Right, so i need a GPS for my future solo trips (Hoping to push faster+further)
I like the look of the Satmap active 10, does anyone have any experience using it for biking and stuff?
How about getting 1:25k maps for it? Are there any free downloads available?
Thanks in advance
Ben

My mate had a sat map, batteries lasted 6 hours. It had a nice big screen but was totally unusable for long stuff.

I text him and check which one

He says he had the 10 plus. He says its great if you have a bob yak to carry batteries, it's great

Although this doesn't actually answer your question directly, I'd suggest either a Garmin eTrex 20 or Garmin Dakota 20. Both use AA batteries so you should always have power and if you know where to look a full UK 1:50k sd can be had for less than £25.

I find the touchscreen on the Dakota easier to use than the joystick on the eTrex but others may have different opinions.

You seen the new Garmin edge touring?

I have the Satmap 10 , really like the big screen, very good for my failing eyes and much easier to navigate as you can see a bigger area on the screen.
How long does the battery last ? I did this years WRT on the li-po battery and 3 aa's (it comes with a carrier so you to run aa's). I think the li-po lasted till about 5pm on day 2 so about 18hrs ish. You just need to turn down screen brightness etc.
But I only use it for navigation not a bike computer like some of the smaller ones ie Garmin

s8tannorm wrote:Although this doesn't actually answer your question directly, I'd suggest either a Garmin eTrex 20 or Garmin Dakota 20. Both use AA batteries so you should always have power and if you know where to look a full UK 1:50k sd can be had for less than £25.

I find the touchscreen on the Dakota easier to use than the joystick on the eTrex but others may have different opinions.

Hmmm, interesting

firedfromthecircus wrote:You seen the new Garmin edge touring?

Yes, just now infact, i like the compactness of it, and it seems like a really good option, 2 questions
What sort of maps will it take?
What sort of battery's does it take?

Garmin european maps already loaded in for the price and the battery is internal recharge jobby. Can't remember off the top of my head but pretty long run times. Plot courses on the computer using any of the gpx file makers (inclucing garmin site) and then upload to device.

Ben98 wrote:Right, so i need a GPS for my future solo trips (Hoping to push faster+further)
I like the look of the Satmap active 10, does anyone have any experience using it for biking and stuff?
How about getting 1:25k maps for it? Are there any free downloads available?
Thanks in advance
Ben

Ben the satmap is an excellent bit of kit, you will always find positive reviews on it, granted they are usually in walking mags but if you want a device just for navigating you won't go far wrong.
As for battery life issues I got through the second day of the WRT , now granted I don't ride as far as some of the riders on here but i'm slow so I reckon the difference is the same, any way you can use the li-pol battery or aa batteries in the supplied carrier or buy an additional li-pol battery , I can also recharge mine from my exposure lights with the exposure charging cable.
Maps, you can either go for uk 1:50,000 or various 1:25,000 or choose a site centred map card with both scales on the card that you can zoom seamlessly between the two.
Mine is getting a bit battered these days but just needs sending in for a service at £38.00 and they will replace the chassis so it will look as good as new, there is also the new active 12 out now with higher res screen, heart rate compatible etc also the screen is slightly larger an it saves a lot of faffing when you don't need to shove reading glasses on and off just to keep on track.
We managed the trans-Cambrian with only three wrong turns and that was more to do with my interpretation of the imba maps which were slightly dated to say the least.
If you buy one you won't regret it unless your a true garmin fan.
You will find most of the info in FAQ's on the satmap site.

I've got both the Garmin 800 and now (just) have a Satmap active 10. I've used the Garmin on previous WRT's and local rides on Dartmoor etc and always found the screen size to be a limiting factor. It's great on the roadbike for a sportive etc or recording training rides but the screen size lets it down (in my opinion) for off road use hence I've just picked up a second hand Satmap. It's a big old unit and it will never adorn my road bike but the screen size is twice that of the Garmin which for me is a huge bonus. It's got both the rechargeable battery and AA pack and I can charge it from a Solar charger like the Garmin. The Satmap has an auto rotate that functions whilst static, the Garmin doesn't and taking it off the bike and walking around to get the map to rotate is a PITA
So horses for courses, Satmap off road, Garmin on.
I promised myself I'd sell the Garmin when I picked up a Satmap, somehow I can't see that happening.