Below is my bit about Memory-Map, which I've earlier posted in a Route-Planning thread - probably more appropriate here:

I've tried a few GPS/computer mapping options, and I've got to say I think I've now found the ultimate! It's at www.memory-map.co.uk or www.memory-map.com (US), and the beauty of it is it uses raster maps rather than vector maps, i.e. _real_ maps! In fact I bought the whole of south of UK in true Ordanace Survey (UK govt. mapping agency) 1:50,000, identical to the paper versions, for GBP 160 (a bargain in itself!) with the software, and they chucked in a 1:1,000,000 Europe atlas with it!

You can also scan and geo-reference your own paper maps (if you've got plenty of patience!), in fact I've done so with my Michelin 953 (only joking, Michelin!), as I couldn't find any digital Africa maps. It's uncanny how accurate it is - you view your location according to the programme at grid intersections and there's only a very small error. This enables you to then plot waypoints, routes, and as simply as right-clicking upload them to your GPS (or download). Your maps at different scales are loaded at the same time as a background, so you plot things and instantly view them on different maps, including even satellite photos (available for UK at GBP 60 for 1/12 of country). You can also track your progress in real-time.

I might sound a Memory-Map salesman, but it really is impressive! I've used Garmin's programme and Autoroute, but they're basic in comparison. I think they might do a trial version for download. The only thing it won't do is routing (i.e. shortest, quickest, etc.).

The other thing I find very impressive is the speed with which you can zoom and pan "images" which may be as much as 500Mb, with only modest computing power.


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ichapp.users.btopenworld.com

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