ViDEO: Satmap Active 10 GPS Receiver

At last! A GPS receiver that has all the features most walkers want in the countryside. Ordnance Survey quality mapping allows the user to see their location on a 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 scale map and move across the map in real time. A large screen makes the mapping easy to view, while large buttons allow use while wearing gloves. It's also waterproof and boasts a very long battery life compared to many other units.

There is a full review of the Satmap Active 10 GPS Receiver in the December issue of Trail. For a glimpse of what all the fuss is about, check out the movie.



For more information go to the importer's Sat Map web site

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NEWS: Petzl Signal £10

Touting the headline "See me before I see you", the Petzl Signal red safety light is designed to complement the Petzl e+LITE head torch. The Signal is designed to be seen from 1000 metres, with 180 degrees of lightbeam. The Signal can be set to blink or burn on full beam mode. It weighs just 22grams, including batteries and is water resistant to 1 metre depth. The Signal can be attached to the elastic head band of a standard headtorch, or clipped to a helmet, arm or rucksack.

Could be a useful safety aid in the hills as it should allow a rescue team to find you far more easily.

The Petzl Signal goes on sale January 2008

For more information go to Lyon Equipment web site

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NEWS: Viewranger GPS smartphone software upgrade

Viewranger have added more features to their GPS software that pinpoints your location on a mobile smartphone. Nokia have also introduced a firmwear update to improve the speed of a first time GPS fix when the software is used on their phones such as the N95.

A new Trip Analysis Profile Graph provides a graph of the GPS tracklog recorded showing distance, altitude, gps altitude and speed (either individually or overlayed) against time. This can be shown whilst a tracklog is being recorded so you don't have to wait until the end of the trip to see the data.



The new ViewRanger BuddyBeacon provides the ability to be tracked (or see/track other users). A great feature for keeping tabs on mates, family or group members out on the hill.



ViewRanger TravelLog allows a user's photographs to be viewed over the web and geo-located on aerial photography in a similar way to the Buddy Beacon. The user can provide their user name to a friend, allowing these "digital postcards" to be viewed by those back home.

Viewranger can now display maps from outside of the UK too, with the first being the National Land Survey of Finland at 1:50,000 scale mapping and shortly 1:20,000 mapping will be available. Viewranger are working with several European partners to deliver additional map coverage through 2007.

For more information go to Viewranger web site

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