Hi,
Thanks for the replies.
jimbob: that's exactly what I needed to know. There's no real point in me trying to figure it out. I am going to subscribe to the annual mapping package on offer anyway. Ta.
BuzyG: like jimbob I don't have a particular issue with the OS app, it looks like a very useful piece of kit and, as you suggest, has the virtue of being straightforward to use. The main thing is that I'm used to VR and it does appear to have a wider range of features such as BuddyBeacon and to report back a wider range of data. However, I've not really explored the OS app fully and there may be more to it than I realise. I've used a range of these apps like VR, Komoot, Strava and so forth for walking and cycling and basically they all work well, each having their relative strengths and weaknesses.
I agree with jimbob that VR is very well supported but that may also be true of others. Thanks again.