I've been getting a few questions about Magical Maps. Plus I promised a review so...

-Yes, $45 is right
-No, the price reduction is the only difference.
-Yes, I have the Quetico version now too.
-Yes, I personally use and actually like the program. If I didn't I wouldn't be offering it.
-Yes, there is some overlap at the border. Generally, in the BW version if the McKenzie map has info on both sides of it the map in the program does too. The Quetico version goes down to Snowbank (#9) and west. (including #s 22, 40) In both cases the map is there but links and region date and pretty much country specific.
-Right now printing custom areas is similar to what you get in Terrain Navigator. (What you see on your screen is what you get) I've been told this will improve in updates.

All in all it does exactly what it claims to. Keep in mind I'm MAC based so anything in a Windows environment is a learning experience. If I can make it go without having to first read the directions, I feel anyone can.

There were a few glitches on the wimpy windows machine I use it on. The most annoying is it scrolls in the opposite direction most programs do. If you are viewing links and change the zoom level you need to ask it to show links again, sometimes twice. My favorite thing is the ability to easily import maps I've scanned myself to scroll and zoom in on them also.

Personally I don't use the program for what it does best, organizing pictures and other files. I already had systems in place for that. For me the maps were the big draw.

If you're like me and you always seem to find yourself where four printed maps meet or you like maps with a smaller scale you're in luck. You can print any area at a scale that pleases you from programs as basic Paint. Nice because you can write trip specific notes on them without messing up your regular maps.

Twenty years ago a computer and Magical Maps would have saved me countless dollars, hours, and much effort spent Xeroxing and more recently scanning different maps to get what I wanted to use for my trips. Ain't technology wonderful.

I only mention Terrain Navigator because some of you have it or have tried the demo version of it. The two programs are intended to do different things. Seamlessly scrolling through multiple maps is one of a few things they have in common. If you own a GPS, Terrain Navigator gives you more complicated options for measuring, exporting waypoints etc. Magical Maps with its drag n drop simplicity is great if you don't need to canoe by the numbers.

My thoughts,
db

Posted by db on July 21, 2001 at 13:57
From IP address 169.207.128.187