The Satmap Active 10 Plus – a short introduction
Satmap GPS Review specialises in looking at the pros and cons of the Satmap Active 10 Plus GPS system. As one of the best-selling GPS devices on the market today, the Active 10 Plus boasts a whole array of premium features including: a large bright screen, easy to use navigational buttons, electronic arrow compass and route planner. This Active 10 Plus generates superb images of topographical satellite maps, and is powered by custom SD cards plugged into the side of the device. The SD map cards bring up a high-detail rendering of your area mapping, lay the GPS features over the top, and you’re ready for the off.
In use
Using the Satmap Active 10 Plus is easy to get the hang of. You access and adjust the features on the Satmap Active 10 Plus by utilising the front and side mounted buttons and specific points of interest can be plotted on your route before you hit the trail. You can analyse your route after you’ve got back. Full-colour topographic maps are generated on the read out from the SD cards and a big high-resolution 3.5 inch screen allows functions including zoom, pan around and navigational compass.
Checking your geographic location on the Satmap Active 10 Plus is easy: the designers have made sure with the colour screen is bright enough in darker conditions, and clear in direct sunlight. The unit feels strong, compact and rugged and with a range of maps which cover the UK to Europe to America and beyond, you’ll never be stuck for new places to investigate. The handy ‘Trail Up’ or ‘North Up, Trail Up’ function gives a positional adjustment feature guide which allows you a fuller picture of the trail ahead of you depending on which direction you need.
Ok, what about the cons?
You’ll require a couple of rechargeable AA lithium batteries to power the Satmap Active 10 Plus and the unit usually comes with all the recharging essentials. However, length of battery life, or lack of, has proved an issue with users so you’d do well to take some spares with you in the backpack. Although the unit has been praised as overall fairly rugged, some users have claimed that the screen is somewhat prone to scratching. You can get a specialised Satmap Active 10 screen cover for that if you’re worried about really protecting your investment. Other factors to consider include the not insignificant cost of the relevant map cards and which scale; 1:50,000 can be quite different from 1:25,000 in terms of detail.
In summary…
The Satmap Active 10 Plus stands out from the field with its combination of using highly detailed full-colour maps and putting you literally right in the picture with the advanced and accurate GPS positioning features. It’s weatherproof, splashproof and handy on the move and can be used as a full route planner and analyser or simply as a navigational aid.
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