GPS Training: Recent Episodes

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Coris Vertix 2s, new inReach contracts, the all-new Garmin inReach Messenger plus and Andy’s top tips.

In this month’s podcast

1. First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s
2. New inReach contracts
3. New inReach messenger plus
4. Andy’s Top Tips

1. First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s

Robust tough sapphire screen sunlight readable, titanium bezel, big battery not all the bells and whistles but so easy to use.

1. For a none solar watch battery is great
2. Bigger screen very clear data boxes
3. Scroll wheel works really well as per other coros like lock screen to stop accidental stopping of activity but can still scroll though screens
4. off course alert virbrate seems stronger and works well
5. ease of use, app simple, routes transfer easily
6. Maps not as details but so easy to see line in fromt of you and have handheld with os maps for those more difficult navigation, on 16 mile route yesterday used watch 90% of the time only looked at handheld couple of times

Coros Vertix 2s – more here

2. New inReach contractsSOS only (Garmin call this inReach enabled) – £7.99/month – inReach Enabled has no annual fee and includes unlimited SOS and pay-as-you-go pricing for other features. (You have to have contract in place for at least x 1 month)

10p / check-in

10p / trackPoint

50p / message/ weather

1 off payment – Activation fee – £39.99

Garmin inReach products – more here

3. New inReach messenger plus

What is the Garmin inReach messenger? – £199.99

Up to 28 days with a message or location sent every 10 minutes with full sky view; up to 14 days with moderate tree cover
Up to 6 days with a message or location sent every 2 minutes with full sky view; up to 3 days with moderate tree cover
Up to 46 days with a message or location sent every 30 minutes with full sky view; up to 23 days with moderate tree cover
Up to 1 year when powered off

What is the inReach messenger plus? – £429.99 ( 30 second voice message, photo’s)

— NEW — The ability to also send voice recordings, photos and group messaging on the Garmin Messenger app

Up until now Garmin’s inReach line used Short Burst Data (SBD) to send messages, but with entirely new hardware, the Messenger Plus uses Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to send messages 300 times larger than SBD. That means it can support photos, 30-second voice memos, and 1,600-character texts (previous inReach text messages couldn’t exceed 160 characters).

Battery

Up to 120 hours of text message or location information sent every 2 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 70 hours in performance messaging mode.
Up to 600 hours of text message or location information sent every 10 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 110 hours in performance messaging mode.
Send up to 250 multimedia messages on a single battery charge.
Up to 1 year from power off
Note: Battery life estimates assume use with a full view of the sky. Battery life may be significantly reduced by obstructions or dense trees.

Garmin inReach Messenger Plus – more here

4. Andy’s Top Tips

1. Coros Watches

When on map or elevation plot screen

If you do press in scroll wheel you will see + – icon to use scroll wheel to zoom in and out – remember to press back button when finished or when screen unlocked scroll wheel will not move to next screen as still in zoom mode back button cancels

Remember you cannot pause or stop activity from map or elevation sreen but any other screen

1. Mac recycle bin for TwoNav maps or Garmin Topo Active, make sure you clear if you have deleted from devoice otherwise when device connected and bin can be seen it still shows that the device has this memory taken

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The new Garmin Fenix 8, Irish mapping for a TwoNav GPS unit and a new GPS Training course for 2025.

In this month’s podcast

1. It’s our 100’th episode
2. Fenix 8 – what has changed
3. Irish mapping for TwoNav
4. NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025
5. Andy’s Top Tips

1. It’s our 100th podcast

Sorry it’s a little late in the month, normally it is the 1st of every month.

Holidays and very busy at GPS Training

If you do not already do please subscribe to the GPS Training podcast on whatever platform you listen to us on

2. Fenix 8 – what has changed?

AMOLED screen – no longer EPIX

Fenix 8 – AMOLED
Fenix 8 – SOLAR

Additions –

– AMOLED comes in three sizes: 43/47/51mm
– Solar comes in two sizes: 47/51mm

– Solar edition only – New edge ring solar panel is far more efficient, and no longer covers display, improving clarity
– New sensor guard protects microphone and barometer (between buttons)
– New leak-proof button design using inductive buttons, so no actual hole in the case
– Added recreational scuba diving/apnea features, down to 40M with EN13319 certification
– Added diving no-fly and surface time features (widgets/data pages, etc…)
– Added access to phone assistant via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone)
– Added taking phone calls via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone)
– Added voice notes recorder (on watch)
– Added new offline voice assistant
– Added new maps radius zoom UI change
– Added new maps North Up quick toggle
– Added new maps layer selection quick access menu
– Added quick access touch unlock feature (temporarily unlocks touch, such as for a map during workout)
– Added new ‘Active Navigation’ menu system while navigating a course/waypoint/etc
– Added new consolidated ‘Saved’ feature, to find saved routes/waypoints/etc
– Added new dynamic round-trip routing, to auto—change route mid-way to achieve a specified distance if you go off-course (e.g. set for 5 miles)
– Added ‘Set a Target’ distance reminder, to remind you to turn around after the half-way point
– Added Ski difficulty tracking option
– Added strength training plans (4-6 weeks, via Garmin Connect)
– Added new watch face editor, and new watch faces
– Added new Countdown app to countdown to various dates/events
– Added new Focus Modes
– Added new online processing of troubled GPS tracks, using internal watch sensor data to correct them
– Major redesign of user interface, including widgets, settings, and activity/workout pages
– Revamped Notification Centre to include Garmin-based notifications (e.g., Morning Report or Daily Summary)

3. Irish mapping for TwoNav – potentially getting updated

Source: LPSNI Northern Ireland

Scale: 1:50.000

Format: Topographic

Size: 437.19 Mb

Resolution: 4.0 m/px

Version : 2012

£34.16

Southern Ireland OSM & TomTom

Overseas and Irish map options for TwoNav GPS Units

4. NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025

Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting our 2025 GPS Training courses on the website –

Two-day ‘physical’ training courses around the UK – £195.00

Scottish Borders

Northumberland

Lake District

Peak District

Northamptonshire

Gloucestershire

South Downs

New Forest

Then we have out 1:1 over Zoom – 2 hours – £89.00 – at a time that suits you best

BUT, new for 2025 we are having 1 day group courses over Zoom
Unit specific – TwoNav, GPSMAP series, Montana series and maybe watches and other series of units going forward.

These will be – £75.00/ person
During the week

10.00 – 16.00 (with x 1 hour for lunch – giving time to digest what has been taught
Unit specific – Cover how to use GPS unit and planning routes on our free OS planner

– 4 people on each Zoom training course

5. Andy’s top tips

• TwoNav

If you own a computer you can organise your Routes into Folders
From your computer Windows File Explore, Mac Finder, locate TwoNav Data folder within the Data folder you can create folders and drop your GPX files into them

Then when you open up Routes from main menu you can see your folders

If you do not have pc you cannot create folders but you can change list order by going into Routes – tap 3 white dots bottom right – select Sort by – Date, Sport, File Name, Proximity, distance, Ascent etc

This will also change order in folders, ie distance longest first, ascent highest first etc

• Garmin – installed TopoActive Maps can I make them more detailed

Handhelds goto Setup – Map – advance setup – Detail – change from Normal to more or most
Setup – Map – map manager – turn of regions of OS if using map card , older units make sure topo active enabled , 67, 67i always enabled.

Basecamp Mac – detail level bar toolbar bottom of map

Basecamp Windows – View – Toolbars – detail level tick – new box Medium, can change to higher highest or low, lower, lowest

Lower when moving around

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In this podcast, we look back at the past 99 episodes of the GPS Training podcast.

The first ever GPS Training Podcast went out on Sept 15th 2017 – 7 years ago

I had been on holiday that summer and first learnt about Podcasts and had got slightly ‘hooked’ on them, or one particular – Big Ideas for Small Business, which incidentally I was interviewed for 2 years later.

I loved the format of the podcast, long-form, which you invested in.

I remember the first ever day I pitched the idea at one of our staff meetings I was met by some interesting ‘blank stares.

Here it is –

In the first-ever GPS Training Podcast the lead piece was on the ‘all-new’ Sat Map Active 20 – 2 months on.

Quite ironic as SatMap went out of business in 2022, 5 years later

The Podcast has really gone through x 3 eras/ formats

Podcast 1 (2017) – 19 (2019) – with Andy and other guests

Streamed live on Facebook

Podcast 19 – 59 (Sept 2021) with Ian and other guests

Then Andy came back from then on to the present day

Podcast 60 to current day

Monthly except for

Podcast 33 (March 2020) onwards – Covid, we went to fortnightly podcasts

Recorded these at 7.45 in the morning then I could answer any calls in the office, as all the other staff were furloughed

It hopefully kept you all sane, I know it certainly did that with us – kept us sane – very hard time personally, working on my own and being upbeat on a podcast not knowing what was around the corner on the business front

As things started to get a little more ‘normal’ we had our 50th Podcast (March 2021) we had the whole team from GPS Training at the time on the podcast and we answered random questions, picked out of a hat.

Questions that are in the hat

1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why?
2. If you were going off today on a 15 mile walk what GPS unit would you take with you?
3. If you could make one thing change in this business overnight (no budget), what would it be?
4. AA batteries or built-in battery in a GPS unit?
5. Favorite workday of the week and why?
6. Favorite course location?
7. Favorite walk?
8. What one sneaky thing do you keep in your rucksack?

I know a number of you that I have spoken to over the years have gone all the way back to number 1 and listened to them all.

I am massively impressed, well done to you guys and girls!

Some of my – Highpoints –

I was first introduced to the Spine Race by Paul Freeman –

Podcast 31, back in 2020 – Spoke to Paul Freeman before he undertook the Spine Challenger south – I knew nothing about this race before I interviewing him

Quite ironic now as the Spine Race became such a large part of both mine and Andy’s life over the past number of years.

I remember doing a bit research before that interview and learning about the spine Race for the first time, all the different race options.

After I interviewed Paul again, after he had finished the race, I remember thinking to myself, I would love to do that one day and x 3 years later I finished the 108 mile spine challenger south, the race Paul had done.

Then the following year, this year, the 160 mile Spine Challenger North.

I am often humbled, when speaking to these people, how often the person I am speaking to really opens up and often you can see tears running down their faces as they share their thoughts and emotions with you.

Speaking about people who have done truly epic challenges my mind cannot get past – Duncan Hutchinson

On the 15th GPS Training podcast I interviewed Duncan, who had built his own rowing boat and then rowed across the Atlantic.

I had interviewed him again, but speaking to him in October 2018 after he had got so near to completing this adventure.

If you have not listened to this, he explains his dramatic rescue just off the coast of Ireland (699 miles away), the 100th day of his cross Atlantic crossing.

Duncan had borrowed a Garmin inReach messenger from us for his journey.

Duncan was a tough Scottish guy, who worked offshore, and during the interview he talked with no emotions, a true “Scottish mail’, but as I took him through the rescue it really just brought everything into reality, but for myself and also for him.

It is the most dramatic story I have personally heard as he explained his rescue, looking at the propellors as he had a rope attached to the super tanker – before the ropes broke.

His life kept going into slow motion as he looked at the propellor, he was thrown out of his boat and then on a massive wave lifted him up and he could grab onto the ladder.

At the end of that interview, whilst I was no longer recording, he stated reciting this rescue was the hardest thing he had ever done.

Some other of my personal favourites was – Podcast 67 (66) – Tommy Wilkinson – Feb 2022 (recorded this on my last day in work before Christmas)

Tommy was a downhill mountain biker

Spent two seasons on the World Cup circuit

After an accident in 2013 he had an accident, in which he fractured his skull, damaged his spinal cord, discs and permanently paralysed his right arm.

Tommy was a local person ‘I knew’ but getting the chance to speak with him was a true highlight of the podcast, a truly inspirational character.

I could go on all day here, but some other great episodes –

Episode 65 (January 2022) – Allan Knight – who was the oldest man to walk the length of Britain – Jon o Groats to Lands end

Episode 80 (January 2023) – Toby Simms who had walked the length of Britain, this time from Cape Wrath to his home in Hastings, in the South East of England

And off course – Chris the Coast Walker, who has been on the podcast a number of times. He walked 11,000 miles around the Coast of Britain, he started in late July 2020, when we thought the Covid Pandemic was over!

Episode 41 – August 2020

Episode 53 – Mid April 2021 as he had to bail out of Wales as it went back into lockdown

Episode 66 (really 65.5) – Feb 2022 when I walked a section of the Northumberland Coast with him

Chris has become a good personal friend and I have seen him, and his family, at a number of outdoor shows etc since then.

And more recently I must mention my chats with Andy, my current co-host, as we have discussed his Post Spine stories.

The environment of the podcast really does give people the opportunity to open up and tell their heartfelt story.

There are so many guests to mention of the years and the. More I think about the longer the list gets.

I know I have learnt so much that has improved my hill skills whilst hosting the podcast and I hope you have too.

Many thanks to everybody who has listened to the podcast over the past 7 years.

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In the second of our x 4 Podcasts for August, we look back at the past 10 years of GPS Training.

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How is Shepherd’s Walks made up? x 4 aspects of the business in 2024 – multi-million-pound turnover

Shepherds Walks – Events, courses, retailer and guided walks

Shepherds Walks Holidays – Guided and self-guided walking holidays

Capricorn Mohair Socks – 60 + trade accounts and retail

GPS Training/ Outdoor GPS Shop – largest retailer of Outdoor GPS units in the UK, I know what our competitors sell, not very professional to say what they sell

1999 – Shepherds Walks – Northumbrian Shepherds Walks

– But, let’s go a back a little further than that

I’m Jon Monks –

School – not academic, school just did not work for me – Dyslexic

But excelled and Cubs, Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh

Hiking competitions

Maps made more sense to me than text in a book

Career choice – work outdoors – farmer?

Career officer – School

Career office – St Helens

James Hayes

Lancashire College of Agriculture – Careers office

YTS x 2 years – Arable framing

College x 3 years – Dairy and finally sheep

Post college – Australia, Lord Carnarvon (Highclere Estate) and Northumberland x 2 jobs

1999 – Shepherds Walks – Wrote walking guides (from a Shepherds perspective)
The web was made for walking – marketing
Telegraph, Guardian, Radio 4 (Ramblings x 2), Countryfile, Country Walking Magazine
Country Shows, Farmers Markets – really learning how to sell – hard work

2005 – Went full-time – Health Walks
Barclays Bank, Local District Council (now dispended) – Small business adviser and Business Link

Hard to make money, as did not really have a viable business –
Had a small shop/ unit on a converted farm with coffee shop and 8 other small ‘more crafty’ businesses.

Guided walks, self-led walking guides, maps, local history books, postcards etc

2006 – Bought Capricorn Mohair Socks

Needing 36k to buy business

15k bank, 15k our own money but 6k VAT
Became VAT registered after this – 75k ish turnover

2006/ 2007 – Selling GPS units – Contacting Peter Judd and Sheep Trails

Started selling GPS units/ training courses

2008 – Shepherds Walks Holidays – part of Saddle Skedaddle

2014 – Bought GPS Training – doubled my turnover – not scared of talking figures (125k x 2 – ¼ million turnover) – But more about that in next weeks podcast

And what a story that is – GPS Training

Covid – First lockdown – March 2020

Started to understand that often less is more – My shepherding background was the more I went around the sheep at lambing time the more sheep I would have, but this was not the case with GPST

We had a great stable base to build the business on – 50k Bounce back loan

New website –

GPST Jan 2021 – Built in Christmas/ January lockdown

SWH – 2022 – invest or die after Covid

SW – Jan 2022

Moved to our current premises – April 2023 (got keys on 1st February)

If you have not seen the video of us building the new offices please do, I will leave a link in the show notes – https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/news/the-build-shepherds-walks-ltd

We took over an empty unit (2,250 sq ft, 209 sq m) on 1st February 2023 and in 10 weeks spent weekends and evenings building our new office, training room and warehouse.

This was literally a new start – as we were in charge of our own destiny and I think it really reflects what Shepherds Walks Ltd is all about.

So that brings you up to date with where we currently are.

The x 4 businesses really keep us busy.

Next week I look in depth at GPS Training – how it was started and what has happened in the business over the past x 10 years.

In this I will talk you through the biggest challenge I have ever set out on – But this subject is, i.e. the first 10 years of GPS Training

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In this month’s podcast

1. We look back this year’s Spine Race and how we each got on – 00:50

2. TwoNav software update – what has changed – 22:22

3. Apple’s announcement – Two-way satellite communication – 28:06

4. Andy’s top tips – 36:10

1. We look back to this year’s Spine Event
Andy took part in

– Spine Challenger South – Started Saturday morning – 15th June –
108 miles
60 hours to complete
Edale to Hardraw
CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn

Jon took part in

– Spine Challenger North – Started Monday morning – 17th June –

160 miles

90 hours to complete
Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale
CP2 – Alston YH
CP3 – Bellingham
CP3.5 – Byrness

Completed it in 86 hours and 10 mins

Highpoints – First 37 miles to CP1 (Low Fell Farm, near to Middleton in Teesdale) and then section that follows River Tees, it’s truly stunning, especially as the sun set.
Low points – Eating, first part of Cheviot Hills

Jon’s Just Giving – https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon

Andy’s Just Giving – https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

2. TwoNav software update

3. Satellite Texting Is Coming to the iPhone. Do I Still Need My inReach?

Apple’s new iOS 18 update allows its products to work off-grid. But are phones a suitable replacement for purpose-built backcountry communication tools?

Being released in the US late this year, but no price structures have been given to date.

I was speaking to a contact in the industry this week and he was saying there is a large problem metering and measuring the data that is being send from satellites, so it is hard to ‘measure a cost’ as the data request for this info costs more than sending the message itself.

Currently, free SOS Satellite capabilities from Apple since late 2022, using Globalstar satellite system (currently used by Spot)

Globalstar also does not cover full coverage of the world, but it has been utilised very well by the Spot outdoor communicators in the past, but Globalstar getting a massive cash injection from Apple.

Apple will pay for 95% of the approved capital expenditure for the new satellites needed to support the service for Globalstar to upgrade their satellite systems.

So let’s see what happens

Iridium (Garmin and Zoleo use) far better quality than Globalstar

But, we have Apple, the 6th largest business in the world supporting/ backing this
A little bias, but anything apple do will be good and have a good interface so time will tell.

4. Top Tips

If you Garmin came with preloaded Topo Active Europe but you also have OS map card how do you view them say for cycling or in a more urban environment

As OS maps take precedence over maps on memory you simply turn them off

Main menu – Setup – Map – etrex 32, GPSMap – Map information, GPSMAp66i, 67, Montana 700Map manager some older units configure maps

Worldwide basemap should always be enabled

Disable Topo Pro 1:50k or for 1:25k Older North Scotland, South Scotland West England wales etc 5 x regions , newer map card 12 x regions

TwoNav – Main menu Maps – tap and turquoise Eye icon means in view – tap eye icon to hide

GB Topo is OS Maps
British Isles OSM – Open Source

GBrtn23q1TomTom

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This year’s Summer Spine Race series, GPS accuracy, getting the best battery life on a GPS unit or watch whilst participating in an Ultramarathon and Andy’s Top Tips.

In this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. We look forward to this year’s Spine Race and how our race prep is doing – 1 min

2. GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years? – 26 min 35 seconds

3. Getting the best out of your battery – during an ultra event – both units and watches – 36 minutes 55 seconds

4. Andy’s top tips – 45 minutes 55 seconds

1. We look forward to this year’s Spine Event
x 4 distances

Sprint – Starts Saturday afternoon – 15th June –
46 miles
18 hours to complete
Edale to Hebdon Bridge

Spine Challenger South – Starts Saturday morning – 15th June –
108 miles
60 hours to complete
Edale to Hardraw
CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn

Spine Challenger North – Starts Monday morning – 17th June –
160 miles
90 hours to complete
Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale
CP2 – Alston YH
CP3 – Bellingham
CP3.5 – Byrness

Full Spine Race – Starts Sunday morning – 16th June –
268 miles
156 hours to complete

Edale to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

Paul Turner, Byrness Hill – Walking an epic 1000 mile. His walk will include both the Coast to Coast & the Pennine Way (walking each twice) & finishing with the Yorkshire Dales Centurion Walk.

Paul’s Just Giving page – https://www.justgiving.com/team/pauls1000miletrek

– Training

– Doing anything different this year

– Thoughts ahead of this year’s event?

Jon’s Just Giving – https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon

Andy’s Just Giving – https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

2. GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years?

3 x Satellites show position 2d, 4 x Satellites 3d elevation

What is Multi GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite system)
Device picks up more than one set of Satellite Constellations
Main ones we use in devices such as Garmin, TwoNav, Coros

GPS – USA 1978 started Military – Global use 1994
31 Satellites Glonass – Russian development 1976 – operational early 80’s24 Satellites operational
Galileo – EU – 2016 started
26 Operational
Beidou – China – Started 201256 OperationalTwonav does not use duel frequency but multi-band uses 3 x satellite constellations at once, we have been using GPS, Galileo & Beidou and seeing under 10 feet and have seen down to 4 – 5 feet
GPSMap65,67 dual frequency have seen down to 6 feet
Generally we find other handhelds picking up either GPS & Glonass or GPS & Galileo around 10 – 12 feet
Garmin Watches do not show an accuracy screen
Coros has a Satellite screen where you can see how many are in view and how many are strongly locked on

What is Dual Frequency / Multi Band
Use Coros Article

GPS – 18 satellite transmit at L1 & L5
Glonass – older L1 & L2 no L5

Galileo – all E1 & E5
Beidou – all B1 & B2

Devices we sell with dual frequency Epix gen 2, Fenix 7 sapphire solar & pro models
GPSMap65,65s,66sr,67,67i

How accurate is a GPS unit/ watch video – https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/reviews/how-accurate-is-a-gps-unit-and-which-is-the-most-accurate-gps-unit

3. Getting the best out of your battery – during an ultra event – both units and watches

We always talk about backlight if you have option to reduce, not leaving on map page, turning off HR on watches, coros turn off stress monitoring, nighttime coros use nightmode, gesture control vastly improved or just tap backlight button etc, map North up although we do prefer track up

Handhelds use battery save mode screen off

But carrying on from the discussion about satellites
My own Epix 2 Pro 51mm
GPS Only – 82 hrs
All Systems not dual ie Multiband – 61hrs
All systems + multi-band – 37 hrs
Auto select picks satellite so battery will go up and down – 58hrs approx.

Coros Apex 2 pro
GPS Only – 66hrs
All Systems – 41hrs
All System Dual – 24hrs

4. Top Tips

View your 1:25k maps in BaseCamp – V3

Card reader on pc or adaptor like the one we stock makes maps so much quicker

Video – Taking you through the option – GPSTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > View your Garmin 1:25k Ordnance Survey maps in Garmin BaseCamp

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In this month’s podcast

1. Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ tracker

2. Garmin backpack tethers – has your cord become frayed?

3. Free OS planner – many thanks for the donations

4. Andy’s top tips

5. Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ trackerPricing – Plan prices are in Euros also in small print you do need to also add on 20% vat to all prices shown.
   Unlimited messages– Unlimited is only for email contacts if you send any messages including Check-in, Custom & help messages to a Mobile number you have a total allowance of 200 a year, hence for unlimited I would recommend using email addresses.

If you go over the 200 you can purchase a bundle of 200 more messages otherwise you are charged 0.15 per additional message over the 200 per year.

Contacts – The maximum of 10 x contacts should really be named as 10 x slots i.e. you could not put 10 x mobile numbers in and for the same people 10 x email addresses at this would be 20.

If you put 5 x email addresses in and 5 x mobile numbers in this would your 10 x contacts slots used up.

Do you need a computer – A computer is required with USB connection to the device to sync and changes you make to tracking, tracking intervals and to install new firmware / software updates.

If you change messages and contacts a computer is not required for these changes.

Battery change – To change batteries there are 4 x screws to undo, advise customer to have small flat screwdriver in their backpack

Selling points

Peace of mind when off grid to have SOS and being able to send check-in messages to friends and family and have friends and family track you.

Lightweight robust weatherproof

Can use your own AAA Batteries

With 4 x AAA Lithium batteries excellent battery life – see PDF battery life chart

Unit itself cost effective to buy – cheapest physical unit that we sell.

Simple to use – but If you are not using tracking the monthly pricing is not as good when comparing to say a Garmin messenger that will allow two way messages and more functions on the device, but sometimes extra functions if not require could be more confusing.

The big selling point for me would be that the pricing includes 5, 10, 30 & 60 minute tracking at no extra charge, if you mainly want for SOS peace of mind and tracking it is more cost effective than others.

The Spot 20% discount code (only from GPS Training) is only for the annual messages not flex plans – must be activated by 30th June, we will include a discount code in with your SPOT

20% off activation

20% off annual plan

Normally £215.52/ year
Now £206.90/ year, so great way to see if it for you
SPOT GEN4 Tracker – Normally £149.99, now – £139.99

This has 5, 10, 30 and 60minute tracking included in with it

To find out more about the Spot Gen4 please do to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communication and you will see the Spot Gen 4 there at – £139.99

2. Garmin backpack tethers – has your cord become frayed?

Just under 50 people answered the questions –

1. Which rucksack strap are you carrying it on
2. I have found the cord has got caught – Yes/ No
3. Any other comments/ feedback

¼ wore it on right

¾ wore on left

86% experienced frayed cord on Right

56% experienced frayed cord on Left

– I wrapped black electrical tape around the part of the cord that sticks to the velcro thus solving the issue
– I replaced the strap with 3mm nylon paracord which works perfectly
– I am left-handed so it was natural to put it on the right strap and use my left hand. I have found if I stretch the cord out before placing it back on the velcro, it doesn’t get caught as much.

3. Free OS planner – many thanks for the donations

• A number of people have kindly donated

– Go onto youTube – https://youtu.be/wHZ15WEnxpc?si=xVphw20tjyxiTUvN
Or search for video – FAQs – GPS Training Ordnance Survey Route Planning Software – your questions answered

• You can do this by clicking on the ‘thanks’ button underneath the video mentioned above

4. Top Tips

1. Updating topo active maps – Units with Topo Active Europe maps, current range etrex 22/32x, GPSMap67/67i, Montana 7** series

Update recently to 2024-10
Central, East, West
Other than GPSMap67 and Montana 700, etrex and I versions of Montana 7** not enough memory but Garmin express will prompt you to use separate card or use map manager to pick region
Make sure when updating no other Garmon software open, Computer is not set to go into any sleep , power safe modes

With GPSMAP67 series you can update via wifi as pwr online course videos although computer wuicker

1. Coros watches battery Save tips
   Winter Spine challenger south 108 miles customer review started Saturday and finished on Monday morning… it still had 60% when I’d finishedApex2 40 Hours,Connects to GPS and QZSS Apex 2 pro 66 Hours Connects to GPS and QZSS

Most of the time I find not needing to select all satellites or dual frequency apex 2 pro only.in Satellite settings

Toolbox system settings – More settings gesture backlight off, Stress tracking off,
Tool box – system – sensors – optical HR – Daily every 10 min, if don’t want to record during activity turn off
When doing activity with route don’t leave on map
Finally main menu (new beta fw main menu control center) -Night mode backlight stays on until activity ends or 1 hour after sunrise

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Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC, TwoNav Roc, Going overseas and Andy’s top tips

In this month’s podcast

1. What was going on at Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC – 2 min

2. TwoNav Roc – a new edition to the range – 6 mins

3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip – 23 min 15 seconds

4. Andy’s top tips – 34 min 30 seconds

1. The National Outdoor Expo – last weekend, Birmingham NEC

Many thanks to everybody who came along to say hello.

I was on the Zoleo stand and spoke to many listeners of the podcast including Kevin who has gone all the way back to episode number 1 and listened to every single episode of the podcast.

Zoleo – 2nd year we have been there with Zoleo

Amazed on how their profile has been increased over the last year, great product and it is really good to see how well it is now being received both online and at the show.

Key thing is the live tracking – £4.50/ month and this can be bolted onto any package

2. TwoNav Roc
In addition to existing range we stock –

– Cross Plus

– Terra

– Aventura 2 Plus

– And now TwoNav Roc

Videos comparing the TwoNav Roc with a Garmin eTrex 32x and Cross Plus

3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip

• Position format settings – changing the Position Format settings on your GPS device to suit the map grid system being use in the Country that you are visiting.
• Mapping options – OSM or Topo maps if no pre-loaded topo active mapsAdvanced map setup – detail level higher
• GPS settings, time settings and compass calibration – time settings set automatically, calibrate the electronic compass

Videos taking you through how you set your Garmin GPS unit up before heading overseas.

4. Top Tips

Fenix, Epix Lock Keys
Hold top left button Scroll down widgets unit you see padlock and select with start stop button – to unlock any button for a few second’s

If you cannot see padlock – hold top left button – hold middle left button – add controls – start stop button to enter – scroll down select lock device option

Coros
Setting Auto Lock set as Standby and activity hold to unlock

GPSMap67/66 – Lock Keys

On off button held in few seconds – status screen – lock keys – press Enter – power button to unlock

Touch Screen Montana 700 series all TwoNav

Montana default double tap power key screen off and locked – power key single tap back on
TwoNav – single power button tap screen off and locked – single power tap back on

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Bullitt, TwoNav, PSMA map cards and Andy’s top tips

In this month’s podcast

1. What is going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? – 2 min 31 sec

2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air – quick update – 13 min 15 sec

3. Mountain rescue teams – PSGA map cards – Garmin – 26 min 33 sec

4. Andy’s top tips – 30.08

1. Bullitt – maker of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

In late January filed for bankruptcy

Founders were paying for service to continue for 1 month

We are over that time period and everything is still working

19th February – Sky News understands that Exponent Private Equity, which has successfully backed companies including Quorn and Trainline, is expected to agree to a restructuring of Bullitt’s finances in the coming weeks.

The change of control is expected to see the Business Growth Fund (BGF) – a £2.5bn vehicle set up by the UK’s biggest high street lenders in the aftermath of the financial crisis – play a leading role in Bullitt’s future.

People close to the talks said that an auction of Bullitt, which had been triggered by a large volume of unsold inventory, had resulted in a proposal led by the BGF, an existing shareholder in the business, and the company’s co-founders.

If concluded, the deal would crystallise a rare disappointment for Exponent, which has seen each of its funds make impressive returns for investors since the firm was set up more than a decade ago.

So, As I understand it – Exponent have pulled out, this was the backer we talked about in last month’s podcast, who pulled out at the 11th hour.

And in conversations I have had with our contacts at Bullitt stated finance was being negotiated and it sounds like this is referring to the funding from BGF (Business Growth fund). The business growth fund was set up after the financial crisis and fingers crossed it can play a big roll in Bullitt’s future going forward.

BGF is an equity investor in the UK and Ireland that provides long-term, minority investment and value creation support to growing companies, it was set up.

So, let’s see what the future brings.

We were under the understanding that customers would be notified if anything was to change, but to date nobody has received any notifications, so no news is good news.

Motorola – they have not been discussed yet, what did you find out Andy with regard to this.

I am personally very disappointed by the scaremongering that has been online, as I said last time our thoughts have to be with all the staff at Bullitt around the world, who I know have worked very hard on this product and the other products they produce.

Read the full regard to what is going on with Bullitt online here

2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

Lots of SatMap users upgrading – it is a SatMap on steroids

We have put 75 units bicycles in UK, Spain and Italy for a cycle tour operator we work with

We ended up stocking x 3 models –

• Cross Plus
• Terra
• Aventurer 2 Plus

Software update – last week

To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units

OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

Now 2 x walk and talk videos for the unit –

TwoNav Terra

TwoNav Aventurer 2 Plus

3. Mountain rescue teams – PSGA map cards – Garmin users

Pleased to announce

GPS Training is now an official distributor of PSGA map cards.

These are the map cards that Mountain Rescue teams use and they rightly get at a discounted rate when bought alongside a Garmin GPS unit.

In the past, it was a very long-winded process for MR teams to get these, but now we can act far quicker and get the units and map cards into the hands of team members.

This week we shipped 5 x Garmin GPSMAP67i with this map card to the Cairngorms Mountain rescue team.

If you are a member of a mountain rescue team please get in touch and we can discuss you and your team’s requirements.

4. Top Tips

• Garmin Hike NP Profile when to use it
• TwoNav perform trackback
  Map page – start – route or if no route select free activity

Map page tap – 3 white dots bottom right – trackback – Go

(Back to start is just straight line)

Green circle start red circle end

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TwoNav, a breath of fresh air and what is going on at Bullitt, the creators of the Motorola Defy – Satellite link

1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air – 2:00 minutes in

2. What has been going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? – 33:45 minutes in

3. Andy’s top tips – 46:51 minutes in

1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

Backstory – TwoNav has been on our radar for several years.

6 or 7 years? OS teamed up with TwoNav to create a OS branded GPS unit.

We bought one at that stage and within 2 weeks it was on eBay, why?

This partnership did not work as OS do not have the expertise to build and grow this type of technology in the UK.

So late last year TwoNav kept coming up in conversation so

Just before Christmas, we bought 1 x of each of their models and that was our Christmas holiday sorted as we started to get to grips and understand this new manufacturer –

TwoNav are based in Spain

Very keen to listen to feedback and build on what they have

We ended up stocking x 3 models –

• TwoNav Cross Plus
• TwoNav Terra
• TwoNav Aventurer 2 Plus

Map options available –

• Pre-loaded European maps
• 1:50k
• 1:25k
• 1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k on Aventurer 2 plus

Summary –

• SatMap on steroids – clarity of screen
• Wireless transfer from phone/ tablet
• Easy to use, intuitive
• Made by someone who believes and is passionate about their product

To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units

OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air

2. Bullitt – maker of Motorolla Defy – Satellite link

Thursday – buy out was in place by their largest invester

Friday – they pulled out on Friday and sadly Bullitt Group ceased trading and was handed to Lloyds as the receivers

Article – The Verge – Key manufacturer closes down

Motorola are the ‘brand’ behind Bullitt, to date no news of what they are wanting to do with regard to Bullitt going forward.

The founders of Bullitt have personally put money in place so subscribers can continue with their current service for at least the next month.

Bullitt are going to email customers to update them on what is going to happen, but to date nothing sent which has to be good news.

Good luck for the future of all the staff at Bullitt, the team here at GPS Training are thinking of you and your families

3. Top Tips – on using an outdoor GOPS unit/ watch

TwoNav – Backlight 50% rather than Auto – Main Menu – Settings – System – Display & Brightness – Auto Brightness off – slide bar 50%

Shutdown screen we have 30 seconds can change never and use single tap power button to take screen on & off

Garmin Epix – Fenix 7 – Disable Lap button easier when using device with touch screen on and on map page to come back out

Top right Button select Activity – Middle left button Hike Settings etc – scroll down – Lap key off

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In this New Year’s Day Podcast, we look back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.

– The year that was 2023

January

• February – Motorola Defy – Satellite link launched
• March – eTrex SE launched
• April – Coros watches
• May – GPSMAP67/ 67i
• June – Fenix 7 Pro launch – New Epix – Powerglass, improved power glass, new HR monitor, flashlight and updated statsSpine Challenge Race
• December – Solar-powered eTrex

– Looking forward to 2024 – what would we like to see

• Solar-powered GPS units
• Two-Nav
• Spine race
• BaseCamp/ apps

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The all-new eTrex solar and live tracking on the Motorola Defy – Satellite Link

In this month’s podcast –

1. After we discussed the Garmin eTrex SE last month Garmin released the eTrex solar last month, the first solar powered GPS unit

2. Nationwide GPS courses for 2024

3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy – Satellite link – Beta resting and our thoughts

4. Al Pepper – our first ‘Ambassador’

5. We then have Andy’s top tips

1. Garmin eTrex solar
After we have had the Garmin inReach SE for a 8 months it is great to see this updated version, the first-ever Outdoor GPS unit which has a solar panel – Garmin eTrex Solar

Solar Charging -With the addition of solar charging also gives us the ability to now have a built in lithium battery, which will give you unlimited battery life in sunny conditions (75,000 lux) or upto 100 hours when using GNSS and multi-band tracking.

Multiband satellite network, new addition for the Garmin eTrex Solar – This all new multi-band GPS gives you access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites which gives you improved positional accuracy.

Live Geocaching on the Garmin eTrex Solar – With the Garmin eTrex Solar you now get automatic cache updates from Geocaching live, including descriptions, logs and hints. When connected to the Garmin Explore app, each find will upload to your geocaching.com profile.

Garmin Explore app alongside the Garmin eTrex Solar – You can connect the Garmin eTrex Solar to the Garmin Explore app, once connected you can undertake wireless software updates, get access to cloud storage, plan trips, get smart notifications and access additional mapping.

Live weather – When connected to the Garmin Explore app you can get real-time forecast information, so you’re aware of any changing conditions.

To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex Solar go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Unboxing and first review

2. Nationwide GPS courses – 2024

All our course dates for next year are now online

Our course prices go up in price on Friday 22nd December – so please get yourself booked on before then.

If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course

3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy –

Andy has been Beta testing the new live tracking feature for the Motorola Defy – satellite link

It has been on the Bullit app for some time now, but it does not function

Watch Live tracking – Beta testing – Motorola Defy – Satellite Link

4. All Pepper – our first Ambassador

Over the coming months you will be seeing/ hearing lots about Al.

Who is is –

YouTube Vlogger – We first came across him on the Cheviot Challenge
Posted a video after he, his dad and uncle participated in it – Tracy and Katherine appeared in the video as he approached one of the summits.
He is an ultra-runner from the NE

On one of the videos, where he competed in a Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks ultra he struggled a little bit with regard to navigation to I reached out to him.

After a number of phone calls he is our first-ever – Ambassador

You cannot fail to like hem, really nice guy.

He mentions us lots now in his videos and I will collate a number of these in a news article some time before Christmas.

Al Pepper runs – watch him on YouTube

5. Andy’s Top Tips

Garmin Explore App – after importing (+ from Map) or open GPX with Explore – find transfer better if convert to courseGo into Collection folder – 2 x Drawing pin icon route, curved line course, footprint track, after selecting track or route select 3 x red dots top right – copy as course then select track or route – 3 red dots delete

Garmin Connect you can now convert activity to course to navigate with –

More – Activities – all activities etc – select activity – 3 white dots top right save to my courses

Add courses to bottom tabs – Select More bottom right – select Edit top right – – new feeds – + courses – select Save

Coros App – one of the easiest to save activity to course or export as GPXFrom activities tab – select activity – 3 white dots top right – Save Route – Also export data from same menu GPX share via email

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Garmin eTrex SE, 7 months on, GPS in the Hills and which app should you be using?

The big 90, that not bad going.

In this month’s podcast –

1. eTrex SE – 7 months on

2. GPS in the Hills – last course this/ last weekend – what is this course all about?

3. BaseCamp, connect, explore – which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

– Garmin eTrex SE – 7 months on
The Garmin eTrerx SE was launched on the 14th March, in the same day the Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i was launched

Price – £149.99

To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex SE go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Garmin eTrex SE Review

– GPS in the hills course – what is this?

You may have seen this on our website/ newsletters

For those who have been on our two-day Garmin GPS Training course.

£158.00 on website, but if you have been on a course you get a discount code making it half-priced – £79.00

What do we cover on this day-long course

Week leading upto course

– Planning over Zoom – week leading upto course

On the day – straight out onto the hill –

– Following the pre-planned route

– Looking at the different navigational experiences for a route, track, and course

– Trackback – we will do a trackback taking us back the way we came

– Creating a route directly on the unit

– Managing an emergency situation – what options do we have and how are we going to approach this

– Changing the ‘pre-planned’ plans – what options do we have and how we do this

– Navigating in the dark, how to set up our GPS units

This will all be delivered during an 8 – 12 mile walk (depending on elevation climbed) and only people who have been on our 2-day course will be invited onto the course.

South Downs – 4th October 2024
Lakes – 18th October 2024
Northumberland – 26th October 2024

If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course

– BaseCamp, Connect, Explore – which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

Garmin BaseCamp

Garmin Connect

Garmin Explore

– Andy’s Top Tips

Explore App – Convert imported GPX files from track or route to a course before syncing – syncs quicker and seems to be more reliable when syncing
2 X Drawing pin icon – Route
Footprint icon -Track
Curved line – Course
3 x Red dots top right screen – copy as course, go back to track or route 3 x red dots top right select delete
Remember Find / Spy Glass Course

GPSMap65s – Pause Track – in theory you cannot or can you?

– When you are just about to go into a building and want to stop the recording – press your menu button twice to goto main menu

– Select Setup

– Select System

– Select Satellite System – changed from Muliti-GNSS to DEMO

– When you come out of the building and standing where your changed satellite to Demo – repeat the process and change Satellite back to Multi-GNSS

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1:25k maps options and the Garmin GPSMAP67 series – 7 months on.

In this months podcast –

1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal

2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

3. Using a headtorch with a GPS unit, as the nights draw in

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal
Half-priced 1:25k map card with selected units – Offer ends 8th October

– Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i
– Garmin Montana 700/ 700i

Garmin led promotion – £175.00 saving as normally £349.99

Differences between 1:50k maps and 1:25k maps

If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series and Montana 700 series map card offer please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units

2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units

3. Andy’s Top Tips

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Limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition, New series on YouTube, map options and Andy’s top tips

In this month’s podcast –

1. The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS Watch

2. The new series on YouTube – FAQ’s

3. Map options available for an Outdoor GPS unit and the pros/ cons of each

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

5. The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS WatchIt must be good as Andy’s bought himself one and even my wife likes it!

– What is the Coros Apex 2?

There has been a large software update in the past week which includes turn by turn routing and the ability to put a picture/ logo on the watch screen, anything else? Sign up to Beta on www.coros.com select Support – software updates – august beta updates for signup instructions.

– Turn-by-Turn Navigation – *BETA ONLY

Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available for you to test on your compatible COROS watch, helping you navigate with confidence wherever you are. Save any route in the COROS app and sync it directly to your watch to be notified of upcoming turns on your route automatically.

There will be a limited number of available testing slots based on the workload our support/product teams can handle (~500 users).

We expect the public beta to run 3-6 months, and once it is ready we will push to all global users with an update.

– Create Your Own Watch Face
Elevate your look with the COROS app. Go analog, or digital. Pick a personal photo or choose from our collection.

– Statistics Summary Page
Maximize your training insights, choose a date range, filter by activity type, and quickly view your Threshold Heart Rate Zone Distribution to ensure your training was where you intended it.

– Workout
Create a workout for your trail runs, including setting elevation gain as a target goal.

– New Watermark Image Sharing

Share your achievements and motivate others with new customizable watermark images. Upload a personal photo and overlay your training data for a quick visual summary of your workout.

– Even More Updates

Easier Route Sharing: Share and send routes to others over text messages and social media. Select the link to open the route and view data like elevation, distance, waypoints, and more.

– Accessible RHR Data: Resting Heart Rate during the day will now be predicted based on sleep heart rate, which will provide an automatic way to get your RHR data.

– Favorite Locations: Create favorite Locations on the Explore page for quick access when creating new routes. Before drawing a route, click the location and edit and name the location directly.

– Merge points on custom routes: Merge “start” and “end” points on your routes created on the Explore page. Merge the points in the upper right corner to the left of the bottom button.

– WiFi: Improved Wifi connection to speed up the installation of firmware updates.

– Extended Activity Recording option: Previously, the longest activity you could record was 200 hours. Additionally, that was the maximum number of hours users could record on their watch before syncing to the COROS App. This has been extended to 1200 hours.

– What is the Chamonix Edition, and how is it different?

Limited release 3000 x units worldwide

If you aspire to train hard and move fast outdoors, there’s no more iconic base than Chamonix. The spiritual home of trail running and gateway to the epic terrain of Mont Blanc, this special edition APEX 2 Pro celebrates one of the greatest places on earth to train and trail-blaze.

ALPINE INSPIRED COLORS

Far from the green that dominates the lower slopes, the blue and grey colors echo Mont Blanc’s high elevations where rock and glacier meet the piercing sky.

– Price – £448.00

– Walk and talk on the Coros Apex 2 – next Wednesday – 6th September, I take the watch for a 20-mile walk in the Cheviot Hills

– We have both become big fans of the Coros Apex 2 range of watches

If you want to find out more about the Coros Apex 2 please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Watches

1. Started this Wednesday – new YouTube series – FAQ’sEvery fortnight I am going to release a new video answering the most Frequently Asked Questions I get asked on any particular subject –

– Released – FAQ’s on GPS Training Ordnance Survey Route Planning Software

– 13th September – FAQ’s we get asked with regard to GPS units with built-in batteries

AND lots more to come including –

1. Online resource
2. Garmin BaseCamp
3. Xpedition 2
4. How accurate is a GPS unit?
5. Gold support package
6. Watch or GPS unit
7. Trade in price – how we work it out – you are better selling it yourself
8. Mapping – Using the OS mapping from OS – from your app, Birdeye mapping discontinued, can you update the Garmin OS map card?

If watch these videos please go to our website GPSTraining.co.uk > News > The frequently asked questions we get about …..

1. Andy’s Top Tips

Import GPX to Coros App – Coros android phone after recent updates, if GPX files downloaded to Google files – downloads finding when you select open with Coros not there simply select 3 black dots to right – Share and then scroll down list select Coro – Save Route select name box change if required – Save then option to sync to watch.

Topo Active Maps for Tour Cycling – When cycling on units with Topo Active Maps you can turn off OS maps via Setup – Map – Map Manger (Older units Configure Maps) , I find this map view and map style easier for Road Cycling & urban environments.
Either disable Topo Pro 1:50k or 1:25k Select regions.
In Setup – Map – advanced – Detail level higher for digital topo active

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Our thoughts on Motorola Defy – Satellite Link, Coros watches and Andy’s top tips In this month’s podcast – With the Motorola defy – Satellite Link being with us for a couple of months now we talk more in-depth about everybody experience with this all-new two-way satellite communicator We have an in-depth chat about the...

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The Spine Challenger race – Post-event catch-up. As both Andy and I competed in it and we both have our own stories from the event we thought it best to bring in a guest presenter this month. And this is Jane, my long-suffering wife, who also has her own Spine story after spending lots of...

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The Spine Challenger race – Special mid-month podcast If you can support us – Jon – https://www.justgiving.com/team/jonspine Andy – https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger In this special ‘mid-month’ podcast we are going to look ahead to the Spine Challenger Race, which starts on Saturday 17th June. As many of you may know Andy completed 95ish miles of this event...

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All new Garmin watches (Epix Pro (Gen 2) and Fenix 7 PRO), getting our hands on the Motorola Defy and Coros watches In this month’s podcast – Garmin Epix Pro (gen 2) and Fenix 7 pro launched yesterday Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE – what have we learnt to date? Motorola Defy – Satellite...

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The all-new Garmin GPSMAP 67, 67i and eTrex SE

In this month’s podcast –

1. We look at the all-new Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i
2. We then also look at the all-new Garmin eTrex SE
3. An update on the Motorola Defy, the ‘budget’ satellite communicator
4. Andy’s top tips
5. The Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i

Replacement for 66sr and 66s has been discontinued (but we still have some stock of 66s unit).

Big changes are battery life, multi-band / dual frequency now avail on inReach model, USB-C connection.

67 – upto 180hrs GPS + Auto record, 67i with 10min tracking 160hrs

67 – GPS, Galileo, Glonass

67i – GPS, Galileo, Beidou

Buy as a bundle option – Topo Active + 1:50k or 1:250, 1:50k and 1:25k

with unit only – £469.99
with TOPO PRO 1:50k OS maps – £569.99
with TOPO PRO 1:50k and 1:25k OS maps – £759.99

To find more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

1. Garmin eTrex SE

A completely different unit, replacement for the Garmin eTrex 10?

Multi-Band – GPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS, BEidou

Explore App

Live Geocache

168hrs Battery

USB C

Electronic Compass

Higher contrast resolution

Paired with phone , weather, notifications ,

Retailing for £149.99

To find more about the Garmin SE please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

1. An update on the Motorola Defy, the ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Should have been launched mid April,

Then end April

And now mid May …..

No working prototype

Then just this afternoon, I received the following email ….

I hope you have been well?

It has been a while since we last spoke, are you free tomorrow or early this week so I can give you an update on the MDSL and arrange a date for you to test it?

And Motorola phone with this technology in (Motorola defy 2), has also been delayed.

We really need proven, reliable technology when out in the hills

So let’s see!

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

GPSMap67 – If updated using Garmin Express or via WIfi to latest f/w 4.80 you have quick access to flashlight by tapping power button once Mobe down to flashlight and press Enter – repeat to turn off

From the main menu you can also access main flashlight icon and use the SOS setting – if not in main menu select Add page – Select Applications Select Flashlight

eTrex SE – when paired with Explore app you can have set for notification from your phone – with there mean no turn alert or vibrate on the unit messages only appear for approx 20 seconds – to check if any message hold back arrow button for a couple of seconds to goto Glances – scroll down notifications – press ok to read – once notifications cleared from your phone they clear on device

If you do not want notifications – Settings – Phone – Selected notifications okay toggles on or off

To find more top tips please sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

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The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator.

In this month’s podcast

1. The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator
2. The multiband problems many of you have been experiencing and the fix
3. The Outdoor Show at the Birmingham NEC, get yourself a ticket, and find GPS Training there.
4. Andy’s top tips
5. The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Last week this was launched and it certainly will be a ‘disrupter’ in this ever-evolving marketplace of two-way satellite communicators.

• Uses Inmarsat and Echostar satellite systems (Geostationary i.e. always at the same point in the sky)
  Inmarsat built in uk assembled in Toulouse by Airbus defense, 14 satellites, echostar 10 satellites, L Band high speed – in tests messages 10 – 20 seconds
• SOS response manned by people – Focuspoint SOS response center
  (Same one used by Spot Head office Florida , offices in 16 x locations)
• Works with an app on both Android10 and IOS14
• Uses both cellular, wifi coverage or satellites – intelligent switch with app to save Satellite messages when not needed using wifi or mobile
• If you send a message to someone without the app the message gets them to download the app – app to app messages
• Produced for Motorola by a company called Bullitt – who already releasing phones with technology built inbuilt this is a Satellite link, like the Garmin inReach messenger and Zoleo
• BUT, the big thing is the cost. Both the Zoleo and Garmin products start from £200.00 for the device and monthly cost from £12.99 / £18.00 a month and activation fee, Motorola Defy device for £149.99 includes 30 x messages a month with no fees for a year
  After year 1 options £4.99 month 30 messages per month , £9.99 a month 125 messages per month ,£29.99 a month 400 messages per month
• a great package called freedom pay £59.99 for the year and get 250 x messages total but could be 5 one month then 50 the next (250 total for the year)

gets around people who don’t walk/ explore every week etc – use intensively then not at all)
SOS assist included
Overage bolt-ons available

• Get device and 1 year subscription for £149.99 or device on its own for £99.99
• Currently working in Europe and North America and Australia, New Zealand and Latin America my mid 2023 and all other regions before the end of the year- really fro land based eg only approx. 30miles out to sea from coastlines
• Waterproof (IP68 rating) meaning it’s sand, grit, dirt and dustproof as well as fully waterproof, MIL Spec 810h, only 70grams, 11mm thick
• Check in, share your location and send/ receive messages.
• SOS button and Check-in button can be used without connected app
• Live tracking is coming down the line and my answer to the cost of this was – the ‘bolt on price’ is TBC
• The only downside I can see is 12 hours of battery life but great for the day walker – just in case based on 2 check-ins and hour, due to size thinking waterproof bag, power bank, only 600mah battery from usb-c hence would not need big power bank
• Available Mid-April this year

So my thoughts are for the day walker/ climber/ cyclist/ remote worker this really does make two-way satellite communication accessible.

For the ‘explorer’ or those spending a lot of time ‘off grid’ and want a better battery life, grid ref etc (inReach mini) the Garmin and Zoleo products will meet those requirements.
As comparison Zoleo 12min tracking 200hrs +
Messenger 46 days with 30min tracking, inreach mini2 30 days with 30min tracking

To find more about the Motorola Defy please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-Way Satellite Communicators

1. Multi-band problem – Garmin GPSMAP 66sr

What was the problem?

Solution? in last weeks newsletter

1. Outdoor Show – or to be more precise – The National Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC

18th and 19th March

GPS Training have a stand – J23

What else is at the show?

Over 30 speakers on x 2 stages

• Inspirational Stage – Ben Fogle, Julia Bradbury, Ray Mears, Helen Skelton (Blue Peter – 6 years) but has also was the first person to South Pole on a bicycle
• Outdoor Skills Theatre – People talking about – Fell food, How to prepare for an Outdoor adventure, OS are talking, Country walking magazine are talking – The A – Z of places to walk around Britain plus lots more

Well over 200 trade stands and on our stand we have –

Garmin and Zoleo (Toby from Zoleo on our stand), the two-way satellite communicator. Noticed they have got themselves listed as a separate stand but it is ours, and I have paid for it! LOL

Open 9 am – 17.00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday

To find out more please just Google – National Outdoor Expo – and we look forward to seeing you at the Birmingham NEC

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips Mark points on a route or track in Basecamp to use when navigating the Route or Track you can check distances to these points not as the crow flies but along your route or track – mark waypoint in Basecamp – rename – send waypoints and route or track to device – whilst navigating main menu – active Route
2. Garmin too Active Europe Maps large update January now version 2022-10 v22.11
   make sure when updating Garmin Basecamp closed down only express open, good internet, Garmin Cable, PC not going to sleep

Some devices do require memory card for all of Europe such as etrex, Montana 700 series has option manage maps and select regions required rather than all – split into 3 plus city navigator options

To find more top tips please do sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

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Accuracy, iPhone SOS, updated videos and Andy’s top tips

1. How accurate is an Outdoor GPS unit/ GPS watch and what settings can you adjust to make it better and also what other factors affect accuracy?
2. New videos in the GPS Training online resource – what new videos have we added and a special discount code
3. Apple iPhone 14 SOS facility, initial thoughts?
4. Andy’s top tips
5. How accurate is an Outdoor GPS unit/ GPS watch and what settings can you adjust to make it better and also what other factors effect accuracy.

Currently in Orbit
GPS – 31 with 24 operational 95% of the time – Dual Frequency L1 & L5
In March 2021, about 52% of GPS satellites had L5. By 2023, we expect about 71%

GLONASS – 23 Operational – Single Frequency L1

GALILEO – 30 with 24 operational – Dual Frequency E1 & E5

Accuracy

We tend to find using GPS & Galileo we achieve approx.. 10ft (3m) Glonass similar
We have seen with GPS & Galileo / WASS & EGNOS on with a high sensitive antenna GPS Device e.g. GPSMap 65,66,86 Montana 700 Series accuracy down to approx. 8ft (2.5m)
We tend to find with Multi Band + GNSS using a GPSMap65s or 66sr unit accuracy approx. – 7ft (2M) we have seen this down as low as 5ft (1.5m)

Things that affect accuracy – How are you holding the device, view of sky, tall buildings cliffs etc.

A handheld Device needs to lock onto 4 x Satellites locked to determine both your location and GPS height data.

Etrex 10,22x,32x, Touch 25 & 35 use GPS or GPS & Glonass + Waas / Egnoss
Oregon 700– use GPS or GPS & Glonass + Waas / Egnoss

GPSMap66s uses GPS or GPS & Glonass or GPS & Galileo + Wass / Egnoss
GPSMap66i uses GPS or GPS & Galileo + Wass Egnoss

Montana 700 uses GPS or GPS & Glonass or GPS & Galileo + Wass / Egnoss
Montana 700i / 750i uses GPS or GPS & Galileo + Wass / Egnoss

GPSMap65s & 66sr – GPS or Multi GNSS or Multi GNSS + Multi Band
Multi GNSS Picks up GPS, GLONASS & Galileo
Multi GNSS + Multi Band (Dual Frequency) – GPS, GLONASS & Galileo L1 (e1) & GPS & Galileo L5 (e5)

When the 65 or 66sr receives multi-band from a satellite, it can use those multiple signals to do quality analysis and correction, reducing the error introduced by bouncing signals (multi-path error) and the earth’s atmosphere.
What Advantages Do Multi-Band Devices Have Over Other Models?

More consistent tracklogs and improved positioning when using the device in challenging environments (e.g. around tall buildings in urban canyons as well as tree cover).

Can achieve accuracy within about +/- 2 meters or 6 feet under ideal conditions versus the +/- 3 meters or 10 feet accuracy of other models.

Detect (and reject) reflected satellite signals better than a single frequency receiver which improves accuracy.

Better equipped to account for and correct errors that can be introduced by atmospheric effects (e.g. ionosphere errors).

WAAS – Wide Area Augmentation System

WAAS consists of multiple ground reference stations positioned across the U.S. that monitor GPS satellite data. Two master stations, located on either coast, collect data from the reference stations and create a GPS correction message. This correction accounts for GPS satellite orbit and clock drift plus signal delays caused by the atmosphere and ionosphere. The corrected differential message is then broadcast through 1 of 2 geostationary satellites, or satellites with a fixed position over the equator. The information is compatible with the basic GPS signal structure, which means any WAAS-enabled GPS receiver can read the signal.

Who benefits from WAAS?

Currently, WAAS satellite coverage is only available in North America. There are no ground reference stations in South America, so even though GPS users there can receive WAAS, the signal has not been corrected and thus would not improve the accuracy of their unit. For some users in the U.S., the position of the satellites over the equator makes it difficult to receive the signals when trees or mountains obstruct the view of the horizon. WAAS signal reception is ideal for open land and marine applications. WAAS provides extended coverage both inland and offshore

EGNOS – European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is Europe’s regional satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) that is used to improve the performance of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), such as GPS and Galileo. It has been deployed to provide safety of life navigation services to aviation, maritime and land-based users over most of Europe.

The services will be progressively extended to the European Neighbourhood countries. Funding has already been allocated by the European Commission through the European Neighbourhood Instrument for infrastructure and technology development. Learn more about the EGNOS extension to the Eastern European Neighbourhood here.

EGNOS uses GNSS measurements taken by accurately located reference stations deployed across Europe. All measured GNSS errors are transferred to a central computing centre, where differential corrections and integrity messages are calculated. These calculations are then broadcast over the covered area using geostationary satellites that serve as an augmentation, or overlay, to the original GNSS message.

As a result, EGNOS improves the accuracy and reliability of GNSS positioning information, while also providing a crucial integrity message regarding the continuity and availability of a signal. In addition, EGNOS also transmits an extremely accurate universal time signal.

1. New videos in online resource

What new videos have you added over the past few months?

Discount code landing page – https://mailchi.mp/gpstraining/youtubeoffer

To find out more about our GPS Training online resource please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > then click on ‘online resource’ on the top menu bar

AND you will find a link to the discount code in the Podcast show notes – https://mailchi.mp/gpstraining/youtubeoffer

1. SOS feature in the new iPhone’s – iPhone 14’s

In mid-September 2022 at the launch of the iPhone 14 the world was introduced to the function of sending a SOS signal via satellites from your iPhone in the very near future.

Initially, this was just going to be in the US, but on the 13th December 2022 this was also rolled out for UK users, at the same time it was rolled out for France, Germany and Ireland.

How did we first discover this was in place?

The first question we need to ask listeners, has anybody in the UK used it?

So, the big question must be, is this a replacement for those using a current outdoor satellite communicator, such as a Spot, Garmin inReach or Zoleo user?

Globalstar – Traditionally been the ‘budget’ option but with a massive cash injection from Apple will this change?

According to Reuters, Apple will pay for 95% of the approved capital expenditure for the new satellites needed to support the service.

In the world we are in I have heard the phrase ‘Apple have literally bought Globalstar out’, but with Apple being the 6th richest company in the world in 2022, why not?

Iridium – Garmin inReach (inReach messenger, mini 1+ 2, GPSMAP66i, Montana 700i, 750i) and Zoleo

Used a lot by SatPhones etc but more expensive technology

• Sending non-emergency messenges whilst off grid – Cannot be done by the iPhone, only SOS calls
• Pressing the SOS buttons – track the satellites in the sky with the iPhone 14 and as well as sending your medical info (already on your phone) you can send other details i.e. location and details about accident.BUT, these are automatically routed to local emergency services via text.

If you are outside the UK or it ends up at an emergency responder centre that does not receive emergency text messages these messages are routed through one of Apples Emergency relay centres. Apple have over 300 members of staff in these call centres and they will also deal with those requests that it may be unsure who the emergency messages should be routed to.

• Pressing the SOS button on Spot, inReach or Zoleo

Once you press the SOS button on any of these products the signal goes to the Garmin IERCC centre (Garmin InReach Emergency Response Coordination Centre), it’s interesting that this is owned by Garmin but both Spot and Zoleo users also use the same facility.

• Subscriptions – inReach, Zole and Spot

To find out more about this subject there is a new article online which has x 10 videos taking you through the whole subject. Just go to GPStraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > iPhone 14 SOS and tracking v Garmin inReach, Zoleo and Spot Outdoor trackers

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

We talked about satellite accuracy – using the Satellite page on your home screen – this will also display your grid reference.

Setup – System – Position format for GB BNG or research for country you are going to.

If Satellite not on homepage touch screens add page or push button press menu button once from home screen – select change item order – move cursor to add page – application – satellite.

To find more top tips please do sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

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It’s our New Year edition and today we have a special guest, Toby Simms.

Toby this year has walked the length of Britain, from Cape Wrath the most northwesterly tip of the British mainland to Hastings, his home, in the southeast of England.

A journey of over 1,200 miles.

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It’s Christmas time, let’s see what the world is talking about this year as we approach the festive season.

In this month’s podcast –

1. As it is our December podcast, we have to look forward to Christmas and the products everybody is wanting at this time this Christmas.
2. GPS Training courses – Gift for Christmas
3. Using your mobile phone as the temperatures start to plummet
4. Andy’s top tips

So, without a further a do let’s get on with this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. First of all, we look forward to Christmas and the products everybody is wanting at this time this Christmas.

Two-way satellite communicators – the big change over the past year
inReach messenger, Zoleo to compliment inReach mini2, 66i. 700i and 750i

It has certainly got us thinking the best way to communicate whilst off grid with the apps a. umber of these devices are now using

GPS watches
Best budget – Garmin Instinct
Best top end – Garmin Fenix 7

We have adjusted prices this past week so very competitive on price
Don’t forget you get Gold Support package

GPS UnitsBest budget – 32x, 65s
Best top end – 66s, 66sr (mention stock of 66sr coming up to Christmas – Garmin no stock until Mid to Late Jan 2023)
Best large screen – Montana 700

Don’t forget you get – Online resource and support packages from us from GPS Training.

Best accessories for presents – Stocking fillers

Headtorches – discussed in last month’s podcast

Aquapacks – for phones and rucksacks

GPS Training bobble hats!

1. GPS courses – Gift for Christmas

If people keep asking you what you want for Christmas, why not get that person to book you onto a place on our two-day training courses we have around the country.

Two ways of doing this –

1. Book onto a date/ course and if you can’t make it please give us plenty of time and we can move it – mention it’s for a present when they/ you book
2. Or buy a gift voucher for the value of the course – more here (GPS Store > Gift Vouchers)
3. £185.00 – two-day Garmin course
4. £99.99 – one-day SatMap course

Course locations

Clayton, South Downs
Burley, New Forest
Ashleworth, Gloucestershire
Braybrook, Northamptonshire
Calver, Peak District
Mungrisdale, Lake District
Rothbury, Northumberland
Peebles, Scottish Borders

To find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > then select either Garmin or SatMap courses

1. Using your mobile phone outdoors – now the UK temperatures have started to plummet

15% – 20% loss of battery life in winter in the UK

it’s possible for your iPhone to suddenly die despite indicating 30% battery lifetime left. So why is it that your iPhone battery dies in cold weather?

If your phone’s level of warmth drops below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) or gets above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) its function is likely to fail.

• Use a High-Tech Thermal Protection Case in winter months. It will help maintain the temperature of your mobile phone in hot or cold weather.
• Keep your phone in an internal pocket so it can maintain a constant temperature from your natural body warmth.
• Try not to take many photos or record videos in extremely low temperatures. These are battery-draining activities that exacerbate the drain in cold weather.
• Use an external charger to give your mobile phone battery a boost when it needs it. Also helpful when it’s extra cold just in case your phone unexpectedly dies on you mid-day.
• The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

Zoleo Two Way Satellite – if you are not paying for the Location Share + as an add-on (£4.50 per month) for live tracking, as Check-in messages are now free with all packages why not use the simple check in message (tick icon on unit) or from the app or from the app using the tick icon , if you want your location to also be shown goto cogwheel (Setup) on app – Check-in, Location & SOS settings – Check in Settings make sure Include Location with check-in messages selected
Manage your 5 x check-in contacts from website myzoleo.com

Garmin Outdoor watch great for quick check of Grid reference to cross refer with OS Map.

1. Make sure watch set to Grid system you are using e.g. British Grid
   Middle left button couple seconds – Scroll down select System – Scroll down select Format – Scroll down select Pos.Format – Select British Grid
2. Hotkey – Middle left button couple seconds – System – Hotkeys – Hold Start Save Location or Dual Grid

To find more top tips please do sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

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What is going on at SatMap ….. head torches for the darker nights and who has been pressing the SOS buttons on Garmin’s inReach devices? In this month’s podcast – SatMap – update As we go into the darker night’s upon us we are going to look at head torches With Garmin hitting 10,000 Garmin...

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Two-way satellite communicators and GPS Training In this month’s podcast – A bit of a theme running through this month’s podcast with the launch of 2 new products in the last few weeks Zoleo – Two-way satellite communicator Garmin inReach messenger – launched in the last few days GPS in the Hills – we will...

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This month I have a special guest Laura Briggs Laura has just completed The Macmillan Way (23rd July) – 290 miles from Boston to Abbotsbury – run it in the fastest known time (6 days) First of all Laura can you tell us a little bit about your previous running experience, what kind of running...

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One year on – the free OS route planning software, magnetic bands/ apple watches, Using your Fenix for walking, hiking, cycling, and what is going on with SatMap?   In this month’s podcast – One year – GPS Training free route planning software Magnetic bands/ apple watches and Outdoor GPS units Using your Fenix for...

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In this special ‘mid-month’ podcast we talk to Andy, from GPS Training after he participated in the 2022 Spine Challenger race. I asked him the following – What is the Spine Challenger race? 60 hours to complete? 109 miles in total? How did you get on and how far did you get? How much money...

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In this month’s podcast – Grid reference finder, how to convert a reference from anywhere around the world Garmin’s Topo Active maps – an recent update to solve a past problem for updating these maps Wireless transfer and following a course – a new addition to our two-day GPS training course Andy’s top tips So,...

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This weekend Andy heads out on an epic 109 miles as he participates in the Spine Challenger race, we catch up with him a couple of days before the event. Live tracking for event – https://live.opentracking.co.uk/ssc2022/Andy Ayre – Number 110 Andy’s Just Giving Page – more here

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Can you navigate with just a GPS watch? We discuss this and lots more in this month’s GPS Training Podcast When are watches best suited – our personal experiences – EPIX or FENIX 7? Transferring your planned activity to your GPS using the Connect app to a compatible GPS unit and then following ‘a course’...

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Going overseas, heading off-grid, birdseye, and transferring .gpx files onto a Garmin GPS watch. In this month’s podcast As many of us are venturing overseas again we look at – Overseas mapping – Official or TOPO Active/ OSM We then will discuss going off grid – and using the – inReach mini/ inReach mini 2 ...

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In this month’s podcast We look at the range of Garmin Fenix 7 GPS watches Ahead of Andy’s Spine Challenger race in June, if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, we will tell you more, BUT, we are going to discuss the kit he has been training with and what he will be...

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We look and review the new Garmin inReach 2 and the Garmin Instinct 2 GPS watch, plus Andy’s Top Tips. In this month’s podcast We look at the new Garmin inReach Mini2 We then look at the new Garmin Instinct 2 series of GPS Watches Andy’s top tips 1. The first thing on this month’s...

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In this special ’mid-month’ podcast I am joined by a special guest, Tommy Wilkinson. He was, and still is, a keen racer, having won numerous Scottish DH races and spent two seasons chasing the World Cup dream as a dirtbag privateer. A “little bobble” on a jump in 2013 left Tommy with a fractured skull,...

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I walk the Northumberland Coast Path with Chris, the Coast Walker. In this months Podcast – Last Sunday I walked with Chris the Coast walker and I chatted to him whilst out on the Northumberland Coast Path We look at using the GPS Training free OS route planning software on a tablet of mobile phone,...

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On New Years Day we have an interview with Allan Knight, the oldest man to walk from John-o-Groats to Land’s End on foot.

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Our Christmas get together, a look back over the past year So, it’s our Christmas party, well it’s not really but we are going to look back over the year and look ahead to 2022 If I said – tell me about 2021, in relation to GPS Training, what one word would sum it up...

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Walking in the dark, an update on the stock situation and the big updates for the Garmin GPSMAP 66 and Montana 700 series of GPS Units. In this month’s podcast As it’s now turning dark shortly after 4.00, we talk to Andy with regard to walking in the dark, what are some things that may...

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PODCAST SPECIAL – After walking 118 miles the microphone is turned through 180 degrees as the guest presenter, Paul Freeman asks the questions and finds out the highs and lows of walking 118 miles. If you can support, please visit my Just Giving fundraising page – more here Overview of Charity Walk Every year, Shepherds...

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Best route planning software, battery save tips, ways to carry your GPS, and Andy’s top tips. Welcome to the GPS Training podcast, it is our 61st episode. This month I am joined by Andy or ‘tech’ guy at GPS Training, welcome Andy to this month’s podcast. In this month’s podcast Garmin BaseCamp, Xpedition 2 or...

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The October GPS Training Podcast – A big thank you – more about that later, Old OS map cards in new Garmin GPS Units – what you need to know, The Garmin GPSMAP 65s with a 1:25k map card, GPS course locations for 2022, and Andy’s top tips.

1. The first thing on this month’s Podcast is a very big thank you to Ian

As you may hear we have no Ian on this month’s Podcast, this is, very sadly he has decided to leave GPS Training.

Ian has been a member of the GPS Training team for 14 years.

He has also been my fellow co-host on the Podcast since episode 19, so he hosted 40 Podcasts with me, and despite everything that has happened over the last 18 months we had lots of fun doing so.

He also delivered x 3 courses in the South – South Downs, New Forest, and Northamptonshire.

So it was with a very heavy heart I accepted Ian’s resignation in the last month and he will be a massive loss for GPS Training.

Thanks for everything Ian over the past 14 years and best of luck with everything going forward from all the team at GPS Training and the listeners of the GPS Training Podcast.

A big thank you Ian

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is the different map cards you have got over the years as some of the older OS map cards are not working in the new generation GPS Units.

What are the different types of OS map cards?

• Discoverer
• TOPO PRO v1
• TOPO PRO v2
• You get each of these map options in both 1:50k OS scale and also 1:25k, which also has the 1:50k map card on the same card.
• TOPO PRO – Routable data within National Parks

What is the problem some customers are encountering?

• New GPS Units – list these – will only work with the TOPO PRO map cards

Buy your new map card when you buy a new unit – 1:50k map card half price when you do it this way

To find out more about the different Garmin GPS Units go to – gpstraining.co.uk and click on GPS Store (top menu bar) > Handheld GPS Units

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is – The Garmin GPSMAP 65s with a 1:25k map card

2. What is the problem?

3. Back Story – our GPS Unit
4. And a solution – short term?
5. Expected fix date? Thanks to the cartography team at Garmin who I know have been liaising with Andy – End October
6. In the short term you will see we have not been selling the Garmin GPSMAP 65s with the 1:25k map card.
7. Garmin GPSMAP has become one of our best-selling GPS Units alongside the Garmin GPSMAP 66sr
8. Garmin GPSMAP 65s – Multi band, Topo Active mapping, works alongside the explore app and this stunning 15 hours of battery life with 2 x AA batteries

To find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 65s please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units > Garmin GPSMAP 65s and when on the product page

1. The next thing on this month’s podcast is – Our GPS Training course locations for 2022

We currently have 2 x courses

1 x day SatMap course
2 x day Garmin Course

Current course locations

• South Downs
• New Forest
• Northamptonshire
• Peak District
• Lake District
• Northumberland
• Peebles – Scottish Borders

New for 2022 – Gloucestershire – Ashleworth Memorial Hall, Nup End, Ashleworth, GL19 4HU

Also, for 2022 – More midweek courses – Many thanks to everybody who filled in the course questionnaire that we have linked to a couple of times from the newsletter over the past month

To find out more about our GPS training courses please just go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training Courses on the top menu bar

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips – and we have lots of them – list on my job sheet (11 in total)

Garmin –

• In out routes on Basecamp dont overlap on top as compass will be confused, use duplicate reverse or create 2 x Routes
• 1:25k/ European maps – ages to load
• Elevation – resetting – videos in the online resource for all the units

SatMap –

• SatMap Active 20 GPX file copied straight into unit – if tracks shown as footprint icon in internal folder need to convert to route to navigate with – select Actions convert to route

To find more top tips please do sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstarining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• And please take a look at our YouTube channel – upload a new video every Wednesday –
• Many thanks to Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

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Free route planning software, basic terminology, mapping options and ask Ian

In this month’s podcast

1. We look at the FREE NEW GPS training route planning software
2. Basic terminology – what does it all mean?
3. Mapping options for an Outdoor GPS unit
4. Ask Ian – Ian answers the questions you have been asking over the past month
5. Stock availability

So, without a further ado lets get on with this months GPS Training Podcast

1. The first thing on this month’s Podcast is a quick look over the new FREE GPS Training route planning software

Where do you find this?

gpstraining.co.uk and click on OS planner (top menu bar) or scroll down to the bottom of homepage and you will see a banner taking you to it.

• Why have we done this?

Trying to give a free alternative to those not wanting to use Garmin BaseCamp or Xpedition 2 as we are finding it hard to support OS route planner, Memory map, Qua, Anquet etc etc

Also – to get traffic onto the website – link building – so if anybody can help with this it would be appreciated.

• Very basic, easy to use route planning software
• Plan on 1:25k maps even if you just have 1:50k maps on your GPS
• And to prove this I recently did a walk and talk with a Garmin eTrex 10, first planning my route on our OS planner first
• It is free and will continue to be
• Andy has created training videos, these you will find underneath the route planning software

Please enjoy, share with your friends, walking groups and anybody who may be interested in it, its FREE! And if you can link to it from your walking group, walking festival, local website it would be very much appreciated.

To access the free OS route planning software please go to gpstraining.co.uk and click on OS planner on the top menu bar and a very big thank you for all the kind comments you have sent us about it over the past few weeks, since it has been launched.

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is to discuss the basic terminology we/ you use when navigating with an outdoor GPS unit

What is a –

• Waypoint
• Route
• Track
• Course

To find out more about our GPS training courses please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on GPS Training Courses on the top menu bar

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is a look at the varies map options you get on both Garmin and SatMap GPS units

2. So Ian, lets start off with the SatMap options – UK options
   – Solo Unit
   – Adventure maps 25k – Open Street mapping – really 1:25k?
   – 1:50k option – Land ranger map equivalent – pink cover
   – Platinum Edition – 1:10k, 1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k – Explorer map (1:25k) Orange cover in the paper form

3. Moving onto the Garmin options – again UK options

– Topo Active maps – Walk and talk we discuss using the Garmin eTrex 10 (a GPS with no maps)
– Birdseye Download – Voucher – 25,000 sq km – Don’t get confused with Birdseye satellite download
25k maps also show Field Boundaries, open Access areas and permissive paths, which you don’t get on the 1:50k maps
– Discoverer mapping and TOPO PRO (map cards) – what are the differences – Routable data and updated map set
– TOPO PRO – 1:50k and 1:25k (1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k) – How do you select each of these map sets?

If you want to see what each of the map sets look like, please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the magnifying glass (top right) – and type in map options – underneath the products you will see an article – Garmin mapping options for outdoor GPS

1. The next thing on this month’s podcast is – Ask Ian.

From Nathan – After meeting your colleagues at the Geocaching Mega in Lincolnshire last week. I’ve been reassured that sending in questions of the one I’m about to ask should attract a response – it’d be interesting to see how many others are facing the same issue, or whether it’s another one of those early bugs I’ve caught.

The issue pertains to some Geocaches not showing on my Garmin Montana 700.

It seems random in which caches are affected, with no particular trend to follow.

The caches have been fully synced via GC Live Download of Pocket Query results (500 caches per query, live data deleted prior to avoid device caching issues), as well as spontaneous GC Live Downloads of the nearest caches.

I seem to be getting a failure rate of approx. 1 in 10-15 caches, which means needing to use a smartphone to verify what I see on my GPS is the reality.

This has detracted from an experience where I can use the GPS wholly as my source of truth when Geocaching.

I’m using TOPO Great Britain PRO 1:25K (V2) mapping, though this issue affects all maps on the device.

It’s not a zoom issue as it affects all levels of zoom, although very rarely I do get an issue where some caches disappear beyond a certain zoom (in) – but as I said, very rare.

Another rare issue is when a cache can show up on the GC Live Download list, but not on the map. It’s quite perplexing.

I’ve also changed all Geocache zoom levels in the settings, as well as map detail and other relevant settings, with no luck.

It’d be good to know if you can replicate the issue your side, and if so could be a good segment for an Ask Ian Q&A?

Best,
Nathan

Ian’s answer – To be honest, unless you think otherwise, he is best talking to Garmin about this as there is little I can do as it’s well over 100 miles from me to see what happens.

The only things that I can suggest, which aren’t very inspiring are:

1. a corrupt gpx file?
2. has he tried downloading it as a separate geocache to see what happens?
3. Master Reset?

It seems that Nathan has had his question answered re the routable Topo maps at the Geocache event?

Another Ask Ian –

• North up or track up – what are the differences?

So if you have a GPS question you want answering in next month’s podcast please just email – askian@gpstraining.co.uk

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is a recurring theme – stock

Ian, I have added this to podcast to hopefully stem the flow of questions –

When will you have the Garmin GPSMAP 66sr back in stock?

When will you have the Garmin GPSMAP 65s back in stock?

And now

When will you have the Garmin eTrex 35t back I stock?

Joking aside if you want to me notified when a product comes back into stock, please just enter your email address into the relevant product page on our website and you will get an automatic email from the site when it comes back into stock

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Ian for joining me on this month’s podcast.
• And please take a look at our YouTube channel

View Details

An in-depth but lighthearted look into the world of Outdoor GPS Navigation, the OS App, GPS Courses, and Andy is once again back with his technical insight.

This month I am again joined by my co-host Ian, our South of England trainer here at GPS Training.

In this month’s podcast

1. A quick update on the OS app
2. GPS courses and a new course going forward
3. A new piece – Andy’s top tech – updates
4. Before you head away on holiday with your GPS, a few things to work through.
5. Ask Ian – Ian answers the questions you have been asking over the past month

6. GPS training YouTube channel – an update

7. The first thing on this month’s Podcast is a quick update from Ian regarding the problems he has been encountering with the OS App …. The story continues ……

8. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is a look at the GPS training courses we have coming up this summer and some plans we have for the future.

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 31st July and 1st Aug
Location – Northumberland

SatMap GPS Training course
Date – 7th August
Location – Northumberland

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 4th and 5th Sept
Location – New Forest

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 11th and 12th Sept
Location – Lake District

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 18th and 19th Sept
Location – Northumberland

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 25th and 26th Sept
Location – South Downs

Garmin GPS Training weekend
Date – 2nd and 3rd October
Location – Peebles, Scottish Borders

GPS in the Hills – Date – location
Must have been on a training course with us in the past

To find out more about our GPS training courses please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on GPS Training Courses on the top menu bar

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is Andy’s handy top tech updates – looking at some of the current issues and solutions for Outdoor GPS users

2. Maps on GPSMAP 65s

3. Fit file on 66 range – elevation
4. Montana 700 – Find Current activity crashing
5. Units with built in batteries – crashing – what to do

Online resource – what have you need updating?

• Over 40 videos to date for the Garmin GPSMAP 65s

To watch this all-new training resource for the Garmin GPSMAP 65s in the online resource go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on online resource on the top menu bar

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training podcast is a look at what you need to work through before you head away on holiday with your GPS unit

2. Local grid reference – set this up

3. Power – batteries, plug adapter, power bank, solar panels
4. Calibrate your compass
5. Map Options – Topo Active, Open-source maps, Local maps,

To find out more about the varies open-source map options that are on offer please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on GPS Store > Maps

1. The next thing on this month’s podcast is – Ask Ian.

Hi Ian,

I have a question about my GPSMAP 66sr.

How do I change the colour of an imported track? I want to do this because the default purple is difficult to see against roads when wearing sunglasses.

I have tried Selecting a Track in Saved tracks, clicking on Menu and Set color.

However although when I Find Track and see it on the map it is in the new colour, when I click on Go it reverts to Purple.

Any ideas would be appreciated

Best wishes,
Peter Wilkinson

The colour reverts to magenta when you actively navigate the track. This is the colour set by Garmin which can’t be changed.
Compare with Satmap where you can set the colour for routes (Main Menu screen>Settings>option 26 Route Rendering)

I have recently restarted using Basecamp to plot routes for transfer to my GPS. Now when I create the waypoints the software seems to jump backwards so I end up with a series of unintended spikes between my waypoints. What has gone wrong? If I plot a track instead it seems ok! I have updated Basecamp to the current version.
Hope you can help.
Best wishes
Neil Rothwell

1. Almost certainly the incorrect Activity Profile.
2. Topo OS GB card – inside NP Direct or Hiking Profile
   Outside NP – Direct for all off road
3. Settings need to be changed by setting them on the toolbar or you can double click on the route to see the Route properties. Withing that, there’s an option to change the Activity. Once changed, the route should re calculate itself. If it doesn’t, there’s an option to recalculate it
4. The same needs to be done for the ‘Route setting’ in ‘Setup’ on the GPS

Hi Ian,

I am getting to grips with my Satmap Active 20 and planning on Xpedition2, although I am struggling with one aspect and would be grateful for some advice.

Planning a bee line route is fine. Following it on the Satmap is fine. What I can’t seem to do is add some kind of marker to show my planned coffee stops and lunch stops. I don’t know if this is possible but if it is I would really appreciate some pointers on how to do it.

Many thanks,
Andy Piper

1. Plan the route as you need it.
2. Add a POI for the pub in Xpedition2
3. Click on the POI for the pub and name it
4. Export both the Route and POI gpx files
5. When copied in to the Active 20, the POI will show on the map
6. If you move the middle button and centre the cross hairs over the POI, the name of the POI will show

So if you have a GPS question you want answering in next month’s podcast please just email – askian@gpstraining.co.uk

1. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is a quick look at the YouTube Channel for GPS Training.

We have a special offer for the month of August – If you subscribe to the GPS training YouTube channel in August 2021 you will get entered into a draw to win –

Powertraveller – Sport 25 Solar Kit – Worth £105.00
Sport 25 & Falcon 7 solar panel (7 watt) including carry system

We have varies playlists on our YouTube channel –

• The best GPS unit series

Throughout the year I create best budget, top end and large screen GPS unit videos

• Product reviews

Review GPS units, power packs, unboxing of units and videos looking at map options.

• Top tips for using Outdoor GPS units
• Podcasts – recording of our Podcast interviews

Many of the guests I have interviewed and the occasional full-length recording of the GPS training Podcast

• Walk and talk series

In these videos, I take a GPS unit on a ‘walk and talk’, as I put a different GPS unit through it’s paces

So to subscribe to the GPS Training on YouTube please just go to YouTube and type GPS Training into the search box on YouTube and press the subscribe button! It’s as easy as that.

And Finally

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Ian for joining me on this month’s podcast.

View Details

2021 Garmin Map Card, Spine Race, what have they done to the OS app, more units discontinued and ask Ian.

In this month’s podcast

1. A quick update on the 2021 OS map cards from Garmin
2. Spine race – well done to all our customers who have taken part in this event.
3. After we sung the praises of the OS app in a recent Podcast, in their wisdom they managed to undo any good work they had done just a few weeks later. We look at what they have done.
4. Yet more units discontinued by Garmin, we look at a year where Garmin have certainly cleared the stable out.
5. Stock availability – sorry I know it is a recurring theme, but a quick update on stock issues
6. Ask Ian – the questions you have been asking Ian over the past month

The first thing on this month’s Podcast is a look at the recent update on the Garmin 1:50k map card

1. Last month we discussed that Garmin, after a very long wait, updated the 1:25k map card
2. In the past month we also received and update of the 1:50k TOPO Great Britain PRO 1:50k map card
3. So both map cards are now V2
4. OS release ¼ of the country every year as a map update so cards get updated every 4 years but for some reason the 1:50k map card has been updated after 3 years.
5. What changes on OS maps?

You can buy the new map card as a standalone product on GPS Training and all new Garmin GPS unit bundles are now being shipped with updated map cards, unlike some other retailers

The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is a look back at the Spine race – well done to all our customers who have taken part in this event.

The Montane Spine Race is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest endurance races.

There are both summer and winter events and the summer event started on Saturday 19th June.

In our 31st episode, we interviewed Paul Freeman after he completed the Spine Challenger race.

A truly epic challenge that will test your physical resilience and mental fortitude. Racing non-stop along the Pennine Way – 268 miles

There are ‘shorter’ races within the main race but all are true challenges.

As I spoke about this in last month’s Podcasts many people are introduces to GPS units for the first time with an event like this.

We have had a number of customers participating in the event and well done to all those who took part.

Before they start the Spine Race they have to demonstrate they can get their current Grid reference from their GPS unit.

So, Ian how would people do this –

1. Satellite page
2. Create waypoint of your current location

If you want to find more about the Spine race please just go to their website – thespinerace.com

The next thing on this month’s podcast is the recent updates to the OS app.

After Ian sung the praises of the OS app in a recent Podcast, in their wisdom OS managed to undo any good work they had done just a few weeks later.

So Ian, what have they done?

Basically, when you plan a route on the app, it exports as a track in to Garmin Explore unlike all the other apps you can use…..

I am slowly working on the OS. They have now admitted that they have trashed it for the time being and accept it needs to be altered back to what it was prior their three app updates in March. That still hasn’t been done. As we do have, I think, quite a few customers who use this app, it may be worth talking about it/other options that work?

The next thing on the GPS Training Podcast is the end of the road for the Garmin Oregon 750

Another one bights the dust –

This year we have seen the A number of units ‘discontinued’ –

• Touch 25t, we still have the 35t
• GPSMAP 64sx and GPSMAP 66st
• Montana 610, 680 and 680t
• Then the Oregon 750t
• And then this week we saw the Garmin Oregon 750 be discontinued.

Don’t work both ourselves and Garmin will continue to support these units for many years to come.

Stock availability – sorry I know it is a recurring theme, but a quick update on stock issues

• Currently out of stock of GPSMAP 66sr, Montana 700i

Shortage of ‘chips’

• So why are we also out of stock on Montana 700 bike mounts and lanyards?
• If you are wanting one of the ‘out of stock’ units three things you can do

a, Buy one and you are first to get
b, Email or speak to us and you can end up on an internal list
c, Put your email address into the relevant out of stock product page on the GPS Training website

• We often get products back into stock 1 – 2 weeks before Garmin do themselves, which often puzzles me.

To find out more about the range of GPS units please just go to our website GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

The next thing on this month’s podcast is – Ask Ian.

Garmin – Can I record my walk/cycle ride without planning a route first?

Yes you can.

On all Garmin GPS’s, and for that matter, Satmap GPS’s, all you need to do

Montana 700 series – is press the power button briefly on the side of the GPS>Activity>start and then at the end of the activity>StopOregon 700 series – swipe up from the bottom of the map page>Start and then at the end of the activity>StopeTrex Touch – the same as for the Oregon 700 seriesMap66 series – map screen>Enter>Start and then at the end of the activity>Enter button>Stop

If you plan to do this, I would suggest that you go to the Trip Computer screen before starting and Reset the Trip data and Activity Recording (the top and third options).

To do the ‘reset’, on the Trip Computer screen

Touch screen GPS’s – horizontal bars bottom right>Reset

Map 65/66 series – Menu button>Reset>

This is ‘good practice’ for any activity if you haven’t used the GPS for some time.

Satmap – Trip Log Screen > Start> Stop. There is an ‘Actions’ icon where you can reset the recording before starting

Satmap

Hi Ian,

I purchased the above from GPS Training over a year ago, but illness and Covid conspired to keep me away from the great outdoors and so It did not get much use until now.

I recently went to the Lake District with the aim of getting to grips with the unit and pretty quickly ran in to problems. The good news is that most of these were fixed by updating the software. However, there is one remaining issue – the “Total Ascent” field, which I have found very useful on other GPS’s I have owned, displays absolute rubbish!

For example, I went for a five mile walk around Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens in London (c.80ft above sea level – gently undulating) and at the end the total ascent was showing 2500 ft!

I know that this figure will rarely be accurate, but on such an expensive unit, I would expect it to be “in the ball park”.

Have you any advice as to what settings I could tweak to correct this issue?
Many thanks,

Robin Davis

Trip Log screen – Actions folder > reset the dataMaster reset – Main Menu screen>Settings>Default>Yes

If that doesn’t cure the issue, and you’re confident that the Active 20 is up to date, Beta version 3.13.109 and Platform 43, then the next step would be for you to contact Satmap

—- FYI Ian —- Recent correspondence from SatMap tech team re another question about this —-

I’ve been asked to contact you regarding the elevation differences you are seeing on your device and OS elevation data.

The Active 20 sources its Map elevation data from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) v3, void filled. This is data gathered by NASA and has been made available to the public. It’s the same data used by many, including OpenStreetMap. The device also runs a few calculations to find the expected elevation of a specific point by looking at the elevation data from all surrounding areas, as the elevation data is mapped out in a 90x90m grid.

https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/index.html

I’m not sure where OS maps and Garmin source their map elevation data from. But comparing their data with the elevation found here – https://www.freemaptools.com/elevation-finder.htm which is also sourced by SRTM, the data your Active 20 shows to match up well.

Regarding the elevation your Active 20 sourced from GPS, was this taken from a recorded track? If you have changed your elevation source to GPS, but are placing a POI at a certain location, then the elevation data will still come from SRTM. The only way to get elevation data sourced from GPS, is to physically have the device in that location, where it will be recorded to a track or show on the relevant data box on the device.

If you know where OS sources its elevation data from or why it’s considered more accurate than the data provided by he SRTM, please let me know.

Kind regards,

Daryn

Technical Support

Satmap Systems Ltd.

So if you have a GPS question you want answering in next month’s podcast please just email – askian@gpstraining.co.uk

And Finally

Jon leads

• Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.
• If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!
• Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.
• Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.
• AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.
• If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.
• Many thanks to Ian for joining me on this month’s podcast.