 Not much info on the website though.... Will I be limited to British OS maps, or will I be able to use digital maps of the rest of the world?
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 Looks like another proprietary format, so it'll depend on Satmap realeasing more mapping - and the depths of your pockets.
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 the unit's manual online would be a big help in finding out what it will or won't do. i believe the maps are on a card from satmap and just the uk at present. if other maps can be "forced" into the unit i feel confident that someone will find a way. it looks very good but with the total lack of any information other than sales hype it doesn't look like it's going to get my attention for quite a while as it pushes into pda/map territory - what is going to be the most useful of the two. still, it'll keep the mac users happy for at least several minutes as they play with the little joy stick 
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 As far as I can see, you have already been able to do this for years using Memory Map or Anquet & a PDA. The only difference is it takes AA batteries & claims to be water resistant. But you can buy waterproof boxes for your PDA. Also does satmap have PC compatability like Mem Map, eg Map Printing, Planning, 3D flythrough etc...
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Battery life (as per the marketing) looks a lot better than current PDAs. Dunno how they've managed that, but combined with the ruggedness, it does have a wee niche (for the moment).
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| Edited: 20/08/07 23:20 |
Here is a 'hidden' link to more info. I signed up for more info and they sent me this today. As a Mac user, the article caught my eye, but thus far that aspect doesn't figure much if at all in their literature. As a GPS virgin its mostly double dutch to me so I'd appreciate ongoing comments on its efficacy relative to other systems.  http://www.satmap.com/eshot/index_1.php
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the info doesn't really tell you much. i think most people would view this along the lines of "what can it do for me" rather than loads of burble about what's in it e.g. you buy a ferrari, do you really care what ignition and brake systems it uses?
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what I want is one GPS unit which I can use out walking, which will also clip onto the handlebars of my motorbike and give me directions. Mac compatible obviously. and I want to be able to load maps from all over the world into it. Why should I have to buy two GPS units? Oh, and I also want Fugawi written for my MacBook.
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James you can buy one unit for motorbike use with OS style maps, full autorouting & hill navigation water resistant to ipx3 standard, + updatable with maps from around the world, mainly developed areas though, look at Garmin GPS 60Cx or CSx with a copy of topo GB. To start.... Garmin now are Mac compatible with drivers avail...
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 When I spoke to the SatMap fella last week he intimated that it will be possible to use it abroad. Also Mac drivers are being written at the moment and should be available late September / early October.
I don't this is revoltionary, but it's certainly very refined and the most useable GPS device I've come across anyway judging from the short demo I saw.Â
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 Jon, Having seen a demo of this beastie, could you answer a few questions? 1) how fast/smooth is the map scrolling/zooming? 2) does it suffer from the same limitation as a PDA/Memory-Map combo? By this I mean that when zooming-in past a certain point on raster OS maps, the map pixelates, and when zooming-out to a point where it would be possible to see your location on a 1:50 000 or 1:25 000 map in any meaningful kind of context (i.e. see enough of the area around you to recognise landmarks, shape of the land, nearby summits, etc.) , the limited screen resolution of the display means that you can't make-out any useful detail on the map? 3) How good is the GPS reception? Thanks for any info you can give us! Rob
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It looks as though the mapping is similar to ViewRanger that runs on Symbian S60 smartphones. ( http://www.viewranger.com/ )
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I can't see the need for this for outdoors types? You'll still need a map in case the batteries go. So for me, it is better to have a tiny Garmin to get a GPS fix. In addition, who really wants to buy a whole new set of propriatary maps on SD. What happens if your GPS unit breaks, and the maps no longer work on the new version etc etc.
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I'd like to use it for sailing as well. Not sure this is possible at present.
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 UPDATE I'm expecting a review model within the next 10 days and a full review will follow. The unit will, according to the manufacturers, be perfectly suitable for sailing and other marine use (kayaking) from the start, but they will be concentrating on land based use initially while recouping investment - so it may be a while before marine charts are available. HTH
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 > In addition, who really wants to buy a whole new set of propriatary maps on SD. What happens if your GPS unit breaks, and the maps no longer work on the new version etc etc Yes; the proprietary format of maps for mapping tools is taking the piss. You've already coughed up for the OS licence, so I resent having to do so again. After all, this is the major cost of mapping data; the formatting and distribution media cost bugger all. It's basically a lock-in system, designed to stop you going elsewhere for your software.
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 I look forward to your next update Dave.
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| Edited: 10/09/07 21:28 |
.jpg) Dave M, If your testing and reviewing, what I would be interested in is the sensitivity of the GPS reciever. The new Garmin Extrex units with an 'H' in the model no. seem to set the standard now, claiming to be super sensitive and useable under deep foilage, in canyons and among tall buildings. So, please will you test it in the woods, maybe under deep foilage at a Forestry Commision place. Thanks
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| Edited: 12/09/07 20:22 |
I will when it arrives Paul  The new Garmin receivers are impressive. I've got a Vista HCx in at the moment that's performing impressively. Tested indoors it locks on to 8 or 9 satellites within 30 seconds, and has similar or better performance in the centre of Manchester surrounded by tall buildings (urban canyon).
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