Satmap Active 10

Satnav with the best maps

Product

Satmap Active 10

Promise

A new outdoors GPS that uses Ordnance Survey maps for all-weather navigation.

Performance

The first thing you notice about this model is that it sits well in the hand: the shape hugs the curve of your fingers and allows all the buttons to be reached easily - they're especially large buttons at that. Shockproof and waterproof, it just feels like a rugged piece of kit. Fire it it up, and you're looking at a screen that's pretty large too - 3.5 inches in full colour, with a surface that can be read in all light conditions, even bright sunlight. Locking on to satellite signals takes a few seconds, but the real bonus is the map software: the Active 10 takes SD cards pre-loaded with OS mapping, so when you navigate it's just like reading a proper map, with all the detail and texture they can offer. Navigation is helped with a rubberised toggle joystick at the bottom that's just fat enough for frozen fingers to feel properly and lets you pan and zoom incredibly fast.

Verdict

All in all this performed brilliantly in the field: simple to master and really responsive when you need it. It's packed with features but still small enough to stow in a jacket pocket, and the familiarity of Ordnance Survey maps means that even GPS amateurs won't be scared to take this out - and save their paper maps for planning at home.