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What is going on at SatMap ….. head torches for the darker nights and who has been pressing the SOS buttons on Garmin’s inReach devices?

In this month’s podcast –

1. SatMap – update
2. As we go into the darker night’s upon us we are going to look at head torches
3. With Garmin hitting 10,000 Garmin inReach® SOS Incidents we look at how they are broken down
4. Andy’s top tips

1. SatMap update

After we told the world what was going on at SatMap back in August it’s great to SatMap have chosen to now tell their customers.

In the last month, our phone has been hot with people asking what their options are going forward.

1. So who are SatMap Andy and what where the main benefits of this GPS unit?

So here we go lets quick fire a few questions –

1. Will SatMap Expedition continue? – SatMap software systems
2. Will their app continue
3. Have you got any spare batteries?
4. Will you be getting any more batteries in stock?
5. What will happen when my current battery fails?
6. Do you have any accessories? – Yes, carry cases, lanyards, backplates, quadlock accessories
7. Are SatMap/ or you going to be able to get any overseas mapping
8. Can you still get tech support from SatMap
9. Are SatMap still honouring their warranties?

2. Headtorches
   

With the clocks changing last weekend I see the Mountain rescue teams have, rightly, started a large campaign telling everybody they should be carrying a headtorch, as you can easily be caught out now the nights have drawn in.

We are not going to review headtorches (I will link to an article doing this in the show notes), but wea re just going to discuss the main things to think about when looking at headtorches –

1. Brand
   2. Lumens – off set between brightness and battery life
2. Battery life
3. Battery type – rechargeable batteries, disposable batteries and hybrid
4. Boost mode – some headtorches have this feature
5. Weight
6. How waterproof – as they will be on your head, whatever the weather
7. Other extras some have – rear light on back etc

1. Best budget headtorch and price? Nebo 750 – 250 lumen weight 110g, IPX4– We like the boost of 750 lumen looking further down the trail – 250 lumens 5hrs £28.99
2. Best top-end headtorch and price? Trail Runner free 400 lumen – weight 119g , IPX5– We like the Unclip of battery pack when cold to increase battery life and takes weight away, red led on back when running, intelligent twin beam long and close, higher ip rating than Nebo, 400 lumens 2hrs – £68.99

   Both have low setting to increase battery when not needing standard
   Nebo 15hrs 80 lumens
   Silva15hrs 50 lumens

Top tips for using a headtorch –

1. Practice – like anything the more you use it and get to grips with it, the more familiar you are with it
2. Have as low (brightness) as you can get away with
3. Carry spare batteries/ headtorch
4. Change/ charge your battery if you know you are going to be using it
5. Store it in your rucksack somewhere where you know it is, easy to get access to
   6. Keep Spare batteries close to body to keep warm will improve performance

For more information read the full article online here

3. Garmin inReach – last month Garmin hit hitting 10,000 Garmin inReach® SOS Incidents – we look at how they are broken down

   – What is Garmin inReach?

   With inReach satellite technology from Garmin and a satellite subscription, you can stay in touch globally. You can send and receive messages, navigate your route (Not messenger ), track and share your journey and, if necessary, trigger an SOS to get help from a 24/7 global emergency response coordination centre via the 100% global Iridium^®satellite network.

   – What GPS units/ products have inReach technology built in?

   Handhelds GPSMap66i, 86i, Montana 700i, 750i
   InReach Mini1 & 2, New Messenger

What are people doing when they trigger an SOS?

An overwhelming 39% of SOS triggers come from adventurers who are out hiking or backpacking. Interestingly, the next highest number of SOS triggers (12%) comes from driving incidents, proving that you don’t have to be stuck on a rocky cliff or lost at sea to hit the SOS button. Many of the driving incidents involve people simply needing help while on the road and outside of cellphone service. Seemingly normal situations can become worrisome quickly depending on the location and if supplies are lacking or weather conditions are worsening.

The top five activities that people are doing when they trigger an inReach SOS are:

1. Hiking/Backpacking
2. Driving
3. Motorcycling
4. Climbing/Mountaineering
5. Boating

Why are people triggering an SOS?

Many people doing outdoor activities create the potential for many emergency situations. The top reason that inReach users trigger an SOS is for injuries, at 30%. An injury can refer to a variety of problems such as broken bones, lacerations or blunt force trauma from a fall. The second most popular reason to trigger an SOS, at 17%, is for medical issues, which can refer to concerns like altitude sickness, heart problems and gastrointestinal issues, among others.

The top five reasons people trigger an inReach SOS:

1. Injury
2. Medical issue
3. Vehicle accident
4. Stranded/Stuck
5. Vehicle issue

Who are people triggering an SOS for?

A frequent question we get is who an SOS can be triggered for. The answer is simple: Anybody.

While many SOS incidents are for the actual inReach subscriber, nearly two-thirds are for the subscriber’s party member or an unknown third-party individual.

An SOS can also be triggered to report emergencies, including wildfires or vehicle accidents. As such, we always try to reiterate that it’s important to carry an inReach because you never know who or what you might come across when outside of cellphone service.

To find out more about Garmin inReach devices please just go to our website > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite Communication

 

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

Fenix Watches turn of lap key so back-button can be used as simple back to view watch face and standard glances etc then back to activity recording
Top right start button one press – scroll down until activity shown (Do not start activity) – hold middle left Menu button in – Select Hike Settings, Run Settings etc using top right button – scroll down to Lap key and select off

inReach Messenger – for the unit to leave a automatic track point every 10 mins for a 24hr period so you can use emergency track back arrow pointer you do not need to start tracking the messenger automatically does this when turned on juts leave turned on , only start tracking if you have subscription that has free track points or you want friends & family to be able to track you on your Mapshare (0.10p per track point if you are not on the mid ranger packages)

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