Customer Reviews (500)

xxmaddog • 2025-02-04T12:36:42-07:00

l have used this app for hiking in US and numerous international vacations. You can download topo maps for most everywhere and get many local hotels restaurants etc plus routing on trails. it’s also a great backup for no signal areas if you download maps for the area before leaving wifi or cell coverage. highly recommend.

Whyisanicknamenecessary????? • 2024-09-27T19:22:48-07:00

I’ve had this app for almost a decade. I use it on a regular base and it has helped me navigate so many places. Can’t recommend it enough.

Oxpack • 2024-06-03T07:50:44-07:00

Best app for travel wo cell service! Saved us so often.

Summary of Key Insights

Pocket Earth PRO is a highly regarded offline map and navigation app, particularly favored by travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its core strength lies in its offline capabilities, allowing users to access detailed maps, POIs, and travel guides without an internet connection. User sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with a significant majority giving the app 5-star ratings. However, some recurring issues and feature requests indicate areas for improvement. The app excels in providing detailed offline maps and GPS tracking, but struggles with offline routing, outdated map data, and some UI/UX issues.

Key Strengths:

  • Robust offline map functionality and GPS tracking.
  • Detailed and accurate maps (generally).
  • User-friendly interface (for most).
  • Useful for international travel and outdoor activities.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Inconsistent map data updates.
  • Limited or unreliable offline routing.
  • Sporadic syncing issues between devices.
  • Occasional app crashes and bugs after updates.
  • Lack of waterway names.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: ~4.4 stars (estimated based on score distribution)
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 69.2% (346/500)
    • 4-star: 12.2% (61/500)
    • 3-star: 3% (15/500)
    • 2-star: 6.2% (31/500)
    • 1-star: 9.4% (47/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews span several years, with some dating back to 2012 and others as recent as 2020. This provides a historical perspective on user sentiment and feature evolution.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manually assessed the sentiment of each review (positive, negative, neutral) based on the text.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identified frequently occurring keywords and phrases related to features, issues, and user experiences.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counted the occurrences of specific issues and feature requests to determine their prevalence.
    • Trend Analysis: Observed changes in sentiment and feature requests over time based on review dates.

Key User Pain Points

  • Outdated Map Data: Several users complain that the map data is not updated frequently enough, leading to inaccuracies and missing information. This is a recurring and significant issue, especially for users relying on the app for navigation.
  • Offline Routing Issues: Many users report problems with offline routing, including the inability to create routes offline or the app's failure to recalculate routes when deviating from the planned path. This severely limits the app's usefulness in areas without internet connectivity.
  • Syncing Problems: Some users experience sporadic syncing issues between devices, causing favorites and other data to be lost or not properly transferred.
  • App Crashes and Bugs: Several reviews mention app crashes and bugs, particularly after updates. These issues can be frustrating and disruptive to the user experience.
  • Missing Waterway Names: A specific complaint is the lack of names for waterways (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers) on the map, making it difficult to navigate in coastal or inland water areas.
  • Tedious Map Updating Process: The process to update downloaded maps is cumbersome and time-consuming.
  • Lack of GPX File Importing: Some users have reported that they are unable to import GPX files, which is important for those who use the app for hiking and other outdoor activities.
  • No Customer Service Response: Several users have reported that they did not receive a response from customer service regarding technical issues.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Improved Offline Routing: The ability to create and recalculate routes offline is a highly desired feature.
  • Automatic Syncing: Users want seamless syncing of data (favorites, routes, settings) across multiple devices.
  • Voice Navigation: Adding voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation would greatly enhance the app's usability, especially for driving and cycling.
  • More Frequent Map Updates: Users want more frequent and reliable updates to the map data to ensure accuracy.
  • Apple Watch Support: Some users have requested an Apple Watch app for convenient access to maps and navigation.
  • CarPlay Compatibility: Users would like to be able to use the app with CarPlay.
  • Improved Search Functionality: Users want a more robust search function for finding places and addresses.
  • More Icon Choices for Favorites: Users would like to have more icon choices for saved favorites, making it easier to categorize and identify them on the map.
  • Option to Hide Unused UI Elements: Users want to be able to hide UI elements that they do not use.
  • Persian Audio Navigator Sound: One user requested Persian audio navigation.
  • Chinese Language Option: One user requested Chinese language support.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Offline Functionality: The ability to download and use maps offline is the app's biggest strength, praised by many users.
  • Detailed Maps: Users appreciate the level of detail in the maps, including streets, trails, and points of interest.
  • GPS Tracking: The accurate GPS tracking, even without an internet connection, is highly valued by travelers and outdoor enthusiasts.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many users find the app easy to use and navigate, despite its many features.
  • Travel Guides and Wikipedia Integration: The inclusion of travel guides and links to Wikipedia articles provides valuable information to users.
  • Customizable Pins and Favorites: Users like the ability to add pins, notes, and favorites to the map, allowing them to personalize their experience.
  • GPX Support: The app's support for GPX files is appreciated by hikers and cyclists.
  • Cost-Effective: Users consider the app to be a good value for the price.
  • Topo Maps: Users that purchased the topographic map add-on like the clear contour presentation.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Map Data Updates: Implement a more frequent and reliable map update process to address the issue of outdated information. Consider using multiple data sources or allowing users to contribute updates.
  • Fix Offline Routing Issues: Investigate and resolve the problems with offline routing, ensuring that users can create and recalculate routes without an internet connection.
  • Address Syncing Problems: Fix the sporadic syncing issues between devices to ensure data consistency and a seamless user experience.
  • Resolve App Crashes and Bugs: Thoroughly test updates before release to minimize app crashes and bugs. Provide a clear and responsive channel for users to report issues.

Medium Priority:

  • Add Voice Navigation: Implement voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation to enhance usability for driving, cycling, and walking.
  • Improve UI/UX: Review and refine the user interface to make it more intuitive and user-friendly, particularly for route planning and map updating.
  • Add Waterway Names: Include names for waterways (oceans, seas, lakes, rivers) on the map to improve navigation in water areas.
  • Improve GPX File Importing: Ensure that users can easily import GPX files into the app.

Low Priority:

  • Implement Apple Watch Support: Develop an Apple Watch app to provide convenient access to maps and navigation.
  • Implement CarPlay Compatibility: Allow users to use the app with CarPlay.
  • Add More Icon Choices for Favorites: Provide a wider variety of icons for saved favorites.
  • Add Option to Hide Unused UI Elements: Allow users to customize the UI by hiding elements they don't use.
  • Translate the App: Translate the app to other languages such as Persian and Chinese.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Offline Map Data Aggregator: A service that aggregates and curates open-source map data, providing a more reliable and up-to-date source for apps like Pocket Earth.
  • AI-Powered Route Planning: An AI-powered route planning tool that considers user preferences (e.g., avoiding hills, scenic routes) and generates optimized routes for offline use.
  • Community-Based Map Editing: A platform that allows users to contribute to and validate map data, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
  • Hyperlocal Travel Guides: A service that provides detailed, curated travel guides for specific neighborhoods or regions, including offline access and user-generated content.

Trends and Observations

  • Shift Towards Mobile-First Travel: Users increasingly rely on mobile apps for navigation and travel information, highlighting the importance of offline capabilities.
  • Growing Demand for Outdoor Recreation: The app's popularity among hikers and cyclists reflects the growing interest in outdoor activities and the need for reliable offline maps in remote areas.
  • Importance of App Stability: Users are highly sensitive to app crashes and bugs, emphasizing the need for thorough testing and quality assurance.
  • Localization Needs: There are requests for language support (e.g., Persian, Chinese), indicating opportunities to expand the app's reach to new markets.
  • Recurring Feature Requests: The persistence of certain feature requests (e.g., offline routing, syncing) over time suggests that these are high-value improvements that would significantly enhance the user experience.

Conclusion

Pocket Earth PRO is a valuable tool for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering robust offline map functionality and GPS tracking. However, addressing the key user pain points related to map data updates, offline routing, and syncing is crucial for maintaining its competitive edge. By prioritizing these improvements and considering the frequently requested features, the developers can significantly enhance the user experience and solidify Pocket Earth PRO's position as a leading offline map and navigation app. Overall, Pocket Earth PRO is a recommended app, but with the caveat that users should be aware of its limitations and potential issues.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-earth-pro/id481679745?uo=2