Active 10 TREK GPS

Excellent GPS unit. Not the latest technology but still up there in terms of performance. It does take a bit of time to get an initial satellite fix when first powered on, but is very accurate and responsive when in use. The large screen makes for easy navigation. The NG maps are superb, though could become expensive if you need maps for multiple states. Battery life is reasonable with power save functions enabled. Contrary to the 'Features' listed on the NG website, the unit I received included both AA batteries and a 2700mAh LiPo rechargeable battery. Bonus! Overall I'm very pleased with the Active 10 Trek.

I hike Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, Holy Cross Wilderness Area, and Fourteeners year-round. Previous GPS: Garmin eTrex drowned in rain; Magellan maps were crude and vanished one day. The Active 10 interests me because it offers accurate Nat Geo maps with FS trail identification. When I am off-trail, I want to know how to locate trail or retrace my steps in the dark. I was disappointed that after only 6 hours of trudging through snow, off-trail, to Holy Cross City, the Lithium battery went dead. Being half-way out on a hike, a dead GPS is not good. Also, I cannot read any of the log data without reading glasses. Font size is far too small.

I purchased Satmap in response to an email from NGS. The info I found did not indicate that only preprogramed SD cards would work. I could not download maps from NGS TOPO! cds. The available SD cards do not include my area of the country, so I could not use the Satmap. I returned it to NGS with no questions. I appreciated their return policy, but I wish I could have kept it. I will look out for the maps on SD for the midwest and perhaps purchase the satmap at a later date if they become available.