OS 1:50,000 Mapping For Mac

RouteBuddy has released 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey mapping of the UK to work with their applications both on iPhone and iPod Touch and on Apple Macintosh computers.

Initially the company launched OS mapping in 1:25,000 scale, but the cost of OS data in that format is high, so maps retailed for around £20. The cost of 1:50,000 data is substantially less, which means that a single 1:50,000 scale map, based on the Landranger sheets, sells for £9.99 from the RouteBuddy store. Still not cheap, but half the price of the larger scale maps.

We've been using RouteBuddy Atlas, their free iPhone app, with a 1:25,000 Peak District map and it's a simple, basic stripped-down programme that's nowhere near as sophisticated as, say, ViewRanger running on a touch screen smart phone or Satmap's Active 10, but will show you exactly where you are on an OS map using the phone's built-in GPS and track your movement to create a GPX file.

It's worth bearing in mind, that GPS use eats battery life, so you'll either need to be sparing with its use or look at back-up power options.

It will also give you basic data like your current speed, heading and altitude, but it is slightly limited. When you want to, you can activate a server mode and download or upload route files to and from your desktop or laptop Mac.

When you buy a map from RouteBuddy, you can use it both on your desktop Mac and on your iPhone or iPod Touch, though we do think they've missed a trick by following the OS's paper sheet format rather than giving you the option to select and download your own choice of mapping area.

More about RouteBuddy including a link to their online store at www.routebuddy.com