Following a route generally means following a map, well, a new idea from a company called Memory-Map allows you to view roadmaps, Ordnance Survey Landranger maps and even certain A to Z maps in digital form on you PC. Sounds good, well that is just the beginning, not only can you view them on screen but you can plot routes, download & upload routes and track logs to Garmin GPS devices, print route maps and e-mail routes to other Memory-Map users. Further features allow you to use the software with a Pocket PC to have handy colour maps anywhere and if you plug in a GPS device for your Pocket PC, you can track or follow your routes on the scaleable maps on screen.
I have now been testing this software for a week and even with this limited time to assess the features of the Memory-Map Navigator software, which is really a fully featured mapping, navigation and planning tool. I intend to give you a summary of the features of the software and also where improvements can be made.
Viewing maps is easy and smooth and you can zoom in to get as much detail as you require whilst retaining the clarity of the mapping. If you use different layers, for example, UK Roadmap, OS Landranger and A to Z mapping all together it is easy to swap between layers in order to get the most appropriate mapping for your task. The ability to have full colour OS maps of a whole region at the touch of a button is one of the biggest draws of this software.
The software really comes into its own when you can plot routes directly on to the maps. As you build your route you can see the length of each leg, its compass bearing and the location of the plotted waypoints. At present the software only allows you to view waypoints in Longitude and Latitude, but I have been assured that a free upgrade will be issued which will allow users to view waypoints using the OS Grid reference system. This development will make the software more suitable for Mountain Bikers and outdoors enthusiasts who usually use the OS Grid Reference system.
The ability to plot routes, combined with the GPS link facility enhances the possibilities of this software even further. It is easy to plot a route on the maps and then upload the route to a Garmin GPS device, allowing you to then be guided along the route. This feature works in reverse and it is possible to use a GPS device to plot a route as you visit various waypoints and then download it to your PC. Once you download a route the Memory-Map software will allow you to review your route, revise it for future and assess your performance at any point along the route. If you have a Pocket PC and a Clip on GPS unit you can track your route live on your Pocket PC, showing a moving map as you walk, drive or ride.
The route plotting feature is not only of use on mountain bike routes but for plotting the route you plan to take to any destination if you are travelling on foot or by car. It is also possible to plot single points of interest. Of course it is possible to use many of the features of the software without having access to a GPS unit, as you can still plot routes, access maps of your choice and print off personalised maps of the area and scale of your choice.
The software is priced at £129.95 for the full version (Memory Map Navigator) and at £79.99 for the Pocket Navigator version that has limited functionality as it designed to be used mainly on a Pocket PC. The cheapest option is the £49.95, London Street Atlas version. Really, if you were going to make the most of the software you would need the full version which is perhaps a little overpriced at the moment considering some of the shortfalls in the software.
Road and Street maps for the software are now available direct from Memory-Map and from some online retailers including www.mapsworldwide.co.uk Currently street maps are only available for central London at a price of £24.95 and a 1:250 000 UK roadmap is available for the same price.
As a mountain biker you are probably using Ordnance Survey or Harveys maps to navigate and plan your routes. Most mountain bikers find that the Ordnance Survey provides the most complete set of mapping solutions for the UK in the form of the Landranger and Explorer series, but these maps are expensive and a full set of paper Landranger maps would take up a huge space and cost in excess of £1200. To own the same set of maps in digital form to be used with Memory-Map software will set you back a mere £300 in comparison and will fit on 12 CDs, priced at £24.95 each. The map CDs cover the entire Landranger series in 12 sections each equivalent to about 15 paper maps. You can download a sheet showing the areas covered here.
The software is not without the odd rough edge that could be improved, most obviously is the lack of use of the OS grid reference system anywhere in the software although an upgrade which will allow viewing of OS grid references at any point is due in February 2002.
Other additions could include a greater number of waypoint symbols, as most of the ones included in the software are nautical symbols such as “Man Overboard” and are not much use on land. Also the ability to plot a route by just entering OS Grid References would greatly enhance the software, as some routes are published with only a list of Grid References, this would make plotting routes from grid references really easy.
A further useful addition to the software would be the introduction of the OS Explorer series in digital form as an addition or alternative to the Landranger series.
Further options for data output would also be welcome, i.e. a feature allowing you to export data logged to a spreadsheet would greatly increase the uses for the software and would allow greater opportunities for route data analysis.
Overall, a great piece of software and something that the consumer market has been waiting for. The full potential of this software can be fully appreciated only with a GPS device but the software offers plenty for those who don’t use GPS units. There is a demand for easier access to quality digital mapping on your home PC and I think that Memory-Map Navigator can meet this demand. Apart from the initial outlay of the software, I feel that the maps are reasonably priced and will open up new opportunities to mountain bikers new to the sport as they discover just what is really out there to ride and allow enthusiasts to revitalise or enhance their map collection.
Overall, thumbs up to Memory-Map for this innovative software for the consumer market, I certainly recommend you look into it and see if it meets your needs.
For further information see www.memory-map.co.uk or phone: 01590 645175
Last Updated 14-01-2002
You can contact me at James@OffroadAdventures-Online.co.uk
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