❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Geoscope
Answer: Geoscope is a cartographic analysis application that allows you to read the landscape, recognize distant locations (reliefs, villages, etc.) on the horizon, and identify/measure structural geodynamic directions on the Earth's surface.
Answer: Geoscope targets three main types of users:
- The general public, engaging in outdoor activities (hiking, nature, orientation, field exploration), wishing to use paper or mobile maps to explore nature and navigate more easily, while always maintaining the line of sight and moving conveniently.
- Specialized scientists (structural geologists, geodynamicists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists) or other advanced users, for whom the application is a tool to help identify and analyze faults, lineaments, and other linear geological structures, both on the map and in the field.
- Professionals and enthusiasts in planning and housing, such as interior or exterior architects, real estate agents, and buyers, who are interested in the orientation of houses and apartments, their exposure relative to the telluric environment, and want to consider these factors for design or property evaluation. This also includes farmers and livestock breeders, for whom electromagnetic issues caused by subsurface water flows may be an important concern.
Answer: Geoscope is an iOS mapping application (iPhone and iPad) designed for field landscape analysis. Unlike traditional GPS or navigation apps that often focus only on point localization, Geoscope integrates an interactive line of sight that shows in real time the orientation of your device on the map and in the field.
This allows precise identification of reliefs, peaks, geographic structures, and other notable points, even distant ones, and enables the measurement of angles (azimuths) for topographic or geological surveys.
The application combines the features of a map viewer, a digital compass with drift correction, a GPS tool, a map search engine, and a field camera enriched with automatic geographic annotations.
Answer: The interactive line of sight is the key feature of the Geoscope application. It allows you to visualize in real time the orientation of your device on the map displayed on the screen.
In other words, it shows the main direction line. Additional lines can also be displayed, such as the antipodal line (opposite direction) or the line toward a target reference point.
The line of sight facilitates the identification of reliefs, peaks, or any point of interest. It enables precise measurement of angles and directions in the field.
Answer: Geoscope allows you to interpret a panorama like a mobile orientation table. The typical procedure is:
- Locate yourself precisely on the map using GPS or visual landmarks.
- Point your device (iPhone/iPad) toward an element in the landscape (mountain, village, etc.). Observe the line of sight on the map: this red line represents the exact direction your device is pointing.
- Zoom in and out along the line of sight on the map to identify the corresponding point. The length of the line of sight can be adjusted to estimate distance.
Answer: After targeting a distant point of interest with your device, the application allows you to lock the line of sight for static consultation. This enables working at high zoom on the map without losing the line of sight, making it easier to identify notable points at various distances.
Answer: Geoscope allows you to search for locations using the OpenStreetMap and Apple MapKit databases, either by categories or by name. The results can be displayed directly on the map or as a list.
Answer: Reference points allow you to set precise targets on the map. They can be chosen manually or selected from a list of landmark locations. Once defined, they serve to draw lines of sight that help you orient your device or refine your cartographic analyses.
Answer: Download Geoscope from the App Store and follow the installation instructions.
Answer: No, registration is not required and no personal data is collected.
Answer: Yes. While some features require an Internet connection (for example, downloading new maps), previously saved maps, the compass, GPS, and magnetometer remain fully functional without a 4G or 5G network.
Answer: Geoscope allows you to take georeferenced and oriented photos. Each photo is automatically enriched with annotations indicating orientation (azimuths), cardinal directions, and target points defined on the map. This facilitates landscape analysis and precise documentation of field observations.
Answer: This feature, available in the Premium version, is particularly useful for professionals (geologists, geographers, archaeologists, architects, real estate agents) and anyone needing to document field observations precisely.
Geoscope automatically adds vertical bars to the photo showing the orientation of the shot relative to geographic north (0°), marked every 10°. Cardinal directions (North, East, South, West) are indicated by thick red lines, with intermediate directions shown by thin blue lines.
These annotations turn a simple photo into an oriented scientific document, allowing rigorous analysis of the direction of an outcrop, wall, or any captured element, with orientation information that was previously difficult to record accurately on an image.
Answer: Calibrating the magnetometer corrects orientation measurements for possible local electromagnetic disturbances that could affect the accuracy of the built-in compass.
This ensures that the line of sight and the orientation displayed on the map remain reliable and precise.
Answer: Yes, Geoscope is interoperable: it allows you to open locations directly in third-party navigation apps, such as Apple Maps or Google Maps, for precise and immediate guidance.
Answer: Geoscope offers a wide variety of tiled maps from international providers:
- Apple MapKit: standard maps, satellite, hybrid, and interactive 3D FlyOver.
- OpenStreetMap: open-source with various styles (Basic, France, Humanitarian, Open Topo Map, etc.).
- IGN France: detailed topographic maps (Scan 25), orthophotos, DEM/DTM, and historical maps (Premium Maps subscription required).
- USGS (USA): imagery, topographic and specialized maps (Hydro).
- SwissTopo: topographic, geological, and historical maps for Switzerland, often free.
- IGN Spain: base maps, topographic maps, relief, and orthophotos.
- ESRI: global basemaps (World Topo Map, World Imagery, National Geographic, etc.).
- IGN Belgium: historical and recent maps for Belgium.
- Ordnance Survey (UK): historical maps (1900, 1919, 1966).
- Google Maps: classic styles: Standard, Satellite, Hybrid, Terrain.
- Thunderforest: OpenStreetMap thematic maps (Landscape, Open Cycle Map, Outdoors).
- MapTiler: alternative OpenStreetMap basemaps (Outdoor, Ocean, Winter).
- Australia: topographic maps and satellite imagery for certain regions.
Answer: Yes, with Geoscope, you can display the map in real 3D mode by first selecting Apple as the map provider, then using the Satellite Flyover mode. You can rotate, tilt, zoom in, and zoom out using two fingers for a more immersive mapping experience.
Answer: Simply long-press the question mark icon to display contextual help for the different icons. These icons are essential for accessing key map view functionalities at your fingertips: selecting the map provider, choosing the view mode, locking the line of sight, selecting the source point, correcting compass drift caused by local electromagnetic disturbances, and more.
Answer: Geoscope accounts for the actual curvature of the Earth to calculate and plot directions along geodesic (great-circle) lines. A geodesic line represents the shortest path between two points on the globe. Straight lines drawn on a flat map are incorrect because they distort distances and directions. Only geodesic lines accurately represent routes and orientations over long distances.
Answer: Geoscope provides an a priori visualization of tectonic stress directions and geophysical influence lines over large distances.
For example, it allows observing the position of mainland France relative to the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge or the Iceland hotspot and deducing the orientation of major tectonic stresses that cause its seismicity.
This tool aids in understanding plate tectonics and reveals how terrestrial forces govern movements of the Earth's surface.
Answer: Yes. Geoscope calculates the exact direction to Mecca (the Qibla) from the user’s location, taking the Earth's sphericity into account.
Unlike standard iOS compasses, Geoscope also corrects for local electromagnetic disturbances, ensuring precise and reliable orientation.
Answer: Yes, Geoscope is available for free in the basic version on the App Store, allowing users to explore and test its main features. For those who want more, a Premium version is available for a one-time fee of €3.99. It unlocks all advanced tools: annotated photo capture, drift correction, line of sight locking, and selection of target points for more precise measurements.
Answer: Yes, but not yet. For advanced use, Geoscope will offer an annual subscription called Premium Maps for €25.99. This subscription will provide access to professional and licensed map layers, such as topographic maps from IGN France. It will also allow Geoscope to cover licensing fees with map providers, ensuring users receive extensive, high-quality cartographic data.
Answer: Their implementation will depend on user demand. If the community shows real interest, Geoscope will activate these subscriptions to provide high-quality professional maps.
Answer: Apple or Google Maps are not precise enough to identify terrain features. However, even without a subscription, it is possible to use the FreeMap layer, an interesting alternative from OpenStreetMap, which displays contour lines and therefore allows better topographic interpretation.
Answer: Yes, it is possible. But note that for map data, Geoscope requires network access. Without 4G or 5G, downloading new maps is not possible. However, thanks to caching, maps accessed before departure remain available in the field.
Answer: Before heading out, download the large-scale maps so they are stored in the cache. Simply browse the area to explore from your starting point; the download happens automatically. Once on site, the maps remain available. Also, check in Preferences that the "Automatic Cache Clearing" option is disabled.
Answer: Yes, Geoscope is designed with strict respect for privacy and anonymity. The app does not require account creation or registration. No personal data is collected, transmitted to any external server affiliated with its developer, or analyzed.
The only calls to external infrastructures are those necessary for map functionality (via Apple MapKit or OpenStreetMap), as is the case for any app using these services. Outside of these technical needs for map display and geolocation, Geoscope collects, transmits, or analyzes no user data, ensuring full anonymity and privacy.
Answer: The app allows measuring the azimuths of faults and other lineaments, and then comparing these measurements with the major known structural directions of the studied region.
Answer: Geoscope facilitates fieldwork by allowing the user to move, navigate, and zoom in/out on the map without losing the line of sight. This makes the acquisition and interpretation of structural geological data easier and more practical.
Answer: Geoscope facilitates the identification and measurement of faults, lineaments, and other linear structures, both on the map and in the field. Your observations help acquire new data and enrich existing information on the major regional structural directions.
Answer: Because faults are the preferred zones where crustal deformation and surface tectonic movements are concentrated. They play a central role in the genesis of seismicity.
Faults or other structural discontinuities can also serve as conduits for the circulation of mineral or hydrothermal waters and may be associated with the generation of deep or shallow telluric currents and electromagnetic fields.