GPS Training Podcast

Can you navigate with just a GPS watch? We discuss this and lots more in this month's GPS Training Podcast

When are watches best suited - our personal experiences - EPIX or FENIX 7?Transferring your planned activity to your GPS using the Connect app to a compatible GPS unit and then following ‘a course’And then finally we have - Andy’s top tips

1. When are watches best suited compared to a GPS unit - our personal experiences.This discussion has come about after my experiences last week.

For the latest ‘walk and talk’ video I was creating with the Garmin Epix (Gen2) We planned a route on our free OS route planning software and headed off into the Cheviot Hills.

I have walked many long distance/ waymarked trails with just a watch

BUT

Could I navigate a pre-planned route that was put together by linking undefined footpaths together?

Struggled, needed to use an OS mapOR

A OS map on a GPS unit

IT ALSO through another question into the equation

1:25k maps – You need these to show you the open access in England and Wales – I could picture these in my mind.

Video comparing Fenix v EpixWalk and talk with Garmin Fenix 7Walk and talk with Garmin Epix (Gen 2)

To find out more and watch the ‘walk and talk’ I refer to please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk  > Homepage and halfway down the homepage you will see a link to ‘walk and talk' – let me take you on a walk with a GPS unit

2. Transferring your planned activity to your GPS using the Connect app to a compatible GPS unit and then following ‘a course’

What are we looking at here?

Traditionally we have planned a route in Garmin BaseCamp (or another route planning software) and transferred this to a unit using a USB cable.We then follow either the route or track

But with a number of the ‘new generation units’ we can do this wirelessly using the Garmin Connect App, this converts it to a ‘course’ though.

Navigational experiences – Route, track and courseCompatible GPS Units - GPSMAP 66 series, 86 series and Montana 700 seriesUse our free route planning software - so easy to useOver the coming months we are going to bring this bringing into our physical GPS Training courses we deliver around the country.Garmin GPS Training Courses (two day, nationwide) -South DownsNew ForestNorthamptonshireGloucestershirePeak DistrictLake DistrictNorthumberlandScottish Borders

To find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Courses (top Menu bar) > Garmin Classroom based courses

3. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tipsMontana 700 – Raining there is a setting for Rain hidden away – Home screen - Setup – Accessibility – Touch Sensitivity change from normal to RainRain: Helps the device ignore false touchscreen input in rainy weather.Also lock screen – tap power button – touch padlock icon – bottom screen now shows padlock – unlock tap power button (Carry Cloth to dry)

Fenix 7 watch and Epix – Touch Screen off or on Start & down button together

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

4. 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 unitPlease 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.

Going overseas, heading off-grid, birdseye, and transferring .gpx files onto a Garmin GPS watch.

In this month’s podcast

As many of us are venturing overseas again we look at - Overseas mapping - Official or TOPO Active/ OSMWe then will discuss going off grid – and using the - inReach mini/ inReach mini 2 We discuss the - End or Garmin’s Birdseye VouchersWe will look at some training videos we have put together for those wanting to do a long-distance trail, whilst using a Garmin watch, either an Instinct or Fenix, to navigate with – Concentrating on the planning process you will need to go through.And then finally we have - Andy’s top tips

So, without a further a do let’s get on with this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. Overseas mappingIt’s nice to be back on this subject after the last two years – Garmin unitsOSM – Open Street/ Open-sourced maps – £19.99 - £29.99- Very much like Garmin’s Topo Active maps - more here about TOPO ACTIVE maps v OS maps

- Great if overlaying a .gpx file, as walking a long-distance trail etc

Official maps - £73.99 - £138.99

- Garmin’s ‘official’ maps for each of the countries

- We usually get then in around 7 – 14 days

SatMap units – we are currently struggling to get overseas maps, but hopefully we will get a solution to this in the next few weeks, fingers crossed.

To find out more about the new GPS Store > Maps

2. Going off grid – and using the - inReach mini/ inReach mini 2 

What are the inReach mini’s

Not just a SOS button

Already got a GPS device unit – what benefits does the inReach mini it give you

To find out more about the range of Garmin inReach mini devices please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store and then – Two-way satellite communication

3. The next thing on this month's GPS Training Podcast - End or Garmin’s Birdseye Vouchers

4. The next thing we are going to look at on this months Podcast is how we can plan a long-distance walk and get the info onto your GPS watch

This subject and solution has come about after plenty of discussions in the GPS training office.

The problem, if you are walking a long distance trail and you want to download a .gpx file and edit it into your day sections what’s the best way to do this.

What is a .gpx file?

If you are using a handheld unit with OS maps how would you do this?

Why can’t you do this if you are a watch user?

1.5 hours to load the Fenix TOPO Active maps in BaseCampCan’t edit in the online version of ConnectCan’t edit in the online version of Explore

So, the solution – BaseCamp with open-sourced maps on

Export .gpx file into Connect

To find out more and see the solution we have created some videos in the online resource – our online training platform. Please just go to gpstraining.co.uk > Click on Online resource, on the top menu bar. When you are on the online resource click on – Courses > GPX Library

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

- Units with Topo Active Maps – + you have OS mapsView maps in GB Maybe cycling or in city etcSetup – Map – Configure Maps make sure any worldwide dem, Topo Active all enabled – touch screen, 66s coloured tab, disable any maps on micro card eg topo pro 1:50k, North Scotland, South Scotland, West England, East England North England

Etrex22/32 – Setup – Map – Map information

With Digital Maps Change Detail – Advanced Setup – Detail from Normal to higher level

NB If you are updating Topo Active Maps on etrex22/32/Touch, Montana 700i or 750i you will need a separate 16gb Card they can take several hours make sure computer sleep modes off

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

And Finally

Jon leads

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 unitPlease 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.

In this month’s podcast

We look at the range of Garmin Fenix 7 GPS watchesAhead of Andy’s Spine Challenger race in June, if you don’t know what that is, don’t worry, we will tell you more, BUT, we are going to discuss the kit he has been training with and what he will be taking with him on the event.Andy’s top tips

So, without a further ado let’s get on with this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. The first thing on this month's Podcast is a look at the Garmin Fenix 7 range of watchesIn the range of watches we have –

Garmin Fenix 7s – Sapphire SolarGarmin Fenix 7 - Sapphire SolarGarmin Fenix 7x – Sapphire Solar

There are more in the full range but we are just looking at those for the ‘Outdoor’ sector – This is how Garmin class or account.

We are very much for the walker, hiker, runner, ultra-runner, and any other outdoor activity.

Buttons and touch screen

 In the past all Garmin Fenix Watches had button control only, the benefits of this being:

NOW - best of both worlds with the addition of a touch screen.

Power Sapphire

With the Fenix 7 Garmin have put a solar panel bonded to the underside of the Sapphire Screen, this is the first time Garmin have incorporated a Solar panel with a Sapphire screen.

– Increased overall Fenix 7 Solar battery life by 33% (7S vs 6S) to upwards of 68% (7X vs 6X)

Premium Materials 

All of the Sapphire screen versions of the Fenix 7 watches come with a Titanium Bezel which is lighter and tougher than a standard steel Bezel.

Multi Band

This is the first Garmin Fenix watch to have Multi-GNSS Multi Band which gives you improved signal in challenging satellite environments. (Multi-GNSS Multi Band function is only available on the Fenix7 Sapphire versions only) with all other versions of the Fenix 7 watches you do have Multi GNSS.

Multi-GNSS Multi band (Fenix 7 Sapphire Versions only) – This new feature allows the Fenix 7 Sapphire watches to lock on to not just two sets of GNSS but multiple satellites system together which can provide military grade precision, this is great when a higher accuracy is needed due to

The Fenix 7 Sapphire watches are the most accurate Fenix watches to date.

Global Maps

The recently updated TOPO ACTIVE maps now have contour lines and with the new map manager you are able to download (over WIFI) free downloadable TopoActive maps from around the world via a easy-to-use interface.

These are both recreational users and the ability to download the newly branded SkiView maps it gives you the flexibility we have all been looking for the ski enthusiast.

Up Ahead

This is a new feature that has not been available before on the Fenix Watches. It can let you know / display what’s up ahead on a course that you have sent to your unit by showing a rolling

Real Time Stamina 

This is a new feature on the Fenix 7 watches can help you to pace through a race or endurance event etc. with confidence, the watches use’s data recording to track and manage your exertion — and help avoid overexerting at the start of your run or bike ride etc.Realtime Settings Sync

With a Fenix watch in the past if you wanted to change settings in your watch such as Databoxes, Databox layout with activities etc. this could only be done directly on the watch, but with the Fenix 7 range we now have a new feature called Realtime Sync, this lets you use the Garmin Connect App on your phone to make these changes and they are then synced to your watch via Bluetooth, being able to now do this on your phone simplifies the configuration process and make changes you want to make to your watch layout and settings much easier. You can still also make the changes directly on your watch which also sync back to the Garmin Connect App.

Built-in Flashlight

Another new feature is a built-in flashlight, this feature is only available on the Fenix 7x models and not the Fenix 7 or 7s versions.

Online resource – Andy has been busy putting the training videos together – how many are there going to be?

To find out more about the new Garmin Fenix 7 range of GPS watches go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS Watches

2. The next thing on this month’s podcast is a chat with Andy regarding the kit he has been training with and he is going to use whist competing in the Montane Spine challenger race in June

What is the Spine Challenger Race?108 miles – along the first section of the Pennine WayEdale to Hardraw HawesHow long have you got to complete the distance?

Kit?

Garmin GPSMAP 86iWatch – Fenix 7xPower packs Sport 25 187g, IP67, 6700mah+ Kit bag Goal Zero venture 75, 192002 x quick outputsHeadtorch – Silva Trail Runner Free – 400 lumens, Red LED , battery extension cable keep warmAnything else – Aquapac for my phone, Dry Bags , not from work Saucony trainers, Seal Skinz & 360 dry socks currently testing

Just giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/team/AndyAyreSpineChallenger

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

- Fenix 7 Watches – quick turn on and off touch screen Top right start stop button & bottom left down button together

- In the Rain using our larger touch screen units – SatMap Active 20 – turn of touch screen in Main Menu – Settings – Touch Screen Enable Off or on off once yellow padlock top right on off once locked – on off and select yes to turn back offMontana 700 – On off button once Touch black padlock – on off once to turn lock back off – also in main menu Setup – Accessibility – Touch sensitivity change from normal to Rain

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

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 unitPlease 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.

We look and review the new Garmin inReach 2 and the Garmin Instinct 2 GPS watch, plus Andy's Top Tips.

In this month’s podcast

We look at the new Garmin inReach Mini2We then look at the new Garmin Instinct 2 series of GPS WatchesAndy’s top tips

1. The first thing on this month's Podcast is a look at the Garmin inReach mini 2What is a Garmin inReach mini?

Contract needed for it to work – like a mobile phone contract

We have had the Garmin inReach mini (1) for a number of years,now we have the inReach mini 2

The key differences –

Battery Life Trackbacks 

Navigational experience on the Garmin inReach mini 2

Digital Compass 

Multi-GNSS 

Garmin Explore App 

Compatible with other Garmin devices

To find out more about the new Garmin inReach mini 2 go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-Way Satellite Communication

2. The next thing on this month’s podcast is another new product from Garmin – the Garmin Instinct 2 watch

What is a Garmin Instinct GPS Watch?

Four models

Battery Life

Garmin Pay

Connect IQ Store

Built-in Sports Apps

VO2 Max

Recovery Time

MTB Dynamics

Sleep monitoring

Respiration tracking

Fitness Age

Intensity minutes

Women's health tracking

The Instinct 2 & 2s ranges are still packed with all the great original features of the 1st Generation Instinct watches.Multi-GNSS support

Follow a Course

ABC Sensors

Trackback Routing

Mark a Waypoint

Safety and tracking FeaturesSmart notifications

Wrist-based heart rate

Stress Tracking

To find out more about the range of Garmin Instinct Watches please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store and then GPS Watches

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

Fenix Watches not displaying in Finder on Macs -Garmins watches that now use MTP  (Media Transfer Protocol) this tends to be the watches that can have music stored on them such as the Fenix 6 range are not being detected in Finder by Macs, this is due to Apple being compatible with MTP transfer protocol, whether apple will change this in the future we don’t know but from MAC forums a free to use programme that lets you see the Fenix watch on your Mac to manually copy and paste files to can be downloaded from  - www.android.com/filetransfer

InReach mini 2 – Battery safe Tips

Brightness lower to save battery – Pwr button once – scroll down to Brightness Ok, up down arrows lower or increase 25% normally fineSettings – System – Display – also has brightness + Timeout 15, 30 secs, 1 min etc

Settings – Tracking - Activity Recording Standard better battery, high detail better for more accurate track back but more batterySettings – tracking – Send interval – Off - 10, 20, 30 mins, 1hr , 2hr, 4hrSettings – System – GPS , GPS Better battery , Multi GNSS more accurate , quicker fix but more battery

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

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 unitPlease 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.

In this special ’mid-month’ podcast I am joined by a special guest, Tommy Wilkinson. He was, and still is, a keen racer, having won numerous Scottish DH races and spent two seasons chasing the World Cup dream as a dirtbag privateer. A “little bobble” on a jump in 2013 left Tommy with a fractured skull, brain hemorrhage, a spinal cord contusion, damaged disc, and permanently paralyzed right arm.

I walk the Northumberland Coast Path with Chris, the Coast Walker.In this months Podcast -

Last Sunday I walked with Chris the Coast walker and I chatted to him whilst out on the Northumberland Coast PathWe look at using the GPS Training free OS route planning software on a tablet of mobile phone, then transferring it to your GPS UnitThe walk and talk series on YouTube – 1 year on, what do people want to see?Andy’s top tips

So, without a further ado let’s get on with this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. Chris the coast walkerChris has been on Podcast twice before

Podcast 41, just before he was setting off - https://gpsonlinecourse.co.uk/gps-training-podcast-number-41/

Podcast 53 - https://gpsonlinecourse.co.uk/gps-training-podcast-number-53/

Started in East Anglia and he went Clockwise and he has just come out of Scotland back into England on the homeward leg back to East Anglia.

If you can support Chris, please do go to his JustGiving page. You can find out more and sponsor him at - thecoastwalker.com

2. The next thing on this month’s podcast is planning your walk on a mobile device on our free OS route planning software.

If people don’t know, what is the GPS Training Free OS route planner?

On our pre-Christmas podcast, we mentioned that you could use our route planner with an iPad Pro.A gentleman called Ian kindly left a comment after listening to it saying 'You don’t need an IPad Pro to use the free route planning software. I have a standard iPad 5 with a small wireless mouse and it works great'.So this got us thinking –

A wireless mouse, what could we do with this and an iPad, mobile phone (Android or iPhone) and our free OS route planning software.

We now have 2 x new training videos (one for iPad/ iPhone users and a second for android Users) on how you can plan your walk on your device using our free OS route planning software and a wireless mouse, then transfer it onto a compatible Garmin GPS device.

To find both the OS Route planning software and the two new training videos please just go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > OS Planner (top menu bar) and right down at the bottom of the page there are 2 x new training videos taking you through everything

3. Walk and talk series on YouTube – 1 year on- What is the walk and talk series?Practical review/ guide on each of the GPS UnitsWalking in the hill with each of them- Still have a couple of units still to do – Mainly Garmin GPSMAP 66sr – but all the other units have been done

- What do people want to see going forward?

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

Hike NP Profile - what is it why do we add it?

Make customers aware if walking in a National Park and the route has not be created as a turn by turn route but as a direct  Route, N.B downloaded routes from websites will be direct need to leave unit on Hike profile with Direct Routing.Hike NP only to be used if you have created Route in Basecamp with map on unit as Turn by Turn less than 50 points.

Off-Route calculation setting what is it?

Carrying on from above - Setting in units under Setup - Routing named off-route calculation, this is normally on recommend off if you do not what your turn by turn route to try and recalculate if you deviate slightly from it, GPSMap series in main routing setting, Montana in advanced setting, not avail on etrex

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

And Finally

Jon leads

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 unitPlease 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 appreciatedOur next Podcast, which incorrectly has been recorded as 66, hence this being 65.5 is with Tommy Wilkinson, a downhill mountain biker with a papalized arm.This will be out mid-month – Wednesday 16th FebruaryI recorded this interview just before Christmas and I have personally listened to it 4 times already, it is a truly inspirational tale and I personally think the best Podcast we have recorded to date

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

On New Years Day we have an interview with Allan Knight, the oldest man to walk from John-o-Groats to Land’s End on foot.

Our Christmas get together, a look back over the past year

So, it’s our Christmas party, well it’s not really but we are going to look back over the year and look ahead to 2022

If I said – tell me about 2021, in relation to GPS Training, what one word would sum it up for you

Key points, that I can think of, from the past year -- January/ Feb – New website

- The start of the ‘walk and talk’ series – more about that later

- Starting to get out delivering courses – Easter?- June – Andy coming back

- September – The introduction of the free OS route planning software – again more about that later

2. Big progressions over the past year – post-sale automation – We tweak and work at this all the time. LynnWhat is it?Series of emails customers get from us for the year after they have bought a GPS unit from usIt encourages them to look at the resources they get from us – including the support and training options they have access to.

And therefore, people know where to find the answers they are looking for.

Many people do pay after the first ‘free first year’ to continue to have access to both the online resource and one of our support packages.

3. Big progression 2 – AndyIf customers can’t find the answer they are looking for they then work their way through to Andy.Andy came back in mid-June – June 14thSupport – both in person and also creating videos for online resource/ YouTubeHad the business changed in those two years away?Videos for online resource (what is the online resource) – Over 50 videos now for most units – How do you go about structuring these, recording, editing, uploading and embedding within the online resourceTherefore with each unit being covered in such an in-depth manor the questions I am now getting are very specific and more than likely to be ‘a problem’ rather than how do you do x or y?Training courses – throughout UKScottish Borders

Northumberland

Lake District

Peak District

Northamptonshire

Gloucestershire

South Downs

New Forest1:1 Zoom training – only been introduced a couple of weeks but a great success, we have had one customer who booked back-to-back 2 hour sessionsAndy – what’s been your big takeaway for 2021?Using two-way satellite communicationPutting into practice myself, what I have been teaching in the classroom for a number of years nowThis gives me the ability to relate to the experiences customers are getting4. Big progression number 3 – walk and talk – Jon and JaneHow it came about – Buckham’s Bridge – a long way up the valley – Between Christmas and New Year – a long way up the Valley – Snowy day – Dere Street, Pennine Way – Cold Day!The frustration of people not understanding the principle and how a GPS will look when navigating.

Originally, we were going to get them ‘professionally shot’ but trying to understand ‘how to do it’ I just went out with my iPhone and my own personal GPS unit.And that turned into the first-ever ‘walk and talk’.Since then I have filmed them on short walks on summer evenings, long walks in the Cheviots, on a number of long-distance trails in all weather and in every season.One of my favorites is the eTrex 10 – I took a £100.00 GPS and our free route planning software i.e total spend £100.00 and showed how you can get a great navigational experience from a ‘budget’ GPS unit.

I have also personally got lots from walking with each of the units and spending some ‘quality’ time getting to know them and all their good and bad points.

How do I create them?

Our most recent one was with the Garmin Fenix watch, still a few holes to plug, mainly GPSMAP 66sr and more watch videos.

Our final big progression of 2021 has been our free OS route planning software.Why did we do this?Tried to make it as simple as possible?

And in the run-up to Christmas, we even had a free webinar for those who want to get 100% out of it

You access it by clicking on OS planner on the top menu bar on the GPS Training website and you don’t download it, instead, you do it directly on our website.

And Finally

Jon leads

Many thanks for listening to this month’s Podcast.The most Inspirational person I have spoken to on the podcast in the last year – Chris the coast walker – Last spoke to him in April this year, one of my all-time favourite interviews on the Podcast - https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/news/interview-chris-the-coast-walker

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 unitPlease 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.Our next Podcast will be on New Year’s day – oldest map to walk the length of Britain, not Tommy Wilkinson as previously flagged up.

Many thanks to Lynn, Jane and Andy for joining me on this month’s podcast.

Walking in the dark, an update on the stock situation and the big updates for the Garmin GPSMAP 66 and Montana 700 series of GPS Units.

In this month’s podcast

As it’s now turning dark shortly after 4.00, we talk to Andy with regard to walking in the dark, what are some things that may help you.Stock – With many units out of stock until late January/ early Feb we go through your options and the reason whyWe look at the big software updates that have just come out for Garmin GPSMAP 66 and 86 series + Montana 700 seriesAndy’s top tips

So, without a further a do let’s get on with this month’s GPS Training Podcast

1. The first thing on this month’s Podcast is a look at walking in the dark, what things do you need to take into consideration when navigating with an Outdoor GPS UnitAndy, with your training ahead of the Spine Challenge Race next year you have been getting out a fair bit in the dark.Andy, how’s your training going? You can sponsor Andy via his Just Giving Page.

You may not be planning to walk into the dark, but at this time of year it is very easy to end up in the dark and therefore you do need to think and plan ahead.

Backlit buttons10% screen brightness – button GPS unitTie into chat on GPSMAP 66 seriesHeadtorches - what are you using and why

Brightness of headtorch

Nebo and SilvaWalking with Poles?

Planning/ downloading your route beforehand, especially when walking in the dark

5. Anything else we have not covered?

If you want to find out more about headtorches just visit our website – gpstraining.co.uk > GPS Store >Headtorches and torches

2. Stock – With many units out of stock until late January/ early Feb we go through your options and the reason why

Lack of chipsSupply chain is not as it should beOut of stock – Garmin eTrex 22x, 32x, 35t and Oregon 700 and Garmin GPSMSAP 65, 65s and Garmin GPSMAP 66srPromised GPSMAP 66i back in stock 10th December, fingers crossedSo, if you are wanting a unit as a present, please do buy why we still have a number of units in stock.I honestly don’t know what January will bring, but fingers crossed.SatMapTo find out more about GPS Units please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units

3. The next thing on this month’s GPS training podcast is the recent software updates for the Garmin GPSMAP 66 and 86 series and Montana 700 series

- Andy, what are the main ‘fixes’ or new features that have been rolled out with this software update?

Fit & GPX files match

Fixed selecting current activity sometimes shutting downOn Course off course on tracks and new courses feature

Can now use Garmin connect to send courses to watch

- How do we update our Garmin GPS units? Basecamp Windows Devices menu, Mac Basecamp but search for and download Garmin Webupdater or Garmin Express

To watch video tutorials on how to update your unit 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

4. The next thing on this month’s GPS Training Podcast is Andy’s top tips – and we have lots of them –

Garmin – If unit with built-in battery locked up frozen screen what to do – Hold power button in 20 – 30 seconds or until re-boot

SatMap -Stopping for long break inside say a pub for lunch rather than turn unit off – power button once – hibernate 1hr  or 2 hr – One tap power button back on(Main Menu – Settings – Hibernate Settings Option to change from defaults)

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 – gpstarining.co.uk and click on the – Online resource – on the top menu bar

And Finally

Jon leads

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 unitPlease 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.Our next Podcast will be on New Year’s day and it is going to be a special one, as I have an interview with Tommy Wilkinson, who rides is a downhill Mountain biker who now rides with a paralyzed arm after a serious mountain bike accident a number of years ago

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

PODCAST SPECIAL - After walking 118 miles the microphone is turned through 180 degrees as the guest presenter, Paul Freeman asks the questions and finds out the highs and lows of walking 118 miles.

If you can support, please visit my Just Giving fundraising page - more here

Overview of Charity Walk

Every year, Shepherds Walks raise money on the challenge walks for two great charities -

Hospice Care North NorthumberlandNorthumberland National Park Mountain Rescue

With the year we have just had, it has been impossible to donate as we have in the past so I am personally going to step up to the bar.

The route

Starting Melrose - St Cuthbert's Way to - St Boswells

then Border Abbey Way through Kelso - to - Jedburgh

then St Cuthbert's Way to St Cuthbert's Cave

then Northumberland Coast Path to Warkworth

then St Oswald's Way to Rothbury