Memory Map Overlays??

[RobMonkey]

Hey all

Does anyone know whats the best overlay to get for off roading using Memory Map, and wheres the best place to get it?

Cheers

[Disco Matt]

Overlays are mostly obtained from other 4x4ers - they show details like routes and waypoints (a way of marking locations such as decent cafes, etc). You can make your own really easily and combine it with others - if you just import all the overlays that you and your laning mates have you can then save them as one new overlay with all the information on.

There's no single overlay that's better than any other - the ones I have are a mix of those from friends and my own obtained by driving the rights of way and then editing the resulting track logs. It takes a little time to learn but it's enjoyable stuff (as opposed to the usual computer situation where it doesn't do anything logical in response to your inputs!). I still haven't used everything that Memory Map can do, but the really good part is that you don't need to use it all at first. You can play around and learn how to use the features as and when you want to.

You will need the relevant maps for your area before any overlays - I recommend the 1:25k ones as the 1:50k don't have the same level of detail.

[andygod]

The overlays are usually written by other Memory Map users and take a lot of time to research. As such they aren’t generally shared with people who don't form part of that persons group. If you become a regular mud club event attendee the group leaders may give you map overlays.

Andygod

[Disco Matt]

The overlays are usually written by other Memory Map users and take a lot of time to research. As such they aren’t generally shared with people who don't form part of that persons group. If you become a regular mud club event attendee the group leaders may give you map overlays.

Andygod

Yep - you will find that people aren't willing to just hand them out. We've all seen the damage on our local lanes and are therefore very cautious about who we'll tell where the lanes are. I know I wouldn't really be willing to give mine to anyone I hadn't been laning with before.

[Saffy]

I seem to recall that you could export a memorymap overlay from the GLASS wayfinder site. This was before they started playing silly beggers and two sites showed up, at that point I stopped using the service so dunno if you can still do it.

Also there used to be a company that you could buy user submitted routes from. You'd get a point by point description of the route  in text form and a memorymap overlay. Cost about 4 quid per route (mostly long circular trips) and part of the payment went to the company and part went to the guy who submitted the route.

Other than that I know only of peer group sharing of much coveted routes.

Best bet is to have your sat nav system set up in the truck, memorymap logging away and then go join in on some group trips that has a good lead navigator, like a local GLASS rep and then you will build up your own database of routes.

EDIT:
http://www.greenlaning.info.btinternet.co.uk/orrtest.htm
http://www.k2navigation.co.uk/Free%20Routes.htm

[Disco Matt]

Best bet is to have your sat nav system set up in the truck, memorymap logging away and then go join in on some group trips that has a good lead navigator, like a local GLASS rep and then you will build up your own database of routes.

Exactly what I do. Routes get logged as I drive, and if (as a couple of weeks ago) we find a 4ft deep trench down one side of it or similar damage then I mark them as "not to be used". After a few times you begin to remember what's driveable and what isn't - I can remember the Strata Florida route and find it on a map without an overlay, for example. The same goes for a few other byways I've driven more than once.

[Saffy]

Exactly what I do. Routes get logged as I drive, and if (as a couple of weeks ago) we find a 4ft deep trench down one side of it or similar damage then I mark them as "not to be used". After a few times you begin to remember what's driveable and what isn't - I can remember the Strata Florida route and find it on a map without an overlay, for example. The same goes for a few other byways I've driven more than once.

If you're that man in the pub, then I got a bunch of my Mid Wales lanes from one of your overlays  :D

[RobMonkey]

Cheers all for the advice

[Disco Matt]

Exactly what I do. Routes get logged as I drive, and if (as a couple of weeks ago) we find a 4ft deep trench down one side of it or similar damage then I mark them as "not to be used". After a few times you begin to remember what's driveable and what isn't - I can remember the Strata Florida route and find it on a map without an overlay, for example. The same goes for a few other byways I've driven more than once.

If you're that man in the pub, then I got a bunch of my Mid Wales lanes from one of your overlays  :D

I doubt it was me, but if the pub was on the A44 then I think I know the chap you mean!

[Saffy]

]

I doubt it was me, but if the pub was on the A44 then I think I know the chap you mean!

oh  :oops: thought it was a matt or a maybe a mark, a mudclub member anyway but it was ages ago so forgot who exactly. That pub on way to Aber, I was staying in the B&B just along the road with Burgerman & co.

[Disco Matt]

Yep, that would be Matt - he was "narked" on here but had to give up 4x4ing after his Disco failed its MOT spectacularly.

[Saffy]

Yep, that would be Matt - he was "narked" on here but had to give up 4x4ing after his Disco failed its MOT spectacularly.

that explains it then