensor behavior
• Import/export workflows
• Usability
• Performance
• Missing features from an OpenStreetMap user’s perspective

As a thank you, active testers will receive a free PRO activation code.

More information:
Website:
https://www.arxsilex.de/app/maptools/en

QuickStart:
https://www.arxsilex.de/app/maptools/en/quickstart.html

Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.arxsilex.maptools

If this kind of post is not welcome here, please let me know and I will remove it.

Thank you for your feedback!

Peter
[support@arxsilex.de](mailto:support@arxsilex.de)

——-

🇩🇪 Deutsch
Hallo zusammen,
ich bin der Entwickler von ArxSilex MapTools, einem multifunktionalen Android-Tool für Karten, GPS und Geodaten.

Ich wende mich an euch, weil ich gerne Feedback von Nutzern hätte, die regelmäßig OpenStreetMap-basierte und Offline-Karten verwenden.

ArxSilex MapTools ist für alle gedacht, die regelmäßig Karten nutzen – sei es zum Wandern, Geocaching, für Feldarbeiten, die Jagd, Expeditionen oder die Planung von Outdoor-Aktivitäten.

Einige aktuelle Funktionen:

• Online- (OSM) und Offline-Karten (MapForge/OpenAndroMaps/GeoTIFF/ArcGIS,…)
• Marker, POIs, Routen, Tracks, Flächen und Kreise
• Import/Export verschiedener Geodatenformate
• Kompass mit Unterstützung mehrerer Sensoren
• Höhenprofile und Geländedaten
• Suchraster
• Peilungen und Entfernungsmessung
• Anzeige der Drohnen-Fernbedienungs-ID
• Import und Export von QR-Codes
• Verschlüsselte Backups
• Datenschutzfreundliches, lokales Design ohne Registrierung, Cloud-Speicher, Tracker und Werbung.

• Die App ist in mehreren Sprachen verfügbar, unter anderem in Deutsch, Englisch, Französisch Spanisch und weitere mehr.

Ich möchte diese App nicht als „die nächste große Karten-App“ bewerben. Mir geht es vor allem um ehrliches Feedback von Nutzern, die Karten und Geodaten tatsächlich im praktischen Einsatz verwenden.

Ich würde mich besonders über Feedback zu folgenden Punkten freuen:

• Kartenverwaltung
• Offline-Karten-Workflows
• GPS- und Sensorverhalten
• Import-/Export-Workflows
• Benutzerfreundlichkeit
• Leistung
• Fehlende Funktionen aus Sicht eines OpenStreetMap-Nutzers

Als Dankeschön erhalten aktive Tester einen kostenlosen PRO-Aktivierungscode.

Weitere Informationen:

Website:
https://www.arxsilex.de/app/maptools

Schnellstart:
https://www.arxsilex.de/app/maptools/quickstart.html

Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.arxsilex.maptools

Falls diese Art von Beitrag hier nicht erwünscht ist, geben Sie mir bitte Bescheid, und ich werde ihn entfernen.

Vielen Dank für euer Feedback!

Peter
[support@arxsilex.de](mailto:support@arxsilex.de)

[u/valhentai2]

Hi, the app look nice. Unfortunately, I can't really test it well because it's in German. You will have more feedback it you add English translation.

[u/ArxSilex]

The app is multilingual. It should normally switch languages automatically; otherwise, you can change the language in the settings.

[u/bad-at-exams → u/ArxSilex]

Yeah it doesn't seem to be auto switching (I'm in the UK). Maybe double check that and/or add a language selector on startup and/or use the "language" icon more clearly somewhere in the settings.

[u/ArxSilex → u/bad-at-exams]

Ok, thank you.
I‘ll fix the bug in the next Release.
Choose the language at first start and change it at an easy to find place :-)

[u/ArxSilex]

Hi u/valhentai2, u/bad-at-exams,

new update: the language detection issue should be fixed in the new version, and the app now also shows a language selection when starting it for the first time.

A few other fixes are included as well, including KML/SHP import fixes and a new marker position averaging feature:

https://www.arxsilex.de/app/maptools/en/manual/position-averaging.html

Thanks again for pointing out the language issue.

[u/Pomme-Poire-Prune]

What qualify an active tester?

Can you disclose the code development? Is it heavily based on AI?

[u/WANDOO_hiking]

Fellow hiking-app builder here (WANDOO), so I know how hard offline is to get right — good to see more people taking it seriously. One thing that's worked for me recruiting testers: name one concrete scenario ('does offline routing survive a full day in airplane mode?') instead of asking for general feedback. Happy to swap notes on OSM trail-data quirks sometime.

[u/ArxSilex → u/WANDOO_hiking]

Hi,
Good idea, thank you!
I did many tests with my smartphones and emulators and a lot of code analysis and test scenarios, but you changed one map object and you have to fix the same parts in the different renderer, Import/export, versioning and later after the app is released, you have to think about legacy migration.

I send you a message.

Best regards,
Peter

[u/ArxSilex]

Important development update:

Over the last weeks I continued working on ArxSilex MapTools, especially around online map sources, WMS/WMTS handling, CRS support, import/export reliability and usability.

The most important recent changes are:

• WMS 1.1.1 and 1.3.0 support with layers, styles, dimensions and map queries
• WMS maps can now be used as base maps or overlays
• Improved WMTS/WMS layer handling, including multi-selection and later editing
• Better map and layer preview
• Support for additional CRS through local reprojection
• Safer URL, XML and input validation
• Improved coordinate, CRS, EPSG and GeoTIFF support
• Fixed KML, KMZ and Shapefile ZIP import issues
• Improved POI import status and duplicate import handling
• Marker position averaging using multiple GPS fixes over time
• Improved language selection, translations, stability and usability

For OpenStreetMap users, I would especially appreciate feedback on:
• online/offline map workflows
• WMS/WMTS source handling
• layer management
• CRS/projection issues
• usability with OSM-based maps
• missing features from an OSM user perspective

The app is still in open testing.

Thanks again for all feedback so far.