Satmap Active 10

Vladislav Spassov
Reviewed: 08 January 2011

A nice piece of equipment ruined by poor manufacturer's mapping policy

Rigid, accurate, intuitive, versatile, computer-independent

Only manufacturer's maps can be used
No possibility to create your own tracks using your Satmap's maps on a PC/Mac
No possibility to view your maps on a PC/Mac
No possibility to backup your maps in case the SD card is damaged

I bought my Active 10 few days ago. My first impressions of the device are very positive. However, my impressions about the flexibility of the mapping system are strongly negative. The reason:

You are entirely bound to the maps provded by Satmap and they are still extremely limited in terms of coverage. The otherwise excellent Active 10 is 100% useless outside the very few covered regions. It would still be acceptable if there weren't numerous LEGAL possibilities to obtain digital maps (even free ones made by yourself or by local GPS enthusiasts) of the regions NOT covered by Satmap. Indeed, Satmap offer the possibility to convert your own maps in theys proprietary .map format but this comes at a cost - both in terms of money, effort and time. Not to mention it is ABSURD to be forced to pay for something that either comes for free (legally) or you have already paid for. The official "excuse" of Satmap is something about copyright. Give me a break!
Another thing I don't like about Active 10 is the IMPOSSIBILITY to create your own track using your LEGAL map (bought from Satmap) on your PC/Mac. Or, at least, not without further payment, I suppose.

To conclude, the Active 10 is a very nice hardwear platform. Congratulations for the team that has built it up, great work! Everything about mapping with the Active 10, however, seems like a bad joke, indeed.

I would have strongly reconsidered my purchase of the Active 10 had I known all that.

David Marshall 3
Reviewed: 04 January 2011

Wonderful item of equipment

Easy to navigate in-between menus and clear images.
I bought it with free UK 1:50 K mapping card free, which I did have to phone back and ask why it was not supplied, once they realized their mistake it was sent out immediately.

Fiddly getting the rechargeable battery out

Great bit of gear and once you are used to it works perfectly but it a bit over the top for my needs,but thats what happens when the wife buys you out door gear!

David Marshall 3
Reviewed: 04 January 2011

Wonderful item of equipment

Easy to navigate in-between menus and clear images.
I bought it with free UK 1:50 K mapping card free, which I did have to phone back and ask why it was not supplied, once they realized their mistake it was sent out immediately.

Fiddly getting the rechargeable battery out

Great bit of gear and once you are used to it works perfectly but it a bit over the top for my needs,but thats what happens when the wife buys you out door gear!

Mudit Jain
Reviewed: 09 November 2010

Fantastic, rugged, does everything you need well

Rugged, still going strong after 2 year, 100+ munros.
Excellent screen, and easy to use buttons.
Lithium battery provides excellent life.
Swappable batteries.
Updates keep improving the product, just seems to get faster and better.
Online route planner is just what you need.

Cannot really think of one, most grumbles I had seem to have been addressed with software updates.

Superb, I'd challenge it to be beaten (or beaten up!).

Simon Parker 2
Reviewed: 07 November 2010

WELL DESIGNED AND EASY TO USE, SOLID BUILD QUALITY. NEED HIGHER RESOLUTION SCREEN AND MORE TACTILE BUTTONS.

I've had some experience with GPS devices over the years and on first use the simplicity of this device made me think important features must have been left out ! It's a great product though and does most things that I expect of it.

- All in one solution and cohesive design approach
- Satmap service appears quite good

- low resolution screen ( compared to Viewranger on my Nokia 5800 ) means a lot of zoom levels are practically useless IMHO
-buttons are not back -lit like on my Garmin GPS 60 CS
- buttons also lack tactile feedback and are not pleasant to use.
- quite heavy and bulky really. ( minor )
- Needs more features for advanced users,
eg,
- customisation of trail log marker ( I much prefer Viewrangers simple black line )
- why cant I use the Vector road map at a larger scale ?
- no neat extra features, like games/ calculator etc ?
-The online route planner doesn't seem that clever

The main advantages to me of my new Satmap over my existing Viewranger / GPS 60 CS are:

- waterproof ( I have been using my 5800 in my map case )
- GPS reception is much more sensitive that the GPS60
- long life rechargeable battery, hopefully no more battery changes on the hill ?
- the electronic compass lacking from the my Nokia !
- larger display than phone (although similar pixel count )
- all of UK Landranger maps / Satmap bundle now available at reasonable price on second hand market
- maps retain value since can be sold on ( unlike Viewranger )