Anquet Say
Anquet Technology Ltd, a British developer of software that adds GPS, 3D-viewing, aerial photography and route planning to digital maps from the Ordnance Survey and Philips, has made available as individual titles all 403 detailed OS Explorer Maps that together cover the whole of Great Britain. At 1:25,000 scale the maps offer the highest level of detail available to the outdoor enthusiast.
Anquet's software puts Ordnance Survey maps onto PCs, Pocket PCs and Smartphones giving everyone from ramblers to mountain bikers and hardened walkers access to digital mapping both in the home and on the go.
Anquet Maps include a license for unlimited personal printing via PC. The Anquet software also provides many additional functions, including digital place search, route planning and a virtual 3D landscape emulator. Maps and routes can be transferred to a Pocket PC or Smartphone for map viewing, route checking or place search on the move.
If the Pocket PC of Smartphone has a GPS receiver, or supports GPS via Bluetooth, then installing Anquet Maps will turn it into an 'off-road' satellite navigation and route planning solution. With many GPS-equipped PDAs and Smartphones already purchased for in-car navigation, Anquet's software offers users a simple way to extend their use outside the car.
Mapping data is provided by the Ordnance Survey (OS), which is the national mapping agency for Great Britain and one of the world's largest producers of maps and mapping data. Anquet's digital versions of these maps provide serious outdoor adventurers with a powerful tool for planning and navigating expeditions. Each of the 403 regions costs £24.95.
For those that require less detail but still want off-the-beaten-track navigation there are other map packages that work out at better value than traditional paper mapping. Anquet's The National Parks of Great Britain product covers all the National Parks in Great Britain at 1:50,000 scale for £19.95; the equivalent paper maps would cost around £100. The OS Landranger 1:50,000 series is available in 10 regions, each costing £29.95. In addition to the 10 individual maps it is also possible to purchase either half or whole country maps on a DVD for £100 or £165 respectively.
Whatever kind of outdoor pursuit is undertaken it's guaranteed that 1,000's of others enjoy the same activity. The Anquet website acts as a resource for users where they can download over 1000 walking or cycling routes to explore. More information can be found at www.anquet.co.uk.
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FISHINGmagic VERDICT
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I have the Great Britain Central DVD at 1:50,000 and have made great use of being able to zoom right into the areas that interest me.
Lakes and rivers are shown very clearly and I've had no problem finding specific areas of access and even locating certain bends in rivers where I wanted to investigate.
The maps are very sharp and clear and extremely easy to read.
I don't have any type of handheld GPS (although I do have one in the car and know how useful it is) but this DVD and from what I've read on the Anquet website it's certainly made me want one so that I can take advantage of the software and maps that are available.
I also want to take a look at one of the 1:25,000 maps that Anquet offer. With one of those I should be able to navigate to individual swims!
UPDATE
I received the Derby and Nottingham 1:25,000 map (the area where I fish on the upper trent) from Anquet and I really can pinpoint specific stretches. OK, I can't see individual swims, but I can see enough detail to be able to locate certain tree lines, etc.
Also, this 1:25,000 map includes high definition aerial photography of the mapped area and with that I can see individual swims. The clarity is amazing and I'm very impressed; these maps, combined with Anquet software are an excellent package.
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