Hi,

There has long been digital map software for Mac OS X "RouteBuddy" -  it is developed by a British company based in Guildford, Surrey and was first launched in 2006.

We offer:

• Great Britain - Ordnance Survey Topographic Maps in 25K / 50K / 250K
• France - IGN Topographic Maps in 25K / 50K 100K
• USA - USGS Topographic Maps in 24K
• Vector road maps from TomTom which are used by cyclists when layered under topographic maps
• Bing satellite map overlay - for advanced planning of routes

This year RouteBuddy was compared to map software from around the world and emerged as 'the' Best Buy (Chris Townsend of TGO).

It is the only modern map software available and, unlike others, in constant development. You can find details here: http://www.routebuddy.com/

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We also offer identical software for Windows and allow you to use your Topo maps on both:
- RouteBuddy for Mac OS X: http://www.RouteBuddy.com/download/RouteBuddy.dmg

- RouteBuddy for Windows: http://www.RouteBuddy.com/download/RouteBuddy.exe

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You can also use the same Topo maps on your iPad or iPhone via our iOS software 'RouteBuddy Atlas' here:

http://www.RouteBuddy.com/itunes/atlas

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Feel free to contact me via support@routebuddy.com

Neil Wilson-Harris - CEO RouteBuddy Ltd

I think this whole area is a bit of a shambles.  None of the manufacturers seem to be able to give understandable answers neither do the walking magazines.

I became a Mac user last year and instantly could no longer use my SatMap (which is brilliant by the way).  SatMap do have a file conversion process but frankly it's so blooming complicated I cannot understand it.

I suggest that Trail do us all a favour and do some proper in depth research into this whole issue and publish a definitive article - there must be thousand of Mac users out there tearing their hair out.

(I have started using ViewRanger which is a system that works well on the iPhone/Mac.  The problem, however,is always the limited life of the iPhone battery.  Fine for local walks but I would never use it in the mountains.

David

Having replied to Anquet's website-request for beta testers (for their Mac app), I had this in reply (24th March):

Thank-you for your interest in testing our new software.

The good news is that we are nearing the conclusion of our trials and of course this means the launch is nearer than you may have thought... the bad news is that we aren’t currently in need of further Beta testers.

As more information (including specific release dates and pricing of the Mac application) becomes available it will be communicated via the Anquet Newsletter...

...followed by further platitudes, etc...

But it sounds quite positive. I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

This the link: www.anquet.co.uk/Anquet-Mac-Anquet-iPhone.aspx

RouteBuddy said:

Something tells me I shouldn't respond to this!

However, I can't help myself, so just for the fun of it.... are you taking a swipe at Mac owners here?! ;-)  

How do you mean?

Something tells me I shouldn't respond to this! Especially as your post has been modified!

However, I can't help myself, so just for the fun of it.... are you taking a swipe at Mac owners here?! ;-)

Just to let you know I'm a keen Orienteer and Trail runner and have dabbled in MTBO. Pretty muddy stuff.

Harvey Maps, favoured by many Outdoors people, do their work on Macs and Susan Harvey was a keen Orienteer and was President of the IOF for 10 years.

Enough said!  :-)

Jannion Ireland