IT was a men-only weekend walk in the Peak District so where better to test what can only be the ultimate in boy-toy technology – the latest SatMap Active 10. And, like many men, a bad habit of mine is to disregard the instructions, load batteries and play. This test proved no exception.

The SatMap came with batteries, a carry case and a SD card of the Peak District, what more did I need? It took a while for the SatMap to find the satellites and then we were off on to Kinder Scout in severe bad weather that mixed snow in with the rain.

I ran my Garmin Etrex along side the SatMap just in case – I need not have bothered. The Active 10 is like a leap into the future – a rugged handheld SatNav combined with an Ordnance Survey map in an easy to use package. It has the ability to zoom in and out of the map, and pan to anywhere in the UK.

It is fairly lightweight and the box says it is fully waterproof – it needed to be on day like this. The SD slot, and other electrical connection points are covered with push-in rubber sealing plugs that seemed to make short work of keeping the rain out. It has a 3.5in colour screen with backlight and a built-in electronic compass.

It took a while to my head around the buttons and menu system but, once mastered, I soon turned off my Etrex. The unit feels just right in your hand, and it is easy to access all the buttons. It also has a small joystick to move around the screen – you will have no problem using it.

This is a brilliant piece of kit that clearly shows where you started from, the tracks you have followed and exactly where you are at any one time, all on that OS map.

One slight gripe – a watermark appears periodically between the screen cover and screen. Condensation, perhaps? Easily rectified by removing the front of the unit and wiping with a soft cloth.

First impressions? This is a must-have, easy-to-use, unit – but I guess I will have to read the instruction book now to understand what else it will do...

Camping says: Without doubt GPS is a great tool when used with a map and compass. And, the Satmap Active 10 is easier to use than most – given the number of features it boasts. The large buttons allow easy navigation between screens even when wearing gloves, but the joystick is a tad awkward to control. The unit provides a wealth of information and includes a flux gate compass for quick rough bearings even when static. On the negative side, you start to concentrate on all that information rather than enjoy the countryside around you.

Fact file:

Expect to pay £299.99
Extra map cards from £30

Website:

www.satmap.com

Stockist:

Tel: 0116 234 4644


This review was published in the October 2008 issue of Camping magazine. Order our latest issue.

Camping magazine offers reprints of all tent reviews published in our magazine, to order please click here.