Decimal Compass
Simple compass with decimal coordinates and location memory
Project Overview
Decimal Compass is a simple yet powerful compass and location app designed for real-world use. While your phone's built-in compass shows where you're facing, Decimal Compass shows where you ARE - and remembers it. The app displays your current location in easy-to-read decimal degrees format and allows you to save unlimited locations with optional notes for future reference.
Features
The app combines familiar compass functionality with practical location features:
- Location Display:
- Current coordinates in human-readable decimal degrees format
- Traditional compass bearing and direction
- Real-time GPS accuracy indicator
- Clean, intuitive interface design
- Location Memory:
- Save unlimited locations with one tap
- Add custom notes to each saved location
- Organized history list for easy browsing
- Search functionality to quickly find saved spots
- Sharing & Export:
- One-tap coordinate copying to clipboard
- Share locations via text, email, or messaging apps
- Coordinates formatted for easy typing and sharing
- Compatible with all major mapping applications
- User Experience:
- No unnecessary features or complexity
- Instant app launch and location acquisition
- Works offline once location is acquired
- Battery-optimized GPS usage
Technical Details
Built natively for iOS with focus on reliability and performance:
- iOS Development:
- SwiftUI framework for responsive user interface
- Core Location framework for precise GPS functionality
- Core Data for local storage of saved locations
- MVVM architecture for clean code organization
- Location Services:
- High-accuracy GPS positioning
- Background location updates when needed
- Battery-optimized location management
- Error handling for GPS unavailability
- Data Management:
- Local storage of all saved locations
- No cloud dependency or account required
- Efficient coordinate formatting algorithms
- Data persistence across app launches
- User Interface:
- Responsive design for all iPhone sizes
- Dark mode support
- Accessibility features for all users
- Haptic feedback for user actions
Perfect For
Decimal Compass is designed for anyone who needs to save and share exact locations:
- Hikers marking trail points, campsites, and points of interest
- Drivers remembering parking spots in large lots or unfamiliar areas
- Outdoor enthusiasts sharing fishing holes, hunting spots, and scenic viewpoints
- Emergency responders needing precise coordinates for incident reporting
- Contractors and surveyors marking job site locations
- Travelers documenting interesting locations for future visits
Why Decimal Coordinates?
Traditional GPS coordinates use degrees, minutes, and seconds (e.g., 43°39'25.7"N), which are difficult to read, type, and share. Decimal degrees (e.g., 43.657139) are:
- Easier to read and understand at a glance
- Simpler to type and share via text or email
- Compatible with all major mapping services
- Standard format used by most modern GPS devices
- More precise for exact location marking
Privacy & Security
Your location data stays on your device:
- All saved locations stored locally on your iPhone
- No cloud storage or data transmission
- No account creation or personal information required
- Location sharing only happens when you explicitly choose to share