ViewRanger Customer Map Chooser

[chrsfrwll]

I've just learnt of a new offering from those foks over at Viewranger. Instead of having to buy the limited areas preveiously available, or stump up for the whole of the UK, you can now order any area of 1:50,000 or 1:25,000 map, through a new application they've launched.

The "map chooser" is a Windows application. Once installed you choose the scale of map requiredm then select the squares of map wnated. The application displays a total price, map area and estimates memory card overhead. Save the file and then purchase through the store and they'll send you a CD/DVD of the map of your choice.

I've not tried it out yet but will give it a spin tonight (if you lot at AAS want a review, let me know ), but it sounds like a great way to buy the maps you want rather than put up with a lot of map you'll never use.

[Rafe]

I may being thick, but I can't see this on the Viewranger website.

Always interested in reviews. You can contact me via the forum or via email rafe @ what you might expect .com

[chrsfrwll]

Interesting they've not yet put it on the website. I was emailed a direct download link, as I'd previously commented to the company that their choice of maps was too restrictive. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to use it last night but hope to this evening. I let you know how I get on.

[knuckleskin]

What's the difference between this and Google Maps?

[Rafe]

There are several differences. The most important are is it has more features, uses OS maps, and stores data on the phone (i.e. not OTA).

[chrsfrwll]

Well I've now used the Map Chooser program and must say I'm most impressed. The ease with which you can pick your desired OS maps is, well, very easy. In a nutshell the steps were:

1. Install the ViewRanger Map Chooser.
2. On running the program it checks the ViewRanger server for latest prices and then presents you with the main program screen - a map of the UK covered in a grid. (Presumably the OS Landranger map areas). On this screen you can scroll around the country and zoom in and out, all very smoothly.
3. Select the map coverage area you want (you're free to pick any - I chose some from Gloucestershire, Devon and the Peaks). One nice touch is the program tells you the estimated memory card overhead as you go along.

[chrsfrwll]

Sorry this is split in two but it was the only way to post, due to Network errors)
4. Minimum price is £20 and for that you get 10,000sq Km, quite a lot of map! The next price point up is £27 for the next tranche.
5. Select buy, whereupon you are then directed to the ViewRanger website and your custom map option is pre-loaded in your Shopping Basket.
6. Checkout
7. Input a code you receive on completing checkout into the MapChooser program and then mail the map file it creates to a special email address.
8. Your CD/DVD arrives in the post.