AIUI the change in MM file format was to comply with OS copyright conditions - any other mapping software would have similar restrictions.
Hmmm, why did they sell the maps as QCT for all those years beforehand?
IMHO, clearly, they changed to QC3 to cut down on bootlegging.
There isn't a lot of "other" software - O/S seems to have done an exclusive deal with MM on most of these maps.
I agree £20 is not an issue - unless you need to view the map on several devices (say at home, laptop, work, etc) which is no longer possible, and anyway this is on top of the £14 for the printed map - every year.
I don't believe either version allows you to import self scanned maps.
Unless you convert it to QCT. I don't recall the process but have seen it done and it is quite involved. IIRC, one cannot do it with the MM app historically sold with the CAA MM charts. One has to use the "normal" MM app. Then there is a lengthy process to generate a georeferenced QCT.
It is far easier to do for Oziexplorer and I have calibrated many maps - right down to city / street maps. Ozi doesn't yet exist for the Iphone but they say they are working on it. It's obviously a big market, because while the Iphone is a slightly naff phone, it is a really slick moving map GPS which wipes the floor with any "PDA"
