Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 9th episode.

As always, we are streaming it live on Facebook

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.

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

In today’s podcast we are going to look at the following –

1. We take the first look at the new Garmin InReach mini

2. Then we will look at Open Street Mapping and other mapping options when going overseas

3. We look at the new (Beta) version of Xpedition2 from SatMap – for both Mac and PC users

4. Andy’s top tips – both SatMap and Garmin

5. And then finally we look at both Routes and tracks

1. Garmin’s new inReach Mini

This week Garmin launched the all-new inReach Mini, this is the small brother/ sister of the Garmin inReach SE+ and the inReach Explorer units.

I must stress that at this moment of time we have not yet had our hands on one, we have some ordered and are hoping they will be in stock early next week, but we have been aware about this product for some time now.

On our fourth Podcast, in December last year we did an in-depth review of the inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer as our ‘sister’ business, Shepherds Walks Holidays uses inReach products on their walking holidays.

So Andy, can you give us a quick overview of both these units that have been with us for some time now.

- Two-way satellite communication

- 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.

- They offer live tracking, the ability to send text messages, pre-set messages and they have a SOS button

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

The SOS button, what happens if you press that?

- It notifies 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.

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

So what is difference with the inReach Mini?

- Send and receive inReach messages through compatible Garmin devices, including connected wearables and handhelds

- Palm-sized satellite communicator for adventures where size and weight matter, hence the mini

If you want to find out more about this and all the Garmin inreach products go to – GPS Training.co.uk – click on GPS Store – and click on Garmin inReach – satellite communicators on the left-hand side

Open Street Mapping and other mapping options when going overseas

It’s that time of year, when many of our listeners will be heading overseas so what map options are available for both Garmin and SatMap GPS units

- After talking about the inReach products (not the mini I must add) what options have we with this product

- Garmin – local mapping and OSM

What is OSM?

- SatMap – what options do SatMap users have?

Xpedition2 from SatMap

What are the big changed from Xpedition to Xpedition2?

We have just added lots of step by step videos into our online resource,