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I am planning to take a laptop pc away in the van from now on.  This is mainly to transfer photos to from full camera cards.

I thought that I may as well use it for mapping as well, as it is there.  I have no intention to get GPS but would like some software that can provide detailed local maps, wherever in UK we are.  (Getting there is not too much of a problem as its difficult to get too far lost at 45mph :-)

Most route planners (obviously) concentrate on main roads but I am more interested in the details of an area on arival when getting there.  Memory Map looks great with full OS coverage.  It also looks expensive, complicated and seems to have incompatability problems with differing versions of software and maps.

Does anyone know of any other mapping progs that get anywhere near showing detail down to footpaths? 

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Steven

I have memory map and it's fantastic.  I splashed out on full uk coverage which was expensive but cheaper than buying the areas individually.  I have had no compatibility problems whatsoever.  I use it on my laptop and on my pda with and without gps.  It is not at all complicated to use - even my husband can use it!!! 

Leanne

Within the UK the main source of detailed map data is the Ordnance Survey, they licence the data to the likes of memory map, fugawi and anquet. Harveys have some digital data but only for selected areas of the UK.

So its no surprise that the prices for the whole of the UK are roughly the same for all of the people that use OS data, £200 – £240 for the 1:50000 series.

1:50000 scale maps are OK for a look see of an area, but for precise details of paths and route planning, you really need the 1:25000 scale, and just to cover the national park areas of the UK at this scale would cost you £1000, the maps are about £100 per national park.

Besides, if you going out walking, you need the printed copy of the map with you, so why not just use that for route planning. It’s easier to get a good view of the area you are in from a (large) printed map than it is from looking at a small section of it on a PC screen.

Thanks for your comments.

Leanne...  I have had a chance to play with the software now. You are right, "It is not at all complicated to use".  I think it was down to the person that demo'd it to me.  As was the incompatability between 2004 program and 2003 maps.

Stuart...  Point taken about needing the printed maps for walks, esp in the more remote upland areas.

I have spent a lot on maps of different areas and its incredible how often I still wake from an overnight stop in an area that I don't have coverage of.  With Memory Map I would intend to print the local area required onto some "waterproof" (still looking for cheaper than 50p per sheet) paper to take out.  I would also like to be able to keep a record of routes of walks done with notes, and pics etc for future reference.

As for cost, I think that software companies take the p, so I shall return the compliment  ;-)

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Steven

Quote: Originally posted by rozinante on 21/09/2005

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I have spent a lot on maps of different areas and its incredible how often I still wake from an overnight stop in an area that I don't have coverage of. 

For those circumstances say half UK coverage for around £125 seems to me to be very good value. If you wanted the printed maps for that sort of area it would cost you around £600.

With Memory Map I would intend to print the local area required onto some "waterproof" (still looking for cheaper than 50p per sheet) paper to take out.  I would also like to be able to keep a record of routes of walks done with notes, and pics etc for future reference.

I have seen the waterproof paper and will give it a go one day, at the moment I scan, print out and laminate sections of the 1:25000 series for walking.

As for cost, I think that software companies take the p, so I shall return the compliment  ;-)

The 1:50000 digital maps are cheap really its the 1:25000 that cost a lot, but thats mainly down to the licensing charges levied by OS and not the software companies.

www.tracklogs.co.uk  look a lot cheaper.

Of course its the 1:25,000 that I want  :-)

Stuart I like your idea of laminating from scans.  I do find that I wear the well used local ones rather quickly.  Could then keep the original at home as a master.  Would soon recoup the cost of the laminator.

Still fancy the idea of having the rest of the country all available on laptop in the van though.

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Steven

Autoroute 2004/2005 has a whats near option and  all sorts of extra options  from post office atm machines. banks , pubs, and  you can get a few downlods for all the lovley campsites in the uk ..

Quote: Originally posted by rozinante on 22/09/2005

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www.tracklogs.co.uk  look a lot cheaper.

Cheaper for some of the National Parks, but still around £11,000 for the whole of the UK.

Stuart I like your idea of laminating from scans.  I do find that I wear the well used local ones rather quickly.  Could then keep the original at home as a master.  Would soon recoup the cost of the laminator.

Indeed, durable and waterproof and no great loss if you loose one. Be aware that some combinations of scanner and printer may not print the maps to scale, although you can get software (Oziexplorer)  that can turn a scan into a 'digital map' so that you can print accuratly to scale and use a GPS for route plotting etc.

I have A4 sized scans of most of the popular hillwalking areas in the Beacons, I convert them into PDFs so its easy to hand them out to others in the party and they can print their own.  

Of course to scan and print copies of OS maps you need a license from the OS ...... 

Quote: Originally posted by halfpiste on 22/09/2005

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And as far as I'm aware the license limits the maximum size of printout to A4, whereas A3 would be just about right.

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I think you are right; it’s the same with MM.  It’s a restriction imposed by the OS I believe, and as usual, only for the UK.  Still, doesn't bother me too much.  A4 is ideal for a map case and I no longer traverse that many pages on a walk anymore.  :-).  I think it would be possible to "stitch 2 A4's together in a graphics prog and print from there if A3 needed.  I have even stuck together multiple shots from www.getamap.co.uk in the past to get a reasonable area.

Thorgrim... AutoRoute is ok for driving routes, but I am after footpaths and bridleways.  The sort of camp sites I prefer are not marked on maps either. :-(

btw Thorgrim, are you aware that MS Words spellchecker thinks you should be called either "Torrid" or "Horrid"  :-)  Which would you prefer?  ;-)

The Dales NP at £24.95 from tracklogs is a bargain.  But since I have now got half of the "best" bits of UK for MM I will stick with that now.  The Dales one is proving elusive however so I might look into converting / importing the Tracklog data into MM.  Anyone know if it can be done?

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Steven

Quote: Originally posted by halfpiste on 22/09/2005

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And as far as I'm aware the license limits the maximum size of printout to A4, whereas A3 would be just about right.

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Well thats true, you are limited to A4 reproductions, but 2 A4 sheets back to back in a laminator or inside a map case is fine for most purposes. And I for one dont have a A3 scanner, printer or laminator.

And I dont know of a restriction in the license as to how close together you may hold or view 2 A4 reproductions ...........  

The license I refered to does not allow the general public to scan or copy printed OS maps, its only a license given to some educational bodies, the Scout Association have such a license which is how I can do it.

How annoying is it when you stay somewhere that's right on the boundary of 2 OS Maps???

Still I guess that we're lucky to have some of the best widely available close scale mapping in the world, albeit for a price. I remember trying to get a decent map in Greece once...