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In this episode of the GPS Training Podcast, Jon and Andy look at some significant changes to Garmin map card pricing, explore the satellite options available on the latest GPS watches, share an update to the GPX File Toolkit, and finish with Andy’s Top Tips.
In this month’s GPS Training podcast –
1. Garmin Map card prices – changes ahead
2. Satellite options available to you – GPS units and watches
3. Changes to the GPX File Cleaner
4. Andy’s top tips
Garmin map card prices increase
Garmin has increased the prices of many of its map cards from 1st October, with some substantial increases both here in the UK and overseas.
UK Ordnance Survey map cards have increased to:
- OS 1:25k: £349.99 → £419.99
- OS 1:50k: £149.99 → £219.99
Some overseas Garmin map cards have risen even more sharply. TOPO Switzerland has increased from £104.99 to £169.99, while regional TOPO Canada cards have gone from £73.99 to £149.99. TopoActive maps for Africa, Australia & New Zealand and North America have increased from £49.99 to £149.99.
We discuss whether these changes could encourage more Garmin users towards the Outdoor Maps+ subscription, currently £4.99 per month or £49.99 per year. For UK users, however, Outdoor Maps+ includes Harvey mapping rather than Ordnance Survey mapping.
GPS Training can hold the previous map card prices until Monday 5th October.
Find out more at GPSTraining.co.uk → GPS Store → Maps
Which satellite settings should you use?
GPS watches and handheld GPS devices now have access to an impressive range of satellite navigation systems, but which settings should you actually use?
We look back at Garmin’s traditional options, including GPS Only, GPS + GLONASS, GPS + Galileo, All Systems and All Systems + Multi-Band.
We then take a closer look at how this has evolved with SatIQ and Garmin’s different power modes, particularly on the fenix 7, fenix 8 and new fenix 9.
On the fenix 9, the choices have become Max Accuracy, Normal, Extended Battery and Max Battery. We discuss what appears to be happening behind each setting, including which satellite systems and frequencies are being used and how frequently your position is updated.
The key question is whether you always need maximum satellite accuracy, or whether choosing a lower-power satellite mode could give you considerably longer battery life while still providing all the accuracy you need for a particular activity.
Premium GPX File Cleaner gets an upgrade
Last week we introduced three new tools within the GPS Training Online Resource:
- Split, Trim, Reverse and Merge GPX Files
- Premium GPX File Cleaner
- GPX Builder
These tools form part of our move away from Garmin BaseCamp, giving GPS Training customers a much simpler way to work with GPX files alongside our Free and Premium Ordnance Survey planners.
This month we’ve made another significant update to the Premium GPX File Cleaner.
You can now convert routes to tracks and tracks to routes, as well as control the number of waypoints within a route. This is particularly useful for Garmin GPS users who need to bring a route below the 250-point maximum.
Alternatively, you can leave all the points in place while editing the route within our Free or Premium OS Planner, then clean the file ready for your GPS afterwards.
Find out more at GPSTraining.co.uk → Online Resource → Tools → GPX File Toolkit → Premium GPX File Cleaner
Andy’s Top Tips
Fenix 9 – use Focus Modes for specific activities
Rather than repeatedly changing individual settings for different activities, Andy explains how to create a Focus Mode on the Garmin fenix 9.
For example, if you want the AMOLED display to remain permanently on while you’re in the gym, you can create a Gym Focus Mode, configure the display and alert settings exactly as you want them, then choose which activities automatically trigger it, such as Strength, Cardio and HIIT.
Go to Watch Settings → Focus Modes → Add → Activity and create a Focus Mode to suit you.
Experiment with your satellite settings
You don’t necessarily need your watch running at maximum GNSS accuracy for every activity.
Andy recommends experimenting with the different satellite and battery modes available on your watch and seeing what works best for the environment you’re in.
On the fenix series, select your activity and then change the Activity Power Mode. Suunto users can also select an activity and go into Exercise Options → Battery Mode, where options such as Performance, Endurance, Ultra and Tour alter the satellite configuration, recording frequency and other features to extend battery life.
Understanding these settings means you can make an informed choice between maximum positional accuracy and maximum battery life, rather than simply leaving your watch on the same setting for every activity.
Find out more
For GPS training, GPS and outdoor navigation advice, our Online Resource and the latest Garmin GPS products, visit GPSTraining.co.uk.