Some of the routing data (also supplied by OpenStreetMap) is a little experimental still, so it may not produce perfect results, but it’s certainly well worth trying.  We should also point out that the version of the map with routing data is now well over 256MB (it’s actually around 300MB), which means if you only have a 256MB memory card in your Garmin, it will no longer fit.  If you really don’t have the space, we are still producing the standard Garmin OSM map too for your use.

Finally, we *know* that the canal and cycle maps are woefully out of date; we’ve had some technical difficulties with the tools we use to create these maps, and continue to work on this problem; we hope to release updates to both very soon, especially for those of you about to embark on your summer holidays; we’ll post here on the main website when the updates are ready…

As always, head to the Garmin OSM Maps download page for more information, and the links to download the new maps.

A number of things have happened between now and our last map updates; we’ve changed tools, had to handle the massive jump in UK data that made some of our tools and techniques stop working, and we’ve also wanted to improve the content itself.

So, this is quick note to say we’ve not forgotten, and are currently testing some new versions and features and hope to release new maps in the very near future.

Thanks for your patience, and we will advertise here when the new maps are ready.  One warning though; some of the maps have grown exponentially, and hence no longer fit onto a 256MB card, so if you are using a small memory card, you might want to be prepared to get a new one before applying the maps…

For the last few years, the Garmin 60CSx has been the GPS device of choice for many users; rugged, a decent viewable screen (without the touchscreen of the newer models it’s often easier to read in sunlight), and generally a good device, but things move on, and the new GPSMAP 62 brings a whole range of new technologies to this rugged range.

Although there are 3 models in the US, the top model includes  full US mapping, so may not be available in an equivalent in the UK, so let’s at least look at the two other models to see the spec:

“With a 2.6” sunlight-readable color display, up to 20 hours of battery life and a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and quad helix antenna for unparalleled reception (the GPS receiver features HotFix, which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position), the GPSMAP 62 series features three distinct waterproof models to suit various activities and interests. The basic GPSMAP 62 includes a built-in worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 62s adds a 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass and wireless connectivity for sharing routes, tracks, waypoints and geocaches between other compatible Garmin handhelds. GPSMAP 62s also includes a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. Users can also plot barometric pressure over time, which can help keep an eye on changing weather conditions.”

It supports the full paperless geocaching options of other recent Garmin GPS, and the Garmin Custom Maps feature that’s also supported on the Garmin Colorado, Garmin Oregon and Garmin Dakota models.

Here’s a nice touch for existing users of other recent Garmin GPS devices; “The GPSMAP 62 series is made even more versatile through its universal mounting system that is compatible with the same accessories as Garmin’s Oregon, Dakota and Colorado products.”

The Garmin GPSMAP 62 should be available in July, although we don’t have any confirmed UK pricing yet (I’d expect it to fit in above the Garmin Dakota range, but less than the most expensive Garmin Oregon models).

Article first published at UK Gadgeteer.

SatMap have quietly released a new firmware, v1.4, for their SatMap Active 10 devices.  As well as addressing a range of bugs, the full Changelog is included in this article.  Highlights include better Geocaching.com support, better power management, including hibernation support.  For the full changelog, read the rest of the article…

The full changelog for v1.4:

General Update

• New Splash Screen

Status Bar

• The Battery indicator has been reduced in size and set vertically, and has been improved to show more accurate power metering for Lithium batteries as well as showing when it is fully charged. Additionally there is now a Run and Stop icon beside the battery which shows the user if the Trip Log is running or is stopped.
• Small Battery Icon
• Improved Power Metering Optimised for Lithium Primaries and LiPol Rechargeables
• Run / Stop Icon for Statistics Log
• Toggle Icon When alternate mapping is available.
• WAAS/EGNOS Enabled GPS Icon turns blue Selective availability : WAAS (USA) EGNOS (Europe)

GPS Map Page

• Track Up (Low Centre Spot) Blue spot lowered option to allow more mapping to be seen ahead. Only 2 data boxes allowable to show max mapping.
• Toggle Function (Top Left Button). New concept of toggle maps. Satmap now has the ability to issue different map types. For example Aerial coverage can toggle to A-Z mapping, that then toggles to CAA mapping, and then toggles back to Base mapping (typically 1:50k or 1:25k). When an alternate map is available the status bar icon will show. On switchover, the name or type of the new map will briefly show (i.e. Aerial, A-Z or Base Maps)
• Satmap has always been able to display multiple map scales. On previous versions of software, these maps were viewed by zooming in and out. Now Satmap has introduced the ‘Map Toggle’ feature: this allows users to ‘toggle’ between different maps available at the point with a click of a button without zooming. It is accessed from the GPS Map screen and is the top left button (showing three layers of mapping stacked on top of each other). This feature requires specific map packs: at launch this will only be the custom map series, with National Parks available in Spring.
• Better handling of co-incident points i.e. a waypoint on a POI (list box now appears) allowing the POSITION INFO screen to be always accessed.

Large Map Areas / Aerial

• Better supported: Map packs treated in handy bite size to effectively allow unlimited mapping to be used (limited currently by 32GB SD card size)
• JPG tile format now supported leading to better handling of very large / hi res aerial imagery.

Planning Screen

• Distance measurement tools improved. Using the Set Marker function (joystick press whilst in Planning Map) it is now possible to measure distance and bearing (either Mag. or Grid) between any 2 points. Previously users could only measure from their own location.

Position Info Screen

• Lat/Long (DD MM.DDD) and any other supported Grid Ref system can be display simultaneously (E.G UTM or MRGS)

Hibernate (on the latest Platforms (09.02.15 and higher))

• Effectively a Stand By mode – default set at 2 hours (during which time the satellite data is saved (ephemeris and almanac) so unit does NOT take 20 seconds to load Windows, and does NOT take 1:30 to get satellite lock. Typical lock time out of hibernate : 3-10 seconds. Essentially this means that the useful battery life can be extended by switching on for a quick lock and then switch off. Note: logging and snail trail does NOT occur during hibernate.
• Hibernate timeout added to Advanced Power Control (0-8 hours)

Screen Capture

• On backlight boost button now saves a jpg of the screen display (with date time stamp to a. SD card, or b. Flash if no SD card available). Press the Back Light button for 2 seconds and a camera icon appears on the status bar to indicate that a screen shot has been captured.

Settings

• More options to set target speed
• Memory Status : More detailed and clearer information about memory usage (SD Card, Flash and RAM). Low memory exclamation mark added in Memory Status area.
• Backlight many more low settings (1,2,4,6,8.10,20,30% etc) to protect night vision.
• Red Backlight; also to protect night vision.

Data

• Moon Phases added for Data boxes.

Datum Support

• Enhanced: New maps and datums now self-contained on SD cards, so they will plug and play without the need for fresh software updates for new countries.

Routes

• Routes Menu tidied up functions now on buttons list is for actual routes only.
• Folder concept now supported
• Better handling of very large routes and high numbers of waypoints. More strict filtering to restrict on required waypoints to be displayed.
• Invisible / Inactive routes now do not load in memory at all.
• Inactive routes can be set to show only start point  allowing many more routes to be loaded.
• Better track to trail convert; better filtering to retain fewest WPs but best shape.
• Better visibility of active routes; the current leg contains blue arrows and has a blue border.

POIs

• Warning radius increased to 3km (i.e. total diameter 6km) and red hatched for warning purposes.
• POI-Set by Postcode now available (for the UK units with Postcode data).
• POI-Set by Co-ordinate added.
• Enhanced support for Geocaching.com data (i.e. full hints and geocache log are supported)
• Folder concept supported.
• POI Icon selection extending to spots, geocaching and other common symbols

SatSYNC 1.4

• Folder manipulation on both the Internal Storage and SD Card available on units with platform 09.02.21 or higher.
• Imported Routes and POIs now available immediately in their respective menus without the need to restart the unit (platform 09.02.15 or higher)

World Map

• Routes and POIs display more accurately now.

TRIP LOG Screen

• Buttons rearranged for more function and clarity.
• Clearing the ‘snail trail’ (or ‘crumb trail’) is now done from the Trip Log screen. In place of the reset function is now a Menu button that gives access to all the features needed to set the Trail info and the Trip Log.

Power

• During Critical Battery shut down unit will now be revived if connected to external power; previously it would always shut down.
• Battery fully charged Icon now supported (previously not available)

Google Earth

• Google Earth is a great resource and now the Active 10 can interact with it more effectively, allowing routes to be created, downloaded and uploaded between Google Earth and the Active 10.

This is an impressive list of new features, and we are especially pleased to see SatMap continuing to innovate and provide feature updates to their existing customers.  A small note though; to benefit from the Hibernation features, you need to apply the update via SD card, and not via download; the SD card can be purchased from SatMap directly.

If you want to read how all these new features fit into the working of the device, head to the SatMap website and read the full (updated) user manual here.

In keeping with our commitments to regular free updates, we’ve released new updates to our Garmin Maps, covering the original UK Garmin OSM Map.

Updates to the Cycle and Canal maps to follow shortly.

There’s been quite a lot of activity in the UK map since our last updates in April, so these updated maps are well worth installing to your Garmin.

Head off to the download page to pick up the latest versions…

From UKGadgeteer:

SatMap, the makes of the SatMap Active 10 (and SatMap Active10 Plus), have this week released a new version of their PC software, and a new firmware for the Active 10 devices to go with it.   For us, the key new feature is the support of geocaching.com GPX files, giving you a full range of information about the geocaches; offering hints, cache descriptions, terrain, difficulty, and logs.

In keeping with our commitments to regular free updates, we’ve released new updates to all 3 of our Garmin Maps, covering the original UK Garmin OSM Map, the UK Garmin OSM Cycle Map, and the new UK Garmin OSM Canal Map which we launched back in January.  There’s been quite a lot of activity in the UK map since January, so these updated maps are well worth installing to your Garmin.

Head off to the download page to pick up the latest versions…

Satmap Systems Ltd., has today announced the launch of the Active 10 Plus which is a one stop GPS solution giving outdoor sports enthusiasts the hardware, software and route planning tools they need to get out and explore. The Active 10 Plus has an RRP of £379.99 which is a saving of £120 if buying all elements of the bundle separately.

There is no difference between the performance of the Active 10 and Active 10 Plus, which incorporate the same technology. However, there are two features which differ: the Active 10 Plus comes with a World Base Map and postcode look-up functionality, neither of which is included in the Active 10.

The postcode look-up is a fast and easy way to identify UK postcode locations and works on any map. From the routes menu Active 10 Plus users can select GoTo by grid reference or postcode. Due to the licensing requirements the postcode look-up option cannot be retrofitted on the Active 10 and is only available on the Active 10 Plus.

Thanks to UK Gadgeteer for brining this story to our attention. Full details from SatMap can be found here

The Ordance Survey Outdoors Show takes place in 20 days time, starting on the 27th March 2009, and finishing on the 29th March, with over 250 exhibitors and lots of “Have a go” activities to take part in as well.  Pocket GPS World has managed to negotiate a discount to this show, so head over to their site for more information and the instructions on how to obtain a discount on advanced tickets.

In keeping with our commitments to regular free updates, we’ve released new updates to all 3 of our Garmin Maps, covering the original UK Garmin OSM Map, the UK Garmin OSM Cycle Map, and the new UK Garmin OSM Canal Map which we launched only last week.

Head off to the download page to pick up the latest versions…