Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 22nd episode.

Today we Tom, from Garmin, Ian from GPS training also myself, Jon, from GPS Training

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

It's our 22nd podcast.

In today’s podcast look at the following things –

· Time - 1 min 30 seconds - We talk over the waterproof classifications different GPS units get, and believe me we had plenty of fun doing this as we submerged GPS units in water for the duration of the chat.

· Time - 17 min 5 seconds - We talk over the changes to the handheld GPS marketplace with the advent of the Garmin GPSMAP66s

· Time - 23 min 5 seconds - And then we have Ian’s FAQ’s, both Garmin and SatMap and for the first time ever we have a FAQ for those of you wearing a Garmin GPS watch

Next thing we have this month’s podcast is a chat Tom, from Garmin about the some of the standards that some of the navigational products we use are tested to

All Garmin products IPX 7

What is IPX rating (waterproof rating) - International Protection Marking, IEC standard 60529, sometimes interpreted as Ingress Protection Marking, classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion (body parts such as hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures

So let’s put the unit to the test then – so we can submerse them for the duration of the test

X - relates to the - Solid particle protection - indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects

X - means there is no data available to specify a protection rating with regard to this criteria.

7 – relates to - Immersion, up to 1 m depth - Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion).

Test duration: 30 minutes - you can watch it online here

Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1000 mm below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm below the surface, whichever is deeper.

SatMap Active 20 - IP68 waterproof & IK7 impact rating

6 - means - Dust tight (Garmin get an x for this – it does not relate to?) - No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on air flow.

8 - Immersion, 1 m or more depth - Test duration: agreement with manufacturer

Depth specified by manufacturer, generally up to 3 m

IK rating (Solely SatMap refer to this) - where “XX” is a number from 00 to 10 indicating the degrees of protection provided by electrical enclosures (including luminaires) against external mechanical impacts

IK07 Protected against 2 joules impact - Equivalent to impact of 0.5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface.

Garmin have tested the GPSMAP66s to the following standard - MIL STD 810G ruggedness for thermal, shock and water performance

To find out more about the GPS units we have available from GPS training please go to gpstraining.co.uk – click on – GPS Store – then click on Handheld GPS Units

2 - We talk over the changes to the handheld GPS marketplace with the advent of the Garmin GPSMAP66s

3 – Ian’s FAQ’s

Welcome Ian back to the Podcast to talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked on his courses over the past month.

This month we don’t just have a FAQ for both Garmin and SatMap handheld units but we also have a FAQ for wearables, these are wrist based GPS devices.

Garmin – with a Topo Pro map card inserted in a GPS, if while in a National Park, why does a GPS with Topo Europe mapping route in a different way to a GPS without Topo Europe mapping and how do you override it?

As mentioned, I had this on the last Clayton course where two g...

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 21st episode.

Today we again have Ian, who delivers our Training courses in the South of England, and Ross

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

It's our 21st podcast.

In today’s podcast we have the following –

· 1 min 30 seconds in - We talk to Ian’s about his experiences of the Garmin Fenix 5 plus, a GPS watch from Garmin

· 11 min 55 sec seconds in - We talk with Ross from Burton McCall about portable power

· 37 min 20 seconds in - And then we have Ian’s FAQ’s, both Garmin and SatMap  

The first thing we have this month’s podcast is a chat with Ian regarding his experiences with the Garmin Fenix 5 plus GPS watch

Ian received a Fenix 5 plus as your Christmas present last year so you have been using it for three months now so I am really interested to know your thoughts and experiences of your Fenix 5 plus.

So Ian, I know over the past month we have also had some training as we built up to our GPS watch taster days, and I know you have your GPS Watch taster day, in the South Downs on Saturday 6th April.

So, Ian, what are where your initial thoughts on the watch?How have you been using it?What key features have you really liked with the GPS watch?Have you used it much to actually navigate with?Battery life?

To find out more about the GPS Watch taster day in the South Downs please go to - gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps training courses – then – on the left-hand side you will see GPS Watch – taster days

AND if you want to know more about the Fenix 5 plus GPS Watch please go to gpstraining.co.uk – click on – GPS Store on the top menu – then – on the left-hand side you will see Garmin - GPS Watches

  2 – The next thing on this month’s GPS training Podcast is a chat with Ross, from Goal Zero as we chat over portable power

Welcome Ross to the Podcast again, I know you are an avid listener to the GPS Training podcast and you appeared on our third podcast when you came and talked about SatMap, so welcome back.

Q1. First of all Ross, what is portable power?

The simplest explanation is something you carry with you to provide power– usually in the form of battery packs.You can expand it to add in things like solar panels and windup devices.And the part most people forget is the actual device we are going to power, which have their own batteries.

Q2. We then need to think about what are people’s requirements and common things we need to consider

The Length of time you will be without power – this can effect whether you choose solar v battery capacityHow much Weight you want to carryAnd again the device you want to charge– Garmin AA + SatMap + do you want to charge anything else?We therefore, I know this sounds obvious but it is a power bank, so potentially a replacement to that spare SatMap battery or those AA batteries you have rattling around in your rucksack

Q3. Now we now need to think about specific products.

Batteries – replacement AA batteries – the most basic portable powerPower packs

Q5. Goal Zero – what products do they have and what might be there benefits

Through chargingSolar readyConvenience And some examples?

Q6. Anything else you think we need to cover.

To find out more about portable power - Just go to – gpstraining.co.uk – click on GPS Store – under accessories on the left hand side – Click on Power and Batteries

Ian’s FAQ’s

I must welcome ian back to the Podcast to talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked on his courses over the past month.

Ian has kindly joined me in Northumberland this month as he is here to deliver a SatMap GPS Training course here in Northumberland tomorrow.

Ian – FAQ 1 – Garmin

Can I do a Trackback on a saved track? No. ‘Copy reverse’, exclamation mark in front of the date and time

Ian – FAQ 2 – SatMap – Double SatMap bonanza

Can I lock the screen on my Active 10/12/20?

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 20th episode.

Today we again have Tom, from Garmin, Ian, who delivers our Training courses in the South of England, and some of our participants on a recent GPS Training course and myself, Jon

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

It's our 20th podcast.

In today’s podcast we have the following –

· We talk to some of our participants on one of our recent GPS Training courses at Mungrisdale, in the wonderful Lake District.

· We talk over with Ian – downloading .gpx files, what are they and what are some good sources for these.

· I chat to Tom, from Garmin. But this time he has a different hat on his head as he is also a Scout leader and will talk over how they have used the Garmin inReach two way satellite communicators

· Ian’s FAQ’s, the questions he is being asked by participants on his courses. Both Garmin and SatMap.

The first thing we have this month’s podcast is a chat with a few of the participants on one of our Garmin GPS training courses in the Lakes. Over the last month we have had a busy time delivering GPS training courses in the Scottish Borders, Lakes, New Forest and the Peak District as everybody is getting to grips with their units before the month ahead.

On our course in Mungrisdale, in the Lakes I had a chat with a few of the participants – John, David T, David B and Margaret.

To find out more about the GPS training Courses please go to - gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps training courses – then – on the left-hand side you will see the areas we deliver GPS training courses in – The Lakes, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Peak District, Scottish Borders and the South Downs.

  2 – The next thing on this month’s GPS training Podcast is a chat with Ian about gpx files, what are they, what do they do and we look at some of the websites you will find them on

Welcome Ian back to the Podcast, I hope you have been fighting away your new found fans after appearing in last month’s Podcast.

Q1. First of all Ian, what is a gpx file?

Q2. How do we get these onto our GPS devices?

Q3. Once we have downloaded them is there anything we need to look for?

Q4. What good websites can we find gpx files on

Walk Highlands Walking Englishman - Mike Brockhurst, who runs this website was on our 7th Podcast, go back and give it a listen, he’s a top bloke

Long Distance Walkers Association

People ask about walks around where they live. I show them by putting some words like ‘gpx files for walks in ‘wherever’, in to an internet search engine they will get something back from the search

To find out more about importing .gpx files into your device there are some step by step videos in the GPS Training online resource – Just go to – gpstraining.co.uk – click on online resource – log in then go to – Garmin BaseCamp – select either windows or Mac – then go to - Downloading GPS Routes from Websites to then import into Basecamp software to review and then transfer to your GPS Device

3. Next on this months Podcast is a chat with Tom, who you will know from Garmin, but this months he is back on the Podcast with his Scout Leader hat on

To find out more about any of the Garmin inReach products please go to – gpstraining.co.uk – click on gps store – and on the left-hand side you will see – Garmin inReach – satellite communicators

4 – Ian’s FAQ’s

I must welcome ian back to the Podcast to talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked on his courses over the past month.

Ian, over the past month you have led both Garmin and SatMap courses, so I hope you have had you notepad handy to note down some of the questions you have been asked.

Ian – FAQ 1 – Garmin

How do I know how long the walk is that I have just created/downloaded in Basecamp – double click the route and ‘properties’

Ian – FAQ 2 – SatMap

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 18th episode.

Today we have Tom, from Garmin, Ian, who delivers our Training courses in the South of England and myself, Jon

So, without further ado let’s get on with today’s podcast …… It's our 19th podcast.

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

• Garmin GPS watches, what are the options and differences

• We look at the GPS taster days we have coming up in March and April

• Ian’s FAQ’s, the questions he is being asked by participants on his courses. Both Garmin and SatMap.

• We talk over with Ian – his ongoing thoughts on the Garmin GPSMAP66s.

Garmin GPS watches – options and differences So, Tom, we have seen a massive growth in the sales of GPS watches so we have brought you in to discuss the product line up from Garmin, we stock GPS watches ranging from £269.99 right up to £750.00

Fist lets discuss what all these GPS watches offer us – smart watch, fitness and navigating with themGarmin Instinct - more hereGarmin Fenix 5 plus and 5s plus - more hereGarmin Fenix 5 plus Saphire- more hereGarmin Fenix 5 plus Sapphire, Titanium (Solar Orange Band) - more hereGarmin Fenix 5x plus Sapphire - more here

To find out more about the all new Garmin GPS watches please go to - gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps store – then – garmin GPS Watch on the left-hand side.

2 – GPS taster days, throughout the country

We have teamed up with Garmin to give everybody an opportunity to put a GPS watch on your wrist and see exactly how they work and the navigational experience they give. 2nd March – Rothbury, Northumberland - more here 16th March – Eyam, Peak District - more here 6th April – Clayton, South Downs - more here

To find out more about the GPS taster days go to gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps training courses – then – GPS Watch – Taster days on the left hand side

3. Ian’s FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he is getting on both Garmin and SatMap GPS training courses he is leading

Ian delivers both our Garmin and SatMap GPS Training courses in the south of England. This is Ian’s new regular monthly story as he gives you some tips and solutions he has come up with after being asked by participants on our GPS Training Courses –

Ian – FAQ 1 – Garmin

Ian – FAQ 2 - SatMap

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.

4. Ian’s thoughts on the new Garmin GPSMAP66s Ian received one of the first Garmin GPSMAP66s GPS units that arrived into GPS Training.

In just under 4 months you have certainly managed to put the Garmin GPSMAP66s through its paces and I know now we are starting to get a number of other people that have bought this unit on our courses so Ian we want to find out exactly what you think of this all new unit from Garmin. Q. First of all Ian what units have you had in the past on your journey to the GPSMAP66s Q. So then Ian, what do you like and dislike about the Garmin GPSMAP66s as you have put it through its paces.

GPSMAP 66s with full GB 1:50k - more here

Garmin GPSMAP66s with 1:25k maps - more here

To find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP66s please go to - gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps store – then – Garmin GPS units with full GB 1:50k maps or Garmin GPS units with full GB 1:25k maps

5. And Finally

Many thanks for listening and let us know anything you would like to be covered in the Podcast please do let us know and if you know of anybody interesting that you would like to hear interviewed in future podcasts please do let us know.Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unitPlease do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTaining.co.

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 18th 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 ……

It's our 18th podcast.

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

• Our first look at the Garmin Instinct Watch, the three in one watch

• We look at and talk over the new content in GPS Training online resource

• Andy’s Top Tips, both Garmin and SatMap

• ANT + accessories, for Garmin units – what are they?

• And Finally, we are going to look at the future of the GPS Training Podcast as we have some changes in the coming year

1. The Garmin Instinct Watch - more here

The all new Garmin Instinct GPS watch has been launched by Garmin.

This £269.99 watch comes in two colours – Flame Red or Graphite

- 3 in 1 Fitness, Navigational GPS , Smart

- Smaller watch

- Great battery 14hr GPS, Ultra 40hr 10 – 14 days watch

- clear screen

- lightweight

- tough

- quick GPS fix mark waypoints

- track backs

- follow route

To find out more about the all new Garmin Instinct watch please go to - gpstraining.co.uk – click on - gps store – then – garmin GPS Watch on the left-hand side.

2 – New content of the Online Resource - more here

Andy has been working hard in the run up to Christmas to add lots of videos and top tips to the GPS training online resource.

- First of all what is the GPS training online resource?

- How do you access it and how much is it?

- Recent additions are

A – Instinct videos

B – GPSMAP66s

C – New Top Tips

D - Active 20 – Wirelessly transfer

To find out more and access the online resource go to – gpstraining – click on – online resource – on the top menu bar – and then log in.

3. Andy’s Top Tips - both Garmin and SatMap

Garmin – Height Data with Barometric Altimeter – calibrate on regular basis and make sure when resetting trip computer / trip data full Satellite lock – Setup Altimeter

Because barometric pressure changes with the weather, hikers must periodically re-calibrate their altimeters when they reach a known altitude, such as a trail junction or peak marked on a topographical map.

SatMap – OS Maps not loading – Remember if zoom out to far OS maps will not load only basemap top right of screen icon 3 x grey conical shapes (Layerd Map) must be there when you xoom in and then use button middle left to select Active 20 (Top left active 12)

To watch all our top tip videos you can do this 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.

4. ANT + accessories, for Garmin units – what are they?

ANT+ is the wireless technology that allows accessories such as heart rate monitors, speed/cadence sensors and tempe sensors “talk” to your compatible Garmin device.

• ANT is an ultra-low power (ULP) wireless networking protocol which enables objects from everyday life to connect with each other easily in practical and valuable ways. In millions of consumer devices today

• ANT+ stands for interoperability which means that ANT+ products from multiple brands work together.

• Range 30 metres low energy very similar to Bluetooth

• ANT+ is designed and maintained by the ANT+ Alliance which is managed by ANT Wireless, a division of Dynatream Innovations owned by Garmin

1. What devices do we have that pair with Ant+

Oregon 700 series, GPSMap66s Series, etrex Touch 35t, Montana 610/680, Fenix 5, Instinct Watch

(NB SatMap Active 20 will pair with a Bluetooth Wahoo HR not Ant+)

2. How do you pair these with your Garmin device

GPS Handhelds - Setup - ANT Sensor – Search for new

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 17th episode.

Today we have Andy and myself, Jon

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

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 ……

It's our 17th podcast.

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

• Best budget GPS for Christmas

• Geoffrey the Bot, all will become clear, I hope

• 2018 Ordnance Survey mapping - Routable TOPO PRO

• Online resource update – restructuring

• Andy’s Top Tips, both Garmin and SatMap

• Download .gpx files - what’s that about

• And Finally, what piece of kit is on each of our Christmas lists

1. Best budget GPS for Christmas 2018

So, Andy, as we approach Christmas 2018 what is the best ‘budget’ GPS unit.

First of all I think we need to clarify, what’s are we going to classify as a ‘budget GPS unit’ – let’s say - £350.00 or less

- Garmin eTrex 20x with 3,000 sq km of mapping - more

- Garmin eTrex 30x with 3,000 sq km mapping - more

- Garmin eTrex Touch 25 with 3,000 sq km of mapping - more

- Garmin eTrex Touch 35 with 3,000 sq km of mapping - more

- eTrex Touch 25t with Discoverer 1:50k maps - more

- eTrex Touch 25t with TOPO PRO 1:50k maps - more

2 – Geoffrey our GPS Training Bot

This week we have launched ‘Geoffrey the GPS Training Bot’.

We are currently showcasing him to the public as we are training him but in the next few weeks, he will find his final home inside the GPS Training online resource.

Geoffrey the bot constantly analyses and catalogues any answers we email to customers and with a little bit of AI, its more learning and indexing rather than artificial Intelligence, but AI is the current buzz word, he will hopefully start to answer your GPS tech questions.

We have all been very entertained in the last few days so please do give him a go and over time his knowledge will hopefully broaden as we add more data for him to draw from.

To put Geoffrey the GPS Training Bot through his paces please click here and you will see Godfrey down the bottom left of our support portal.

I hope you find him as entertaining as we have!

3 - 2018 Ordnance Survey mapping - Routable TOPO PRO, this is just for Garmin users.

So Andy the TOPO Pro rears it’s head again and 2018 map cards, can we clarify this for the final time?

We are getting so many customers on the phone who, rightly, are totally confused by the different Ordnance Survey map options -

Garmin Discoverer – 1:50k and 1:25k

Garmin TOPO PRO – 1:50k and 1:25k

Garmin Birdseye map download – 1:25k

To find out more about any of these different map options please click here.

SatMap Andy is a little more straightforward?

Routable off-road data on a SatMap, how does that work and is it on all map types?

And with SatMap we have three different Map options with GPS units –

- 1:50k

- 1:25k

- Platinum

To find out more about the mapping options please click here.

4 – Online resource update – restructuring

- Firstly, Andy what is the GPS Training online resource?

You can get to it by visiting our website – gpstraining.co.uk – and clicking on – online resource

- And what have you been up to with the online resource over the past week?

To access the online resource just go tour website – gpstraining.co.uk – and clicking on – online resource – on the top menu bar.

The online resource is £50.00/ year or free for one year if you buy a GPS unit from GPS Training, please do support us here at GPS Training, I know many of you do but it does help to keep the Podcast on the air.

5. Andy’s Top Tips, both Garmin and SatMap

Garmin – Colder time of year, Eneloop Pro , Lithium AA perform better, keep batteries inside pocket warmer batteries better, use battery save from setup display,

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 16th episode.

1. Today we have Andy and myself, Jon

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 ……

 

It's our 16th podcast.

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

1. We have an interview with Mark from SatMap

2. The Garmin GPSMAP66s, what a launch

3. We look at the GPS course locations we have coming up in 2019

4. We have Andy’s top tips - both Garmin and SatMap

5. And then finally asked in last month’s Podcast what unusual activities people are using their GPS units before and many thanks to everybody who got in touch.

We will look at some of these

1. Mark from SatMap

A little while ago I chatted from Mark who is the Product Manager at SatMap, I hope you agree he is a top guy who really knows his stuff.

2. Garmin GPSMAP66s, what a start and some great feedback

I have never seen such a demand from any new Outdoor GPS unit, why do think this has been Andy?

1. I think many of the customers who have had the 60s, 62s and then the GPSMAP64s have been waiting, for a number of years now, for a unit update and what a good one they have got.

I know Andy you have been starting to put together the videos for the ‘online resource’ is there anything you have come across since we discussed the unit in the last PodCast?

As I said earlier on we where very busy on launch day, if you want a real insight into our business we have a new ‘news’ article on our website - A look back at launch day of the Garmin GPSMAP66s GPS unit.

This news article has some embedded YouTube films from the launch day itself.

We now have lots of videos and information on our website so if you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP66s and GPSMAP66st online here.

3. GPS Training courses in 2019 – what are the locations of our ‘physical’ courses

We have been busy putting together our ‘physical’ course programme for 2019, so where are the courses?

1. Lakes, Mungrisdale

2. Burley Village, New Forest

3. Great Cransley, Northamptonshire

4. Rothbury, Northumberland

5. Eyam, Peak District

6. Peebles, Scottish Borders – new for 2019

7. Clayton and Kingston, South Downs

SatMap courses – one day course – Northumberland, South Downs, Northamptonshire

Garmin courses – two days – all the locations

 

4. Andy’s Top Tips

 

1. SatMap – Active 20 – Last updates added into Settings – Route Rendering – lets you change normal Route colour from a vast array of colours + Completed Route colour – use joystick press in centre to select or with touch screen touch on option

2. Garmin – Time of year weather – lock screen on touch screen units – power button once – touch locked padlock icon at bottom – to unlock repeat process – touch unlock icon

5. Strange activities people are using their Outdoor GPS units for

In last months podcast we discussed some of the less ‘mainstream’ activities people use their Outdoor GOS units for.

Many thanks to everybody who got in touch, here are just a few –

Things people are using their GPS units for -

Three have come from Ian, who leads our GPS training courses in the South.

1. Ultramarathon runners

2. Research Scientist for the smooth-skinned snake in the New Forest

3. Member of the British Antarctic Survey

Name: Stephen Turner

You were asking what people use their GPS units for. My first use for my GPSMap 64S - and you were very helpful setting me up with the required mapping - was to identify the positions of existing and proposed boreholes in rural Zambia and Zimbabwe to improve village water supplies. I have used it a lot for hiking in the UK too! Thanks for all the good service and excellent website!

Hi Jon/Andy

In this Special Podcast, an extra standalone episode I interview Duncan a drift – Duncan Hutchison.

Duncan was on our 10th GPS training podcast, please do go back and listen to that one here.

If you have not heard this one please stop now, go back and listen to it as we are going to take the story up from where that one left off.

So if you need a quick reminder –

Duncan built his own boat and was aiming to row across the Atlantic in it.

You named to boat “Sleipnir” (the 8 legged horse). The 8 legged horse which was legendary for his strength, courage and speed. It is believed that Sleipnir was not only the fastest horse, but exceptionally smooth and that he could be ridden over the sea and through the air, which is where he got his name, the meaning of which is “smooth” or “gliding”.

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 14th 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.

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

It's our 14th podcast.

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

1. We interview Tom from Garmin, as we get hands on the Garmin GPSMAP66s for the first time.

2. TOPO PRO mapping – to route or not to route

3. Other interesting activities people are using outdoor GPS units for

4. We have Andy’s top tips - both Garmin and SatMap

5. And then finally we will announce the winner of last months podcast

1. Garmin’s GPSMAP66s – at last!

Last week Tom, from Garmin sales came and spent 24 hours with us and he brought with him the new GPSMAP66s from Garmin.

Here is our chat with him.

2. TOPO PRO mapping – to route or not to route

I know we have mentioned it in past Podcasts but we are still getting a number of questions over the phone regarding the TOPO PRO mapping from Garmin.

It is a little confusing I think it is the ‘TOPO’ that is throwing people.

So Andy, what is it?

1. OS mapping, not TOPO mapping (e.g. Topo Light, Topo Active)

2. It has turn by turn off road data within National Parks

3. You can get both 1:50k and 1:25k in the TOPO PRO versions

To find out more about the Garmin GPS units please go to our website – gpstarining.co.uk – click on – gps store – then choose the category you want on the left-hand side – 1:50k, 1:25k

3 – Some common activities and less common activities that people are using GPS units for

As you will be aware most of the GPS units we sell and train people to use are used for walking and cycling but what other activities are people using them for?

- Horse Riding

- Sea Kayaking

- Skiing

- Trail Riders, we have talked about this in a past podcast

- Surveys (wildlife, surveys for work)

- Geocaching, we have had Pete Mason, from the Podcach show on a past podcast – Episode 4

- Mountaineering

 

4. Andy’s Top Tips

Andrew Wallington has kindly written to us with his top tip –

Good Morning,

First of all thank you for your podcasts, site information and videos.

I have only been walking and hiking for the past 2 years and being of "mature years" I have a lot to learn.

I learn a lot from Andy's top tips and would like to add my own.

My route this week was about 25 miles in mid-Wales which I intended to do over 2 days but having completed 13 miles and getting to the bus stop for my return an hour early I decided to complete the whole walk that day. The weather was great and I felt capable of finishing even though I have never walked this far in one go.

Sunset was due at 18.30 which gave me time to finish in daylight I thought.

- I had not taken fatigue into account.

A bright clear day started to cloud over so reducing light

My Satmap was getting low on battery as the route required me to constantly check my position. I did not have a power back up as I intended to finish by midafternoon.

I did not have a torch for the same reason.

The last half mile was downhill through a very thick wood so there was little or no light in places even though there was light outside. This was not good for trip hazards.

I am sure that as seasoned walkers you would not make my mistakes but it seems that there are more people walking now and lots of us are novices.

So my top tips to myself are:

1) Never overstretch myself. Fatigue sets in quickly

2) Always carry a power back up source for my navigating device even on short walks in case of battery failure.

3) Carry a torch all year round. Powerful torches do not have to be heavy. Maps are useless in the dark.

Having said all that, the sense of achievement of walking 25 miles in one go and at the same time completing the 'Severn Way' was fantastic.

Regards

Andrew

1.

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 13th 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 ……

It's our 13th podcast, hopefully, it is not an unlucky one.

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

1. We talk over the big news from Garmin, the launch of the Garmin GPSMAP66s

2. We have an interview with Mark from Mountain rescue

3. We have Andy’s top tips - both Garmin and SatMap

4. And then finally we are having another GPS Training podcast competition, this time it is for SatMap users

1. Garmin’s GPSMAP66s – at last!

Last week Garmin announce the launch date, the 15th October, for the long-awaited update for the GPSMAP64s.

I had my hands on a pre-production model back in July and we have two days with Garmin and a GPSMAP66s at the end of the month so we will be able to give it a full review in next months podcast, but before then Andy what are the headlines of this new unit from Garmin and what are the differences compared to the GPSMAP64s?

What’s new with this unit compared to the already very popular GPSMap64s?

- Larger 3” Screen with 200 x 400 Pixels

- For improved Satellite lock the ability to now pick up the European Galileo Satellite system as well as GPS & Glonass

- Free Access to download Satellite images to the device using Wifi with no annual subscription

- Live Weather updates & Animated Weather Radar display - When Paired to a compatible Smartphone

- Live Geocaching – using either Wifi or paired to a compatible Smart phone to download Live Geocaches straight to the unit

- Expedition Mode – can give up to 1 week of GPS Tracking

- Can pair with the inReach Mini Satellite Communicator to receive message alerts from the inReach or Activate messages to be sent from the inReach Mini

- The Wikiloc Trails of the World App is Pre-loaded, letting you search for and download walks in your area using Wifi directly to the unit

- Sync your Activities directly to the Garmin Mobile Connect or new Explorer Mobile App using Bluetooth

- Built-in LED Flashlight / SOS Beacon

VIP sign up – If you want to be kept up to date with everything as we approach the launch date of the GPSMAP66s you can sign up to become a VIP, I must stress this is free and you get –

1. The option to trade in your old unit.

2. Be kept up to date as more comes available on the Garmin GPSMAP66 GPS unit

3. GPS unit posted out to you on launch day, if you choose to purchase the GPS unit.

4. FREE 'launch day' live stream' as we unbox as the GPS arrives with us.

4. Unit-specific webinar if you choose to purchase the GPS unit.

4. EXTRA - Weekly support and top tip newsletter solely about the GPSMAP66 GPS unit for the first four weeks.

To sign up to become a VIP click here.

2 – Interview with Mark from Mountain Rescue

I spoke to Mark from the Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue a couple of weeks ago now, he was great company and that hopefully shows in the interview.

3 – Andy’s Top Tips

1. SatMap Active 12 or Active 20 remember if using the AA battery cradles to go into Settings – Advanced power control and make sure you change battery type from Lipol rechargeable to AA we recommend using AA Lithium

2. Garmin – Setup System Battery Type – must change when you using a different battery type – does not show when using Garmin rechargeable batteries, we recommend Good Quality Nimh Rechargeable 2300+ Eneloop Pro great as colder weather comes in or AA Lithium

4. The GPS Training Podcast competition

Last month we had our first ever GPS Training Podcast competition where you had the chance to with a Garmin Birdseye Voucher

The question was – At the start of August I was at a large event with Garmin. What was the event?