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

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

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 –

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’ –

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

Shortage of ‘chips’

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

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 – [email protected]
 

And Finally

Jon leads