Satmap release v1.2 System Software

J-K · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 59

No! But I do keep it indoors rather than in the garden and it is not kept running 24/7.

If you turn yours off and back on again, does it still show the correct time? A device with a real time clock like a PC or Pocket PC or even most digital cameras and GPS's will show more or less the correct time because the clock is kept running in standby. The SatMap did do this but not with the present software release as it needs to establish satellite reception first.

Because it needs to establish sat reception first to set it's clock, it now takes it longer to establish its initial position fix.

FrequentFlyer · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:23 am Post subject:

Mine certainly does, and in any case, if it's relying on a satellite fix then surely that's what it's all about...I take it out on a walk...satellites are 'on'...clock is on if I need it (?)...get back home turn it off and that's it. I don't use it at home as a clock or timepiece...I have enough of those around the house.

J-K · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 59

Well what happens if reception is marginal and you can't get a fix? You are down a mine for instance!! Wink

If the clock is accurate on switch on there is a greater chance it will get a fix and not sit around for minutes on end pretending it is about to like it does now.

Supposing you have dropped or damaged your watch and now relying on the GPS for a time check. Just tough I guess with v1.20.

Most users will be unaware of this change and end up with an inaccurate time check, not knowing. That is what is dangerous. In fact you'll never really be certain if it is showing the right time or not.

My car SatNav, a £70 LG, manages to lock on within 30 seconds usually less than 15, and that is with it just sitting on the passenger seat or under the dash! The SatMap was never fast but now takes even longer and cannot cope with getting a lock on the passenger seat or under the dash! It may hold a fix once it has reception but getting started isn't its strongest point, made worse by switching off the real time clock. Realtime clocks in electronic devices are not usually regarded as being notorious for using up vast amounts of battery power while the device is switched off.

As I have reported previously, the device with a Li-Pol battery maintained enough charge for several weekend walks/rides without the need to be charged in between so at least the user could be given the choice to keep it running if that best served his needs. Now the SatMap dos not comply with its specification advertised on the SatMap site and elsewhere, and cannot be reverted to that.

johntw669 · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

I've just checked mine to see what happens.
From a cold start indoors the GPS status screen says "location last known" and gives the time that the last location was identified. This doesn't say "time now" so there can be no confusion there.
The GPS map page time box gives the correct time from when the first satellite is identified, long before there is a GPS lock and the icon in the top left hand corner goes green.
Even with no satellite lock the time on mine continues to update correctly.
I really don't see how this can be deemed to be dangerous.

FrequentFlyer · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

J-K · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 59

johntw669 · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:39 pm Post subject:

4ndynorfolk · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject:

Personally, I would sooner risk being misled by the clock for a couple of minutes (at most), than in a remote place with only half the battery power I thought I had.

I use a PDA running Windows (WM5) and even with the thing turned off, the battery will only last a few days without charging. The internal memory is flash, so all that can be running is the clock.

I think we should give Satmap full credit for finding a pragmatic solution to to a problem originally inherited from Bill Gates.

robs1972 · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

First ride with v1.2 and after 6 hours it still hadn't frozen....not conclusive proof that its fixed the issue but not bad Very Happy

I didn't look at the clock once...it's a wonder I'm still alive!!
_________________
I like mapping, I like mapping, I like mapping and I like to map!

J-K · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 59

Probably my last words on this subject here:

From SatMap's technical specification:

Full GPS functionality (real time clock, logging waypoints, time etc)

From Webopedia.com (other encyclopaedia sites are available):

A clock that keeps track of the time even when the computer is turned off. Real-time clocks run on a special battery that is not connected to the normal power supply. In contrast, clocks that are not real-time do not function when the computer is off.

So does the SatMap meet its technical specification by actually having a working real time clock as it is advertised as having? If you agree that it doesn't then the device is not as specified. This is simply solved by making this a settable option. There are times when the battery life is more important, at other times the correct time is more important. Argue against that and your argument is purely for argument's sake!

Georgie_Clo · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 25, 2007 Posts: 11

ocam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 08, 2007 Posts: 46

Well said. Sparkling product. Great development.

It's amazing to see a high-tech start-up successfully taking on and beating the big guns. Satmap should have their praises sung from every roof-top. They have to secure market share before (inevitably) someone else does come up with a competitive product. Negative comments are hardly going to inspire prospective customers.

Criticisms should be constructive, not only in content but also in tone, in an effort to encourage the company to improve - a win/win scenario. Complaints should be referred to the retailer.

Some people love to shoot others down in an effort to somehow score points or (inappropriately) demonstrate a crumb of original (but largely irrelevant and argumentative) thought.

	PocketGPS
	Web