Memory Map Adventurer 3500 GPS unit review

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Memory Map Adventurer 3500

BikeRadar verdict

2.5 out of 5 stars

"A good walker’s device that’s not really designed for cycling"

Wed 20 Apr 2011, 11:00 am BSTBy

The Adventurer 3500 is a large, touchscreen, general navigation device. It’s bigger and heavier than most bike-specific options, and fixes via a plastic mount (Garmin 705-style) that attaches with zip-ties. Its size, user interface and lack of cycling-specific functionality don’t make it an ideal match for riders.

Operation is entirely touchscreen, with only a single power button. The quality of the mapping on the large screen is excellent, with high resolution displays of 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps for the whole of the UK. However, the interface isn’t really designed to be operated while riding, or with gloves on, relying on quite small on-screen buttons and menus.

Because of this, the device comes with a small stylus on a lanyard to make precise picks more easy – though this hardly makes it more usable mid-ride! There’s no facility to display any particularly cycling-specific data on screen, other than current speed and direction, and there’s no support for external ANT+ sensors.

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User Reviews

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  • I've just ordered one for £300 new with full 1:50K GB mapping. Memory Map have now developed a firmware upgrade very recently that they state solves the issues with the GPS unit. IE the lack of a screenlock function for one. The units size IMO looks ideal for viewing from a bike on the move and the screen icon locks on your position in the middle of the screen so no need to touch the unit while riding. Admittedly I have yet to receive the unit but used Memory Map software before on a PDA. I will also be primarily using the unit for trail walking (hiking) but this will be excellent for following MTB trail routes. The software on PC is brilliant in my opinion for creating your own routes or openning up downloads of other peoples shared routes. I also considered the Garmin Oregon 450 & 550 units. These appear to have more functionality if your after on screen data like the traditional cycling computers along with a GPS unit for mapping/trails. But fingers crossed for me the firmware solves the know issues with the Memory Map 3500 as it certainly had the potential to be the ultimate hiking GPS unit for sure. For £300 with the mapping it certainly has everything I need for an excellent price. I can then pay with any savings for something like a Cateye Strada Double Wireless for speed/cadence/timing etc plus have both in easy view without the need to touch either while mountain biking. If it works then it will certainly be the best value pairing for functionality.

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Specification

Name:
Adventurer 3500 (11)
Built by:
Memory Map
Price:
n/a

Description:
Casing: Large and heavy with good port sealing. * Weight: increases the chances of the unit being damaged if dropped * Buttons: Fully touchscreen with only a hardware power button * Display: Large, backlit, full colour display that updates and zooms quickly * Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium