Satellite
Navigation for Walkers
I've bought a Satmap
Active 10 device to help me find my route and to record the
speeds, distances and altitudes of my walks.
On this page I've put some useful tips and links for other users of this device.
Why I chose Satmap Active 10
I've had satellite navigation in my car for some time and whilst I
actually enjoy reading a map I've appreciated satellite navigation
sometimes when I have got lost! Whilst walking I have
occasionally found a right of way obstructed and wondered whether I was
actually where I thought I was! I chose the Satmap Active 10 as I
liked the large colour map and the fact that the device is designed for
out of door usage.
Planning and sharing routes
It's nice to be able to plan routes
on your computer rather than on the Satmap Active 10. Sat
Map provide some excellent route planning software http://www.satmap.com/ukstore/product_info.php?products_id=3808.
If you don't wish to buy their software you can use programs like GPS Visualiser (http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw)
but Google maps are limited in use for walkers.
However this site http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm also enables
you to plan your route using OS maps (and/or Google maps and satellite) on your computer and export them as a .gpx file
which you can then put on your hand held device.
If you wish to edit points of a route I recommend Prune http://activityworkshop.net/software/prune.
The home page of GPS Visualiser is great for displaying walks you've already done and saved on the device. GPS
Visualiser also helps you to submit your walks to EveryTrail (http://www.everytrail.com). EveryTrail
is a great free site where you can find GPS maps, GPS coordinates, routes, tracks and geotagged photos.
Links
http://www.satmap.com
The official site for
the Active 10
A first
look at Active 10
Trail magazine Tech Ed
Graham Thompson gives his first impressions of the Satmap Active 10 on
YouTube
