Satmap Active 10 Reviews

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I'm a keen walker, and regularly wander off into the wilds of the Lake District. I have tried a variety of hand-held GPS units - both to plan a route and then to monitor progress, and have found them useful but not ideal because of the quality and content of their displayed information. However, the Satmap Active 10 GPS addresses this criticism by displaying a digitized Ordnance Survey map (in my opinion the best geographical mapping available) on its clear colour screen, complete with all the information that you would see on the printed version of the map. It also shows your position and direction of travel very accurately on the map display.

You can zoom in to take advantage of the map detail, and zoom out to gain an overall view of the area. The Satmap Active 10 also includes an electronic compass, which is easy to calibrate and use. There are four buttons to provide the zoom, setup, routing and other functions; and a small combined button and 'joystick' control that lets you select menu entries when setting up the GPS, or pan around the map and measure distances/bearings when navigating. The OS maps are available from Satmap on SD cards, which plug into a waterproof socket on the side of the unit. These come in either 1:50k or 1:25k scales, and are available to cover the whole of GB. I carry 1:50k cards for Northern GB, Southern GB, and all the UK National Parks, and a 1:25k card for the Lake District.

Satmap offer a range of cards, including versions for each county, and a service to create special cards centred on any location, such as your home. The Satmap Active 10's software can be updated to include new features as they are developed, and Satmap show themselves to be a first-class company by offering these updates free of charge. Anyone who is reasonably savvy with a computer (PC only at the moment I believe) will find it quite easy to apply these updates. It is also possible to change the screen protector if it becomes scratched - these are available from Satmap in packs of three.

Other accessories include a bike mount, and a power option which includes a rechargeable lithium battery and charging units for mains electricity and for use in the car. When I first started using the Satmap Active 10, I found that alkaline batteries didn't last long and that they discharged quickly even when I though the unit was switched off. In retrospect, I now think this was because the original software on the unit did not offer a positive confirmation that it was switching off, allowing the unit to remain in standby with no display showing, and consuming battery power all the time. An early software update fixed this, and the unit now confirms that it is about to switch off fully - avoiding unnecessary power drain. However, I would still recommend using the rechargeable lithium battery available from Satmap - from a full charge (and using the unit's selectable power saver settings), I can easily use the unit all day and still have charge available at the end.

When you switch on the Satmap Active 10, it performs a self test, establishes which map it has available on SD card, and then begins to lock onto satellites. Full acquisition takes a minute or so, following which you can rely on its measurements. I have found that satellite lock remains reliable under all conditions while outside, and have even managed to plot the movements of one of the Ullswater steamers while sitting inside the cabin. If you use a separate mapping application (I use Memory-Map), then you can use it to plot routes on your PC and then transfer them to the GPS through USB. You can also transfer tracks from the GPS to the PC. Again this is relatively easy if you are reasonably computer savvy, and Satmap supply a small application called SatSync that helps you do this. You can also create and save routes directly on the GPS without the need for a PC at all. Overall I am well impressed with this GPS, and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who needs a handheld GPS.