There’s nothing unusual about me taking my iPAQ hx2790b with me everywhere I go; usually it’s secured to my belt, ensconced in its Piel Frama case. I use it throughout the day as most others do; checking my diary, looking for contacts and playing the occasional game when time and work permit. However, today was a little different; my iPAQ took
me for a walk in the North Wales hills!
Some of you may recall that I
canvassed opinions a few weeks ago on a couple of mapping applications. After playing around with the trial software for both applications, I finally decided to purchase
Memory-Map. I’m glad that I did. At the risk of being a bit pompous and demonstrating my (almost) complete ignorance of the technicalities of satellite navigation, I thought that I would share my first impressions of the software and its performance
in the field.
Loading the application onto my iPAQ was painless, so too was exporting the OS map extracts from the PC application to my pda. The real advantage is that, unlike paper maps, electronic maps are seamless; you can bespoke your map to ensure that it covers the whole area of interest. Gone is the requirement to carry several (paper-based) maps for a day’s hiking (although I do recommended paper-based maps as a backup along with a magnetic compass!) and loading the map extracts is just like opening any file in any other application. The output/screen quality is superb, even when zooming in and out. However, the obvious disadvantage of the pda platform is the constraint of the screen: you don’t get to see a large area and that can make identifying far off features problematic.
I used my TomTom GPS receiver to connect to the software using Bluetooth; once more, this was painless and Memory-Map found the receiver and linked to it automatically once I had selected it from the list of devices. However, at times, my receiver is dreadfully slow to lock onto the satellites and, after today, I may be looking to buy a new device. Nonetheless, once I was connected, the signal remained good even under tree cover with the receiver in my pocket. Signal strength is simple to display via the Menu tool bar:
There is no need to define reference points as you do in some other data logging applications, the maps are referenced automatically when they are exported to the pda, all you have to do is to connect your GPS receiver and (assuming that you have the correct map available) your position is automatically highlighted on the screen.
I followed one of my usual routes and didn’t bother to download it to the pda. The data logging application starts automatically, highlighting progress on the screen. Adding waypoints is by way of a couple of taps from the Menu when you have reached the appropriate position:
Data logging is basic and you can’t configure it as you can in other applications such as,
GPSDash. However, you can display your position, speed, etc from the menu bar:
Moreover, you can display speed and ascent graphs giving those all important elevation profiles.
On the downside, the GPS didn’t manage altitude particularly well, with my receiver (in the screen-grab above) showing my altitude as 457m and the map showing me at 400m. That’s a big difference if you happen to be off-road and in bad weather. For those that prefer mountains to hills, a good (calibrated) altimeter is still necessary.
Exporting route data to the PC was a little fiddly; I ended up emailing myself the data (aka an overlay) to open on the PC :) Nonetheless, I suspect that I will find that this is user error rather than a design flaw.
Overall, I am thrilled with this application, despite its cost. If you are a UK based hiker/hill-walker, you will love this software. I went for the full program (all six regions) but you can keep the cost down by selecting your home region or area of interest only. By the way, you can also buy some 1:25,000 maps separately: unfortunately, the higher detail doesn’t cover all of the UK, but I suspect that the file size would be prohibitive in any event.
One of my concerns about using my pda on the hills has always been its relative fragility compared with some of the GPS devices designed for the task, my Silva Multinavigator for instance. We get a lot of rain in North Wales :), so I
splashed out (excuse the pun) on an
Aquapac pda Classic Case to keep my device dry whilst allowing me access to my screen.
This is a competent piece of equipment; it certainly kept the rain off my iPAQ and I had no trouble using the touch screen. However, I do have a couple of complaints:
- The case is designed with a neck cord similar to an old fashioned map case. Beware; any sustained wind over about 10 mph is likely to decapitate the user! A more stable strap would be better and much appreciated.
- Although £23.00 (inc p+p) is a lot of money for two pieces of welded plastic and a length of string, I don’t understand why the package required a signature. I had to divert it to my local post office in order to get it in a timely fashion (sending Baby Jogga to sign for the parcel) – frankly, for twenty quid, that’s just nuts.
- Two bits of welded plastic and a piece of string have the combined thickness of about two copies of the National Geographic magazine (including the locking mechanism): so, why didn’t this size 0 case get through my letterbox? That will be the packaging! The thickest part of the case is around 12mm (half and inch) – the plastic packaging is 40mm (an inch and a half); add to that a padded envelope and the Postman is struggling to get it in his van, let alone through my letterbox. This is unnecessary and bad for the environment – stop it!
That said, the case does what it should, it keeps the pda dry whilst maintaining accessibility. The case does not offer any other protection; there is no rigidity, so care will be essential as I take my pda out to the mountains of Snowdonia later in the year!
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