New takwak tw700 looks like an interesting new take on outdoors navigation devices.
Posted:
4 January 2012
by
Jon
We didn't even know this thing - the takwak tw700 - existed until am ISPO outdoor trade show preview invite dropped into our in-box around 30 minutes ago and we still don't know much more than what's in the video above.
What we can tell you is that it's an interesting looking new German gizmo that appears to be completely ruggedised for outdoor use, so you don't have to fret about drowning or bashing it. It has it's own built-in outdoor GPS and dedicated software running on a 3.5in colour screen, it's also an Android 2.2 smartphone, so you can download e-mail or browse the net or call for mountain rescue and finally, it's also a walkie talkie with a 10km range, so even when there's no phone reception, you can still communicate with your mates in the same area. Oh, and it incorporates a 5 megapixel camera as well.
It can use downloaded Open Source or topo maps - not sure whether that'll include OS mapping, but you'd hope so - and it also allows you to track the position of your companions who are using the same device, which sounds rather like ViewRanger's Buddy Beacon system.
Looks interesting, but it'll stand an fall on the effectiveness of its software, cost and mapping availability. In essence it sounds like it'll do the same sort of job as ViewRanger or similar GPS apps running on a ruggedised phone, but with the added walkie talkie feature, which could be useful in some situations - multi-pitch rock routes for example.
It's due out in the spring, but beyond that, its steepish euro price of EUR549 and the fact that it's won a new product award from the ISPO trade show later this month, we don't know much more. If you speak German, like pictures or can find a language change option, there's more info at www.takwak.com.
