Memory Map

[Sneaky Pete]

Is there anyone out there with experience of using a GPS system known as Memory Map? Usually used for on land use tracks hills etc, I am particularly interested to find out if anyone has used it for nautical navigation/chart work and how it compares to other hand held systems. Only reason I am asking is that there are some good offers on at the moment and I am looking for another GPS for use on the hills.

 

[Searush]

Memory map, like most land focussed systems does not have much useful info for sea use. It is similar to trying to use an OS map instead of a chart. No underwater hazards are marked, nav marks & lights are not marked properly either. It might help you get an approx position on a paper chart by comparison with the mapscreen.

 

[snowleopard]

I have the full set of 800 admiralty raster charts/chartlets as supplied by MemoryMap for use on the PC, current price gbp 50. When linked to a gps they provide a very basic chart plotter with routes, waypoints & current position. I have got the gps input working but so far have been unable to get it to upload waypoints to the GPS.

I am not aware of a version on a dedicated device.

 

[snooks]

I am not aware of a version on a dedicated device.

Memory map do a handheld GPS called an Adventurer 3500 IIRC which comes preloaded with all the admiralty chart for the UK and Ireland, and only the UK and Ireland. It's not very easy to use and the zoom is clunky. You can also download OS maps onto it.

Memory map, like most land focussed systems does not have much useful info for sea use. It is similar to trying to use an OS map instead of a chart. No underwater hazards are marked, nav marks & lights are not marked properly either.

So Admiralty charts don't contain "much useful info for sea use"?

Memory map, for the PC, iPhone, iPad or android can use OS maps and Admialty charts. It can download a admiralty chart in about 30 seconds with a 3g connection on my iPhone. What it can't on anything but the PC is plot routes and courses simply.

 

[alahol2]

I've got MemoryMap loaded onto a Dell Axim X51 pda along with Admiralty charts. It connects to a Holux Bluetooth GPS unit. Also loaded on the PC at home. I normally use it just to record our track and to give a simple visual confirmation of position. You can set up waypoints and open windows to show a course pointer or current course, CTS, ETA, SOG etc. I have used it once in thick fog to short tack close inshore and it was extremely comforting.
Not waterproof so really just an enjoyable (but sometimes very useful) toy.
I also use the same setup with OS maps for hill walking.
It's a cheap way of getting into chart plotters if you can't justify the real deal.
PS because, on the Dell, I use a stylus plotting waypoints and routes is that bit easier than on a phone.

 

[PhillM]

I have memory Map with the Admiralty charts on my PC. I have it connected to to both a Garmin E TREX H and my iphone.

I use the pc for planning and transfer the way points to the HH GPS for use at sea. I use the iphone for backup and only - somtimes its useful to have an instant picture of location.

I particurally like the ability to print a route card, which I then laminate and keep onboard. I have built a libary of day-sailing routes that I can use for quick planning of day trips. They also help if we make a quick decision to change destination etc.

At sea I still use my paper charts and plan / plot progress.

One problem that I have noticed is that the software / charts dont get updated often. I have had the Memory Map software for over a year and there is no update. In the same time, there have been numerous updates to the paper charts forI use and, for example, a whole new folio for the Solent (my home area). None of these changes are reflected on the Memory Map versions and so you really do have to check the planned route carefully. I guess that this is the problem with all electronic aids? But it really brought home to me the difference between updated paper charts and electronic / plotters.

 

[Sandy]

Is there anyone out there with experience of using a GPS system known as Memory Map? Usually used for on land use tracks hills etc, I am particularly interested to find out if anyone has used it for nautical navigation/chart work and how it compares to other hand held systems. Only reason I am asking is that there are some good offers on at the moment and I am looking for another GPS for use on the hills.

I looked at is some time ago and opted not to get it.

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx for mountaineering, general stuff and as a backup for fixes at sea and use the free maps from the ToastyTalker site.

The ToastyTalker maps are based the OpenStreet Project, so far more up to date than anything commercial, but don't do anything where you can get your feet wet! Being able to get a long/lat and pop it on a chart then upload it to Google Earth is useful.

 

[FishyInverness]

Memory map do a handheld GPS called an Adventurer 3500 IIRC which comes preloaded with all the admiralty chart for the UK and Ireland, and only the UK and Ireland. It's not very easy to use and the zoom is clunky. You can also download OS maps onto it.

Yep, there is a Marine Version, it comes pre-loaded with marine admiralty charts, there is a Marine Plus version which comes loaded with both.

I agree with Snooks, i've played about with one, his description of not being easy to use and the zoom being clunky is spot on.

It functions and does the job though, and for the price on some of the offers it's a decent enough bit of kit, depends on your use I guess...

 

[Searush]

Fairy Nuff, the stuff I have seen is OS map based, I wasn't aware of the Chart based stuff. It does make a big difference.

 

[ukmctc]

Memory map, like most land focussed systems does not have much useful info for sea use. It is similar to trying to use an OS map instead of a chart. No underwater hazards are marked, nav marks & lights are not marked properly either. It might help you get an approx position on a paper chart by comparison with the mapscreen.

it does the full marine charts, a mate of mine uses it, with no problems

 

[Porthandbuoy]

MemoryMap were the first, I think, to make 800+ UKHO charts available for laptop navigation. Their software package is clunky and they do not update the charts regularly; in fact they are labelled "Not For Navigation" and their date of issue is unknown.

I managed to extract the MemoryMap charts and use them with SeaClear, which is a much better software package. VisitMyHarbour.com now package all the UK charts with SeaClear, licenced for navigation, on a CD or usb dongle, and offer regular updates.
Links to both MemoryMap and VisitMyHarbour on my signature link.

No commercial interest, just a satisfied SeaClear user.

 

[Deej]

I managed to extract the MemoryMap charts and use them with SeaClear, which is a much better software package.

I'm intrigued - how did you do this? I would like to use these charts with GPSNavX on a Mac but when I emailed Memory Map, they told me the charts wouldn't work with any other package.

Edit: Same question applies to the VMH offering - do you know if the charts are usable natively on a Mac?

Dave.

 

[Sneaky Pete]

Thanks all the Memory Map 3500 looks like a winner although I had considered a Garmin GPS 62S which does a similar job. The one advantage is plotting on the PC then uploading to the hand held which on the 3500 has a 3.5in screen. Like one of the contributors said its good for planning on the PC then printing and laminating for use thereafter. Excellent deals on Amazon.

 

[Nico]

Thanks all the Memory Map 3500 looks like a winner although I had considered a Garmin GPS 62S which does a similar job. The one advantage is plotting on the PC then uploading to the hand held which on the 3500 has a 3.5in screen. Like one of the contributors said its good for planning on the PC then printing and laminating for use thereafter. Excellent deals on Amazon.

With the Garmin you can plot on the PC too, then download to the GPS. I've been using the GPSMap76Csx for a long time. The screen isn't as big as the Memory Map but Garmin hardware seems to be the best. The Memory Map GPSs sell on their use of OS Maps, which for a long time were much better than Garmins rubbish TOPO maps, but now Garmin have done a deal with OS and you can get some of their GPSs with OS maps hence the availability of SatMap and Memory Map at much reduced prices. For the marine versions Garmins Bluechart charts were always pretty good.

Having said all that I've not tried the Memory Map GPSs myself but they are obviously good value. I'd spend the extra for a Montana myself, though it is quite a lot extra. It's a very fluid market at the moment.

 

[FishyInverness]

Having said all that I've not tried the Memory Map GPSs myself but they are obviously good value. I'd spend the extra for a Montana myself, though it is quite a lot extra. It's a very fluid market at the moment.

Garmin have released a plethora of units in the vein of the Montana now, at more pocket-friendly prices. Eventually when I can save up I'm having one for Geocaching