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Rebnats
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Joined: Apr 10, 2009
Posts: 11
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 Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:07 pm Post subject: Advice Please. Active10 or Garmin Oregon. |
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As a newbie to gps I would like advice on purchase of Active10 or Oregon. My activity use would be for Hiking/Mountain Bike/Photography .Also possibly to try geocaching. Having read some reviews with most saying initial bugs on both models have been sorted I would like real users opinions re ease of use, screen image if mounted on bike and quality of mapping. Thanks in anticipation.
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goon525
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Joined: Aug 25, 2005
Posts: 75
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: |
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Can't help you with bike use, but I've been happy with my Satmap as a walking device. I guess not many of us have used both gadgets, and obviously on this group you will find a bias towards Satmap. But if you consult reviews by Trail's technical editor, Outdoors Magic and the BBC you will get the same outcome. For me, though, one of the key points is that Satmap offer 1:25 and 1:50 OS maps for everywhere, Garmin only for the national parks at this stage.
As a relatively recent (three months) user, I can confirm that there are no significant bugs outstanding. The thing just seems to work, and with the battery pack, works for a long time. |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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Although ostensibly competitors, the Oregon and Active10 are very different devices.
I would argue the Oregon is a dual purpose device as it has routing capabilities and road mapping. But as is often the case it becomes a jack of all trades and master of none.
The Active10 is superb, works well in its chosen environment. For the keen walker and outdoor enthusiast who wants a device that works well, has the full range of maps available etc then the Active10 can't be beaten.
For occasional use the Oregon is good but it's smaller, the touch screen isn't ideal with gloved hands and the map rendering is still not as good as the Active10, but it can double as a road navigation device which currently the Active10 cannot.
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BigPerk
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Joined: Sep 06, 2006
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Location: East Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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BTW, I think if you look through the Active10 threads you will find a number of posts about its use on bikes as well.
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360) |
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ocam
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Joined: Nov 08, 2007
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 8:58 am Post subject: |
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| Darren wrote: |
...the Oregon... can double as a road navigation device which currently the Active10 cannot. |
Actually, this is incorrect. I think you'll find there are many who use it on the road. I'm sure there is a market for a Satmap windscreen mount.
Whilst it's clearly not designed for road use and there's no soothing voice to tell you the way, the A10 works just as well in the car; of course it merely shows you where you are.
I have the A10 windscreen mounted. I got hold of a standard windscreen mount and modified it to be able to screw on the bike mount - others have posted various solutions.
I find it operates acceptably as a road nav device, although it's important to avoid the dangerous temptation to fiddle with the buttons whilst driving (I occasionally zoom between the 1:250k road map and 1:50 mapping). I have found it really useful at night, set to around 40% brightness. If you're alone and don't have a car satnav (yes, there are still one or two of us out there), it's way better than having to keep stopping to consult a road map.
Pre-planning a route is useful although obviously more time consuming than keying in a destination a la regular satnav.
On longer journeys I like to have the data boxes showing distance travelled as well as distance to go. Yesterday I drove from Dorset to Notts and it helps to relieve the boredom of the 3 and a half hour journey. Even on the motorway it can be interesting to know a little more about the area you're passing through. (A bit sad I know, but I have to confess to being captivated by the mapping!)
Other thoughts...
On a ferry crossing to the Isle of Man last summer, just to pass the time, I propped the A10 on a table in the bar. We had a card game going and just looked across now and again to see which mud banks we were passing through or how fast we were travelling or how far there was left to go. Loads of passing people kept stopping to also look.
I have also found the A10 is pretty good using 1:25k mapping on the golf course - useful for improving your judgement of distance.
And in the air - just interesting to see where you go.
By the way, yes I also use it for walking, runnng and cycling! A bit of a fan. |
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Darren
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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| ocam wrote: | | Darren wrote: |
...the Oregon... can double as a road navigation device which currently the Active10 cannot. |
Actually, this is incorrect. I think you'll find there are many who use it on the road.
Whilst it's clearly not designed for road use and there's no soothing voice to tell you the way, the A10 works just as well in the car; of course it merely shows you where you are. |
Uh - quite! It's not a navigation device in the normally accepted manner which was the point I was making.
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Darren Griffin |
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ocam
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Sorry Darren, I knew what you meant.  I just thought I'd elaborate for Rebnats. |
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eyeQue
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Joined: Aug 27, 2008
Posts: 235
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:58 am Post subject: |
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To compare them is not my scene!
This is the thread on the Oregon:-
http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=73252
The Oregon has improved through numerous firmware updates recently.
It works well as a handheld and in the car and for the camera database but it does not talk to you.
They are bringing out a new Oregon with an in-built camera.
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Balderovich
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Joined: Mar 21, 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject: |
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Satmap does enough for me on the bike. I don't need cadence and heart rate info.....which I think Garmins (mostly) provide, but distance time and ascent are useful.
Satmap can mount on stem or bars but watch stem size and rise as Satmap can tilt that bit too much towards you for visual comfort with the wrong stem and a shorter cockpit. Bar mount is more adaptable.
Balderovich |
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rickwiggans
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Joined: Feb 09, 2006
Posts: 77
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| Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:11 am Post subject: |
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My only issue with use on my bike, is the colour of the route - pretty similar to road colours. Not easy to spot with a quick glance, especially in bright daylight. Fine when walking, not so good on a bike. I wish they would give us a choice of route colours, or default to something quite different to road colours (unless, of course they have, and I've not noticed a setting - or is that wishful thinking?).
Rick |
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