My husband and I enjoy long rambles - but is there anything that can make our planning more accurate? I don't like walking further than anticipated.

Hi-Gear's Digital Map Measurer is rather nifty. This pen-like gizmo has a small serrated measuring wheel at one end and an LCD display built into the handle. By running the wheel along the line or route you are planning, it calculates the distance in kilometres.

Is it difficult to use?

No. There's a reset button to clear the LCD display reading back to zero. Then it is ready to use. The measurer is held upright and, when you come to the end of a route, for more accurate results you should lift it off the map or plan carefully.

Does it matter what map scale we use?

Not really. The device measures in centimetres. To find out distances with differently scaled maps and plans, a little simple maths does the trick. You multiply the reading by the amended scale. So, to find out how a reading of 380 on a map with a scale of 1:500,000 converts, you multiply the distance by the adjusted scale - in this case 380 x 500,000. That total comes to 190,000,000 and then you knock off the six zeros to deduce the route is 190km. It is not as complicated as it sounds.

What sort of batteries does it take?

Just the one - a flat-cell AG13 battery.

How much?

The Digital Map Measurer costs £6.99, plus p&p, from Presents for Men (01295 750100/ presentsformen.com)