Geocaching Map Enhancements

[+JimJoolz]

I'm having the same issue as MartyBartfast .... OS Maps are no longer viewing correctly. The tiles don't load up properly, and as you zoom down they are reverting to a different map type. It started last night for me at around 10pm UK time.

[Blue Square Thing]

Me too with no OS maps - using Opera 12.

 

I imagine there's a change that Bing has made somewhere which makes the links created to them not work. Jri is usually pretty good about sniffing this sort of thing out.

[+agentmancuso]

Hmm, strange I'm having the same problem (I think).

When Ordnance Survey maps is selected it's actually showing the default Bing map, and the info box down in the bottom right corner says "About our maps — Ordnance Survey imagery from Bing Maps"

 

Same.

[+simplysup]

I'm having problems with OS maps as well. In some areas, if I zoom out, I can get 1:50000 tiles, but it seems pretty random - perhaps they were cached? I can't get any 1:25000 tiles. I've checked on Bing Maps and the OS maps are still working fine there.

[+mellers]

I was having a few problems with GME yesterday, some tiles were missing from the OS maps.

I checked here to see if there were any others having problems and noticed that my version of GME was a bit out of date so I installed v 0.7.2.

Now I can't see OS maps at all, although they are listed as being there and I have them selected as my default all I see are roads on some other map.

I haven't changed anything else, I've been using GME for over 2 years and all was well 24 hours ago.

I use Firefox, am a premium member and have checked that leaflet maps are selected.

Any ideas why this has happened? thank you.

I'm getting this problem too. I'm running GME v0.7.2. on Chrome and Windows 8.1.

[+martin&lindabryn]

I am only able to see some OS tiles at 16 miles and then there are missing tiles, any closer in, and there are no OS tiles showing

using Firefox and grease monkey is up to date

[+Yorkshire Yellow]

Hmm, strange I'm having the same problem (I think).

When Ordnance Survey maps is selected it's actually showing the default Bing map, and the info box down in the bottom right corner says "About our maps — Ordnance Survey imagery from Bing Maps"

 

Same.

And also for me.

[+Just Roger]

Hmm, strange I'm having the same problem (I think).

When Ordnance Survey maps is selected it's actually showing the default Bing map, and the info box down in the bottom right corner says "About our maps — Ordnance Survey imagery from Bing Maps"

 

Same.

And also for me.

 

Me too

[+Muddy_Puddles]

Same here

[jri]

I'm having the same issue as MartyBartfast .... OS Maps are no longer viewing correctly. The tiles don't load up properly, and as you zoom down they are reverting to a different map type. It started last night for me at around 10pm UK time.

 

Me too with no OS maps - using Opera 12.

 

I imagine there's a change that Bing has made somewhere which makes the links created to them not work. Jri is usually pretty good about sniffing this sort of thing out.

 

It looks like Bing have changed their system such that it now requires an API key in order to access the OS maps. While the problem may fix itself (it happened once before!), it looks like I may have to change the way that GME uses Bing as a map source, or switch to getting the maps directly from the OS themselves.

 

This will take me a while to research, and due to personal reasons, I'm not going to be able to do it in the next few weeks. Because of the way that GME and the rest of Geocaching.com work, neither option is especially easy technically. On the one hand I would have to build in a fair bit of access control code, on the other, figure out how to deal with the fact that the National Grid is skewed and stretched compared to most other web mapping.

 

In the meantime, I'm going to update the script to disable the OS map source. Until I've figured out a workaround, OpenStreetMaps is probably the best map source in a lot of the UK now - and you can always help them improve the coverage!

[Blue Square Thing]

Thanks for looking at the problem and for all your hard work on the script.

 

If it can be sorted at some point in the future then that'd be great, but the script is so useful anyway. Thanks.

[+redsox_mark]

Same issue for me. Using Chrome and Tapermonkey.

 

At certain zoom levels some of the tiles come through... see attached screenshot

 

[+FYI_Geocaching]

I know it's far from an ideal solution (and there may well be other ways to do this that I'm not aware of, but).....

 

I am registered on the Walk Highlands website http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/. I can choose a walk, and select a map of the walk that shows up in 1:25000 OS detail. All very well and good if you're walking in the Highlands, I hear you say, but how does that help me if I'm caching elsewhere? Once you have the map open, you can zoom in / out, and scroll to anywhere in the UK, and get a 1:25000 map which you can then print out. Of course the map won't be pre populated with caches, if you want them on the map you'll have to add them manually, but that's not too much of an issue usually.

 

Better than nothing while we have this problem of no OS Maps on the geo.com site?

[+G4UYG]

I have to agree with Jri. If you haven't tried OSM then give it a go. I use OSM as my mapping of choice these days as it is much more accurate than it used to be. Being vector mapped it works right down to high zoom levels and often has footpaths and tracks that are not shown on OS because they are not official public footpaths, such as those going through parks and forests. They load much faster than OS as well.

If you must have OS maps (without caches of course) then these are still available direct from the Bing site https://www.bing.com/maps/

[Blue Square Thing]

I know it's far from an ideal solution (and there may well be other ways to do this that I'm not aware of, but).....

 

I am registered on the Walk Highlands website http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/. I can choose a walk, and select a map of the walk that shows up in 1:25000 OS detail. All very well and good if you're walking in the Highlands, I hear you say, but how does that help me if I'm caching elsewhere? Once you have the map open, you can zoom in / out, and scroll to anywhere in the UK, and get a 1:25000 map which you can then print out. Of course the map won't be pre populated with caches, if you want them on the map you'll have to add them manually, but that's not too much of an issue usually.

 

Better than nothing while we have this problem of no OS Maps on the geo.com site?

I tend to click the link on the cache page to the Bing map - and then throw the OS layer over the top. This then has a marker showing the cache location I'm interested in. You can then screenshot from there as well - or create a base map with some thumbnails at 1:25 000 scale showing where the caches are. Given that I persist in not using a GPS device most of the time I find 1:25 000 more than good enough to find most caches.

[+uk_searcher]

GME updated to 0.7.3 OS X (Mavericks) Firefox 37.0.1 and latest version of Grease Monkey (3.1)

 

OS maps appear reliably at 2km scale, some tiles missing at 1km scale and no tiles appear at 200m and less scales. Map page shows "Ordnance Survey imagery from Bing Maps".

 

Hope that it will prove possible to fix. Many thanks for the script which I have found extremely useful.

[+MartyBartfast]

the "Streetmap.co.uk" link from the cache page shows OS maps too, but only for a single cache at a time.

[+Muddy_Puddles]

It's not just GME that's affected either. I use Cach'Eye (http://www.cacheye.org) to plan my trips and the OS maps there now show the default Bing maps too.

[Blue Square Thing]

the "Streetmap.co.uk" link from the cache page shows OS maps too, but only for a single cache at a time.

Thank you - I didn't know they were available through there as well.

[TheCELTs]

Before discovering GME, I recall experimenting with the Ordnance Survey's "Get-a-map" service (http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk) which has a feature to superimpose a GPX or KML file over an OS map. It's a bit of a clumsy site to use, plus - not currently being a Premium Member - I've no easy access to GPX downloads, so I've never got it to work successfully but it may be possible to avoid having to add a set of caches to a map manually.

[+Yorkshire Yellow]

OS maps worked for me for a time earlier today, on both cache listing pages and the main map, but have now stopped working again.

[+londontavern]

Using GSAK.

 

Use macro Google_Map_V3.gsk to produce the map page, then select the menu drop down on the map and select Ordanace Survey.

 

Thanks to the Geocaching_Uk Facebook group.

Edited April 13, 2015 by londontavern

[+redsox_mark]

Using GSAK.

 

Use macro Google_Map_V3.gsk to produce the map page, then select the menu drop down on the map and select Ordanace Survey.

 

Thanks to the Geocaching_Uk Facebook group.

 

This works brilliantly!

 

I use OS 1:25K maps on my GPS and I prefer them. When I plot out a route, I also like taking a paper copy of the same map of the area with the caches shown on the map - that is what I use the GME/OS maps for.

 

I also use GSAK, so this macro lets me do the same from GSAK.

 

Whilst I'd still like to see OS come back on GME someday, this GSAK macro does what I need.

 

Thanks!

[+Muddy_Puddles]

Using GSAK.

 

Use macro Google_Map_V3.gsk to produce the map page, then select the menu drop down on the map and select Ordanace Survey.

 

Thanks to the Geocaching_Uk Facebook group.

A great alternative although I'm hoping it gets sorted on GME too as I use it a lot for 'official' footpaths etc and many other things.

[+FYI_Geocaching]

Sorry, numpty here....what is this "macro Google_Map_V3.gsk" of which you speak, how do I access / use it? I have GSAK, but let's just say that I probably know how to use 0.0001% of its capabilities.

[+redsox_mark]

GSAK Macros are here

 

You can also get there from GSAK, Macro, Run/Manage, then select "online macro index".

 

Simply download the Google_Map_V3.gsk file, double click on it, and instal the macro. Then you can run it from GSAK (Macro, Run).

Edited April 14, 2015 by redsox_mark

[+FYI_Geocaching]

Thank you, that's excellent! Even I managed to follow those instructions - though it was a bit of a leap of faith!

[+G4UYG]

This is all very strange and interesting.

I use GSAK and in particular I am a fan of the macro but when OS maps stopped working on GC.Com they also stopped working in the GSAK macro.

After reading the threads above I went back to GSAK and tried again and lo and behold, they're back!

[+Yorkshire Yellow]

That GSAK macro is great - thanks for bringing it to our attention.

 

OS maps on the main cache map is working for me - partially.

 

.

[+barbycat]

Using GSAK.

 

Use macro Google_Map_V3.gsk to produce the map page, then select the menu drop down on the map and select Ordanace Survey.

 

Thanks to the Geocaching_Uk Facebook group.

A great alternative although I'm hoping it gets sorted on GME too as I use it a lot for 'official' footpaths etc and many other things.

[+barbycat]

Using GSAK.

 

Use macro Google_Map_V3.gsk to produce the map page, then select the menu drop down on the map and select Ordanace Survey.

 

Thanks to the Geocaching_Uk Facebook group.

A great alternative although I'm hoping it gets sorted on GME too as I use it a lot for 'official' footpaths etc and many other things.

[+barbycat]

Ive tried the alternative on GSAK Macro and it works though not as detailed as GME. I have no OS on my maps at all now. Been in touch with Groundspeak no solution to the problem at all. They are saying one of my scripts is likely broken. So I uninstalled GME and reinstalled and the problem is still there. I run Greasemonkey and have had no problems up till now. Support have not replied to my last email so I can only assume they are having problems

[+barbycat]

re my previous post. I have had another go at the GSAK Macro Map_V3.gsak and found I had not opened the OS map. It works really well super OS map so I don't think I shall be bothering with the map enhancements until Groundspeak sort it out

[+MBFace]

I don't think I shall be bothering with the map enhancements until Groundspeak sort it out

GME is nothing to do with Groundspeak. See post #610 above for an explanation of the current situation.

[+RetallickRamblers]

Just got a trial API key from Bing, & it works fine with &key=MYKEY appended to the URL in the previous version of GME as well as in NeonGeo.

Only got a trial key as Bing are very vague about the potential costs.

Edited April 18, 2015 by RetallickRamblers

[+JimJinks]

I have had OS maps working for a few days, testing out my method to see if there were any pitfalls. So far, so good. Follow these steps to see if you can get it working also.

 

1) Go to Bing Maps Key and follow the instructions there to get a personal key. I got a "Basic" key as a "Trial" key only lasts 90 days. I think a Basic key gives you 50000 tiles per day but I can't be sure. If there is a usage limit, best not to share your key with anyone else.

 

2) Insert your key into the following string, replacing the 'xx...xx' bit.

 

{"alt":"Ordnance Survey by Bing","tileUrl":"https://t{s}.ssl.ak.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/r{q}.png?g=3440&productSet=mmOS&key=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx", "subdomains": "0123", "minZoom":10, "maxZoom": 17, "attribution":"Ordnance Survey imagery from <a href='https://www.bing.com/maps/'>Bing Maps</a>", "name":"osbing"}

 

3) Add the above (revised) string into GME as a Custom Map source, both http (cache page) and https (big map).

 

4) Select OS maps from the drop down as your preferred map source.

[+alan666notb]

I tried JimJinks solution, it works fine.

[+Muddy_Puddles]

Ok, followed JimJinks fix and got a basic key, inserted it on the big map option, https, and it works great. Brill, thanks.

 

Now, how do I insert the custom map bit into the http cache page bit? Can't see where I do that. I assume it needs to be done on the "view larger map" but there's no options apart from choosing map.

[+alan666notb]

Now, how do I insert the custom map bit into the http cache page bit? Can't see where I do that. I assume it needs to be done on the "view larger map" but there's no options apart from choosing map.

If you go to your normal profile page, just to the right of your name in the top bar there is a pull-down arrow. GME settings for the cache pages are there.

[+Muddy_Puddles]

D'oh, missed that. Easy when you know how. Thanks Alan

[+uk_searcher]

I had not realised how much I relied upon being able to use OS mapping for looking at cache series until the GME script stopped working. Being able to look at rights of way is for me an essential tool in working out routes etc.

 

Created a trial Bing key and applied it as indicated in the posts above and it has restored the functionality. Will have to remember that it will expire in 3 months time! As far as I can see from the opaque Bing documentation, a basic licence should be free for less than 125,000 "billable transactions" per year. Billable transactions appear to be the number of tiles downloaded divided by eight. But since I am not sure what constitutes a tile, I am not really much nearer understanding if this might be a problem or not!

 

Many thanks for the script and this solution. I am so pleased that I can view multiple caches with OS mapping again.

[PiranhaFish]

Thanks JimJinks, your solution works fine.

 

When getting the key, I believe you could choose 'Basic' membership, which is free and unlimited. On this page Bing says the Basic key is for 'consumer-facing, education, and non-profit applications' which we should qualify for. I'm not sure about the tile usage limit though.

[TheCELTs]

Like uk_searcher, I value having the OS maps, and being confident I'm on a public footpath. So this method from JimJinks to restore it is just great, thanks for posting this.

 

Slightly nervous about exceeding the free limits, but I can't imagine that one person using a key maybe a couple of times a week is going to get anywhere near the limits, but does anyone know how the billable aspect might manifest itself should the limits be exceeded ? They haven't got my credit card details anyway ...

[+flipflopnick]

Make sure you have installed latest version of JRI's script, 0.7.3 from https://openuserjs.org/scripts/JRI/Geocaching_Map_Enhancements otherwise the drop down menu to right of your GC name does not have "Geocaching_Map_Enhancements".

 

There are 2 places to insert Custom Map info. One through drop down menu next your GC name, other on "Geocaching.com Map" link. Once that new tab opens, find the "Configure Geocaching Map Enhancements" icon. Was bottom left. Add a Custom Map source in both cases.

 

Now to do that on all my devices!

 

Now, how do I insert the custom map bit into the http cache page bit? Can't see where I do that. I assume it needs to be done on the "view larger map" but there's no options apart from choosing map.

If you go to your normal profile page,(or normal cache page) just to the right of your name in the top bar there is a pull-down arrow. GME settings for the cache pages are there.

 

 

[+Tre-da]

Brilliant. Well done for finding a way to get proper maps back.

[+duncanhoyle]

Thanks for the work on this. I'd already attempted to get it working using a personal key for Bing but had no success. Using your settings and my own key I can get some OS tiles to display but not at every zoom level and not all areas - they appear at 1km and 2km zoom but no where else. Even at these zoom levels a lot of tiles are missing. The same happens on the cache page and the main map.

 

I have had OS maps working for a few days, testing out my method to see if there were any pitfalls. So far, so good. Follow these steps to see if you can get it working also.

 

1) Go to Bing Maps Key and follow the instructions there to get a personal key. I got a "Basic" key as a "Trial" key only lasts 90 days. I think a Basic key gives you 50000 tiles per day but I can't be sure. If there is a usage limit, best not to share your key with anyone else.

 

2) Insert your key into the following string, replacing the 'xx...xx' bit.

 

{"alt":"Ordnance Survey by Bing","tileUrl":"https://t{s}.ssl.ak.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/r{q}.png?g=3440&productSet=mmOS&key=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx", "subdomains": "0123", "minZoom":10, "maxZoom": 17, "attribution":"Ordnance Survey imagery from <a href='https://www.bing.com/maps/'>Bing Maps</a>", "name":"osbing"}

 

3) Add the above (revised) string into GME as a Custom Map source, both http (cache page) and https (big map).

 

4) Select OS maps from the drop down as your preferred map source.

[+RetallickRamblers]

You probably need to clear your browser cache.

[+duncanhoyle]

Thanks, but that didn't work in either Waterfox (my usual browser), Firefox or Chrome.

 

You probably need to clear your browser cache.

[Blue Square Thing]

Thank you for finding this workaround. Worked fine for me in a probably slightly older version of GME and using Opera 12 which works ina different way to the other browsers iirc.

 

I don't know whether you've tried logging out and in again Duncan?

Edited April 22, 2015 by Blue Square Thing

[+redsox_mark]

Now the OS maps on the GSAK macro have stopped working for me...

I guess I need to try the other workaround now.