In the distant foreign country it would be nice to see which traveler is also nearby. Be it to chat briefly about the easiest border crossing, security situation, visa situation or just to have a together and spend a sociable evening.

Something like that is missing, discovered two travelers on their tour in the Stans and Iran and after their trip they developed the appropriate app: Travelers Map (iOS; Android)

In times of the ever-extensive mobile Internet with 3G / 4G - you might find support in the event of a breakdown or similar.

In the app itself, after creating the account, you will be displayed rather imprecisely, in a 10km radius (not centered on you), for your own safety and so that your camp does not increase unintentionally. The app only activates the GPS briefly every 3 hours and is therefore not particularly power hungry.

If you record each other as favorites, you can also share the location more precisely.

Currently, more Vanlife users seem to be using the whole thing, most users are in France, Germany and Switzerland - but the app is also brand new. But you can tag you too as biker, and too looking just for these.

Click here for the review: https://www.4x4tripping.com/2020/08/...e-treffen.html

There is a translate Button to the right.

As soon as it gets more remote, outside the travel season, in distant countries, whether I'm traveling alone or with my girlfriend - something like that was really missing - and we will certainly use the app on the next long-term trip (Silk Road) from time to time.

I would not have thought myself that the need for campers / vanlife is also greater inside of europe! What is about the bikers?

__________________
About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

The first travellers on Panamericana and even Transafrica are visible

And a lot who are seems to using it too in the homecountry.

Its really a brilliant idea!

Surfy

__________________
About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

I was able to download the app on my Android device, but I don't see it in the Apple App Store.

That is because of the spelling, watch the Screenshot. Easiest way is to follow the link in the article..

The Founder is french, so the spelling is a bit....

Have the App on both, iPhone/iPad!

Surfy

__________________
About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

Be-aware
This app tracks you- you can not send your location but then you will not be able to 'see' others.
Once you have chosen a profile photo, you cannot delete it.
Once you send messages or anything else, you CANNOT delete them.
The app persists continuously to ask you to allow google location and when you say 'no' it keeps asking you.
Uninstalled.

agree with Toyark - too much invasion of privacy, no thank you.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Despite the invasion of privacy issue, I think it’s a great idea, like iOverlander (for relative to travellers POIs), but just for Meet & Chat with other fellows on-road or temporary at their home.

So, I´m wondering how difficult could be to made a similar app just for HUBBers, with the precautions regarding the privacy issues. Also, we maybe can link it with our HU Help Communities. And maybe a POIs section as well.

Perhaps a new way to integrate the HU into the modern way of communication.
I’m imagining as well that iO… could be adding this meet and chat option very soon. It would be nice if we, the old hubbers can take the lead this time

Just my 2 cents
Saludos!

__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”

I am working on everything you mention EXCEPT this exact thing - and I think it's a great idea. What's needed is a coder that knows how and wants to help - too hard for me, and too expensive to pay for a commercial version
Privacy is and has ALWAYS been a FIRST concern for us.
Thanks for the thought Javier!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Update
App developper wrote back and told me that to delete the messages would require the permission of BOTH parties hence it is likely to fail so it has not been included in the functionality of the app.

I've mentioned the security issues but he has not responded as yet.

Love Ioverlander BUT I do so wish they would update it to be able to download maps for OFFline use just like the Park4Night app.
To overcome this short coming, I've created individual files from Ioverlander data which I upload to my Garmins so that I can avoid this 'you need to be connected to the internet to see the map) issue and have use of the information which I appreciate. Thank you IO.

Networks are expensive, Brexit will make this more so for us Brits. Ioverlander really do need to add this option (pretty please!)
My 2 pence- feel free to disagree

Great idea.

I suppose anyone with privacy concerns (Me included) could just use a fake google account and an old spare smart phone.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted, even with an old phone with nothing on it and a false email, you still need a network.
EVEN IF you had managed to cover ALL your tracks, you cannot escape someone knowing you are withing a 10km circle and that could become a security issue. IMHO, the less populated the area you are in, the greater the risk of a visit from someone you may not welcome... or, of course you could get lucky but...
The developper has put in the option for you to turn off sending your position every 3 hours but if you do that, you do not 'see' the possible area where travellers may be located.

But then you come across a new hazard:
There are the 'Leeches'- those who boast their luggage only weighs 5 kilos, then need to borrow all your tools (Grrrr) and everything else...

There are the 'Klingons'- who will adapt their 'plans' to stick to you like glue and won't let you go on your own way.

There are the 'Skinflints' who'll see you as an easy target for a 'loan' or easy meal.

There are the 'Sobbers'- great sob stories all designed to tweak your heart strings and part you with something you need.

And there are those with seriously negative intentions so, be careful with that app. Or not! as ever, your choice

and I stop there! Have I become cynical over my loooong years of travel? no, but I have lived and experienced all the above and it has never done me any good. I've always done my best to help those who truly needed help but those say little or nothing, you can read it in their eyes; then you can actually DO something constructive.

sure application tracks you, how else it could figure it out where travelers are??? come on, get real! also when you send a text message or email you cannot delete them either...

and BTW by having a cell phone, credit card etc you're automatically tracked by cell phone company, financial company and all who really want to...

Well to use your term 'get real' mr tremens...
Most of the population does not have the ability/tools/authority etc to track you using the items you mention.
This app, however, is available to anyone almost anonymously and therefore, IMHO, can cause a risk to travellers.
The purpose of this site is to be informative and for readers to make their own, hopefully better informed, decisions
Real enough for you? Feel free to disagree! Have a nice day - or not- your choice!

first of all this site doesn't need to inform about this because user is being warn and ask for permission during install. Second of all - so you'd like basically to track other travelers and see where they are but not allow them to see where you are...very nice...

We are all tracked and traced to death.

If you use a mobile phone, ATM, or even log into your email at an internet cafe then your location is known to those who want to know it.

I, like many others would love to be on the other side of that fence but I'm over it now.

Unless I want to live in a cave, sucking moisture out of moss and hunting lame squirrels, I just have to accept that "The man" knows where I am.

Hopefully, my life isn't interesting enough to flag anything up on the Stasi satellites

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.