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Satmap Active 10 handheld monitor | 
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| Brand: SATMAP
Category: Sports
List Price: £299.98
Buy New: £269.99
You Save: £29.99 (10%)
New (6) from £269.99
Rating:  23 reviews
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5
Dimensions (in): 8.8 x 5.4 x 3.7
MPN: ACT10-V1BXD
EAN: 5060164270003
ASIN: B000W6YN82
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Easy to use, no computer needed, insert the map and go | | • | Clear Navigation, intelligent computer system makes finding your way simple | | • | Internet links, via USB cable, connect to the internet, download maps, share your favourite routes | | • | Electronic compass, works like a standard hand-held compass | | • | Guide book information, multi-media POI's bring your routes to life | | • | personalise by adding your favourite places, and data, all easily shared via the internet | | • | all-weather proof | | • | rapid pan and zoom ability | | • | all light conditions | | • | next generation GPS antenna | | • | long life battery | | • | robust shock-proof casing |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Complete Active 10 Sports GPS unit, including quick start user guide, standard carry case, lanyard, USB cable, set of 3 Energizer lithium AA batteries and all documentation. The unit comes pre-loaded with full UK OS MiniScale 1:1m (raster) road mapping, and full GB OS Meridian 2 (vector) road mapping.
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| Customer Reviews:
 A little dissapointed February 8, 2008
Gadget Boy (Cambridge)
66 out of 66 found this review helpful
I purchased a Satmap as the concept sounded great, and I'm sure that once a few teething problems are sorted out, it will be a fantastic piece of kit.
My dissapointment comes from a a few different areas.
1. The time taken to get a GPS 'Lock On'. This has been rather embarassing when going for a hike with a friend recently and having to wait several minutes before we could set off.
2. The 'Battery Level' indicator is innacurate. It showed good battery life whilst out on the above hike and then died completely within a few minutes. I'm sure my friend was thinking, "How much did you pay for that thing" ?. Thankfully we had a good old fashioned map with us.
3. I rang the staff at Satmap to see why I couldn't connect my Satmap to my PC as indicated in the 'Quick Guide', (No in depth user manual yet available so much of the information displayed is not understood). They sent me via email the software I would need but even when loaded I couldn't get it to do anything. I contacted Satmap again but on this occasion no-one got back to me with assistance.
This is all a bit of a shame as it has spoiled a piece of equipment that has the potential to be so good. I would agree that the unit may have been rushed out too soon, possibly the desire to get it in the marketplace in time for Christmas was a bit of a rash decision.
I will perservere for now in the hope that the updated software is released soon. Oh, and don't expect much assisitance from local outlets. I found that all the suppliers I asked didn't really know how to work the unit themselves.
Tues 12th Feb
Since posting the above review I have been on another walk.
This time, on arrival at the start point the Satmap got a GPS lock within 60 seconds which was very impressive. To preserve battery life I also turned it off and on, (as suggested in the User Guide) as required to review our route.
Unfortunately two things occured to spoil my enjoyment.
Firstly, by turning the Satmap on and off some of the route information is lost and we were unable to say how far we had walked, what speed etc.
Secondly, even when on high open ground I could not get a GPS lock for nearly 15 minutes. I removed the SD Card and Batteries to reboot the equipment as advised by Satmap staff, (who do appear to be helpful) but it still took an age to lock on.
I have subsequently contacted Satmap who admit that they have a software problem which they are working hard to resolve. A software update is to be sent out to purchasers ASAP.
So it may be an idea to wait until this has been done before purchasing what I believe to be 'potentially' a cracking piece of kit.
I look forward to being able to say my issues have been resolved and posting how happy I am on this site.
A lot better now the software has been updated March 20, 2008
V. Wardle (Lancashire)
53 out of 53 found this review helpful
I had been reluctant to purchase one of these due to the poor reviews, especially on the time to get a GPS lock. I spoke to the company to see what was happening and an update addressing this was due on newer models.
I bit the bullet and purchased one. Whilst the time to get a lock is slower than my old(er) Garmin, it still gets a lock by the time I have put my boots on and checked the contents of the rucksack. (2-3 minutes). The mapping is excellent and has already saved me from a couple of wrong turns. It is easy to use, durable and the idea of replaceable screen covers is a great idea.
My only small gripe is that it appears you cannot use it directly with the popular mapping software. You can upload/download, via their Satsync software but it would be nice to have the direct connectivity. I also wish the maps would be a bit cheaper as 99 for a map is pricy
 Stick With It March 18, 2008
D. Green (UK)
42 out of 43 found this review helpful
I bought this piece of kit because I was impressed by the idea of a system based on an actual OS map. Also I wanted a GPS that a fifty two year old could see! I have had some problems with the unit but have found the staff at Satmap extremely helpful and courteous. Software version 1.15 sorts out most of the annoying little problems. I get a consistent satellite lock in anything from 30seconds to 3 minutes at the longest. I understand that speed of GPS lock is a trade off for having a screen much bigger than rival units.
Use of the power saving functions does extend battery life and I can recommend the rechargeable power pack. I also find that 2100mAh Ni-Mh(2) rechargeables work well. Rather than switching the unit off and on, try just switching the screen off. That way your route progress is updated.
I did encounter a problem with the 2 box data settings freezing the unit but Satmap have advised how this can be prevented and version 1.16 sorts that problem out (available imminently).
The accuracy of the unit is outstanding, the slightest deviation from the route seems to show up.The unit is rugged and the soft touch buttons and joystick practical. Whilst a comprehensive user guide is now available, when I bought just after Christmas, you were stuck with the very basic "Quick Start" guide. Fortunately, the unit is so easy to use that a route can be set up without guidance
I haven't used the "SatSync" software yet although I am looking into it. Anybody who thinks you can just plug the unit into your PC and create a route on-screen will be disappointed, although this may be a future option. If you have computer based mapping software that saves to .GPX or .MAP format, you can plan a route and save the waypoints to the Active 10. I know that Memory Map can do this and Anquet have just confirmed that their software will do the same. If I am successful, I will post a future review.
OK, you could argue that Satmap marketed the unit earlier than they should but the hardware is brilliant; with tweaks to the software it can only get better. There is a limit to the amount of testing you can do and sometimes you just have to market technology and rely on your customers identifying problems. I seem to recall that Bill Gates made a dollar or two with the same policy.
Finally, although the maps may appear expensive I understand that the mapping dep't will put map data up to 4Gb on an SD card for you. They will make any sort of custom map for you and can even put different areas of the UK on the same card. I always take a map and compass with me but would have no hesitation in recommending the SatMap
The jury's still out on this March 28, 2008
Peter MCCORMICK
29 out of 29 found this review helpful
Ok, my software version is 1.16 but there are still teething problems with this device. Mine spends all it's time attached to my bike's handlebars so usually has a good view of the sky. Satellite lock is a lot slower than my Garmin Extrex Legend CX but the plus side is the OS mapping. However, some things are a faff - the Satsync sofware is currently flaky to say the least. I use Tracklogs as my digital mapping software but despite some people on forums claiming to be able to transfer routes from tracklogs (as a GPX file) to the device flawlessly I have had variable success doing this. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Another option is to export Tracklogs files to GPS Babel, convert them to GPX files and then use Satsync to import them to my device. Even then it doesn't work all the time. Unfortunately I don't really have the time to go trawling through forums looking for answers to problems that really should have been resolved my now.
Other problems I have are that water gets under the screen protector, the screen protector can get scratched, and that the unit freezes (for no apparent reason). The only way to unfreeze it seems to be to pull the batteries out and put them back in again. This has happened to me with both disposable batteries and with the rechargable battery that Satmap supply as part of their power bundle.
I found the battery life with disposables to be pretty bad - i only got about 3 hours use out of the supplied Energizer batteries and that was with the backlight at a lowish level. With cheap duracell batteries from Poundland I was lucky to get 90 mins. Since I got the rechargeable battery the battery life is much improved though although there have been reports that some people are having problems with batteries not recharging proerly.
On the plus side the OS mapping is much better than the mapping supplied by other handhelds although my Garmin Etrex legend CX can do route navigation much better as it's essentially using a road database. The Active 10 can display maps trail up which is an absolute necessity for me when cycling in unfamiliar territory and the ability to cleary have features such as treelines marked on the map is a godsend.
However, I'm still unsure of this device. I actually wish i could cross breed it with my Garmin device to get the best of both worlds. OS maps on a handheld are probably the way to go but it might take a few incarnations of this product before it can be thought of as the class leader.
Absolutely Superb! January 30, 2008
Doug (York, England)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
Hi, I just wanted to update this review. I have had the Sat Map for about 4 months and have just installed the new update. I thought it was good before, but this is even better.
I cannot recommend this product highly enough.
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I have had this unit for several weeks now and can not get over how good it is.
From the obvious quality of the packaging through to the superb design of the unit this "toy" never fails to delight.
It is true that the initial gps lock took quite some time, but now it is fast and very reliable.
I am using the Lithium Ion batteries SatMap recommend and am yet to replace them after many hours of use.
The screen is exceptional, the mapping excellent, I am using 1:25 000 and 1:50 000, which can be easily zoomed to 1:25 000. (Though obvoiously this is just the same as popping a map on a copier and pressing zoom)
The route planning is easy, the controls are simplicity themselves and I love the fact that when the screen gets scrathed you just pop another cover on.
The controls are chunky and can be used with gloves on.
The after sales service from SatMap has been very good.
I have no hesitation of recommending this item without reserve.
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