Comments on: Maptattoo

By: John Schinnerer

John Schinnerer — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 05:43:14 +0000

I also got a Maptattoo early on, as a so-called crowd-funder. The founders were and continue to be as responsive as their resources (being a tiny two-person company) allow to problems, feedback, and input. I had been procrastinating on investing in a portable GPS for paddling and sailing for some years, for all the reasons Maptattoo addresses (battery life, daylight readability, weather-proofness, ruggedness, all-conditions usability). A further motivation for me is that Maptattoo runs on a linux-based operating system, instead of the proprietary and exploitative Android or iOS operating systems used by smartphones or tablets. There are still a few basic functions missing, but I trust that future software updates will add those, as other requests by early users have been added in previous updates.

By: Ryan Aponte

Ryan Aponte — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 23:56:12 +0000

This will be a great improvement over grabbing for my phone, which I can’t read with my polarized lenses while rowing. And could be a great backup to the aged Garmin in the stinkpot.

By: Jerry Culik

Jerry Culik — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 23:45:09 +0000

Thanks for putting this review together, Ben. Since the idea for this device began with the R2AK, have you seen any user comments from the R2AK that’s currently wrapping up? I didn’t see anything on their website as of the end of June.

By: Ben Fuller

Ben Fuller — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 22:19:06 +0000

Just was sent and installed the next major software upgrade to which I alluded in the review that it was coming. It’s too bad that while the salt-water data is pretty accessible through the international hydrographic office, inland lake information is not and costs to add it. My guess is that Europe will be the next area where charts are added.

By: Rick Thompson

Rick Thompson — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 13:19:02 +0000

My 15-year-old Garmin handheld finally died due to sun-damaged pixels and battery-compartment corrosion. I considered getting Maptattoo. It would be similar at showing big numbers for speed and heading, but far better than the tiny chart display. Research showed two issues: First, chart coverage is limited. US lakes are scheduled to be added soon, but the database will have only a few for my state (CA) and no plan yet to add the rest. Second, the manufacturer advised not exposing it to full sun on hot days. On an open boat in CA that is going to happen. I got another small handheld, backed by my existing coated-paper charts and Navionics on the phone if an up-to-date chart was ever required. That is sufficient for my local waters.

By: alex zimmerman

alex zimmerman — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 17:35:39 +0000

I’ve seen the marketing info but this is the first hands-on from a reviewer. Thanks Ben!

It will be interesting to see how many of the open-boat entrants in next week’s R2AK will be using this device.

By: Ben Fuller

Ben Fuller — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 20:25:00 +0000

In reply to chris owen. I suspect so; post a question on their web site. One of them is French so that should help.

By: chris owen

chris owen — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 10:20:05 +0000

It looks like an interesting device that solves many of the problems of hand-held navigation. Do the developers have a timetable which includes distribution to, and charts for, Western Europe?