Nick Hopton wrote:
> I'm holding off buying digital maps just at the moment because the signs are that it might soon be
> possible to obtain digital
> 1:25,000-scale OS maps centred as one requires, see
>
>
http://www.memory-map.co.uk/maps_uk_onland_1_25000.htm
Well I've been playing with the demo software and maps and I'm quite impressed. Exceedingly nice
of them to provide Swansea-Neath-Port Talbot as the demo area. I'm not sure why some have
dismissed the 3D visualisation as a gimmick of not much use. Not only does it look very pretty but
it helps considerably in visualising the shape of an area, and not only for photographic purposes,
but for planning walks. There are a couple of localish hills which I haven't yet climbed which
I've been planning to, and the 3D visualisation with aerial imagery has made it so much easier to
assess the steepness of paths and the nature of the terrain. By alterning the light source it
brings out the relief excellently well thus giving a much clearer idea of the shape of the terrain
than contours alone.
However, I'm a bit baffled by the areas on offer at the moment. In Wales they are only offering the
Beacons, Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia in 25k scale, yet the demo is of the Swansea area. Is Swansea
only available at 25k in demo form? I want the whole of Wales in 25k!!!
And while I'm on the subject, £100 for Snowdonia in 25k is a bit steep isn't it? The 50k mapping
represents good value for money, being much cheaper than buying all of the equivalent Landrangers,
but I can buy 25k maps of Snowdonia for just £21. Yeah I know it's got the height data and aerial
photos too, but the height data is included with the 50k mapping and the aerial photos can be
purchased relatively cheaply separately (covering the whole of the UK apparently), so the 25k
mapping seems to be a bit of a rip off at the moment. Limited coverage, excessive price.
Maybe if nobody buys them they'll drop the prices to something a bit more sensible. I'd prefer to
wait until they have better coverage at a reasonable price.
> I guess the other suppliers will be doing much the same sort of product, too.
Anquet is promising limited coverage at 25k (selected nat parks) for £80 each. No aerial or 3D
though. Cheaper but still too expensive and even less useful.
Paul
--
Calendars for 2004
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk/cal/cal.html
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749