Welcome to this month’s GPS training podcast

1. Today we have Jon, Andy and Henry

2. Jon, managing director Shepherds Walks Ltd who is the parent company of GPS Training.

3. Andy, the reviewer, tech support and all round ‘geek’ (in a nice way) of GPS Training.

4. Henry, is multi-talented. Is one of our trainers at GPS Training, delivering our courses on Fife, Lakes, Northumberland and Sherwood Forest. He is also one of our walking guides for Shepherds Walks Holidays and the practical use of Outdoor GPS units as a ‘professional’ walking guide is why he is our guest on today’s Podcast

Again, we are streaming on Facebook the recording of us all recording the Podcast, so if you want to see what we all look like take a look at our Facebook page –

1. Just search for GPS Training on Facebook and don’t forget to ‘like’ our page.

2. A copy of our live stream is archived on Facebook so you can watch it until the end of time, if you want to!

3. Also in the next few days we will also upload the video feed onto YouTube.

So, without further ado let’s get on with today’s podcast ……

In today’s podcast we are going to look and chat over the following –

1. An in-depth look at the Garmin inReach – Satellite communicator

2. And after a question from one of the listeners of last month’s podcast we are going to look at the differences between the Garmin Topo and Topo active mapping.

3. Christmas GPS offers – Oregon 700 and eTrex Touch 25

4. Top tips – both SatMap and Garmin

5. Look at our weekly video top tips – in our online resource

6. SatMap Active 20 – Battery replacement options

7. The big debate – If you were going to get an outdoor GPS unit this Christmas, which one would it be?

8. And finally, we will have a look at our courses we have coming up over the coming month

1. An in-depth look at Garmin inReach

1. What is the Garmin inReach, it’s not just a GPS unit is it?

• Two-way satellite communicator, using the Iridium satellites, the same as a Sat Phone uses.

• You can send both pre-set and text messages from the unit via satellites.

• It can also be used as a GPS navigator, but I personally think it does not replace a standalone GPS navigational unit.

• SOS button - GEOS Worldwide, LTD is an independent emergency response organization headquartered outside of Houston, Texas. Their high-tech underground facility is the central component in their International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC). That facet of their operation is somewhat self-explanatory. When GEOS receives a distress call, their IERCC department swings into action to coordinate an immediate and appropriate response. Sounds simple enough, but what does that actually mean?

• GEOS also maintains a large network of offices around the globe in Perth, Marrakech, Paris, London, New York, San Jose, and Los Angeles.

• You need a contract to get a Garmin inReach to work (like a mobile phone contract) and these start from £12.99/month but a little more for a more usable contract. I think we pay around £25.00/ month which is a good mid-range contract.

• Contracts vary according to number of Text messages you want to send each months and if your tracking points are included in the contract or not. The interesting thing is that all pre-set messages are unlimited and also the SOS button works on whatever contract you are on

2. Other products in the marketplace

• Sole Walkers – SPOT

3. SPOT – Comes in at £119.99 - What is the SPOT?

- Satellite GPS personal tracker

- You have a number of pre-set messages you can send, you set these up yourself online and you can send to multiple e-mail and text numbers

- Live tracking place – both online and in app

- Contracts are a little cheaper - £17.99 for unlimited everything

- You still get the GEOS SOS support

- Lightweight and stunning battery life

BUT you can only send messages and not receive them

4.