New Imagery!
One of our most popular map layers, Imagery, has gotten a fresh update! Imagery allows you to visualize terrain around the globe right on your device and we’re excited to announce some big improvements for users both inside and outside the US.
In select locations outside of the contiguous United States (CONUS), we now have printable and downloadable imagery from Vantor that is same resolution as what you see online. We are excited to address many user requests over the years for higher resolution downloads outside of the US, specifically in regards to imagery losing resolution when downloaded or printed in these areas in the past.
At this time, the new Vantor imagery covers the following areas (we hope to include additional locations going forward!):
- Canada
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Europe
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Baja California
- Parts of the Caribbean
In the contiguous United States, the Imagery layer has been updated to new data, meaning new aerial images to help you plan your next adventure! In CONUS, this layer pulls from NAIP datasets from 2021-2023. You will also see additional historical NAIP layers available in the Layer Catalog, (2011-2013, 2013-2015, 2016-2018, and 2019-2021). These allow you to select the timeframe that looks best in your area, and to help you visualize changes in the landscape over time.
If you are using CalTopo online on (web or mobile) or printing, you won’t need to do anything differently to access the new Imagery. If you have previously downloaded Imagery on your mobile device for offline use, you will need to update your downloaded tiles.
The following is our recommended workflow for updating your downloaded tiles in the mobile app to ensure you have the up-to-date Imagery next time you are outside of cell service:
- First, ensure you are on the most recent app version, which is 1.26 (to see this select the three bar menu upper left, settings, scroll to the bottom). If you are not, please update your app version from the app store when it is available. You may not see the new version for a few days.
- Second, you will need to delete your old imagery tiles to get the new data. In the Download Layers screen for imagery, you will see previously downloaded imagery tiles highlighted in red. These red tiles indicate that newer imagery is available for those areas. In the United States, this means more recent imagery is available. In the international areas mentioned earlier, it indicates that higher-resolution imagery is available. Select the tiles to be deleted, following the instructions in this section of the userguide: Deleting Downloaded Layers.
- Lastly, re-download the tiles you need Imagery for in the same manner you always do: Download Layers for Offline Use.
*If you have large/varying areas of imagery downloaded, you may consider deleting/re-downloading these tiles in sets/chunks in the same area. This way you can see what tiles you had in red, delete them, and immediately re-download those same tiles.
We are so excited to bring you an Imagery update! Please send us an email at help@caltopo.com, or comment below with questions.
Update: We’ve heard your feedback on the recent Imagery layer changes. Moving to Vantor imagery simplified the layer and allowed select areas outside the continental U.S. to be printed and downloaded at the same resolution shown online, but we recognize that it also reduced imagery quality at higher zoom levels in some areas as compared to the previous Mapbox source. In response, we’re testing a separate Mapbox Satellite layer (now available in the Layer Catalog) that displays only Mapbox imagery. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We can’t guarantee this layer will remain available long term, but we want to explore whether it’s a sustainable option for users who want high resolution imagery options online.
“In the Download Layers screen for imagery, you will see previously downloaded imagery tiles highlighted in red. These red tiles indicate that newer imagery is available for those areas. In the United States, this means more recent imagery is available”
I don’t understand. If the app/desktop can identify the out of date layers, why can’t it just automatically update, or provide a button to update, the out of date imagery, instead of forcing users to jump through the hoops in the instructions?
Hi Tony,
Out-of-date layer detection is unique to this one-time layer update. A generalized approach to updating old layers is on our radar. However, we decided not to build a one-off tool just for this specific layer, because we wanted to get the imagery out sooner.
Hi, is there away to change the imagery layer back? Where I currently am (Switzerland), the satellite imagery used in the “Imagery” layer is much worse than the previous one. It’s really outdated (2023-2024), compared to the satellite imagery used by CalTopo before and others (e.g. Google, which uses Airbus, Maxar imagery from 2026). Furthermore, it’s also no longer possible to zoom in as much as before because the Vantor imagery just becomes very pixelated due to the lack of resolution. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to attach a screenshot here.
Thanks for the feedback on the new imagery. We are looking into this and discussing the change as a team.
Yip my thoughts too. The resolution for imagery is worse!
Again, thanks for the feedback! We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
Hi, I am also experiencing a huge degradation in quality of the Imagery layer compared to last week when fully zoomed in. I’m looking at remote locations in the state of Utah.
Thanks for the feedback on the new imagery. We are looking into this and discussing the change as a team.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
Me too – northern BC image quality is very pixelated compared to before.
Thanks for the feedback on the new imagery. We are looking into this and discussing the change as a team.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
(Angeles Nat Forest) The updated imagery is appreciated – it is pixelated though and it blurs on zoom unlike previous imagery which was zoomable. We’re a trail repair crew and use zoomed imagery for this ap all the time.
Thanks for the feedback on the new imagery. We are looking into this and discussing the change as a team.
Unfortunately, my cell phone ap updated the imagery yesterday evening while I really needed the zoom-in to be clear – out on a trail we’re restoring, in a poor GPS section where visual clues were needed. Please just bring back the option of the old imagery as soon as possible. We are relying on it right now for the project we’re in the middle of.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
Please bring back old imagery. The ‘new’ one is older date and way lower resolution. The old maxar ones were the best in terms of quality and date taken.
It seems to be worse all around the world. If you can, at least offer us aditional imagery layer to choose from. I used to create hiking maps, but it is bow useless for terrain navigation.
There were definitely some areas that were winners and some areas that were losers with the new imagery source and that is true for any source available to use.
That being said, we heard your feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
The new imagery is lower resolution than the previous version. Not an upgrade.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
I am in agreement with all other comments, the new Imagery looks good at 500ft but when zooming in it barely usable.
I have been working on maps for a canoe trip in central Quebec, I was about 2/3 of the way through when you made the change. Initially (and for past trips) I was able to classify rapids with reasonable accuracy, even identify if the left or right of the river would be best for running a particular rapid. After the switch all I can get is a pixelated image that is pretty much useless, it could be Class 2 or it could be a 20ft ledge!
I hope you can fix the issue (which sounded very promising) or revert to the previous imagery.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
I have to agree with the other comments. The new imagery is a huge downgrade. I have to make maps for herbicide applications and the new imagery is a big hinderance for people. Not much point in making maps now.
We just posted the full update above but I wanted to reply directly to your comment:
We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
new maps are blurry, please restore old images immediately!
There were definitely some areas that were winners and some areas that were losers with the new imagery source and that is true for any source available to use.
That being said, we heard your feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
I agree with all the other comments – very pixelated a higher magnifications. I am a paid member so I usually use google satellite. However when looking up trails the google satellite view often shows up as snow covered so I rely on the “imagery” layer which is not very useful in the present form. When all else fails, I export a KML file and then import into Google Earth which then has a series of Historical imagery which will usually work.
We appreciate your support as a subscriber. Our aim is to offer high quality layers that can be used for a wide range of use cases. In that light, we heard the feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
awesome…so I noticed a lot of the Sierra Nevada in California has been scanned with some sort of business jet and lidar or perhaps laser?? I am not for sure, but it is insanely detailed beyond belief and practically blew up my compooter when I downloaded the point cloud. I had to use software called “cloud compare” to visualize the data. But it was amazingly accurate to where you could see large clumps of branches / needles on sparsely needled pine trees. I was blown away and it was very data intense and exciting! I used it for some cross country route finding on some steeper terrain and it was very handy. Is that bodacious layer going to be added to your system and available to the public in the near future before I travel to the “other side” ?
I’m not sure exactly what source you’re referring to- could you be more specific?
i cancelled my paid account right away. i needed the high fidelity zoom ins for what i do. this was honestly shocking as i can no longer use caltopo.
We do offer other imagery options besides the Imagery layer in the Layer Catalog that could meet your needs. Send us an email at help@caltopo.com and we’d be happy to walk you through those.
A quick update: we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app.
Pls we need the option for using the older imagery, because for some usage the older is better in quality in max zoom, pls made the option for usage the older version too. Ty
Could you be more specific about where you think the original imagery is better in quality at max zoom? We’re talking through some options as a team and the more information we can get from our users, the better. Thanks!
I use CalTopo in Italy for hiking, and before the “Imagery” update, I could zoom in all the way and see the terrain in great detail.
For example, if I zoomed in on a city, I could see the roofs of the buildings in detail, whereas now, whether I zoom in on a city or a mountain, the image looks very pixelated and the quality is very poor.
Thanks for providing that additional context- I’ll share it with the rest of the team.
We posted a full update above but I wanted to reply to you comment directly:
We heard your feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
To summarize what most people are saying, is the new satellite imagery is lower quality than the previous imagery. Before the new update, we were able to zoom into the landscape and still see extremely high quality imagery, including details such as individual trees, rivers, trails, etc. Now, when we fully zoom in, even to just 100ft for urban areas or roughly 300ft for wilderness, the landscape becomes noticeably pixelated. Take the following coordinates for example (62.1887, -111.7901) Plugging them into Google Maps at full zoom, you’re able to see each individual tree. On CalTopo with the new update, you just see pixels, which makes it extremely difficult for people who rely on only high quality imagery to perform tasks and plan. I used to use CalTopo in the past to look at high quality imagery when Google Maps didn’t have any, but now I am unable to. It is nice to be able to get imagery of mountaintops, but if there was a feature or way to switch between the current and old imagery, that would save pretty much everyone using this software a headache.
There were definitely some areas that were winners and some areas that were losers with the new imagery source and that is true for any source available to use.
That being said, we heard your feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
Hello,
Can we please have an update on any upcoming fix for the new lower quality imagery? It’s been a month since it was rolled out. Do you have a timeline for this fix? Even reverting to the previous imagery while you work on the issue would be a step forward.
Thanks,
Kevin
Hi Kevin- thanks for the comment. Unfortunately its always a little more complicated than it seems like it should be and we wanted to move forward thoughtfully and intentionally.
We posted a full update above but I wanted to reply to your comment directly. We’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
Thanks for the update. I don’t see the Mapbox Satellite layer in the Base Layers dropdown. I have a Pro subscription through our local SAR, and I have logged out and back in. Is the new layer still being rolled out?
You can turn it on in the Layers Catalog. Click or tap the gear icon at the top of the Map Layers menu to open the Layers Catalog and then search for “Mapbox Satellite”. Select the layer and return to the Map Layers menu and you should see it as an option in your Base Layers drop down menu.
Yes, thanks, I see the Mapbox Satellite layer now, and it has resolution comparable to Google Satellite for my area.
FYI, the new Imagery layer has poor resolution for all of the areas of western Canada that I looked at (northern BC, Vancouver area, southeastern BC, Banff, Calgary, etc.) I realize, as you say, that some areas are winners and some are losers, but that’s a big piece of ground.
I am in Southcentral Alaska and the new imagery resolution is significantly worse than the old imagery. It is now unusable for fieldwork. Unfortunately I learned this while in the middle of a remote thinning project. I have a Pro subscription.
There were definitely some areas that were winners and some areas that were losers with the new imagery source and that is true for any source available to use.
That being said, we heard your feedback and we’re currently trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out!
For my location in northern Michigan the resolution seems to be good. Without direct comparison and going by memory it is better than it was before. The problem I am seeing is that the image lacks contrast. It is like there is a haze over the image. I don’t know if this is a problem from the source or perhaps that it isn’t being rendered correctly by the CalTopo program. Before my views get pixelated I am zoomed in quite a bit more than I could get before.
Thanks for the update about your area! We are trying out offering a separate Mapbox Satellite layer that displays only Mapbox imagery worldwide. Due to licensing restrictions, this layer cannot be printed or downloaded for offline use, and because it carries additional costs, it is currently limited to Pro, Desktop, and Teams subscribers. We want to explore whether this could be a sustainable option in addition to the updated Imagery layer (which can be downloaded and printed offline at higher resolutions than before in select areas). It’s available now in the Layer Catalog on the web and latest version of the mobile app- check it out and see how it compares in your area!