GPS Training Podcast

The all-new eTrex solar and live tracking on the Motorola Defy - Satellite Link

In this month’s podcast –

1. After we discussed the Garmin eTrex SE last month Garmin released the eTrex solar last month, the first solar powered GPS unit

2. Nationwide GPS courses for 2024

3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy – Satellite link – Beta resting and our thoughts

4. Al Pepper – our first ‘Ambassador’

5. We then have Andy’s top tips

1. Garmin eTrex solar

After we have had the Garmin inReach SE for a 8 months it is great to see this updated version, the first-ever Outdoor GPS unit which has a solar panel - Garmin eTrex Solar

Solar Charging -With the addition of solar charging also gives us the ability to now have a built in lithium battery, which will give you unlimited battery life in sunny conditions (75,000 lux) or upto 100 hours when using GNSS and multi-band tracking.

Multiband satellite network, new addition for the Garmin eTrex Solar - This all new multi-band GPS gives you access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites which gives you improved positional accuracy.

Live Geocaching on the Garmin eTrex Solar – With the Garmin eTrex Solar you now get automatic cache updates from Geocaching live, including descriptions, logs and hints. When connected to the Garmin Explore app, each find will upload to your geocaching.com profile.

Garmin Explore app alongside the Garmin eTrex Solar - You can connect the Garmin eTrex Solar to the Garmin Explore app, once connected you can undertake wireless software updates, get access to cloud storage, plan trips, get smart notifications and access additional mapping.

Live weather - When connected to the Garmin Explore app you can get real-time forecast information, so you're aware of any changing conditions.

To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex Solar go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Unboxing and first review

2. Nationwide GPS courses - 2024

All our course dates for next year are now online

Our course prices go up in price on Friday 22nd December – so please get yourself booked on before then.

If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course

3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy -

Andy has been Beta testing the new live tracking feature for the Motorola Defy – satellite link

It has been on the Bullit app for some time now, but it does not function

Watch Live tracking - Beta testing - Motorola Defy - Satellite Link 

4. All Pepper – our first Ambassador

Over the coming months you will be seeing/ hearing lots about Al.

Who is is –

YouTube Vlogger – We first came across him on the Cheviot Challenge

Posted a video after he, his dad and uncle participated in it – Tracy and Katherine appeared in the video as he approached one of the summits.

He is an ultra-runner from the NE

On one of the videos, where he competed in a Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks ultra he struggled a little bit with regard to navigation to I reached out to him.

After a number of phone calls he is our first-ever – Ambassador

You cannot fail to like hem, really nice guy.

He mentions us lots now in his videos and I will collate a number of these in a news article some time before Christmas.

Al Pepper runs - watch him on YouTube

 

5. Andy’s Top Tips

Garmin Explore App – after importing (+ from Map) or open GPX with Explore – find transfer better if convert to course

Go into Collection folder – 2 x Drawing pin icon route, curved line course, footprint track, after selecting track or route select 3 x red dots top right – copy as course then select track or route – 3 red dots delete

Garmin Connect you can now convert activity to course to navigate with –

More – Activities – all activities etc – select activity – 3 white dots top right save to my courses

Add courses to bottom tabs – Select More bottom right – select Edit top right - - new feeds - + courses – select Save

Coros App – one of the easiest to save activity to course or export as GPX

From activities tab – select activity – 3 white dots top right – Save Route – Also export data from same menu GPX share via email

Garmin eTrex SE, 7 months on, GPS in the Hills and which app should you be using?

The big 90, that not bad going.

In this month’s podcast –

1. eTrex SE – 7 months on

2. GPS in the Hills – last course this/ last weekend – what is this course all about?

3. BaseCamp, connect, explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

- Garmin eTrex SE – 7 months on

The Garmin eTrerx SE was launched on the 14th March, in the same day the Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i was launched

Price - £149.99

To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex SE go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Garmin eTrex SE Review

- GPS in the hills course – what is this?

You may have seen this on our website/ newsletters

For those who have been on our two-day Garmin GPS Training course.

£158.00 on website, but if you have been on a course you get a discount code making it half-priced - £79.00

What do we cover on this day-long course

Week leading upto course

- Planning over Zoom – week leading upto course

On the day - straight out onto the hill -

- Following the pre-planned route

- Looking at the different navigational experiences for a route, track, and course

- Trackback - we will do a trackback taking us back the way we came

- Creating a route directly on the unit

- Managing an emergency situation - what options do we have and how are we going to approach this

- Changing the ‘pre-planned’ plans - what options do we have and how we do this

- Navigating in the dark, how to set up our GPS units

This will all be delivered during an 8 - 12 mile walk (depending on elevation climbed) and only people who have been on our 2-day course will be invited onto the course.

South Downs – 4th October 2024

Lakes – 18th October 2024

Northumberland – 26th October 2024

If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course

- BaseCamp, Connect, Explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?

Garmin BaseCamp

Garmin Connect

Garmin Explore

 

- Andy’s Top Tips

Explore App – Convert imported GPX files from track or route to a course before syncing – syncs quicker and seems to be more reliable when syncing

2 X Drawing pin icon - Route

Footprint icon -Track

Curved line – Course

3 x Red dots top right screen – copy as course, go back to track or route 3 x red dots top right select delete

Remember Find / Spy Glass Course

GPSMap65s – Pause Track – in theory you cannot or can you?

- When you are just about to go into a building and want to stop the recording - press your menu button twice to goto main menu

- Select Setup

- Select System

- Select Satellite System - changed from Muliti-GNSS to DEMO

- When you come out of the building and standing where your changed satellite to Demo - repeat the process and change Satellite back to Multi-GNSS

1:25k maps options and the Garmin GPSMAP67 series - 7 months on.

In this months podcast -

1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal

2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

3. Using a headtorch with a GPS unit, as the nights draw in

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

1. Advantages of 1:25k maps – 1 week left of map deal

Half-priced 1:25k map card with selected units – Offer ends 8th October

- Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i

- Garmin Montana 700/ 700i

Garmin led promotion – £175.00 saving as normally £349.99

Differences between 1:50k maps and 1:25k maps

If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series and Montana 700 series map card offer please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units

 

2. GPSMAP 67/ 67i – 7 months in – our thoughts

If you want to find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 series please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Units

3. Andy’s Top Tips

Limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition, New series on YouTube, map options and Andy's top tips

In this month’s podcast –

1. The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS Watch

2. The new series on YouTube – FAQ’s

3. Map options available for an Outdoor GPS unit and the pros/ cons of each

4. We then have Andy’s top tips

The new limited edition Coros Apex 2 Pro Chamonix Edition – GPS Watch

It must be good as Andy’s bought himself one and even my wife likes it!

- What is the Coros Apex 2?

There has been a large software update in the past week which includes turn by turn routing and the ability to put a picture/ logo on the watch screen, anything else? Sign up to Beta on www.coros.com select Support – software updates – august beta updates for signup instructions.

- Turn-by-Turn Navigation - *BETA ONLY

Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available for you to test on your compatible COROS watch, helping you navigate with confidence wherever you are. Save any route in the COROS app and sync it directly to your watch to be notified of upcoming turns on your route automatically.

There will be a limited number of available testing slots based on the workload our support/product teams can handle (~500 users).

We expect the public beta to run 3-6 months, and once it is ready we will push to all global users with an update.

- Create Your Own Watch Face

Elevate your look with the COROS app. Go analog, or digital. Pick a personal photo or choose from our collection.

- Statistics Summary Page

Maximize your training insights, choose a date range, filter by activity type, and quickly view your Threshold Heart Rate Zone Distribution to ensure your training was where you intended it.

- Workout

Create a workout for your trail runs, including setting elevation gain as a target goal.

- New Watermark Image Sharing

Share your achievements and motivate others with new customizable watermark images. Upload a personal photo and overlay your training data for a quick visual summary of your workout.

- Even More Updates

Easier Route Sharing: Share and send routes to others over text messages and social media. Select the link to open the route and view data like elevation, distance, waypoints, and more.

- Accessible RHR Data: Resting Heart Rate during the day will now be predicted based on sleep heart rate, which will provide an automatic way to get your RHR data.

- Favorite Locations: Create favorite Locations on the Explore page for quick access when creating new routes. Before drawing a route, click the location and edit and name the location directly.

- Merge points on custom routes: Merge "start" and "end" points on your routes created on the Explore page. Merge the points in the upper right corner to the left of the bottom button.

- WiFi: Improved Wifi connection to speed up the installation of firmware updates.

- Extended Activity Recording option: Previously, the longest activity you could record was 200 hours. Additionally, that was the maximum number of hours users could record on their watch before syncing to the COROS App. This has been extended to 1200 hours.

- What is the Chamonix Edition, and how is it different?

Limited release 3000 x units worldwide

If you aspire to train hard and move fast outdoors, there's no more iconic base than Chamonix. The spiritual home of trail running and gateway to the epic terrain of Mont Blanc, this special edition APEX 2 Pro celebrates one of the greatest places on earth to train and trail-blaze.

ALPINE INSPIRED COLORS

Far from the green that dominates the lower slopes, the blue and grey colors echo Mont Blanc's high elevations where rock and glacier meet the piercing sky.

- Price - £448.00

- Walk and talk on the Coros Apex 2 – next Wednesday – 6th September, I take the watch for a 20-mile walk in the Cheviot Hills

- We have both become big fans of the Coros Apex 2 range of watches

If you want to find out more about the Coros Apex 2 please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Watches

Started this Wednesday – new YouTube series – FAQ’s

Every fortnight I am going to release a new video answering the most Frequently Asked Questions I get asked on any particular subject –

- Released – FAQ’s on GPS Training Ordnance Survey Route Planning Software

- 13th September – FAQ’s we get asked with regard to GPS units with built-in batteries

AND lots more to come including –

Online resource

Garmin BaseCamp

Xpedition 2

How accurate is a GPS unit?

Gold support package

Watch or GPS unit

Trade in price - how we work it out - you are better selling it yourself

Mapping - Using the OS mapping from OS - from your app, Birdeye mapping discontinued, can you update the Garmin OS map card?

If watch these videos please go to our website GPSTraining.co.uk > News > The frequently asked questions we get about …..

 

Andy’s Top Tips

Import GPX to Coros App - Coros android phone after recent updates, if GPX files downloaded to Google files – downloads finding when you select open with Coros not there simply select 3 black dots to right - Share and then scroll down list select Coro – Save Route select name box change if required – Save then option to sync to watch.

Topo Active Maps for Tour Cycling - When cycling on units with Topo Active Maps you can turn off OS maps via Setup – Map – Map Manger (Older units Configure Maps) , I find this map view and map style easier for Road Cycling & urban environments.

Either disable Topo Pro 1:50k or 1:25k Select regions.

In Setup – Map – advanced – Detail level higher for digital topo active

Our thoughts on Motorola Defy - Satellite Link, Coros watches and Andy's top tips

In this month’s podcast –

With the Motorola defy – Satellite Link being with us for a couple of months now we talk more in-depth about everybody experience with this all-new two-way satellite communicator

We have an in-depth chat about the Coros range of GPS watches

We then have Andy’s top tips

- Motorola Defy – Satellite Link

It has been with us for a couple of months now, what is it?

Key features –

Price

Price of contracts

Does not use Iridium satellites – always logged on (high orbit satellites, always same place in sky

What makes it different to existing products – Garmin Messenger, inReach mini 2, Zoleo

We have just 117 to date. (as of 1 hour ago), what are people's thoughts Andy?

I have never seen a product sell the way it has.

If you want to find out more please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communicator

        - Coros Watches

Coros Apex or Coros Apex 2 Pro – what are the differences

If you want to find out more please go to GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Watches

-  Andy’s Top Tips

The Spine Challenger race - Post-event catch-up.

As both Andy and I competed in it and we both have our own stories from the event we thought it best to bring in a guest presenter this month.

And this is Jane, my long-suffering wife, who also has her own Spine story after spending lots of time in the area, both when I was personally out doing my recce’s of the route and also running around, dropping off, dot watching and just like Andy and myself getting very little sleep during the event itself.

If you have not already done so, please go back and listen to last month’s podcast, when we had our pre-event chat, if you are looking for the ‘back story’.

If you can support us -

Jon - https://www.justgiving.com/team/jonspine

Andy - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

 

So, if people don’t know Andy, what is the Summer Spine Challenger South race?

108 miles in total

60 hours to complete

Total Ascent: 5451 metres, 17,883 feet

1 checkpoint (Hebdon Bridge) – 46 miles

Soft checkpoint (1.5) (Malham Tarn) – 84.5 miles

How far to did each of you get?

- Andy

- Jon

Let’s go all the way back to the start, we actually the day before – Registration – kit check – Friday afternoon, day before the event

- Kit check

- tracker – received the Saturday morning

- Race number

4. Race morning – Start to CP1 (Hebdon Bridge) – 46 miles

- Progress

- Difficulty

- Weather

- How did each of you manage – highs/ lows/ speed/ difficulty

- Time arrived – CP1 – what did you do at CP and what time did you get away?

- Jon

- Andy

CP1 – CP 1.5 – 46 miles to 84.5 miles (38.5 miles leg)

- Andy, take us through the xx miles from CP1, how did you feel initially, when did things start taking a turn for the worse?

- Nausea – when did this start Andy?

What where you feeling

- Andy reached – Lothersdale – Mileage 64 miles ish – Time ??

Talk me through those 20 miles from CP1 to Lothersdale?

How did you get back and where did you get back to.

Jon, you hooked up with x 3 walkers coming out of CP1, was this planned? I know you where still with them when I met you at xxx yyy

Weather leaving CP1

Daylight

Feet

I met you at Lothersdale, a little bit of a Father’s Day surprise?

Your next stop was Gargrave (74 miles in – 28 miles into day 2), I know this was a key point to get to as it was one of the few places you could stock up with supplies – Co-op

Then I met you again at Malham – 83.5 miles

 

Weather was a little different than the last time we walked that section, was the Ice Cream van there?

 

CP1.5 – Malham Tarn

- Rain

- I was hoping to sleep just after CP1.5, but with the weather I decided to push on

 

Fountains Fell – tent, started to hallucinate.

Dropped down to Rainscar road – just before climb up to Peny-y-Ghent

Slept – 12.30 – 1.00 am

Pen-y-Ghent summit – 2.00 am

 

Horton in Ribblesdale – 4.20 am – leader overtook me at 4.00 am – official footage from the Spine Race

 

Finish 12.04 – Hardraw, just past Hawes

The Spine Challenger race - Special mid-month podcast

If you can support us -

Jon - https://www.justgiving.com/team/jonspine

Andy - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger

In this special ‘mid-month’ podcast we are going to look ahead to the Spine Challenger Race, which starts on Saturday 17th June.

As many of you may know Andy completed 95ish miles of this event last year, he is back again to ‘finish what he started last year’, and I will be also participating in this event.

Therefore, you are going to listen in on our pre event chat, as I try and prize Andy’s expertise from him and learn from the lessons he learnt from participating in last year’s event.

Podcast 72 – Andy’s pre-walk interview

Podcast 74 – Andy’s post-walk podcast

 

So, if people don’t know Andy, what is the Summer Spine Challenger South race?60 hours to complete?

108 miles in total?

Total Ascent: 5451 metres

Total Descent: 5449 metres

 

Other events taking place over the same period -- Sprint race – Edale to Hebdon Bridge – 46 miles

18 hours to complete

Total Ascent: 2017 metres

Total Descent: 2033 metres

- Summer Spine Challenger North – Hardraw – Kirk Yetholm -  160 miles

Time Limit: 96 hours

Total Ascent: 5,290 metres

Total Descent: 5,591 metres

- Full Spine race – Edale to Kirk Yetholm -

Start: Edale, Derbyshire, UK

Finish: Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders

Distance: 268 miles

Time Limit: 156 hours

Finish Time: 20:00 June 24th 2023

Total Ascent: 10,732 metres

Total Descent: 10,941 metres

Spine Challenger walk - 108 miles

Checkpoint 1 – 46 miles – Hebdon Bridge

Soft checkpoint – Malham Tarn – 84 miles

What are you going to do differently this time? Lessons learnt?

What did you mainly navigate with – GPS Unit, watch, map?

Hardest part of the course?

What have you learnt about your body?

What have you learnt about your kit, anything different this time?

Registration

Live tracking

Many thanks for joining me on this special ‘mid-month’ GPS Training podcast

All new Garmin watches (Epix Pro (Gen 2) and Fenix 7 PRO), getting our hands on the Motorola Defy and Coros watches

In this month’s podcast –

Garmin Epix Pro (gen 2) and Fenix 7 pro launched yesterday

Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE - what have we learnt to date?

Motorola Defy - Satellite link

Coros watches

Andy’s top tips

 

Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) and Fenix 7 PRO – launched yesterday

Epix Pro (Gen 2) is now x 3 sizes –

42 mm (same as Fenix S version) – 10 days battery life

47 mm (same as current version) – 16 days battery life

51 mm (same as Fenix X version) – 31 days battery life

New 5th generation Heart rate monitor

Flashlight built in to all models

£30.00 price increase – (42mm an 47mm) - £929.99

£999.99 for the 51mm version

Fenix 7 pro –

Still – s, normal and x (same sizes as above)

Flashlight built in to all models

100% charging now comes from ring around Bezel – was 10% from behind screen – Therefore better screen clarity

To find more about the Garmin EPIX Pro (Gen2) and Fenix 7 Pro please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS watches

 

Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE - what have we learnt to date?

Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i

Battery Life, new wifi download / update of topo active Europe plus other regions now avail, i version now multiband dual frequency

 

Garmin eTrex SE

Walk and talk on the Garmin eTrex SE

 

To find more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i and eTrex SE please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

 

An update on the Motorola Defy, the ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Last week I walked in Yorkshire with Antony and Aman from Bullitt, the company who has created the Motorola Defy – Satellite Link

Walk and Talk went live yesterday for the Motorola Defy - Satellite Link – Wednesday 31st May 2023

 

00:00 – An introduction to the walk and talk with the Motorola Defy Satellite Link and the key features, as described by Antony, from the Bullitt Group

07:16 – Amon joins us from the sales team from Bullitt

10:50 – How the Motorola Defy Satellite Link works and what buttons are on the device

11:00 – A look at the app that works alongside the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

14:00 – How to send and receive messages from the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

15:50 – The durability of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

16:25 – What happens when you press the SOS button on the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

19:32 – The key features of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link

 

Coros watches

 Just started to stock

Models –

Apex 2 £349

Apex 2 pro £449

Compare Fenix 7 Standard £559, GPS 57hrs, all 40hrs, weight 79g , not sapphire glass

Benefits, compared to Garmin

Price – with quality materials sapphire titanium – light pro 53g, standard 42g

Battery compared to cheaper watches

Apex 2 pro 75hrs GPS-Qzss – 45hrs 5 x Satellites – 26hrs 5 x + dual frequency

Apex 2 45hrs GPS-Qzss – 30hrs 5 x Satellites

App has very easy to use planning – waypoints adding for ahead points

Scroll wheel still allows scroll through data screens with lock to stop accidental pause only

Less features but enough easier to use ??

 

The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

GPSMap67 – great battery – keep eye with iq widget  battery widget with automatic charge detection

With unit on tap power button once and right keypad arrow move to widget

 

eTrex SE – pair with Explore app – download maps offline to app, when tracking app uses SE gps location and shows your moving or navigating Route on app

 

Coros Apex 2 watches – When recording activity and navigating – hold button in unlock – scroll to map press scroll wheel + & - displays use scroll wheel to zoom in out remember to press back button once before screen locks 5 seconds, if back button pressed when on map after zoom in will zoom out route to overview

 

To find more top tips please sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

The all-new Garmin GPSMAP 67, 67i and eTrex SE

In this month’s podcast –

We look at the all-new Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i

We then also look at the all-new Garmin eTrex SE

An update on the Motorola Defy, the ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Andy’s top tips

 

The Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i

Replacement for 66sr and 66s has been discontinued (but we still have some stock of 66s unit).

Big changes are battery life, multi-band / dual frequency now avail on inReach model, USB-C connection.

67 – upto 180hrs GPS + Auto record, 67i with 10min tracking 160hrs

67 – GPS, Galileo, Glonass

67i – GPS, Galileo, Beidou

Buy as a bundle option – Topo Active + 1:50k or 1:250, 1:50k and 1:25k

with unit only - £469.99

with TOPO PRO 1:50k OS maps - £569.99

with TOPO PRO 1:50k and 1:25k OS maps - £759.99

To find more about the Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

 

Garmin eTrex SE 

A completely different unit, replacement for the Garmin eTrex 10?

Multi-Band – GPS, Glonass, Galileo, QZSS, BEidou

Explore App

Live Geocache

168hrs Battery

USB C

Electronic Compass

Higher contrast resolution

Paired with phone , weather, notifications ,

Retailing for £149.99

To find more about the Garmin SE please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

 

An update on the Motorola Defy, the ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Should have been launched mid April,

Then end April

And now mid May …..

No working prototype

Then just this afternoon, I received the following email ....

I hope you have been well?

It has been a while since we last spoke, are you free tomorrow or early this week so I can give you an update on the MDSL and arrange a date for you to test it?

And Motorola phone with this technology in (Motorola defy 2), has also been delayed.

We really need proven, reliable technology when out in the hills

So let’s see!

 

The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

GPSMap67 - If updated using Garmin Express or via WIfi to latest f/w 4.80 you have quick access to flashlight by tapping power button once Mobe down to flashlight and press Enter - repeat to turn off

From the main menu you can also access main flashlight icon and use the SOS setting - if not in main menu select Add page - Select Applications Select Flashlight

eTrex SE - when paired with Explore app you can have set for notification from your phone - with there mean no turn alert or vibrate on the unit messages only appear for approx 20 seconds  - to check if any message hold back arrow button for a couple of seconds to goto Glances - scroll down notifications - press ok to read - once notifications cleared from your phone they clear on device

If you do not want notifications - Settings - Phone - Selected notifications okay toggles on or off

 

To find more top tips please sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

 

And Finally

Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.

If there are any subjects you would like to cover in future Podcast’s, please do get in touch – ASK US SOMETHING!

Give us a call especially if you are thinking of a new GPS unit

Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTraining.co.uk and click on – GPS Training courses.

Please do tell your friends about the podcast and GPS Training and encourage them to subscribe to it on whichever Podcast app they are using.

AND don’t forget to give us 5 star rating on iTunes and Google Podcasts, for Android users, just look in the Playstore and download this app, search for the GPS Training Podcast and subscribe to it.

If you can also snazzy review on whatever platform you listen to us on it would be appreciated.

Many thanks to Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator.

In this month's podcast

The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator

The multiband problems many of you have been experiencing and the fix

The Outdoor Show at the Birmingham NEC, get yourself a ticket, and find GPS Training there.

Andy’s top tips

  

The all-new Motorola Defy, a true ‘budget’ satellite communicator

Last week this was launched and it certainly will be a ‘disrupter’ in this ever-evolving marketplace of two-way satellite communicators.

Uses Inmarsat and Echostar satellite systems (Geostationary i.e. always at the same point in the sky)

Inmarsat built in uk assembled in Toulouse by Airbus defense, 14 satellites, echostar 10 satellites, L Band high speed – in tests messages 10 – 20 seconds

SOS response manned by people – Focuspoint SOS response center

(Same one used by Spot Head office Florida , offices in 16 x locations)

Works with an app on both Android10 and IOS14

Uses both cellular, wifi coverage or satellites – intelligent switch with app to save Satellite messages when not needed using wifi or mobile

If you send a message to someone without the app the message gets them to download the app – app to app messages

Produced for Motorola by a company called Bullitt – who already releasing phones with technology built inbuilt this is a Satellite link, like the Garmin inReach messenger and Zoleo

BUT, the big thing is the cost. Both the Zoleo and Garmin products start from £200.00 for the device and monthly cost from £12.99 / £18.00 a month and activation fee, Motorola Defy device for £149.99 includes 30 x messages a month with no fees for a year

After year 1 options £4.99 month 30 messages per month , £9.99 a month 125 messages per month ,£29.99 a month 400 messages per month

+ a great package called freedom pay £59.99 for the year and get 250 x messages total but could be 5 one month then 50 the next (250 total for the year)

gets around people who don’t walk/ explore every week etc – use intensively then not at all)

SOS assist included

Overage bolt-ons available

Get device and 1 year subscription for £149.99 or device on its own for £99.99

Currently working in Europe and North America and Australia, New Zealand and Latin America my mid 2023 and all other regions before the end of the year- really fro land based eg only approx. 30miles out to sea from coastlines

Waterproof (IP68 rating) meaning it’s sand, grit, dirt and dustproof as well as fully waterproof, MIL Spec 810h, only 70grams, 11mm thick

Check in, share your location and send/ receive messages.

SOS button and Check-in button can be used without connected app

Live tracking is coming down the line and my answer to the cost of this was – the ‘bolt on price’ is TBC

The only downside I can see is 12 hours of battery life but great for the day walker – just in case based on 2 check-ins and hour, due to size thinking waterproof bag, power bank, only 600mah battery from usb-c hence would not need big power bank

Available Mid-April this year

So my thoughts are for the day walker/ climber/ cyclist/ remote worker this really does make two-way satellite communication accessible.

For the ‘explorer’ or those spending a lot of time ‘off grid’ and want a better battery life, grid ref etc (inReach mini) the Garmin and Zoleo products will meet those requirements.

As comparison Zoleo 12min tracking 200hrs +

Messenger 46 days with 30min tracking, inreach mini2 30 days with 30min tracking

To find more about the Motorola Defy please go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-Way Satellite Communicators

 

Multi-band problem - Garmin GPSMAP 66sr

What was the problem?

 

Solution? in last weeks newsletter

 

Outdoor Show – or to be more precise – The National Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC

18th and 19th March

GPS Training have a stand – J23

What else is at the show?

Over 30 speakers on x 2 stages

Inspirational Stage – Ben Fogle, Julia Bradbury, Ray Mears, Helen Skelton (Blue Peter – 6 years) but has also was the first person to South Pole on a bicycle

Outdoor Skills Theatre – People talking about – Fell food, How to prepare for an Outdoor adventure, OS are talking, Country walking magazine are talking – The A – Z of places to walk around Britain plus lots more

Well over 200 trade stands and on our stand we have –

Garmin and Zoleo (Toby from Zoleo on our stand), the two-way satellite communicator. Noticed they have got themselves listed as a separate stand but it is ours, and I have paid for it! LOL

Open 9 am – 17.00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday

 

To find out more please just Google – National Outdoor Expo – and we look forward to seeing you at the Birmingham NEC

 

The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips

Mark points on a route or track in Basecamp to use when navigating the Route or Track you can check distances to these points not as the crow flies but along your route or track – mark waypoint in Basecamp – rename – send waypoints and route or track to device – whilst navigating main menu – active Route

 

Garmin too Active Europe Maps large update January now version 2022-10 v22.11

make sure when updating Garmin Basecamp closed down only express open, good internet, Garmin Cable, PC not going to sleep

Some devices do require memory card for all of Europe such as etrex, Montana 700 series has option manage maps and select regions required rather than all – split into 3 plus city navigator options

To find more top tips please do sign up for the GPS Training online resource, this is packed full of video top tips. Go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar