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Business users today, expect their computers to do more than ever before. So this month we look at one of a new generation of smart devices - which claim to bring sophisticated measurement technology, directly to the heart of your PC.
Using high tech Global Positioning System (GPS) the hand-held Magellan Meridian XL displays its current longitude and latitude within 100 metres, anywhere on the planet. Used in the UK it will even display full Ordnance Survey grid references.
The US military originally developed GPS, and there are currently 24 GPS satellites encircling the globe. Unlike the geo-stationary satellites, which beam Sky TV signals back to the planet, GPS satellites are always on the move.
When you use Magellan for the first time, it needs to know roughly where its satellites are before it can start receiving information from them. It must get a signal from at least three satellites in order to get a reliable fix.
It then uses a fourth satellite to determine elevation - height above or below mean sea level. I found during tests, this figure could sometimes be inaccurate - out by well over 100 metres!
Magellan needs a clear view of the sky in order to track the satellites. Trees, and even worse, buildings can make the device read inaccurately, or not at-all. Finding satellites can take from a few seconds to ten or fifteen minutes. Once locked-in, you are instantly connected to the atomic clock, and your position is displayed on its multi function, back-lit, LCD display.
In order to be free from structural impedimenta, I bravely set sail across Southampton Water aboard the Hythe Passenger Ferry, where Magellan tracked up to eight satellites simultaneously. Calculating in real time, Magellan was able to display the boat's course in degrees and approximate speed in knots, mph or kmh.
Whilst changes of speed or direction take up to twenty seconds to register, on-screen grid references of fixed points such as the Town Quay and Hythe Pier, correspond almost exactly with the 1:50,000 Solent Area OS map.
Magellan's memory bank can store 200 positions and plot up to five journeys. Unfortunately, it looses its memory very quickly if you leave discharged batteries in it. This means reliable connectivity to a PC is vital for permanent data storage.
But this is where I hit serious snags. Firstly you need to order the special combined data and power lead.
Costing an additional £17.50, it has a proprietary five-pin connector on one end to connect into the Magellan receiver. And the other end? Amazingly there are just five bare wires - and a badly photocopied technical sheet with a totally inadequate explanation of what to do with them!
Apparently, two wires connect it to an external 12-volt power supply - which is a prerequisite since Magellan will gobble a set of three R6 alkaline batteries within five hours.
Maplin Electronics, its supplier, is desperately trying to obtain some more technical information on my behalf, regarding what to do with the remaining three wires. The last I heard was a lot of mumbling, "we should be able to cobble something together!" as we continue our struggle to connect the unit successfully to a PC
This is hardly plug and play technology. Sadly, like many of the so-called smart devices I have encountered recently, PC connectivity needs to be a great deal more straightforward before the average PC punter will whip out his/her 'Flexible Friend'.
As a robustly built and well-engineered stand-alone device, Magellan is a powerful and accurate navigational aid - retailing at £270.00 + VAT.
Measuring 175 x 92 x 35 millimetres and weighing 400 grams, the Magellan Meridian is also a very cute executive toy. However, its manufacturer, aware of its shortcomings, recommends that you don't use it as your sole navigational device.
You can't help wondering whether you'd be better off buying a map, a compass and a cheap, digital watch? Then, you could blow the remaining 250 quid or so, on several casks of the finest 'Old Jamaica', and really enjoy your next sailing trip!