After one month - is the Satmap Active 10 a good buy?

Physicist · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:40 pm Post subject:

You certainly need to be able to twist the Colorado around to read the screen. It has higher resolution than the 60CSx but is harder to read in bright sunlight. The Active 10 (with backlight on) is clearer than the 60CSx with no backlighting and possibly even clearer than the Colorado with backlighting.

scotch_whisky · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 20, 2006 Posts: 48

Hi,

Before I purchased the Satmap I had the Garmin 76CSx. I agree that the Satmap with backlight on was generally more readable (except in very bright sunlight) but the point is that the Garmin units don't need a backlight at all unless it is dark.

I now have a Garmin Legend HCx with the Topo GB software. The Topo GB software is quite poor. It shows maybe 10% of rights of way and generally shows much less detail than even OS 50K maps. Yes - I do miss the full 25K OS maps of the Satmap.

I might go back to the Satmap if the hardware was improved. I could live with the occasional lockup but the battery life, screen scratching and lack of an ON/OFF switch just about finished it for me.

PloddinPedro · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 25, 2007 Posts: 229

Physicist · Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

A very good point. If you double the level of detail (say by halving the size of the trail dots) you must increase the illumination by a factor of 4 (that is by 2 squared) for it to be as visible as previously. Reduce the size of the dots by a factor of 3 and you require 9 times the illumination to produce the same 'visibility'. There have been many studies in which a subject has been asked to pick out an object on a screen whose brightness is progressively increased until they could identity it. (Some of the work is classified because of its relevance in picking out objects seen in night vision scopes.) But I digress.

The 'physics' may therefore explain - or largely explain - why the Magellan Triton and the Garmin Colorado are harder to view than their lower-resolution screened predecessors.

Group51 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 21, 2008 Posts: 1

andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

i finally answered my own question when i sent the satmap back for a refund. i was pleasantly surprised when field and trek agreed to refund the money due to the unit being faulty (it was out of their 14 day return period) i got the impression they had already done this other satmaps!

i already miss the ordnance survey mapping display of the satmap - when it worked it was very impressive.
however i don't miss all of the issues that made ownership such a pain.

i've just looked at the feedback on satmaps website about the latest beta software - lockups and freezing still reported.

i used my garmin 60scx yesterday - not a perfect device - but as good as you can get at present.

i'd advise waiting for the active 20 to come out

..and yes, i have thought the new iphone loaded with os mapping in a waterproof case would make a perfect walking gps

drpeej · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN

nonoftheabove · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 27, 2007 Posts: 82

funny that I can read all about the beta upgrade in your URL
as given BUT when i go to the Satmap website and click on it is NOWHERE
mentioned Rolling Eyes

drpeej · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:19 pm Post subject:

Presumably because it is a beta release they don't want everyone downloading it.

This is quite common practice where beta testing is often by invitation only.

Peter

nonoftheabove · Regular Visitor Joined: Oct 27, 2007 Posts: 82

well i had to send my unit back due to water getting into behind the screen;
The unit was in/out my anorak pocket BUT it was teaming down with rain ALL day and i needed to micro- manage my navigation through
woodland copses. The unit functioned wonderfully until it expired
BUT by then i knew just where i was and wanted to go to get back to 'base'

Anyway the unit was returned NOT mended BUT a completely NEW
unit with 1.189 sofware preinstalled.

Reading the threads about lockup and loss of signal seems to be Mainly a biker problem. Walking which is what i acquired the unit for has so far been a pleasure

mikealder · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject:

andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

yes the iphone is a dream, but the interface has promise.

i'd hestitate to recomend a pda - they run on microsoft software - so will hang and freeze i know as i have one.

microsoft software is simply not robust enough - however apple and symbian are.

actually i'd be happy with the hardware and software of the nokia 82 - but a bigger screen and ruggedised - perfect

reklawpete · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 06, 2008 Posts: 40

The beta version can be found at LINK REMOVED BY ADMIN

Darren · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

I have removed the link as Satmap have previously asked that the Beta URL is not published.
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