diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/index.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/index.js
index c7170f05c..6384b9217 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/index.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/index.js
@@ -108,7 +108,9 @@ export function createStreetLevelLayer({
       getSurface: () => state.surface,
       notify,
       actions: {
-        openImage: (imageId) => openImage(entry.def.id, imageId),
+        /** `{frame: false}` opens it without moving the camera. */
+        openImage: (imageId, options) =>
+          openImage(entry.def.id, imageId, options),
         /** This provider's image nearest a point the user picked on the map. */
         openNearest: (point) =>
           layer.openNearest(point, {
@@ -345,6 +347,8 @@ export function createStreetLevelLayer({
       for (const other of state.providers.values())
         if (other !== entry && other.on) switchProvider(other, false);
     switchProvider(entry, next);
+    // A failed lookup's message was about the source just switched away.
+    if (!state.street.open) state.street.error = null;
     notify();
     return true;
   }
@@ -414,6 +418,7 @@ export function createStreetLevelLayer({
         error: stats.error || null,
         color: entry.def.colors.coverage,
         coverageLabel: entry.def.coverageLabel || null,
+        highlightsSequence: entry.def.highlightsSequence !== false,
         groundClick: entry.def.groundClick === true,
         filters: [...filtersOf(entry.def)],
       };
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/index.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/index.test.mjs
index 5ae19c2d0..ccc8b9dfe 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/index.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/index.test.mjs
@@ -818,3 +818,23 @@ test('an empty provider composition enables and tears down without acquiring ima
   layer.enable(viewer);
   assert.deepEqual(layer.getUIState().providers, []);
 });
+
+test('a failed lookup’s error goes when another source is lit; a provider can open an image without framing', async (t) => {
+  const failing = fakeProvider({
+    nearestImage: async () => {
+      throw new Error('KartaView did not answer in time — try again');
+    },
+  });
+  const other = fakeProvider({ id: 'other', pickPrefix: 'oth:' });
+  const { layer, viewer } = await enabledLayer(t, [failing, other]);
+  layer.attachViewerHost({});
+  await layer.openNearest({ lat: 1, lon: 1 });
+  assert.match(layer.getUIState().street.error, /did not answer/);
+  layer.setProviderEnabled('other', true);
+  await settle();
+  assert.equal(layer.getUIState().street.error, null);
+  // A provider's own open (KartaView's ‹ ›) can leave the camera alone.
+  await other.context().actions.openImage('img-1', { frame: false });
+  assert.deepEqual(other.calls.open, ['img-1']);
+  assert.equal(viewer.flights.started, 0);
+});
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.js
index 2c8687eba..d670f4ca2 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.js
@@ -9,8 +9,11 @@
  * @returns {{sequences: Array<{id: string, parts: Array<Array<[number, number]>>, capturedAt: number, isPano: boolean}>, overview: Array<never>}}
  */
 export function decodeCoverageTile(payload, { x, y, z }) {
+  // Not cached as empty: an unreadable tile is asked for again.
+  if (!Array.isArray(payload?.lines))
+    throw new Error('KartaView sent an unreadable coverage tile');
   const segments = [];
-  for (const line of Array.isArray(payload?.lines) ? payload.lines : []) {
+  for (const line of payload.lines) {
     const points = [];
     for (const point of Array.isArray(line?.track) ? line.track : []) {
       const lon = Number(point?.lng);
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.test.mjs
index c1ab57f3a..c84855e06 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/decode.test.mjs
@@ -71,5 +71,17 @@ test('bad points, repeats and one-point tracks are skipped; an empty tile has no
     [2, 2],
   ]);
   assert.deepEqual(decodeCoverageTile({ lines: [] }, TILE).sequences, []);
-  assert.deepEqual(decodeCoverageTile(null, TILE).sequences, []);
+});
+
+test('a tile that is not a line list fails, so it is asked for again rather than kept empty', () => {
+  for (const payload of [
+    null,
+    {},
+    { lines: 'nope' },
+    { status: { apiCode: 690 } },
+  ])
+    assert.throws(
+      () => decodeCoverageTile(payload, TILE),
+      /unreadable coverage tile/,
+    );
 });
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/index.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/index.js
index c9da4f7c5..a056771dc 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/index.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/index.js
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { decodeCoverageTile } from './decode.js';
 import { createKartaViewSource } from './source.js';
 import { createKartaViewViewer } from './viewer.js';
 import {
+  ARCHIVED_MESSAGE,
   COLORS,
   COVERAGE_MAX_HEIGHT_M,
   COVERAGE_NOUN,
@@ -15,9 +16,12 @@ import {
   KARTAVIEW_NAME,
   KARTAVIEW_PROVIDER_ID,
   LINE_CLICK_HINT,
+  NEAREST_PROBES,
   NEAREST_RADIUS_M,
+  NO_COVERAGE_HINT,
   PICK_PREFIX,
   RATE_LIMITED_MESSAGE,
+  SEQUENCE_PAGE_EDGE,
   SEQUENCE_PAGE_SIZE,
   TOO_HIGH_HINT,
   normalizePhoto,
@@ -85,6 +89,8 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
     defaultOn: false,
     // Coverage lines carry no date or projection: no filter could thin them.
     filters: [],
+    // Its lines are streets, not sequences: a selected drive shows as cones.
+    highlightsSequence: false,
     coverageLabel: Object.freeze({
       noun: COVERAGE_NOUN,
       action: LINE_CLICK_HINT,
@@ -169,42 +175,94 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
         return entry;
       }
 
-      /** The page holding `photo` (an earlier one when photos are missing). */
-      async function windowOf(photo) {
-        let page = pageOf(photo.sequenceIndex ?? 0);
-        for (let tries = 0; tries < 3; tries++) {
-          const window = await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, page);
-          const first = window.photos[0];
-          if (
-            window.photos.some((p) => p.id === photo.id) ||
-            page === 1 ||
-            !first ||
-            (first.sequenceIndex ?? 0) <= (photo.sequenceIndex ?? 0)
-          )
-            return window;
-          page--;
+      /**
+       * The page holding `photo`. Pages follow photo ids, which only roughly
+       * follow the index, and photos go missing, so the page the index
+       * suggests is a first guess: step towards the photo until a page holds
+       * it, or the pages straddle where it would be.
+       */
+      async function homePage(photo) {
+        let number = pageOf(photo.sequenceIndex ?? 0);
+        const index = photo.sequenceIndex ?? 0;
+        const seen = new Set();
+        let page = null;
+        while (!seen.has(number) && seen.size < 6) {
+          seen.add(number);
+          page = await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, number);
+          if (page.photos.some((p) => p.id === photo.id)) return page;
+          const first = page.photos[0]?.sequenceIndex;
+          const last = page.photos.at(-1)?.sequenceIndex;
+          // Past the last page, or before this page's photos: go back.
+          if ((first === undefined || index < first) && number > 1) number--;
+          else if (last !== undefined && index > last && page.hasMore) number++;
+          else break;
         }
-        return loadPage(photo.sequenceId, page);
+        return page;
       }
 
+      /**
+       * The photos around `photo` in index order: its page, plus a
+       * neighbour page when it sits near an edge (pages overlap in index).
+       * @returns {Promise<{home: number, photos: Array<object>}>}
+       */
+      async function windowOf(photo) {
+        const home = await homePage(photo);
+        const list = home.photos;
+        const at = list.findIndex((p) => p.id === photo.id);
+        const parts = [list];
+        if (at !== -1 && at < SEQUENCE_PAGE_EDGE && home.page > 1)
+          parts.push((await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, home.page - 1)).photos);
+        if (at !== -1 && at >= list.length - SEQUENCE_PAGE_EDGE && home.hasMore)
+          parts.push((await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, home.page + 1)).photos);
+        if (parts.length === 1) return { home: home.page, photos: list };
+        const byId = new Map(parts.flat().map((p) => [p.id, p]));
+        return {
+          home: home.page,
+          photos: [...byId.values()].sort(
+            (a, b) => (a.sequenceIndex ?? 0) - (b.sequenceIndex ?? 0),
+          ),
+        };
+      }
+
+      /** Photo id → whether its file answers (archived ones do not), per session. */
+      const probes = createLru(PHOTO_CACHE_SIZE);
+      function showable(photo, { signal } = {}) {
+        if (!photo?.urls?.view) return Promise.resolve(false);
+        let probe = probes.get(photo.id);
+        if (!probe) {
+          probe = source.probeImage(photo.urls.view, { signal });
+          probes.set(photo.id, probe);
+          probe.catch(() => probes.delete(photo.id));
+        }
+        return probe;
+      }
+
+      /**
+       * The next showable photo `delta` along the sequence, or null at its
+       * end. Archived photos are skipped, a few at most.
+       */
       async function step(photo, delta) {
         if (!photo?.sequenceId) return null;
-        const window = await windowOf(photo);
-        const list = window.photos;
-        let at = list.findIndex((p) => p.id === photo.id);
-        if (at === -1)
-          at = list.findIndex(
-            (p) => (p.sequenceIndex ?? 0) >= (photo.sequenceIndex ?? 0),
-          );
-        const next = at === -1 ? -1 : at + delta;
-        if (next >= 0 && next < list.length) return list[next].id;
-        if (next < 0 && window.page > 1) {
-          const before = await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, window.page - 1);
-          return before.photos.at(-1)?.id ?? null;
-        }
-        if (next >= list.length && window.hasMore) {
-          const after = await loadPage(photo.sequenceId, window.page + 1);
-          return after.photos[0]?.id ?? null;
+        let from = photo;
+        for (let skipped = 0; skipped <= NEAREST_PROBES; skipped++) {
+          const { photos: list } = await windowOf(from);
+          let at = list.findIndex((p) => p.id === from.id);
+          if (at === -1) {
+            // Not found anywhere: the nearest index on the right side.
+            const index = from.sequenceIndex ?? 0;
+            const later = list.findIndex((p) => (p.sequenceIndex ?? 0) > index);
+            if (delta > 0 && later === -1) return null;
+            at =
+              delta > 0
+                ? later - 1
+                : later === -1
+                  ? list.length
+                  : list.findIndex((p) => (p.sequenceIndex ?? 0) >= index);
+          }
+          const next = list[at + delta];
+          if (!next) return null;
+          if (await showable(next)) return next.id;
+          from = next;
         }
         return null;
       }
@@ -229,7 +287,7 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
           if (!anchor) return [];
           const window = await windowOf(anchor);
           signal?.throwIfAborted();
-          drawnPage = { sequenceId, page: window.page };
+          drawnPage = { sequenceId, page: window.home };
           return thinImages(
             window.photos.map((photo) => ({
               id: photo.id,
@@ -245,16 +303,24 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
         pickPrefix: PICK_PREFIX.image,
         spriteId: 'street-level:kartaview-cones',
         renderKey: 'kartaview-sequence',
+        // The filters are hidden for KartaView: one left set must not hide cones.
+        passes: () => true,
       });
 
-      /** Re-centre the cones when ‹ › walked off the page they show. */
-      async function followStep(photoId) {
+      /**
+       * ‹ › open through the core (loading, errors, the sequence's cones),
+       * without moving the camera; the cones re-centre once ‹ › walk off the
+       * page they were drawn from.
+       */
+      async function openStepped(photoId) {
+        const opened = await context.actions.openImage(photoId, {
+          frame: false,
+        });
         const photo = photos.get(photoId);
-        if (!photo?.sequenceId) return;
-        anchors.set(photo.sequenceId, photo);
+        if (!opened || !photo?.sequenceId) return;
         if (drawnPage?.sequenceId !== photo.sequenceId) return;
         const window = await windowOf(photo).catch(() => null);
-        if (window && window.page !== drawnPage.page)
+        if (window && window.home !== drawnPage.page)
           cones.select(photo.sequenceId, { force: true });
       }
 
@@ -265,7 +331,7 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
           return photo;
         },
         step,
-        onStepped: followStep,
+        onStep: openStepped,
         render: context.services?.render,
         ...viewerOptions,
       });
@@ -316,12 +382,18 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
         coverageStats() {
           const { hint } = state.coverage;
           const count = coverage.sequenceCount();
+          const loading = state.coverage.pending.size > 0;
+          const empty =
+            state.coverage.zoom !== null &&
+            !loading &&
+            count === 0 &&
+            !state.coverage.lastError;
           return {
             count,
             zoom: state.coverage.zoom,
             kind: state.coverage.kind,
-            loading: state.coverage.pending.size > 0,
-            hint: hint || '',
+            loading,
+            hint: hint || (empty ? NO_COVERAGE_HINT : ''),
             error: state.coverage.lastError,
             keyRequired: false,
             keyRejected: false,
@@ -353,18 +425,25 @@ export function createKartaViewProvider({
           loading: state.sequence.loading,
         }),
 
-        /** The nearest photo within the search radius, or null. */
+        /**
+         * The nearest photo within the search radius that can be shown, or
+         * null. Many photos are archived (their files answer 409) or have no
+         * file at all, so the nearest few are tried in turn.
+         */
         async nearestImage({ lat, lon }, { signal } = {}) {
           const records = await source.nearestPhotos({ lat, lon }, { signal });
-          let best = null;
+          const near = [];
           for (const record of records) {
             const photo = remember(record);
-            if (!photo) continue;
+            if (!photo?.urls.view) continue;
             const metres = metresBetween({ lat, lon }, photo);
-            if (metres <= NEAREST_RADIUS_M && (!best || metres < best.metres))
-              best = { photo, metres };
+            if (metres <= NEAREST_RADIUS_M) near.push({ photo, metres });
           }
-          return best ? best.photo.id : null;
+          near.sort((a, b) => a.metres - b.metres);
+          for (const { photo } of near.slice(0, NEAREST_PROBES))
+            if (await showable(photo, { signal })) return photo.id;
+          if (near.length) throw new Error(ARCHIVED_MESSAGE);
+          return null;
         },
 
         viewer,
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.js
index 84a36d7d0..d2d75b5e2 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.js
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ export const COVERAGE_TUNING = Object.freeze({
   viewNearM: 1_000,
 });
 export const TOO_HIGH_HINT = 'zoom in to see KartaView coverage';
+export const NO_COVERAGE_HINT = 'no KartaView photos in view';
 export const RATE_LIMITED_MESSAGE =
   'KartaView is rate-limiting requests — they resume on their own';
 
@@ -57,10 +58,23 @@ export const RATE_LIMITED_MESSAGE =
 export const PHOTO_API_CONCURRENCY = 2;
 export const PHOTO_API_RETRIES = 3;
 export const PHOTO_API_RETRY_BASE_MS = 800;
+/** A Retry-After longer than this is not waited out. */
+export const PHOTO_API_RETRY_MAX_MS = 10_000;
+/** The API is HTTP/1.1 (six connections): tiles 3, lookups 2, pages 1. */
+export const TILE_CONCURRENCY = 3;
+export const PAGE_CONCURRENCY = 1;
 export const TILE_TIMEOUT_MS = 20_000;
 export const PHOTO_API_TIMEOUT_MS = 15_000;
+/** A sequence page is about a megabyte of JSON. */
+export const PAGE_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000;
 /** A photo download (tens of kilobytes to a few megabytes). */
-export const IMAGE_TIMEOUT_MS = 30_000;
+export const IMAGE_TIMEOUT_MS = 15_000;
+/** Whether a photo file is there (not archived): headers only. */
+export const IMAGE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS = 8_000;
+/** Nearest photos tried before giving up on archived ones. */
+export const NEAREST_PROBES = 4;
+export const ARCHIVED_MESSAGE =
+  'KartaView’s photos here are archived and cannot be shown';
 
 /** Photos asked for around a point; the API returns them nearest first. */
 export const NEAREST_LIMIT = 10;
@@ -69,9 +83,12 @@ export const NEAREST_SEARCH_ZOOM = 18;
 
 /**
  * Photos of a sequence fetched at once, around the open one. Records are
- * ~2 kB each, so a page is ~2 MB; the cones and prev/next use it.
+ * ~2.4 kB each, so a page is ~1.2 MB; the cones and ‹ › use it. Pages are in
+ * photo-id order, which only roughly follows the sequence index.
  */
-export const SEQUENCE_PAGE_SIZE = 1000;
+export const SEQUENCE_PAGE_SIZE = 500;
+/** Within this many photos of a page's edge, its neighbour page joins it. */
+export const SEQUENCE_PAGE_EDGE = 12;
 
 /** Equirectangular panorama sizes: a quick preview, then the sharp one. */
 export const PANO_PREVIEW_SIZE = Object.freeze([1024, 512]);
@@ -161,6 +178,9 @@ export function normalizePhoto(record) {
   if (!record || record.id == null) return null;
   const { lat, lon } = positionOf(record);
   if (!Number.isFinite(lat) || !Number.isFinite(lon)) return null;
+  // 0,0 is a missing fix, not a photo in the Gulf of Guinea.
+  if (lat === 0 && lon === 0) return null;
+  if (Math.abs(lat) > 90 || Math.abs(lon) > 180) return null;
   const heading =
     record.heading === '' || record.heading == null
       ? NaN
@@ -195,9 +215,13 @@ export function normalizePhoto(record) {
 
 /**
  * Where the image link goes. KartaView's photo pages fail for signed-out
- * visitors ("Sequence cannot be loaded"), so it is the full-size photo on
- * KartaView's own storage.
+ * visitors ("Sequence cannot be loaded"), so it is the full-size photo
+ * through KartaView's image proxy, which also serves photos whose storage
+ * host answers 502 directly.
  */
 export function kartaViewPhotoUrl(photo) {
-  return photo?.urls?.full || photo?.urls?.view || 'https://kartaview.org';
+  const url = photo?.urls?.full || photo?.urls?.view;
+  return url
+    ? `${KARTAVIEW_CDN_HOST}/pr:sharp/${base64Url(url)}`
+    : 'https://kartaview.org';
 }
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.test.mjs
index b48e1742f..140a3903c 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/policy.test.mjs
@@ -60,7 +60,14 @@ test('photo files come from the storage host the record names, not the one its U
     photo.urls.full,
     'https://storage2.openstreetcam.org/files/photo/2016/8/24/proc/14010_ba53c_57bd1d23d50b7.jpg',
   );
-  assert.equal(kartaViewPhotoUrl(photo), photo.urls.full);
+  // The link goes through the image proxy, which serves photos whose
+  // storage host answers 502 directly.
+  const link = kartaViewPhotoUrl(photo);
+  assert.match(link, /^https:\/\/cdn\.kartaview\.org\/pr:sharp\/[\w-]+$/);
+  assert.equal(
+    Buffer.from(link.split('/').at(-1), 'base64url').toString(),
+    photo.urls.full,
+  );
   // An unexpected storage value falls back to the URLs as given.
   const odd = normalizePhoto(record({ storage: 'https://evil.example' }));
   assert.match(odd.urls.view, /^https:\/\/storage1\.openstreetcam\.org\//);
@@ -101,6 +108,14 @@ test('a 360° photo keeps its equirectangular image; the unmatched position is t
 
 test('records without an id or a position are dropped; a missing heading is null', () => {
   assert.equal(normalizePhoto(null), null);
+  // 0,0 is a missing fix.
+  assert.equal(
+    normalizePhoto(
+      record({ lat: '0', lng: '0', matchLat: '0', matchLng: '0' }),
+    ),
+    null,
+  );
+  assert.equal(normalizePhoto(record({ lat: '95', matchLat: '95' })), null);
   assert.equal(normalizePhoto(record({ id: undefined })), null);
   assert.equal(
     normalizePhoto(
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/provider.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/provider.test.mjs
index ef626fe09..582e32551 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/provider.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/provider.test.mjs
@@ -24,11 +24,19 @@ function photoRecord(id, { metres = 0, seq = '14010', index = 0 } = {}) {
   };
 }
 
-/** A source over `sequences` (id → indexes present), recording calls. */
-function fakeSource({ nearest = [], sequences = {} } = {}) {
-  const calls = { nearest: 0, photo: [], pages: [] };
+/**
+ * A source over `sequences` (id → indexes present, in page order: KartaView
+ * pages follow photo ids, which only roughly follow the index), recording
+ * calls. Photos whose id is in `archived` answer 409.
+ */
+function fakeSource({ nearest = [], sequences = {}, archived = [] } = {}) {
+  const calls = { nearest: 0, photo: [], pages: [], probes: [] };
   return {
     calls,
+    probeImage: async (url) => {
+      calls.probes.push(url);
+      return !archived.some((id) => url.includes(`/${id}.jpg`));
+    },
     getTile: async () => ({ lines: [] }),
     nearestPhotos: async () => {
       calls.nearest++;
@@ -59,7 +67,7 @@ function fakeSource({ nearest = [], sequences = {} } = {}) {
 }
 
 function fakeContext() {
-  const actions = { opened: [], nearest: [] };
+  const actions = { opened: [], nearest: [], instance: null };
   return {
     actions,
     context: {
@@ -71,7 +79,12 @@ function fakeContext() {
       getSurface: () => 'draped',
       notify() {},
       actions: {
-        openImage: (id) => actions.opened.push(id),
+        // As the core does: the provider's own viewer opens it.
+        openImage: async (id, options) => {
+          actions.opened.push({ id, options });
+          await actions.instance?.viewer.open(id);
+          return true;
+        },
         openNearest: (point) => actions.nearest.push(point),
         reportError() {},
       },
@@ -96,6 +109,7 @@ function setup(sourceOptions) {
   });
   const { context, actions } = fakeContext();
   const instance = definition.create(context);
+  actions.instance = instance;
   return { definition, instance, source, actions, loads };
 }
 
@@ -159,8 +173,9 @@ test('the nearest photo is the closest within 50 m, and opening it asks nothing
 
 test('a cone opens its photo; a line opens the photo nearest the click', () => {
   const { instance, actions } = setup();
+  actions.instance = null;
   assert.equal(instance.handlePick('kv:img:123'), true);
-  assert.deepEqual(actions.opened, ['123']);
+  assert.deepEqual(actions.opened, [{ id: '123', options: undefined }]);
   const point = { lon: -83.0458, lat: 42.3314 };
   assert.equal(
     instance.handlePick('kv:line:14/1/2/3', { groundPoint: () => point }),
@@ -185,47 +200,124 @@ test('coverage stats report KartaView as configured and key-free', async () => {
   assert.equal(stats.count, 0);
 });
 
-test('› walks across sequence pages; ‹ walks back; the ends stop', async () => {
+const press = async (button) => {
+  button.fire('click');
+  for (let i = 0; i < 12; i++) await settle();
+};
+
+async function mounted(sourceOptions) {
+  const env = setup(sourceOptions);
+  const host = fakeHost();
+  await env.instance.viewer.mount(host);
+  const poses = [];
+  env.instance.viewer.onPose((pose) => poses.push(pose.imageId));
+  const [, , prev, next] = host.children[0].children;
+  return { ...env, poses, prev, next };
+}
+
+test('› walks across sequence pages without moving the camera; ‹ walks back; the ends stop', async () => {
   const size = SEQUENCE_PAGE_SIZE;
   const indexes = Array.from({ length: size + 5 }, (_, i) => i);
-  const { instance, source } = setup({ sequences: { s: indexes } });
-  const host = fakeHost();
-  await instance.viewer.mount(host);
-  const poses = [];
-  instance.viewer.onPose((pose) => poses.push(pose.imageId));
-  const [, , prev, next] = host.children[0].children;
-  const press = async (button) => {
-    button.fire('click');
-    for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) await settle();
-  };
+  const { instance, actions, source, poses, prev, next } = await mounted({
+    sequences: { s: indexes },
+  });
   await instance.viewer.open(`s-${size - 1}`);
   await press(next);
   assert.equal(poses.at(-1), `s-${size}`, 'onto the second page');
-  assert.deepEqual(source.calls.pages, ['s:1', 's:2']);
+  assert.deepEqual(actions.opened.at(-1), {
+    id: `s-${size}`,
+    options: { frame: false },
+  });
+  assert.ok(source.calls.pages.includes('s:2'));
   await press(prev);
   assert.equal(poses.at(-1), `s-${size - 1}`);
   await instance.viewer.open('s-0');
+  for (let i = 0; i < 6; i++) await settle();
+  assert.equal(prev.disabled, true, 'nothing before the first photo');
   await press(prev);
-  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), 's-0', 'nothing before the first photo');
-  assert.equal(prev.disabled, true);
+  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), 's-0');
 });
 
-test('a page with missing photos is found by stepping back a page', async () => {
+test('pages that overlap in index (id order) step one photo at a time across the edge', async () => {
   const size = SEQUENCE_PAGE_SIZE;
-  // Index `size + 100` sits on page 1 when 200 earlier photos are gone.
-  const indexes = Array.from({ length: size + 300 }, (_, i) => i).filter(
-    (i) => i < 100 || i >= 300,
+  // As KartaView pages by id: page 1 holds 0…size+2 less two, page 2 starts
+  // with those two (size-2, size) before the rest.
+  const first = Array.from({ length: size + 3 }, (_, i) => i).filter(
+    (i) => i !== size - 2 && i !== size,
+  );
+  const second = [
+    size - 2,
+    size,
+    ...Array.from({ length: 50 }, (_, i) => size + 3 + i),
+  ];
+  const { instance, poses, next } = await mounted({
+    sequences: { s: [...first, ...second] },
+  });
+  await instance.viewer.open(`s-${size - 5}`);
+  for (let k = 1; k <= 8; k++) await press(next);
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    poses.slice(-9).map((id) => Number(id.slice(2))),
+    Array.from({ length: 9 }, (_, i) => size - 5 + i),
+    'no photo skipped at the page edge',
+  );
+});
+
+test('a photo whose index outruns the page count is found, and its neighbours are real', async () => {
+  // 1,000 photos with 500–1499 deleted: index 1500 is on page 2, not 4.
+  const indexes = [
+    ...Array.from({ length: 500 }, (_, i) => i),
+    ...Array.from({ length: 500 }, (_, i) => 1500 + i),
+  ];
+  const { instance, poses, prev, next } = await mounted({
+    sequences: { s: indexes },
+  });
+  await instance.viewer.open('s-1500');
+  await press(next);
+  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), 's-1501');
+  await press(prev);
+  await press(prev);
+  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), 's-499', 'back across the gap');
+  await instance.viewer.open('s-1999');
+  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) await settle();
+  assert.equal(next.disabled, true, 'the last photo');
+});
+
+test('archived photos are skipped: by the nearest lookup, and by › and ‹', async () => {
+  const { instance, poses, next } = await mounted({
+    nearest: [
+      photoRecord('gone', { metres: 3 }),
+      photoRecord('kept', { metres: 9 }),
+    ],
+    archived: ['gone', 's-2', 's-3'],
+    sequences: { s: [0, 1, 2, 3, 4] },
+  });
+  assert.equal(
+    await instance.nearestImage({ lat: 42.3314, lon: -83.0458 }),
+    'kept',
+  );
+  await instance.viewer.open('s-1');
+  await press(next);
+  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), 's-4', 'two archived photos stepped over');
+  const allGone = setup({
+    nearest: [photoRecord('gone', { metres: 3 })],
+    archived: ['gone'],
+  });
+  await assert.rejects(
+    allGone.instance.nearestImage({ lat: 42.3314, lon: -83.0458 }),
+    /archived and cannot be shown/,
+  );
+  const noFiles = setup({
+    nearest: [
+      {
+        ...photoRecord('bare', { metres: 2 }),
+        filepathLTh: '',
+        filepathProc: '',
+      },
+    ],
+  });
+  assert.equal(
+    await noFiles.instance.nearestImage({ lat: 42.3314, lon: -83.0458 }),
+    null,
+    'a record with no file is not a photo',
   );
-  const { instance, source } = setup({ sequences: { s: indexes } });
-  const host = fakeHost();
-  await instance.viewer.mount(host);
-  const poses = [];
-  instance.viewer.onPose((pose) => poses.push(pose.imageId));
-  const target = size + 100;
-  await instance.viewer.open(`s-${target}`);
-  const [, , , next] = host.children[0].children;
-  next.fire('click');
-  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) await settle();
-  assert.equal(poses.at(-1), `s-${target + 1}`);
-  assert.deepEqual(source.calls.pages.slice(0, 2), ['s:2', 's:1']);
 });
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.js
index 7d68c5f62..244ea38d8 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.js
@@ -1,11 +1,16 @@
 import {
+  IMAGE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS,
   KARTAVIEW_API_HOST,
   NEAREST_LIMIT,
   NEAREST_SEARCH_ZOOM,
+  PAGE_CONCURRENCY,
+  PAGE_TIMEOUT_MS,
   PHOTO_API_CONCURRENCY,
   PHOTO_API_RETRIES,
   PHOTO_API_RETRY_BASE_MS,
+  PHOTO_API_RETRY_MAX_MS,
   PHOTO_API_TIMEOUT_MS,
+  TILE_CONCURRENCY,
   TILE_TIMEOUT_MS,
 } from './policy.js';
 
@@ -19,7 +24,7 @@ export class KartaViewSourceError extends Error {
   }
 }
 
-const NO_ANSWER = 'KartaView did not answer — check the network and try again';
+const NO_ANSWER = 'KartaView did not answer in time — try again';
 
 /** Resolves after `ms`, or rejects when `signal` aborts first. */
 function wait(ms, signal) {
@@ -92,8 +97,11 @@ export function createLimiter(limit) {
 
 /**
  * KartaView's public API, browser-side and keyless (it allows any origin).
- * Coverage tiles are not rate-limited; photo lookups are, so they queue two
- * at a time and retry a 429.
+ * It speaks HTTP/1.1, so the browser opens six connections to it: tiles take
+ * at most three, photo lookups two and sequence pages one, so a lookup never
+ * waits behind slow tiles or pages. The photo API answers 429 to more than
+ * about three requests at once; a 429 (and a lookup that timed out) is
+ * retried.
  * @param {{fetchImpl?: typeof fetch, apiHost?: string, retryBaseMs?: number}} [options]
  */
 export function createKartaViewSource({
@@ -102,6 +110,8 @@ export function createKartaViewSource({
   retryBaseMs = PHOTO_API_RETRY_BASE_MS,
 } = {}) {
   const limiter = createLimiter(PHOTO_API_CONCURRENCY);
+  const tileLimiter = createLimiter(TILE_CONCURRENCY);
+  const pageLimiter = createLimiter(PAGE_CONCURRENCY);
 
   /** GET JSON within `timeoutMs`; the caller's abort wins over the timeout. */
   async function getJson(url, { signal, timeoutMs }) {
@@ -137,32 +147,52 @@ export function createKartaViewSource({
     }
   }
 
-  /** A photo-API call through the limiter, retrying 429s with backoff. */
-  async function photoApi(path, params, { signal } = {}) {
+  /**
+   * A photo-API call through `gate`, retrying 429s with backoff and, once, a
+   * call that timed out.
+   */
+  async function photoApi(
+    path,
+    params,
+    { signal } = {},
+    { gate = limiter, timeoutMs = PHOTO_API_TIMEOUT_MS } = {},
+  ) {
     const query = params ? `?${new URLSearchParams(params)}` : '';
     const url = `${apiHost}${path}${query}`;
+    let timeouts = 0;
     for (let attempt = 0; ; attempt++) {
       try {
-        const payload = await limiter.run(
-          () => getJson(url, { signal, timeoutMs: PHOTO_API_TIMEOUT_MS }),
+        const payload = await gate.run(
+          () => getJson(url, { signal, timeoutMs }),
           { signal },
         );
         const code = Number(payload?.status?.apiCode);
         // 600 ok, 601 empty, 602 partial: anything else is a refusal.
         if (Number.isFinite(code) && (code < 600 || code > 603))
           throw new KartaViewSourceError(
-            String(
-              payload?.status?.apiMessage || 'KartaView refused the request',
-            ).trim(),
+            `KartaView refused the request (code ${code})`,
             { status: Number(payload?.status?.httpCode) || 0 },
           );
         return payload?.result ?? {};
       } catch (error) {
-        if (error?.status !== 429 || attempt >= PHOTO_API_RETRIES) throw error;
+        if (signal?.aborted) throw error;
+        const timedOut = error?.message === NO_ANSWER && error.status === 0;
+        if (timedOut && timeouts++ < 1) continue;
+        if (error?.status !== 429 || attempt >= PHOTO_API_RETRIES) {
+          if (error?.status === 429)
+            throw new KartaViewSourceError(
+              'KartaView is rate-limiting requests — try again in a moment',
+              { status: 429, retryAfterSec: error.retryAfterSec },
+            );
+          throw error;
+        }
         await wait(
-          Math.max(
-            retryBaseMs * 2 ** attempt,
-            (error.retryAfterSec ?? 0) * 1000,
+          Math.min(
+            PHOTO_API_RETRY_MAX_MS,
+            Math.max(
+              retryBaseMs * 2 ** attempt,
+              (error.retryAfterSec ?? 0) * 1000,
+            ),
           ),
           signal,
         );
@@ -173,10 +203,42 @@ export function createKartaViewSource({
   return {
     /** A coverage tile: `{lines: [{track: [{lat, lng}]}]}`. */
     async getTile({ x, y, z }, { signal } = {}) {
-      return getJson(`${apiHost}/2.0/sequence/tiles/${x}/${y}/${z}.json`, {
-        signal,
-        timeoutMs: TILE_TIMEOUT_MS,
-      });
+      return tileLimiter.run(
+        () =>
+          getJson(`${apiHost}/2.0/sequence/tiles/${x}/${y}/${z}.json`, {
+            signal,
+            timeoutMs: TILE_TIMEOUT_MS,
+          }),
+        { signal },
+      );
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * Whether a photo file can be fetched. Archived photos answer 409 (and
+     * a HEAD says 200 regardless), so this GETs and stops at the headers.
+     */
+    async probeImage(url, { signal } = {}) {
+      if (!url) return false;
+      const controller = new AbortController();
+      const onAbort = () => controller.abort(signal.reason);
+      if (signal?.aborted) throw signal.reason;
+      signal?.addEventListener('abort', onAbort, { once: true });
+      const timer = setTimeout(
+        () => controller.abort(),
+        IMAGE_PROBE_TIMEOUT_MS,
+      );
+      try {
+        const response = await fetchImpl(url, { signal: controller.signal });
+        return response.ok;
+      } catch {
+        if (signal?.aborted) throw signal.reason;
+        return false;
+      } finally {
+        clearTimeout(timer);
+        signal?.removeEventListener('abort', onAbort);
+        // The body is not needed: drop it.
+        controller.abort();
+      }
     },
 
     /** Photo records around a point, nearest first. */
@@ -216,6 +278,7 @@ export function createKartaViewSource({
         `/2.0/sequence/${encodeURIComponent(sequenceId)}/photos`,
         { page: String(page), itemsPerPage: String(itemsPerPage) },
         { signal },
+        { gate: pageLimiter, timeoutMs: PAGE_TIMEOUT_MS },
       );
       return {
         photos: Array.isArray(result.data) ? result.data : [],
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.test.mjs
index 8d8bca033..73fa3b1bb 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/source.test.mjs
@@ -5,7 +5,11 @@ import {
   createKartaViewSource,
   createLimiter,
 } from './source.js';
-import { PHOTO_API_CONCURRENCY, PHOTO_API_RETRIES } from './policy.js';
+import {
+  PHOTO_API_CONCURRENCY,
+  PHOTO_API_RETRIES,
+  TILE_CONCURRENCY,
+} from './policy.js';
 
 const ok = (body) => ({
   ok: true,
@@ -87,12 +91,13 @@ test('rate-limiting that outlasts the retries is reported with a wait', async ()
     assert.ok(error instanceof KartaViewSourceError);
     assert.equal(error.status, 429);
     assert.ok(error.retryAfterSec > 0);
+    assert.match(error.message, /try again in a moment/);
     return true;
   });
   assert.equal(calls, PHOTO_API_RETRIES + 1);
 });
 
-test('an API refusal inside a 200 is an error with KartaView’s message; 601 is just empty', async () => {
+test('an API refusal inside a 200 is a readable error with its code; 601 is just empty', async () => {
   const refusing = createKartaViewSource({
     fetchImpl: async () =>
       ok({
@@ -100,7 +105,10 @@ test('an API refusal inside a 200 is an error with KartaView’s message; 601 is
         result: {},
       }),
   });
-  await assert.rejects(refusing.getPhoto('1'), /out of range/);
+  await assert.rejects(
+    refusing.getPhoto('1'),
+    /KartaView refused the request \(code 612\)/,
+  );
   const empty = createKartaViewSource({
     fetchImpl: async () =>
       ok({ status: { apiCode: 601 }, result: { data: [] } }),
@@ -190,3 +198,92 @@ test('the limiter runs tasks in order and keeps going after a failure', async ()
   await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
   assert.equal(limiter.pending, 0);
 });
+
+test('tiles, lookups and sequence pages queue separately, so a lookup never waits behind them', async () => {
+  const running = { tile: 0, photo: 0, page: 0 };
+  const peak = { tile: 0, photo: 0, page: 0 };
+  const release = [];
+  const kind = (url) =>
+    url.includes('/tiles/')
+      ? 'tile'
+      : url.includes('/photos')
+        ? 'page'
+        : 'photo';
+  const source = createKartaViewSource({
+    fetchImpl: async (url) => {
+      const k = kind(url);
+      running[k]++;
+      peak[k] = Math.max(peak[k], running[k]);
+      if (k !== 'photo') await new Promise((resolve) => release.push(resolve));
+      running[k]--;
+      return k === 'tile' ? ok({ lines: [] }) : ok(photoPayload([]));
+    },
+  });
+  const tiles = Array.from({ length: 9 }, (_, i) =>
+    source.getTile({ x: i, y: 0, z: 14 }),
+  );
+  const pages = [1, 2].map((page) =>
+    source.getSequencePhotos('1', { page, itemsPerPage: 500 }),
+  );
+  // Every slow tile and page is in flight or queued; a lookup still answers.
+  assert.deepEqual(await source.nearestPhotos({ lat: 1, lon: 1 }), []);
+  assert.equal(peak.tile, TILE_CONCURRENCY);
+  assert.equal(peak.page, 1);
+  while (release.length) {
+    release.shift()();
+    await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
+  }
+  await Promise.all([...tiles, ...pages]);
+  assert.equal(peak.tile, TILE_CONCURRENCY);
+  assert.equal(peak.page, 1);
+});
+
+test('a lookup that times out is asked once more; a second timeout says to try again', async () => {
+  let calls = 0;
+  const source = createKartaViewSource({
+    fetchImpl: async () => {
+      calls++;
+      throw new TypeError('Failed to fetch');
+    },
+  });
+  await assert.rejects(
+    source.getPhoto('1'),
+    /did not answer in time — try again/,
+  );
+  assert.equal(calls, 2);
+});
+
+test('an image probe reads only the status: an archived photo (409) is not showable', async () => {
+  const seen = [];
+  const source = createKartaViewSource({
+    fetchImpl: async (url, { signal }) => {
+      seen.push(signal);
+      return {
+        ok: !url.includes('archived'),
+        status: url.includes('archived') ? 409 : 200,
+      };
+    },
+  });
+  assert.equal(
+    await source.probeImage('https://storage13.openstreetcam.org/ok.jpg'),
+    true,
+  );
+  assert.equal(
+    await source.probeImage('https://storage13.openstreetcam.org/archived.jpg'),
+    false,
+  );
+  assert.equal(await source.probeImage(null), false);
+  assert.ok(
+    seen.every((signal) => signal.aborted),
+    'the body is dropped',
+  );
+  const offline = createKartaViewSource({
+    fetchImpl: async () => {
+      throw new TypeError('Failed to fetch');
+    },
+  });
+  assert.equal(
+    await offline.probeImage('https://x.openstreetcam.org/a.jpg'),
+    false,
+  );
+});
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.js
index 27c5bee6b..d3fc218e7 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.js
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ export function loadImage(
  * @param {object} options
  * @param {(photoId: string) => Promise<object>} options.getPhoto   A normalized photo (policy.js normalizePhoto).
  * @param {(photo: object, delta: -1|1) => Promise<string|null>} options.step   The photo `delta` along the sequence, or null at its end.
- * @param {(imageId: string) => void} [options.onStepped]   A photo opened from ‹ ›, after its pose.
+ * @param {(imageId: string) => void} options.onStep   Open the photo ‹ › chose (through the core, so loading and errors show).
  * @param {object} [options.render]   Render governor.
  * @param {(url: string, options?: object) => Promise<HTMLImageElement>} [options.load]
  * @param {(canvas: HTMLCanvasElement) => object} [options.createRenderer]
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ export function loadImage(
 export function createKartaViewViewer({
   getPhoto,
   step,
-  onStepped = () => {},
+  onStep,
   render,
   load = loadImage,
   createRenderer = createPanoramaRenderer,
@@ -80,6 +80,12 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
   let drag = null;
   let poseFrame = 0;
   let removeListeners = [];
+  /** The photo an open is fetching: ‹ › step on from it, not the old one. */
+  let openingId = null;
+  /** ‹ › chose this photo: keep the panorama's look direction for it. */
+  let keepViewFor = null;
+  /** ‹ › presses run one after another, each from where the last one went. */
+  let steps = Promise.resolve();
 
   function requestRender() {
     render?.governorRequestRender?.('kartaview-viewer');
@@ -133,6 +139,21 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
     const enabled = Boolean(photo?.sequenceId) && showing !== null;
     if (prevButton) prevButton.disabled = !enabled;
     if (nextButton) nextButton.disabled = !enabled;
+    if (enabled) checkEnds(photo);
+  }
+
+  /** Disable ‹ or › at once where the sequence ends (it also warms the neighbours). */
+  function checkEnds(target) {
+    for (const [delta, button] of [
+      [-1, prevButton],
+      [1, nextButton],
+    ])
+      step(target, delta).then(
+        (id) => {
+          if (photo === target && button && !id) button.disabled = true;
+        },
+        () => {},
+      );
   }
 
   function show(kind) {
@@ -159,29 +180,33 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
     return renderer;
   }
 
-  /** Step along the sequence from the open photo. */
-  async function stepBy(delta) {
-    const from = photo;
-    if (!from?.sequenceId || !showing) return;
-    const seq = openSeq;
-    let nextId = null;
-    try {
-      nextId = await step(from, delta);
-    } catch {
-      nextId = null;
-    }
-    if (seq !== openSeq || photo !== from) return;
-    if (!nextId) {
-      const button = delta < 0 ? prevButton : nextButton;
-      if (button) button.disabled = true;
-      return;
-    }
-    try {
-      await adapter.open(nextId, { keepView: true });
-    } catch {
-      return;
-    }
-    if (photo?.id === nextId) onStepped(nextId);
+  /**
+   * Step along the sequence from the photo showing, or from the one on its
+   * way after an earlier press, and open it through the core.
+   */
+  function stepBy(delta) {
+    steps = steps.then(async () => {
+      const fromId = openingId ?? photo?.id;
+      if (!fromId || !root) return;
+      let from;
+      let nextId = null;
+      try {
+        from = await getPhoto(fromId);
+        if (from.sequenceId) nextId = await step(from, delta);
+      } catch {
+        nextId = null;
+      }
+      // Closed, or another photo was opened meanwhile.
+      if ((openingId ?? photo?.id) !== fromId) return;
+      if (!nextId) {
+        const button = delta < 0 ? prevButton : nextButton;
+        if (button && photo?.id === fromId) button.disabled = true;
+        return;
+      }
+      openingId = nextId;
+      keepViewFor = nextId;
+      onStep(nextId);
+    });
   }
 
   function onPointerDown(event) {
@@ -324,15 +349,12 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
   }
 
   async function showPano(target, seq, keepView) {
-    const preview = resizedImageUrl(target.urls.pano, PANO_PREVIEW_SIZE);
-    let image;
-    try {
-      image = await load(preview, { crossOrigin: true });
-    } catch {
-      image = await load(resizedImageUrl(target.urls.pano, PANO_FULL_SIZE), {
-        crossOrigin: true,
-      });
-    }
+    // Only the proxy can shrink a 13,000 px panorama: if it fails, the
+    // caller shows the front view rather than waiting on it twice.
+    const image = await load(
+      resizedImageUrl(target.urls.pano, PANO_PREVIEW_SIZE),
+      { crossOrigin: true },
+    );
     if (seq !== openSeq) return false;
     if (!keepView || showing !== 'pano')
       renderer.setView({ yaw: 0, pitch: 0, fov: PANO_FOV_DEFAULT_DEG });
@@ -359,6 +381,24 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
     return true;
   }
 
+  async function openPhoto(id, seq, keepView) {
+    const target = await getPhoto(id);
+    if (seq !== openSeq) return;
+    let shown = false;
+    if (target.isPano && target.urls.pano && ensureRenderer()) {
+      try {
+        shown = await showPano(target, seq, keepView);
+      } catch {
+        // The panorama failed: its front view is better than nothing.
+        if (seq !== openSeq) return;
+        shown = await showFlat(target, seq);
+      }
+    } else shown = await showFlat(target, seq);
+    if (!shown) return;
+    emit();
+    upgrade(target, seq, showing);
+  }
+
   const adapter = {
     async mount(host) {
       if (!host) throw new Error('Street Level viewer has no host element');
@@ -368,28 +408,24 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
     },
 
     /** Resolves once the photo is on screen and its pose was emitted. */
-    async open(imageId, { keepView = false } = {}) {
+    async open(imageId) {
       if (!root) throw new Error('KartaView viewer is not mounted');
+      const id = String(imageId);
       const seq = ++openSeq;
-      const target = await getPhoto(String(imageId));
-      if (seq !== openSeq) return;
-      let shown = false;
-      if (target.isPano && target.urls.pano && ensureRenderer()) {
-        try {
-          shown = await showPano(target, seq, keepView);
-        } catch {
-          // The panorama failed: its front view is better than nothing.
-          if (seq !== openSeq) return;
-          shown = await showFlat(target, seq);
-        }
-      } else shown = await showFlat(target, seq);
-      if (!shown) return;
-      emit();
-      upgrade(target, seq, showing);
+      const keepView = keepViewFor === id;
+      keepViewFor = null;
+      openingId = id;
+      try {
+        await openPhoto(id, seq, keepView);
+      } finally {
+        if (openingId === id && seq === openSeq) openingId = null;
+      }
     },
 
     close() {
       openSeq++;
+      openingId = null;
+      keepViewFor = null;
       photo = null;
       show(null);
       if (picture) picture.removeAttribute('src');
@@ -398,6 +434,8 @@ export function createKartaViewViewer({
 
     unmount() {
       openSeq++;
+      openingId = null;
+      keepViewFor = null;
       teardown();
     },
 
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.test.mjs
index f15c6f3fc..7372dea6c 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/providers/kartaview/viewer.test.mjs
@@ -80,7 +80,11 @@ function setup({ failLoads = [], rendererThrows = false, steps = {} } = {}) {
       return PHOTOS[id];
     },
     step: async (photo, delta) => steps[`${photo.id}:${delta}`] ?? null,
-    onStepped: (id) => stepped.push(id),
+    // The core opens what ‹ › chose; here the adapter is opened directly.
+    onStep: (id) => {
+      stepped.push(id);
+      viewer.open(id).catch(() => {});
+    },
     load: async (url, options) => {
       loads.push({ url, crossOrigin: options?.crossOrigin });
       if (failLoads.some((part) => url.includes(part)))
@@ -108,7 +112,9 @@ const parts = (host) => {
 const settle = () => new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 0));
 
 test('a flat photo shows its 1280 px version, then the sharp one, with a pose facing its heading', async () => {
-  const { viewer, poses, host, loads } = setup();
+  const { viewer, poses, host, loads } = setup({
+    steps: { 'flat1:1': 'flat2', 'flat1:-1': 'flat0' },
+  });
   await viewer.mount(host);
   const { picture, canvas, prev, next } = parts(host);
   assert.equal(prev.disabled, true, 'nothing to step through yet');
@@ -142,7 +148,7 @@ test('a flat photo shows its 1280 px version, then the sharp one, with a pose fa
       title: null,
     },
   );
-  assert.equal(pose.externalUrl, PHOTOS.flat1.urls.full);
+  assert.match(pose.externalUrl, /^https:\/\/cdn\.kartaview\.org\/pr:sharp\//);
   assert.equal(loads[0].url, PHOTOS.flat1.urls.view);
   assert.equal(loads[0].crossOrigin, false, 'an <img> needs no CORS');
   await settle();
@@ -222,26 +228,43 @@ test('without WebGL, or when the panorama fails, a 360° photo shows its front v
   assert.equal(broken.poses.at(-1).imageId, 'pano1');
 });
 
-test('‹ › and the arrow keys step along the sequence; the end disables the button', async () => {
+test('‹ › and the arrow keys step along the sequence; ends disable at once', async () => {
   const { viewer, poses, host, stepped } = setup({
-    steps: { 'flat1:1': 'flat2' },
+    steps: { 'flat1:1': 'flat2', 'flat2:-1': 'flat1' },
   });
   await viewer.mount(host);
   await viewer.open('flat1');
   const { root, prev, next } = parts(host);
+  await settle();
+  assert.equal(prev.disabled, true, 'flat1 is the first photo: known up front');
+  assert.equal(next.disabled, false);
   next.fire('click');
-  await settle();
-  await settle();
+  for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) await settle();
   assert.equal(poses.at(-1).imageId, 'flat2');
-  assert.deepEqual(stepped, ['flat2']);
-  root.fire('keydown', { key: 'ArrowRight' });
-  await settle();
-  await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(stepped, ['flat2'], 'the core is asked to open it');
   assert.equal(next.disabled, true, 'flat2 is the last photo');
+  assert.equal(prev.disabled, false);
   root.fire('keydown', { key: 'ArrowLeft', metaKey: true });
   await settle();
   assert.equal(poses.at(-1).imageId, 'flat2', 'modified arrows are not ours');
-  assert.equal(prev.disabled, false);
+  root.fire('keydown', { key: 'ArrowLeft' });
+  for (let i = 0; i < 4; i++) await settle();
+  assert.equal(poses.at(-1).imageId, 'flat1');
+});
+
+test('quick presses each step on from the photo the last one chose', async () => {
+  const chain = { 'flat1:1': 'flat2', 'flat2:1': 'pano1' };
+  const { viewer, host, stepped } = setup({
+    steps: chain,
+    rendererThrows: true,
+  });
+  await viewer.mount(host);
+  await viewer.open('flat1');
+  const { next } = parts(host);
+  next.fire('click');
+  next.fire('click');
+  for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) await settle();
+  assert.deepEqual(stepped, ['flat2', 'pano1']);
 });
 
 test('a newer open wins; close hides the photo; unmount tears down the panorama', async () => {
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/registry.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/registry.js
index 1e83ee7d4..2607ab542 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/registry.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/registry.js
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@ export function filtersOf(provider) {
  * @property {boolean} [defaultOn]     Default true.
  * @property {{kind: 'view-cone', color: string}} [marker]   Default: GEV's pin.
  * @property {Array<'pano'|'since'>} [filters]   Filters it honours (default both).
- * @property {{noun: string, action: string}} [coverageLabel]   How the panel counts its lines and says what a click does (default: sequences, "click a line for its photos").
+ * @property {{noun: string, action: string}} [coverageLabel]
+ * @property {boolean} [highlightsSequence]   Its lines show the selected sequence (default true; the legend's "Selected" needs one).   How the panel counts its lines and says what a click does (default: sequences, "click a line for its photos").
  * @property {(context: ProviderContext) => ProviderInstance} create
  *
  * @typedef {object} ProviderContext   Handed to `create()` once by the core.
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ export function filtersOf(provider) {
  * @property {GroundCaster|null} groundCaster   Bare-earth heights for terrain mode (groundCast.js); null without a terrain service.
  * @property {{meshAt: (lon: number, lat: number) => number|undefined, request: (points: Array<[number, number]>) => void, onSampled: (listener: (cells: Array<[number, number]>) => void) => () => void}|null} meshSampler   Sampled Google 3D surface heights (meshSampler.js); pass `meshAt` to `castLine`.
  * @property {() => void} notify       Ask the core to publish a new UI snapshot.
- * @property {{openImage: (imageId: string) => Promise<void>, openNearest: (point: {lon: number, lat: number}) => Promise<boolean>, reportError: (message: string|null) => void}} actions
+ * @property {{openImage: (imageId: string, options?: {frame?: boolean}) => Promise<boolean>, openNearest: (point: {lon: number, lat: number}) => Promise<boolean>, reportError: (message: string|null) => void}} actions
  *
  * @typedef {object} ProviderInstance
  * @property {() => Promise<{configured: boolean}>} status
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/sequenceCones.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/sequenceCones.js
index a2aeca1ce..8eb79b29f 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/sequenceCones.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/sequenceCones.js
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ export function thinImages(images, spacingM = IMAGE_CONE_MIN_SPACING_M) {
  * @param {string} options.renderKey    Render-governor reason.
  * @param {(sequenceId: string, selected: boolean) => void} [options.onHighlight]
  *   Highlight (or stop highlighting) the sequence's coverage line.
+ * @param {(image: ConeImage, filter: object) => boolean} [options.passes]
+ *   Whether the imagery filter keeps a cone.
  */
 export function createSequenceCones({
   state,
@@ -58,6 +60,7 @@ export function createSequenceCones({
   spriteId,
   renderKey,
   onHighlight = () => {},
+  passes = passesImageryFilter,
 }) {
   const { render, sprites } = state.services;
 
@@ -154,7 +157,7 @@ export function createSequenceCones({
     // Resolved now, so a "since N days" window keeps up with the clock.
     const filter = state.context.getFilter();
     images.forEach((image, index) => {
-      if (!passesImageryFilter(image, filter)) return;
+      if (!passes(image, filter)) return;
       const height = heights?.[index] ?? null;
       const billboard = collection.add({
         id: `${pickPrefix}${image.id}`,
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.js b/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.js
index 77c6bf173..cab0d12b1 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.js
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.js
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import { COLORS } from './policy.js';
  * @property {boolean} [groundClick]
  * @property {Array<'pano'|'since'>} [filters]
  * @property {{noun: string, action: string}|null} [coverageLabel]
+ * @property {boolean} [highlightsSequence]   Its lines turn cyan when their sequence is selected.
  */
 
 /**
@@ -95,7 +96,13 @@ export function composeUIState({
       label: provider.name,
       color: provider.color,
     }));
-  if (legend.length)
+  // "Selected" only beside a source whose lines turn cyan when selected.
+  if (
+    active.some(
+      (provider) =>
+        provider.groundClick !== true && provider.highlightsSequence !== false,
+    )
+  )
     legend.push({ key: 'selected', label: 'Selected', color: COLORS.selected });
   return {
     enabled,
diff --git a/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.test.mjs b/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.test.mjs
index fe0b19d82..813213c4a 100644
--- a/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.test.mjs
+++ b/src/layers/streetLevel/uiState.test.mjs
@@ -236,3 +236,25 @@ test('a key-gated layer offers the switched-off sources that would draw with a k
     [],
   );
 });
+
+test('a source whose lines never show a selection lists no Selected swatch, and names its own lines', () => {
+  const kartaView = provider({
+    id: 'kartaview',
+    name: 'KartaView',
+    color: '#635bff',
+    highlightsSequence: false,
+    coverageLabel: {
+      noun: 'streets',
+      action: 'click a line for its nearest photo',
+    },
+  });
+  const ui = composeUIState({ ...base, providers: [kartaView] });
+  assert.deepEqual(
+    ui.legend.map((entry) => entry.key),
+    ['kartaview'],
+  );
+  assert.deepEqual(ui.coverage.label, {
+    noun: 'streets',
+    action: 'click a line for its nearest photo',
+  });
+});