FAQ

General

• Can I use MapSphere in offline mode during my trip?
  Yes. MapSphere can work without Internet. In this case all its Online features are disabled (users, groups, trips) but you can continue working with GPS and already downloaded maps.
• Where can I get DirectX for MapSphere?

  You can download Microsoft DirectX 9.0c by the following link.

• How much does MapSphere cost?
  The MapSphere application is free of charge.
• I did not find my question here. What should I do?

  You can write us your question using the following form.

Maps

• How to download maps for offline use?

  Maps are stored on your hard drive automatically while you are scrolling or zooming the map. Once a map is downloaded it can be used in the offline mode too (without Internet connection). The maps stay on your hard drive even after reboot.

  Also you can download maps along any path. To do this: choose Tools | Measure tool, mark a path on the map, right-click on the map and choose "Download maps along the path".

• Where can I get detailed maps of some regions?

  The data in MapSphere is downloaded from public data sources like OpenStreetMap. We do not provide our own maps and MapSphere cannot show user maps (for example scanned images).

  If you know a good public source of such maps available via Internet we could try to create a plug-in for downloading mapping data from this site to MapSphere.

• Why road maps seem to be blurry?

  The map resolution can be poor if there is no detailed data for the area in view. You can try to select another provider. There are several mapping data plugins on the Download page.

  A blurry view can be also caused by the MapSphere technology. The tile structure and zoom levels can vary for different map providers and MapSphere converts them to its own structure. While images are resampled they become blurry. Since the user can set any zoom in MapSphere or switch to 3D mode, the resampling occurs one more time. This is not convenient but this is a payment for universality.

GPS

• How to connect a GPS receiver to MapSphere?

  You can connect your GPS receiver to your computer using a cable or via Bluetooth (it depends on the type of your GPS). After that in MapSphere choose GPS | Connect.

• How to connect Garmin GPS receiver with USB interface to MapSphere?

  MapSphere does not directly support some of Garmin GPS receivers with USB interface since they do not have NMEA output.

  We can suggest you to create a virtual COM-port using one of the utilities like Garmin Spanner or GPSGate.

• How to connect DeLorme Earthmate GPS receiver to MapSphere?

  You will need a special driver like this one. Then, please make sure that no other program blocks the COM-port (this may be DeLorme software for example).

• Can I find my lost/stolen phone using MapSphere?
  No. MapSphere does not provide such services.
• Can I use my GPS tracker with MapSphere?

  MapSphere supports a number of GPS/GPRS trackers, for example, GlobalSat GS-TRAQ TR-203.
  
  We can help you in configuring your GPS tracker for MapSphere. You need to make a request using the support online form.
  
  If your GPS tracker model is not yet supported on our server, we can consider the possibility to implement this feature.

Navigation

• Is it possible to prepare a route for my future travel and store it in MapSphere?
  No. There is no such possibility in MapSphere. MapSphere does not support routes.
• Can I use MapSphere for turn-by-turn driving directions?
  No. Turn-by-turn directions, routing, trip planning and similar functions are not supported by MapSphere.
• Can I use Course-up display mode while driving?

  Not exactly; you can make use of the Head-up display mode. Choose GPS | Track up to toggle between this and North-up modes.