Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 32nd episode.

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

This month’s Podcast we are going to look at –

· Garmin inReach technology, what is it and what units can you get with this technology in.

· We look at the different mapping options on both Garmin and SatMap GPS units.

· We then have Ian’s FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions Ian has answered whilst supporting our customers or on some of the GPS Training courses he has been leading.

• Garmin bought a business called Delorme back in 2016

• 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.

• Initially Garmin just rebranded Delorme products, but over recent years we have seen the technology in new standalone products (inReach mini) and also in navigation GPS units, mainly the Garmin GPSMAP66i

• SOS button – GEOS Worldwide, 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

• Sole Walkers – SPOT

– Satellite GPS personal tracker

AND then last year we got the Spot X – £309.99

Two-way communication from Spot – NOT 100% worldwide experience

BUT you can only send messages and not receive them

There are currently three models –

– Garmin inReach Mini –
Tether with phone, GPSMAP66s, and Garmin Fenix watch

Small and hard to input messages but use presets mostly and phone keyboard is best options for messages

– Garmin 86i –

For on the water

There are still inRaech SE+ and inReach Explorer units still around but 66i is so much better

If you want to learn more about the Garmin inReach range please go to gpstraining.co.uk – gps store – Garmin inReach – Satellite communicator on the left hand side

The next thing on this months Podcasts is to look at the different mapping options available on both Garmin and SatMap GPS units.

Let’s start off with Garmin

Just UK and Ireland

Compiled using the community generated OpenStreetMap (OSM) database to which Garmin added a 50-metre contour line layer, based on a public digital elevation model

We find this on Fenix 5 plus and Fenix 6 watches. In the hadheld world it’s pre-loaded on the 22x, 32x, Touch 25 and 35, Oregon 750t, GPSMAP66st and GPSMAP66i

Compiled using the community-generated OpenStreetMap (OSM) database.

Includes routable street and off-road networks, international boundaries, waterways, natural features, land use areas, historical sites, airport structures, buildings and more¹

Garmin TopoActive Western / Eastern Europe covers the following 47 countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia / Kaliningrad, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

What is Pro mapping – turn my turn routing within National Parks

More accurate, open access areas, permissive paths and open access areas#

If you want to see examples of all these map options I have done a short video on our website, so you can see what they all look like, just go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on – Reviews – Garmin mapping options (top story, depending on when you are viewing it)

SatMap mapping options –

On an Active 20, with a Wi-Fi connection, you now have the ability on an Active 20 to create a “snap-to-track” route.

Currently this functionality is in “beta” testing mode – but as soon as it is fully tested and stable, it will be formally released.

To find out more about the SatMap Active 20 and the varies map options please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk – gps store – and on the left-hand side you will see – SatMap GPS units

In this part of the Podcast we talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked whilst supporting our customers and also on the courses he has led over the past month.

There are no alerts on the GPS unlike a Fenix watch that will vibrate on your wrist if you’re off course.

The ways round this are:

How can I measure the length of a route before I split it up?

View>Toolbars>Map Tools

A ruler icon appears and when you select it, take it on to the route and by ‘left clicking’ on the route it will measure the distance that you wish to plan for the day’s walk before splitting it up

My battery is discharging really quickly when I go walking.

Check

Don’t forget we have lots of tips and solutions to your questions in the GPS Training online resource – go to – gpstraining – click on – online resource – on the top menu bar – and then log in – select your unit and you will see the top tips for that unit down at the bottom of the menu of units.