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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Mapping
Do I need a PC to use your maps?
No. Our maps are supplied on SD memory cards that simply plug straight into the Active 10, so it is a stand alone system. You can walk out of the shop and use it right away.
Do you use real Ordnance Survey mapping?
Yes: we are officially licensed partners of Ordnance Survey, and we reproduce the 1:25k Explorer and 1:50k Landranger maps perfectly. Everything you see on a paper map you will see on our screen.
How fast can I pan across the maps?
Using the joystick, you can pan across the maps as fast as you like. When you first move the joystick, the map image pans steadily, allowing you to see your immediate area clearly. If you want to pan across larger areas, just keep the joystick pushed in the right direction and it will speed up. Once you stop, the screen will update in a just few seconds.
How much can I zoom into the maps?
You can zoom into all our maps, so for example a 1:25k map can be enlarged to show a scale of 1:4k, giving you a very accurate map indeed.
Do any maps come pre-loaded as standard?
Yes. You get full GB road map as a base map on the unit, supplied completely free of charge. This is a vector style map, and you can choose to have road names turned on or off. There is also an Ordnance Survey 1:1,000,000 map if the whole of Great Britain, which is great for panning rapidly across the country when planning routes: this too is supplied completely free of charge.
Can I use Satmap mapping on my PDA?
You can only use our maps on the Active 10. However, you can swap our maps between units (just as you can swap paper maps with your friends), so the maps are not locked to any single Active 10.
Do you do any international mapping?
At present we are concentrating on releasing our range of UK mapping, however we plan on starting our release of international mapping by the end of 2007.
Can I use the Active 10 for Sea Kayaking?
The Active 10 is waterproof, but we do not offer a mounting bracket for kayaks. However, you can secure it yourself using the lanyard, and with Ordnance Survey mapping you will always have a good reference of your position – provided you stay within sight of the shore! At launch we will not be offering marine charts but we are planning on bringing these out over the course of the year.
Do you supply aviation mapping?
We will not be launching with aviation mapping, but we are planning on bringing this out in the future.
Active 10
Yes. We have adapted the Active 10 to fit the ABUS bike mount. We supply a new battery back that simply clips onto the Active 10, and which has a bike fitting integrated into the plastic. This then simply clips directly onto the ABUS bike mount, and needs no additional cradles or mounts (supplied with the bike back)
Can I use the Active 10 in cold weather?
Yes. The Active 10 has large buttons that can easily be pressed whilst wearing gloves, without accidental presses of nearby buttons. The unit itself has been tested down to -10 deg C, but as with all battery powered devices, the real problems at these temperatures is that batteries cease to operate effectively at very low temperatures.
Can the Active 10 software be upgraded via the Satmap website?
Yes. The Active 10 connects via a USB to your PC, and any upgrades to the software can be installed directly onto the unit.
Can the Active 10 be used by left handed people?
Yes. In the setting menu, there is an option to mirror the key functions around the centre line of the Active 10, making the device equally usable by left handed or right handed people.
Does the Active 10 offer turn by turn driving directions?
No. The Active 10 is designed for use in the great outdoors: it is not an in-car system, so does not offer road navigation. The demands of outdoors sports are much tougher than those of in-car systems and we have focused on developing a product that meets these tough demands.
Can I still use the Active 10 even if I don't have the right map for the area I'm in?
Yes. If you don't have the local area map card loaded, you can use the Active 10 just like an ordinary handheld GPS i.e. it shows routes, tracks, waypoints etc on a gray screen.
Yes. This allows you to pan across the maps in any desired direction.
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General Commercial Questions
Can I buy direct from Satmap.com?
Yes. A large product range is available on our website, including items that are not available from retailers (e.g. Custom Maps)
There is a list of our current retail store partners in the where to buy section
Tracks, Files & Waypoints
Can I lay down routes directly on the Active 10?
Yes. The Active 10 has a full in-built route planner. Using the joystick you can quickly and easily lay down a route, and can attach up to 160 characters of information to each waypoint.
Can I download routes from my PC based digital maps?
Yes. The Active 10 accepts routes in the standard GPX file format. This format is supported by most providers of digital mapping.
Can I upload my track onto a PC based digital map?
Yes. The Active 10 stores track data in the standard GPX file format. This format is supported by most providers of digital mapping.
How many waypoints can I load?
Virtually unlimited! You can store this data on the SD Card, so you are only constrained by the amount of spare memory left on the card. If you are storing this data to the spare memory on one of our Map Cards, there is on average 200MB available, which is enough for a huge amount of track data.
Is your unit suitable for geocaching?
Yes. The Active 10 displays location information in various different formats, including the standard geocaching format. Simply select the 'GoTo by coordinates', enter the location of the cache and the Active 10 will pinpoint that location with a flag, making it easy for you to find your destination.
After I've completed my trip, can I view the time and location at any point on the track?
Yes the track points will be saved every 30 seconds.