This article is based on material that appeared in the MountainViews.ie monthly newsletter for May 2009 and is reprinted by agreement.

News Item: OS Map Changes

Big changes to 1:50,000 maps proposed.

The Ordnance Survey or Ireland (OSi) wish to bring out a revised 1:50000 map series.  As part of a consultation exercise they have asked the public for their opinion on various issues.  One of these is that they wish to use the ITM grid for Ireland which is somewhat different from the existing "Irish Grid" (It's proper name is TM75). The text of this document comes from a short description produced by OSi on 30 Apr 2009.

Thanks for offering to test the new OSi Geolive - TrailMaster system.

OSI have supplied some notes for this which are too long to email so download here:
http://www.walkersassociation.ie/files/store/TMUpgradeTemp.doc

1 We have included some general headings for test observations below.  Feel free to add your own.

2. Please send your observations to websitecontact@walkersassociation.ie

Changes in Trailmaster 

Currently TrailMaster is sold for four specific areas such as "West" with data arriving delivered DVD. OSI's supplier is creating a new online service for delivery in a number of European countries.  With this you will be able to get specific areas as you require at a reasonable price.  There are a number of advantages to this such as getting updated data and getting mapping for areas not previously covered by the TrailMaster. (Sorry not NI as yet).

Beta Trial / Testing

OSI Trailmaster is a PC based interactive mapping tool from the Irish Ordnance Survey and is designed specifically for Irish outdoors enthusiasts - http://www.osi.ie/en/alist/osi-trailmaster.aspx. With OSI Trailmaster now only costing €24.99 per region since early August we expect more and more hillwalkers to start using it. This is your chance to find out how to make the most of its extensive features and start putting it to practical use in creating and using routes on the hills.

OSi Trail Master, the popular interactive route planning software for hill-walkers, climbers, cyclists, tourists and outdoor enthusiasts is going online.

The new online service, to be launched in August 2008 and run by Star-APIC will provide people with the ability to download maps of Ireland, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, and in the coming months Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Northern Ireland.

More at http://www.osi.ie/en/news/latest-news.aspx?article=39e567a3-b275-43e2-8a...

Introduction

I’m going to talk about the benefits of Modern Navigation, such as using GPS
and software like TrailMaster.

A contributor ("Pazapas") to MountainViews has made available an improved map for Garmin GPS units. There have been various previous maps for Garmins. (These are maps that appear on the actual GPS unit and include contour, summit and other topographical map detail) There is one from the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) and a previous one all detailed in the resources section of MountainViews. There is also one coming from Garmin, probably in 2008.