Mapyx Quo v2 review

Using Memory Map

Getting started with Memory Map's OS Edition is confusing compared with Quo. The website is cluttered with numerous options to buy different map pack and software bundles. The software comes as a 30-day trial, but is unlocked as soon as you buy some maps. The cheapest bundle on offer is £25 for 25,000km2 of Landranger OS mapping. Such bundles allow you to define precisely the area you want to buy. However, even with this flexibility we found that costs were higher than buying tiles in Mapyx Quo. Memory Map offers a wider range of maps, though, with A-to-Z city maps, a road atlas and specialist maps for boat and plane enthusiasts.

Memory Map doesn't look as slick as Mapyx Quo. The icons look dated, although it responded smoothly to our inputs when scrolling large maps around. The separate zoom and scale buttons make it easier to manage multiple map scales than Mapyx Quo's more automated system. Creating routes here is essentially identical to the method in Mapyx Quo.

Memory Map's 3D map view is very similar to Quo's. It will display large areas in 3D and the rendering looks crisper than its competitor's. There are issues with navigation, though, as you can't freely move your point of view around the map. Printing is handled in a similar way, although there's no option to import scanned maps, and it supports fewer export options and GPS file format. Both programs import GPX data from GPS devices, so you can see the exact route you took when you get home.

Verdict

There's little to choose between these programs for basic mapping. Both will free you from the limitations of purchased paper maps and let you plan treks with greater precision. Mapyx Quo can feel sluggish, but it's simpler and the mapping data is usually cheaper. It also has broader file support and Google Earth integration. Because of all this, it's our preferred choice for PC-based mapping.