Battery Pack

drpeej · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:54 am Post subject: Battery Pack

I am planning to get the rechargeable battery pack for my SatMap.

I have 2 questions

1) Does this give longer useage than using (expensive) Lithum AA batteries?

2) Once installed, is it a simple matter to take it out in the field and replace it with AA batteries if it runs flat? I was thinking that it would be useful to have some sort of backup. However it looks to me as though I need to take out the battery holder if I use the rechargeable pack.

Peter

Darren · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:50 am Post subject: Re: Battery Pack

FrequentFlyer · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

I personally, would not say that it is simple to replace in rough conditions or in the dark on a mountainside somewhere...far from it. Trust me, I've tried it...what with freezing cold hands, makes it nearly impossible, and the last thing you want is water (rain etc.,) getting into it. (And if you haven't got three hands, you'll need a head torch to see what you're trying to do in the dark) If you're doubtful about the life of the rechargeable pack...and so far I am very impressed...more than adequate for a days walk....then you could always use the regular batteries, which would be a lot, lot easier to replace...but it really shouldn't be necessary.

drpeej · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that advice. Its not so much walking that I am concerned about as you can use battery saving tricks like screen blanking and even switching off the machine to prolong battery life. However thats not so practical for bike rides. However on bike rides it should be easier to find somewhere dry to do the necessary changes.

Yesterday, my Lithium batteries died 3/4 of the way through a long ride. I had a spare set but wondered whether having the rechargeable battery pack would have caused any problems under these circumstances.

Peter

FrequentFlyer · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

This should solve any future battery problems,(from ITN.)

Despite treacherous weather conditions, a tiny plastic robot has scaled the Grand Canyon.

Miniature robot Evolta, which is just 17 centimetres tall and weighs about 134 grams, achieved the feat in under seven hours.

It climbed up a 530 metre (1,739 ft) canyon using a pair of AA batteries and a thin wire, which was suspended from the top.

The robot finally made it to the top on its sixth attempt.

Japan, which produces batteries powering everything from toys to cars in a $50 billion (£25bn) global energy storage industry, now holds the Guinness title for the longest-lasting AA cell with Panasonic's new Evolta batteries.[/b]

Physicist · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

Evolta batteries are only alkalines (with a life of up to twice that of other alkalines , say Panasonic). Forget them. Lithium will outlast them.

chrisabel · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 14, 2008 Posts: 8

Hi

I recently did the coast to coast walk and the satmap was very handy in helping me to get through the difficult spots. The wires of the lipo battery had snapped which meant resorting to non-recheargble batteries and I can confirm that the energiser lithium batteries are definitely the best. They last an extra day longer than others like duracell and phillips. i used the advanced power setting which made a big difference and which seemed to make the unit more stable, i.e. no freezing up etc which I tended to have with it on the normal power setting. I was using 1.18 beta since I have the north GB card 1.50 scale. Also I dropped the unit on one occasion and thankfully it was working fine and that I was not using a PDA! Only the front cover was cracked which can be replaced.

cwmboy · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: Re: Battery

PloddinPedro · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 25, 2007 Posts: 229

cwmboy · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

Hi PloddinPedro,
Glad to hear Satmap are looking to resolve the problem. Actually I did have the AA frame and batteries in my rucksack but weather conditions prevented me from even considering opening the back as you rightly mentioned.
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andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

i used to have the active 10 before i got my money refunded as i found the unit so unreliable. i considered the li-pol battery but rejected it on seeing it.
who 'designed' such a rubbish powerpack? even the cheapest gadgets now come with a decent phone style battery. all pda's come with a plug in battery.
the problem with the powerpack is yes it will mean you don't have to change batteries - but you will have to disconnect it (in the rain) when the unit crashes.
if you trawl through all of the satmap forums you will find the underlying theme is disappointment

PloddinPedro · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 25, 2007 Posts: 229

andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

The zoomable rolling OS map remains the holy grail

yes and my wife has that on her nokia n82 running viewranger. within its boxit case it is waterproof too.

the screen is too small, but is useable - 9 hours battery life and no freezing

Darren · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:38 am Post subject:

Andy, you're beginning to sound like a one man anti-Satmap campaign. You've had a bad experience and you've been refunded, fair enough but many of us like the units, yes they have faults but we're willing to accept them because of the functionality we do get. ViewRanger on a Nokia is not a comparable alternative, it's not waterproof nor is it anywhere near as convenient to use as an Active 10. You could always use Memory-Map on a PDA encased in an Otterbox but the point is they're all jack of all trades whereas the Active 10 is designed for a sole purpose and is slowly getting closer to achieving it.

Lets give Satmap some credit for bothering to enter such a competitive market where the big players with many millions available for R&D are dominant. They've done so with a credible product that admittedly has some issues but few first generation devices are perfect.
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Darren Griffin

andyb2 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 12, 2008 Posts: 32

a locked up satmap in the rain is 'not convenient to use' - i know i've been there.

i give due credit to satmap for attempting to bring to fruition everyones dream - but the satmap is sold (is still being sold) as a viable, reliable unit.

it is'nt.

when it is i'll happily part with another £500 (maps and satmap)

and darren, in your role you are bound to get privileged treatment from satmap. i had to pay for the privilege of 'testing' mine.

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