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 inReach® SOS Incidents we look at how they are broken down

Andy’s top tips

 

SatMap update

After we told the world what was going on at SatMap back in August it’s great to SatMap have chosen to now tell their customers.

In the last month, our phone has been hot with people asking what their options are going forward.

So who are SatMap Andy and what where the main benefits of this GPS unit?

So here we go lets quick fire a few questions –

Will SatMap Expedition continue? – SatMap software systems

Will their app continue

Have you got any spare batteries?

Will you be getting any more batteries in stock?

What will happen when my current battery fails?

Do you have any accessories? – Yes, carry cases, lanyards, backplates, quadlock accessories

Are SatMap/ or you going to be able to get any overseas mapping

Can you still get tech support from SatMap

Are SatMap still honouring their warranties?

 

Headtorches

With the clocks changing last weekend I see the Mountain rescue teams have, rightly, started a large campaign telling everybody they should be carrying a headtorch, as you can easily be caught out now the nights have drawn in.

We are not going to review headtorches (I will link to an article doing this in the show notes), but wea re just going to discuss the main things to think about when looking at headtorches –

Brand

2. Lumens – off set between brightness and battery life

Battery life

Battery type – rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries and hybrid

Boost mode – some headtorches have this feature

Weight

How waterproof – as they will be on your head, whatever the weather

Other extras some have – rear light on back etc

 

Best budget headtorch and price? Nebo 750 – 250 lumen weight 110g, IPX4– We like the boost of 750 lumen looking further down the trail – 250 lumens 5hrs £28.99

Best top-end headtorch and price? Trail Runner free 400 lumen – weight 119g , IPX5– We like the Unclip of battery pack when cold to increase battery life and takes weight away, red led on back when running, intelligent twin beam long and close, higher ip rating than Nebo, 400 lumens 2hrs - £68.99

Both have low setting to increase battery when not needing standard

Nebo 15hrs 80 lumens

Silva15hrs 50 lumens

Top tips for using a headtorch –

Practice – like anything the more you use it and get to grips with it, the more familiar you are with it

Have as low (brightness) as you can get away with

Carry spare batteries/ headtorch

Change/ charge your battery if you know you are going to be using it

Store it in your rucksack somewhere where you know it is, easy to get access to

6. Keep Spare batteries close to body to keep warm will improve performance

 

For more information read the full article online here

 

Garmin inReach – last month Garmin hit hitting 10,000 Garmin inReach® SOS Incidents – we look at how they are broken down

- What is Garmin inReach?

With inReach satellite technology from Garmin and a satellite subscription, you can stay in touch globally. You can send and receive messages, navigate your route (Not messenger ), track and share your journey and, if necessary, trigger an SOS to get help from a 24/7 global emergency response coordination centre via the 100% global Iridium®satellite network.

- What GPS units/ products have inReach technology built in?

Handhelds GPSMap66i, 86i, Montana 700i, 750i

InReach Mini1 & 2, New Messenger

What are people doing when they trigger an SOS?

An overwhelming 39% of SOS triggers come from adventurers who are out hiking or backpacking.