What is a waypoint?
A waypoint is a geographic point that you save for navigation purposes. It can be a checkpoint on a march, a reporting point during a SAR operation, a rest stop on an expedition, or a tactical position during a military exercise. In MilMap, waypoints are the fundamental building blocks of every route.
Creating a waypoint
There are three ways to add a waypoint in MilMap. The first is by long-pressing on the map — a pin appears directly at the tapped location. The second method is via the plus menu at the bottom right, where you choose 'New waypoint' and then tap the map. The third option is to enter coordinates manually, which is useful when you have an exact MGRS code or lat/lon.
Naming and describing waypoints
A good name makes the map readable and the briefing clear. Use consistent naming conventions: for military use cases "PL-ALPHA", "CP-01", or "OP-DELTA" are common. For SAR operations, "Search Zone A — ridge" works better than a generic name. Optionally add a description with relevant information such as "limited access in rain" or "MGRS: 31UCS8743".
Icons and colour-coding
MilMap offers multiple icon categories: navigation, hazard, infrastructure, military, and SAR. Choose an icon that reinforces the meaning of the waypoint. Combine this with colour-coding: red for hazard points, green for start/finish, blue for water, yellow for rest stops. A well-configured map can be read at a glance.
Moving and editing waypoints
To move a waypoint, hold it briefly and drag it to the new position. You can also edit the coordinates directly in the properties list. Changes are automatically applied to all routes and PDF exports that contain this waypoint.
Grouping waypoints
In complex operations with dozens of waypoints, grouping is essential. Create folders per phase or unit: "Phase 1 — Approach", "Phase 2 — Assault", "Extraction Points". Drag waypoints to the correct folder. Folders can be toggled on and off, keeping the map manageable.
Exporting and sharing
Export waypoints as GPX for use in Garmin devices or other navigation apps. For teams, export as KML for Google Earth, or as a PDF route book with all waypoint details. Via the share link, colleagues can view the map without having to create an account themselves.