GPS Training Podcast – number 32

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Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 32nd episode.

1. In this month’s we again have Ian and me Jon, both from GPS Training.
2. Many thanks for all the feedback you sent after last month’s podcast, number 31, about the interview I did with Paul Freeman, after he completed to Spine Race challenger event. I know I have had lots of emails on a number of you have been telling me on the courses how much you enjoyed it.
3. Have you been up to much Ian over the past month?

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

This month’s Podcast we are going to look at –

· Garmin inReach technology, what is it and what units can you get with this technology in.

· We look at the different mapping options on both Garmin and SatMap GPS units.

· We then have Ian’s FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions Ian has answered whilst supporting our customers or on some of the GPS Training courses he has been leading.

1. To start this month’s Podcast, we are going to look at Garmin inReach, this is the technology Garmin have that enables two way satellite communication.

• Garmin bought a business called Delorme back in 2016

• Two-way satellite communicator, using the Iridium satellites, the same as a Sat Phone uses.

• You can send both pre-set and text messages from the unit via satellites.

• Initially Garmin just rebranded Delorme products, but over recent years we have seen the technology in new standalone products (inReach mini) and also in navigation GPS units, mainly the Garmin GPSMAP66i

• SOS button – GEOS Worldwide, is an independent emergency response organization headquartered outside of Houston, Texas. Their high-tech underground facility is the central component in their International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC). That facet of their operation is somewhat self-explanatory. When GEOS receives a distress call, their IERCC department swings into action to coordinate an immediate and appropriate response. Sounds simple enough, but what does that actually mean?

• GEOS also maintains a large network of offices around the globe in Perth, Marrakech, Paris, London, New York, San Jose, and Los Angeles.

• You need a contract to get a Garmin inReach to work (like a mobile phone contract) and these start from £12.99/month but a little more for a more usable contract. I think we pay around £25.00/ month which is a good mid-range contract.

• Contracts vary according to number of Text messages you want to send each months and if your tracking points are included in the contract or not. The interesting thing is that all pre-set messages are unlimited and also the SOS button works on whatever contract you are on

• Why, when going off grid is it important – mobile phone, cold temperatures, no mobile phone signal – personal experiences – 23% – top of The Cheviot 2 x runners

1. Other products in the marketplace

• Sole Walkers – SPOT

1. SPOT 3 – Comes in at £119.99 – What is the SPOT?

– Satellite GPS personal tracker
– You have a number of pre-set messages you can send, you set these up yourself online and you can send to multiple e-mail and text numbers
– Live tracking place – both online and in app
– Contracts are a little cheaper – £17.99 for unlimited everything
– You still get the GEOS SOS support
– Lightweight and stunning battery life

AND then last year we got the Spot X – £309.99

Two-way communication from Spot – NOT 100% worldwide experience

BUT you can only send messages and not receive them

1. inReach – Mini and GPSMAP66i

There are currently three models –

– Garmin inReach Mini –
Tether with phone, GPSMAP66s, and Garmin Fenix watch

Small and hard to input messages but use presets mostly and phone keyboard is best options for messages

– Garmin 86i –

For on the water

• Garmin GPSMAP66i – personal experienced

There are still inRaech SE+ and inReach Explorer units still around but 66i is so much better

If you want to learn more about the Garmin inReach range please go to gpstraining.co.uk – gps store – Garmin inReach – Satellite communicator on the left hand side

The next thing on this months Podcasts is to look at the different mapping options available on both Garmin and SatMap GPS units.

Let’s start off with Garmin

• Topo Light – just finding this now on Garmin Montana 680t and GPSMAP64

Just UK and Ireland

Compiled using the community generated OpenStreetMap (OSM) database to which Garmin added a 50-metre contour line layer, based on a public digital elevation model

• Topo Active – 47 European mapping

We find this on Fenix 5 plus and Fenix 6 watches. In the hadheld world it’s pre-loaded on the 22x, 32x, Touch 25 and 35, Oregon 750t, GPSMAP66st and GPSMAP66i

Compiled using the community-generated OpenStreetMap (OSM) database.

Includes routable street and off-road networks, international boundaries, waterways, natural features, land use areas, historical sites, airport structures, buildings and more¹
Displays thousands of points of interest, including shops; restaurants and bars; car parks; schools and universities and accommodations

Garmin TopoActive Western / Eastern Europe covers the following 47 countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia / Kaliningrad, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

• 1:50k Topo Pro

What is Pro mapping – turn my turn routing within National Parks

• 1:25k Topo Pro

More accurate, open access areas, permissive paths and open access areas#

If you want to see examples of all these map options I have done a short video on our website, so you can see what they all look like, just go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk and click on – Reviews – Garmin mapping options (top story, depending on when you are viewing it)

SatMap mapping options –

On an Active 20, with a Wi-Fi connection, you now have the ability on an Active 20 to create a “snap-to-track” route.

Currently this functionality is in “beta” testing mode – but as soon as it is fully tested and stable, it will be formally released.

• Adventure mapping – they say this is 1:25k maps – don’t get caught out
• GB edition – 1:50k

• Platinum edition – 1:10k, 1:25k and 1:50k

To find out more about the SatMap Active 20 and the varies map options please go to our website – gpstraining.co.uk – gps store – and on the left-hand side you will see – SatMap GPS units

1. The next thing on this months Podcast is Ian’s FAQ’s., the questions he has been asked whilst both delivering courses or in his support role which we offer at no extra cost to people who buy GPS units from GPS Training.

In this part of the Podcast we talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked whilst supporting our customers and also on the courses he has led over the past month.

1. Garmin – Does the GPS alert me that I am off course?

There are no alerts on the GPS unlike a Fenix watch that will vibrate on your wrist if you’re off course.

The ways round this are:

1. Compass screen – Heading Set up> Go To line Pointer> set Pointer to ‘Course (CDI)
2. Change a Data Field to ‘Off Course’
3. Look at where you are on the map
4. Basecamp

How can I measure the length of a route before I split it up?

View>Toolbars>Map Tools

A ruler icon appears and when you select it, take it on to the route and by ‘left clicking’ on the route it will measure the distance that you wish to plan for the day’s walk before splitting it up

1. Satmap

My battery is discharging really quickly when I go walking.

Check

1. The GPS software and the Platform software are up to date
2. The Power Control settings are as we recommend especially the Automatic Screen Turn Off time (Jon, why do we put in the Recommended Settings 3 minutes? I get all my people to set it to 30 seconds as 3 minutes is a lot of time in battery life terms).
3. The Advanced Power Control settings are as we recommend
4. The Backlight is set to a reasonable level

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.

1. 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 unit
• Please do look a look at both our physical GPS courses and also our webinars, just go to GPSTaining.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 for Ian for joining me on this podcast and I hope you get plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy over the coming month.