Memory-Map

CDs

no updates

Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS

Maps: OS Explorer & Landranger, Harvey Superwalker, British Mountain & Summit, USA, France, Norway, Sweden, New Zealand maps Features: route planning, map stitching, printing, track planning and recording

Offline: yes routebuddy.com

COSTS

OS Explorer Great Britain £150, OS Landranger Great Britain £60, OS Explorer and Landranger £195, IGN France 1:25,000 £150, IGN France 1:100,000 £50

Memory-Map was one of the first to offer digital mapping software 20 years ago and it still supplies its maps on CDs, which is great for anyone who prefers an actual physical object rather than a download. Once you’ve bought the maps, they’re yours. There’s no subscription to keep up. The disadvantage is that there are no updates. If you want the latest version you have to buy another CD. The CDs come with a licence for five devices so you could run them on desktop and smartphone and have three as backups.

Once downloaded to your desktop or smartphone the maps work much the same as others. You can create and manage routes, tracks and waypoints. There’s a relief shading tool for Windows that shows up the shape of the terrain. Routes can be transferred between desktop and smartphone. On the latter GPS can show your position as with other phone apps. From the desktop you can print maps and route cards. Tracks of walks can be recorded and the tracklogs also show speed and distance covered. There’s a 3D option too.

Memory-Map also sells other navigation-related items, including waterproof paper for printing maps on.

I used Memory-Map CDs a fair bit before downloads came along. They still work fine, and just buying a CD with maps is simple.