GPS Training Podcast

Welcome to this month’s GPS Training podcast, it’s our 22nd episode. Today we Tom, from Garmin, Ian from GPS training also myself, Jon, from GPS Training So, without further ado let’s get on with today’s podcast …… It's our 22nd podcast. In today’s podcast look at the following things – · Time - 1 min 30 seconds - We talk over the waterproof classifications different GPS units get, and believe me we had plenty of fun doing this as we submerged GPS units in water for the duration of the chat. · Time - 17 min 5 seconds - We talk over the changes to the handheld GPS marketplace with the advent of the Garmin GPSMAP66s · Time - 23 min 5 seconds - And then we have Ian’s FAQ’s, both Garmin and SatMap and for the first time ever we have a FAQ for those of you wearing a Garmin GPS watch Next thing we have this month’s podcast is a chat Tom, from Garmin about the some of the standards that some of the navigational products we use are tested to All Garmin products IPX 7 What is IPX rating (waterproof rating) - International Protection Marking, IEC standard 60529, sometimes interpreted as Ingress Protection Marking, classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion (body parts such as hands and fingers), dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures So let’s put the unit to the test then – so we can submerse them for the duration of the test X - relates to the - Solid particle protection - indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects X - means there is no data available to specify a protection rating with regard to this criteria. 7 – relates to - Immersion, up to 1 m depth - Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). Test duration: 30 minutes - you can watch it online here Tested with the lowest point of the enclosure 1000 mm below the surface of the water, or the highest point 150 mm below the surface, whichever is deeper. SatMap Active 20 - IP68 waterproof & IK7 impact rating 6 - means - Dust tight (Garmin get an x for this – it does not relate to?) - No ingress of dust; complete protection against contact (dust tight). A vacuum must be applied. Test duration of up to 8 hours based on air flow. 8 - Immersion, 1 m or more depth - Test duration: agreement with manufacturer Depth specified by manufacturer, generally up to 3 m IK rating (Solely SatMap refer to this) - where “XX” is a number from 00 to 10 indicating the degrees of protection provided by electrical enclosures (including luminaires) against external mechanical impacts IK07 Protected against 2 joules impact - Equivalent to impact of 0.5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm above impacted surface. Garmin have tested the GPSMAP66s to the following standard - MIL STD 810G ruggedness for thermal, shock and water performance To find out more about the GPS units we have available from GPS training please go to gpstraining.co.uk – click on – GPS Store – then click on Handheld GPS Units 2 - We talk over the changes to the handheld GPS marketplace with the advent of the Garmin GPSMAP66s 3 – Ian’s FAQ’s Welcome Ian back to the Podcast to talk over some of his FAQ’s, the frequently asked questions he has been asked on his courses over the past month. This month we don’t just have a FAQ for both Garmin and SatMap handheld units but we also have a FAQ for wearables, these are wrist based GPS devices. Garmin – with a Topo Pro map card inserted in a GPS, if while in a National Park, why does a GPS with Topo Europe mapping route in a different way to a GPS without Topo Europe mapping and how do you override it? As mentioned, I had this on the last Clayton course where two g...

In this month’s GPS Training Podcast, Jon and Andy are back together — and there’s plenty to talk about! What’s inside this episode: First thoughts on the Garmin GPSMAP H1 / H1i Plus We take Garmin’s brand-new handheld out into the field and share our first impressions: the rugged build, touchscreen performance, new features like the flashlight and siren, and whether it’s worth upgrading if you already own a GPSMAP 67i. Andy’s Windermere Lap adventure Andy laced up for a full circuit of England’s largest lake. We cover the distance, terrain, highlights, and the gear he used along the way — plus tips if you’re tempted to take on the challenge yourself. New launch: Suunto Vertical 2 Released yesterday, the Vertical 2 brings a stunning AMOLED screen, offline mapping, colour elevation plots, and OS grid references right on your wrist. Andy’s been testing it — hear his verdict on usability, battery life, and whether it’s worth the upgrade. New launch: Garmin eTrex Touch Another fresh release, this update to the eTrex series brings a modern touchscreen interface, improved satellite accuracy, geocaching features, and easier GPX sharing. We explain where it sits in Garmin’s lineup and who it’s best suited for. Andy’s Top Tips How to lock buttons on your Suunto Race or Vertical so you don’t stop recording by mistake. Managing voice alerts and Bluetooth audio on the new Garmin GPSMAP H1. Links mentioned in the episode: Garmin GPSMAP H1 Garmin GPSMAP H1i plus Suunto Vertical 2 and other Suunto watches Garmin eTrex Touch

Welcome back to the GPS Training Podcast! This month Jon sits down with adventurer Ian Hughes, whose journey has taken him from leaving school with no qualifications to serving in the Royal Green Jackets, working as a deep-sea saturation diver, and now aiming for one of the biggest challenges on earth — the Explorers Grand Slam. Tomorrow, Ian begins his GPS Training course ahead of attempting a solo, unsupported ski to the South Pole. In this episode, we hear his story so far, how he’s preparing, and what keeps him motivated to take on such extreme adventures. 🔑 What’s in this episode: Ian’s early years – from school to the army and beyond Life underwater – his time as a commercial diver and running diving companies Becoming an explorer – why he’s drawn to big challenges The Explorers Grand Slam – what it is, and why he’s chasing it South Pole prep – training, kit, and mindset for skiing solo and unsupported Using GPS in polar expeditions – how tech plays a vital safety role Motivation & resilience – lessons from pushing the limits 🌍 Links & Resources Support Ian’s Explorers Grand Slam attempt: GiveWheel page Ian's Instagram page

In this month’s episode, Jon flies solo while Andy enjoys a well-earned holiday. We’ve packed a lot in — from brand-new GPS tools to the latest watch launches. Here’s what you can expect: 📰 News Round-Up Satellite Messenger Plan Calculator – Compare real-world costs of Garmin, ZOLEO, and Spot devices. Garmin inReach Cost Calculator – Work out the ongoing costs of owning an “i” series GPS unit. COROS NOMAD GPS Watch – Adventure-first design with journaling features, but will GPS Training stock it? Garmin Running Metrics – New Running Tolerance and Running Economy tools to help prevent injuries. 🎙️ Interview with Simon from Suunto We sit down with Simon to talk about the brand-new Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Wing 2 Headphones. Design updates: slimmer profile, titanium vs steel, and sapphire glass New sensors: heart rate, blood oxygen, VO₂ max Navigation: 32GB memory, offline maps, safety features Everyday use: AMOLED display, touchscreen + scroll wheel Battery life: 50 hours in all-satellite mode Plus: what sets the Race 2 apart from the competition Find the Suunto Race 2, Race S, and Vertical at GPSTraining.co.uk. 🔦 Spotlight: UK Grid Reference Finder A brand-new free tool from GPS Training! Convert postcodes, grid references, eastings/northings, lat/long, and even What3Words Download GPX files to load straight into your GPSPerfect for finding car parks or planning routes. Try it at: GPSTraining.co.uk > More > Grid Reference Finder 🤖 Ask the Bot! We put your best AI support bot questions under the spotlight, including: What’s the difference between a check-in message and a normal message on Garmin inReach? How to change data boxes on a TwoNav Cross Plus Sending tracks to a TwoNav Terra from your phone Changing your GPS Training online resource password Locking the screen on a TwoNav Terra Switching Garmin GPSMAP66i to hiking mode Exporting GPX files from Garmin Connect to Strava Want to try the Support Bot yourself? Log in to our online resource: GPSTraining.co.uk > Online Resource > Support Bot. 🎧 Outro That’s a wrap for Episode 115! New Garmin features, COROS NOMAD launch, and a deep dive with Suunto Check out the new UK Grid Reference Finder and Satellite Messenger calculators on our website Andy will be back next month — plus we’ll hopefully spill the beans on Garmin’s mystery webinar Thanks for tuning in, and safe walking until next time!

GPS Training Podcast #114 – GPX Files, Suunto Insights & Long-Distance GPS Choices Welcome to another packed episode of the GPS Training Podcast! This month, Jon is joined by Andy from GPS Training to cover: 🔁 1. Reflections on the Suunto Interview (Podcast #113) Andy shares his key takeaways from the mid-month chat with Dan Southam, Suunto’s UK Marketing Manager. 👉 Watch the full video interview with Dan Southam here » What stood out? Suunto's long heritage in navigation, starting with their liquid-filled compasses in the 1930s Why Suunto watches are sports watches – not smartwatches Focus on simple, accurate, fast-to-orient navigation Designed for people who want brilliant mapping and fitness features without the distraction of unnecessary "smart" tech Explore the Suunto range we stock here: 👉 Suunto Watches at GPS Training » 🧭 2. GPX Files – What Are They and Why Should You Care? We break down: What a GPX file is (it's a route, track, or collection of waypoints in one handy file) Why GPX files help with day walks and long-distance trails How to use them with your GPS watch or handheld The difference between a route, track, and course on Garmin and other devices 🛠️ Watch tutorials and import GPX files easily in the GPS Training Online Resource » 🔗 Recommended GPX download sites: See our updated list: 👉 Top Sites for Free GPX Walks & Routes » 🥾 3. Best GPS Units for Long-Distance Trails Andy shares what to look for: Long battery life Larger screen for clear mapping Built-in OS Maps (or worldwide mapping if you're heading overseas) Satellite communication (e.g. Garmin inReach) 💥 Top Picks: Garmin GPSMAP 67i – Long battery life + built-in satellite communication Garmin Montana 700/700i/750i – Large screen and touchscreen mapping TwoNav Adventurer/Terra – Great for planning on-the-go with live tracking 👉 Compare GPS Units for Long-Distance Walking » 📦 All GPS units from GPS Training come with: Free setup Full UK OS maps 1 year’s access to our Online Resource Support from real humans who walk the walk 🧠 4. Andy’s Top Tip – Why You Should Use Garmin BaseCamp (Even if You Hate It) Even if you plan your walks in another app, BaseCamp is your friend when: Checking if a GPX file is a route or a track Making sure it’s got the right number of points Cutting down long-distance trails into day-by-day walks Renaming files and adding proximity alarms 🎥 Learn how in the Online Resource – Module 3 » (You’ll find full BaseCamp guides for both Mac and PC.) 🤖 5. Questions to the GPS Training AI Bot – What You’ve Been Asking This Month Some of your top questions this month: How do I adjust the screen brightness on a Garmin GPSMAP 67? How do I remove waypoints from a planned route in OS software? How do I create escape routes on my Garmin GPS? Try it out: 👉 Ask the GPS Training AI Bot (Online Resource) » 🧠 The bot is trained on our own GPS videos, manuals, course notes, and real customer FAQs – so you're getting our expertise, 24/7. If you enjoyed this episode, please: 👍 Leave us a review on your podcast platform 📣 Share it with a walking or running friend 🎧 Catch up on past episodes at here. Until next time, happy navigating from all of us at GPS Training – learn from the experts.

GPS Training Interview with Dan Southam – Suunto Marketing Manager - Special mid-month podcast. In the 113th episode of the GPS Training Podcast, John interviews Dan Southam, the UK Marketing Manager for Suunto, a Finnish outdoor brand with a rich heritage dating back to 1936. Dan outlines Suunto’s journey from inventing the liquid-filled compass to developing advanced GPS watches designed specifically for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. Suunto’s core mission is to inspire people to get outside and explore mountainous terrains and trails safely, providing reliable technology tailored for activities like trail running, hiking, bikepacking, skiing, and snowboarding. Dan highlights Suunto’s distinct approach in focusing on specialist outdoor sports watches rather than broad-spectrum smartwatches. Their products emphasise navigation, safety, and durability with features such as free worldwide mapping, heat mapping, altimeter, barometer, compass, storm warnings, and ‘return to home’ navigation. The discussion compares Suunto’s offerings—particularly the Race, Race S, and Vertical models, explaining their suitability for different user needs, with the Race S emerging as the best-seller due to its compact size, sleek design, and affordability. The podcast also explores Suunto’s bone conduction headphones, which allow users to listen to audio while staying aware of their surroundings, a perfect fit for outdoor activities. Dan shares insights into Suunto’s recent partnership with the UTMB World Series, a prestigious ultra-trail running event, which bolsters brand visibility within the trail running community. Dan emphasises Suunto’s commitment to affordability, longevity, and user experience, contrasting it against competitors who often push frequent upgrades. Suunto delivers regular software updates and supports older models to keep customers satisfied over many years. Key technological innovations like Climb Guidance and ZoneSense offer advanced training and race-day advantages, enhancing user performance and safety. The episode concludes with Dan encouraging listeners, including beginners, to embrace Suunto products for both outdoor adventure and everyday fitness tracking, underscoring how the devices can improve safety, motivation, and self-awareness. Dan also highlights the small but dedicated UK team and the company’s flexibility in supporting retailers and customers. Finally, he teases upcoming product refreshes and innovations while reaffirming Suunto’s passion for the outdoors and commitment to quality. Highlights - 🧭 Suunto’s heritage dates back to 1936, originating with the invention of the liquid-filled compass. - 🏔️ Suunto focuses exclusively on adventure and outdoor sports watches, not general smartwatches. - 🌍 Free worldwide GPS mapping and navigation are core features distinguishing Suunto watches. - ⌚ The Race S is Suunto’s best-selling GPS watch, praised for its compact size, style, and affordability. - 🎧 Suunto’s bone conduction headphones allow users to listen while remaining aware of their environment. - 🏃 Suunto is a key sponsor of the UTMB World Series, the premier ultra-trail running event globally. - 🔋 Suunto emphasises product longevity, offering extended software support and durable hardware. Key Insights - 🧭 **Heritage as a Competitive Advantage:** Suunto’s long history and engineering roots in navigation technology provide credibility and expertise that set it apart from competitors. Unlike brands that diversify broadly, Suunto’s legacy allows it to specialise deeply in outdoor navigation and safety, which is critical for its target audience of adventurers and athletes. - 🏞️ **Specialisation Over Generalisation:** By positioning their watches as “sports watches” rather than “smartwatches,” Suunto appeals to serious outdoor users who prioritise durability, battery life, and navigation over smart features like phone notifications.

New Inreach subscriptions, Post Spine Race catch-up, Suunto Wing Bone conductor headphones and Suunto summer deals In this month’s podcast 1.   New inReach subscriptions 2.   Spine Race 2025 – post race chat 3.   Suunto Wing bone conduction headphones – first thoughts 4.   What’s hot this month – Suunto Summer deal 5.   Andy’s top tips 6.   New segment - Some of the tech questions asked to the GPS Training AI bot over the past month 1. New inReach Subscriptions
 🟢 Talking Points: - What are Garmin inReach products? - Garmin has simplified all inReach subscriptions — no more Freedom Safety, Recreation, or Expedition
. - Replaced with four new month-to-month options (30-day minimum, no long contracts): Enabled – NEW! Emergency-ready, low-cost, pay-as-you-go Essential – Replaces Freedom Safety Standard – Replaces Recreation Premium – Replaces Expedition No more activation fees or penalties for switching plans or pausing your plan. 💡 Highlight the two big changes: - Enabled Plan: - Ideal for keeping your device ready for SOS year-round - Only pay when you actually send messages, track, or get weather - Unlimited SOS messaging via Garmin Response™ - activation fee if you later upgrade Suspending Plans Now Free: - Suspend any plan (excluding annual contracts) for up to 12 months - No fee to resume later - Great for seasonal users — hiking in summer, skiing in winter etc. - During suspension: no SOS, no tracking, no messaging Quick tip to listeners: “If you want emergency cover year-round, go for the Enabled Plan. If your unit’s going in the drawer for a few months, just hit suspend – it’s now totally free.” To find out more about Garmin inReach products – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communication 2. Spine Race 2025 – Post-race chat 🟢 Mention these GPS Training customers who took part this year: - Full Spine 1. Steve Marshall – GPSMap67 + 1-to-1 – retired 2. John Smith – GPSMap67 – Just under 132 hours - Challenger North 1. Nicola Macdonald – GPSMap67i – 80 hours 39 mins 2. Paul Freeman – GPSMap66sr – retired 3. Paul Yeadon – Fenix 8 – 86 hours 29 minutes
Now flown off to North Africa to take on Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and all of North Africa. - Challenger South 1. Liz Tobin – GPSMap67i + Zoom training – 46 hours 26 minutes 2. Rob Watkins – GPSMAP67 and going to buy a Suunto after watching podcast with Paul Grundy – 41 hours 53 minutes 3. Iaan Davies – GPSMAP67 – 47 hours 57 minutes - Northern Sprint 1. Tom Bowers – Suunto Race + Zoom – 16 hours 46 mins 3. Suunto Wing Bone Conduction Headphones – First Thoughts - Initial impressions: comfort, sound quality, battery - Who they suit: trail runners, walkers who want situational awareness - Are they good for wet/cold conditions? To find out more about Suunto Headphones – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Accessories and Filter By (top right) - Suunto

Also unboxing video - GPSTraining.co.uk > Product reviews 4. What’s Hot This Month – Suunto Summer Deal - finishes 3rd August - Mention the summer offer – which Suunto models are included - Suunto Race, Race S, Vertical and Suunto Wing headphones – all options i.e. Steel and titanium - Reinforce: stock in hand, next working day delivery To find out more about Suunto GPS watches - GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS watches and Filter By (top right) - Suunto 5. Andy’s Top Tips - Suunto App does not need internet for some functions, when you download offline maps to your watch also in app
You cannot create snap to path road but can create point to point route
Also great if you would like to change something on route to re-sync
I.e reverse route, in device start walking opposite way after short distance will change but main elevation plot in reverse on app goto Map icon far right – select folder icon – select route – 3 dots top right to edit – 3 dots reverse route – tick to save...

AI support bot, Goal Zero, 1:1 training and Andy's top tips In this month’s podcast AI support Bot – within the GPS Training online resource Biolite has taken over Goal Zero 1:1 training in person, here in Northumberland – Frank, from America Andy’s top tips AI support Bot Solution for 24/ 7 support Sits within online resource – links to videos etc Training the bot – 3,218 pages of information – an internal bot (no incorrect info_ All created by ourselves here at GPS Training Tried uploading manuals etc, but made it very Americanised and gave incorrect answers GPSTraining.co.uk > Online resource > Login and – Support Bot – (right-hand side at top) - Goal Zero been taken over by Biolite In a major development for off-grid energy enthusiasts, BioLite has officially acquired Goal Zero, combining two of the leading innovators in portable power. For fans of outdoor tech, this is big news—and as a stockist of both brands, GPS Training is excited about what this means for our customers. More here - 1:1 training in Northumberland All the way from USA – 2 ½ day training session - Frank - Andy’s Top Tips Suunto Make display setting bespoke for activities, i.e for normal use I have my watch set for Not always on gesture control For my hiking, Trail running the same but can have different brightness if required But for the Gym where I sometimes need to look at data without being able to tilt I have set to always be on Also set button lock from here   GPSMap66/67 series Remember about button lock Tap power button once – select lock keys – tap power button to unlock Montana 700 tap power button once padlock icon   TwoNav By default single tap of power button takes screen off to save battery and lock Settings – system – Keys – Power Short press lock (or lock screen on)

Harvey Maps is a specialist British mapmaker known for producing highly detailed, award-winning walking and outdoor maps. Founded in 1977, the company focuses on creating maps designed by walkers, for walkers, with clarity and accuracy at the heart of everything they do. Their maps are trusted by mountain rescue teams, event organisers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike, especially for challenging terrain like the Munros, Lake District, and national trails such as the Pennine Way. Printed on tough, waterproof paper and built to withstand the British weather, Harvey Maps are the go-to choice for serious navigators. In this podcast, Jon, from GPS Training, chats with Adam King, the CEO of Harvey. Learn more at: www.harveymaps.co.uk

Trump tariffs, Watch v Handheld, Harvey Maps and Andy's top tips In this month's GPS Training Podcast Trump tariffs – will they affect GPS prices? The great GPS debate: Watch vs Handheld Harvey Maps on a TwoNav GPS unit Andy’s top tips 1. Trump Tariffs – GPS prices Only effects Garmin? Although Garmin is an American company, most of its GPS products are manufactured in Taiwan, which is now facing a 32% import tariff. 9th April original date of tariffs, but then put on pause for 90 days - 9th July ish on the 9th, before the tariff pause was announced I created a video for YouTube/ news section of the GPS Training website. Could affect global pricing, including in the UK, where GPS Training is the largest retailer of Garmin outdoor GPS units. Garmin is unlikely to absorb the cost or keep prices static in Europe, and any increases could be implemented with no advance warning. More information at - GPSTraining.co.uk > News > Tariffs on Garmin 2. The great GPS debate: Watch vs Handheld GPS watch – pros GPS watches are lightweight. You can wear a GPS watch at all times, as it is also a smartwatch. GPS watch – cons GPS watches do have a small screen. Sometimes with a GPS watch you can suffer a little with battery life and charging whist on the move. Sadly with a Garmin GPS watch there is no option to put Ordnance Survey maps on a GPS watch, but you can still plan on free Ordnance Survey route planning software and transfer the course onto your watch. GPS unit – pros Often a GPS unit is cheaper than a GPS watch. You get a larger screen on your GPS unit compared to the GPS watch. Battery life is often better with a GPS unit and you are able to charge or change the batteries whilst out walking. If you are in the UK you can put Ordnance Survey maps on an Outdoor GPS unit. GPS unit – cons A GPS unit is more bulkier than a GPS watch. But the key difference is in the navigational experience – With a GPS watch the watch vibrates when you are ‘off course’. You also can follow an arrow on the screen, but please be aware it is a smaller screen. With a watch you also get also get an audible beep as you approach a turn as your course is overlaid on the preinstalled Topo active maps. With a GPS unit you also get an audible beep, but this will be when you are approaching a pre-determined waypoint that you have planned beforehand. The other thing with a handheld GPS unit is you also have to ability with the larger screen and Ordnance Survey Maps to ‘plan on the hoof’. If you do need to change your walk you can easily do this on a handheld GPS unit. 3. Harvey Maps – on a TwoNav GPS Unit Interviewing a representative from Harvey next week, so they will be either on a standalone Podcast or in next month’s podcast - Designed for Outdoor Use: Harvey Maps strip away unnecessary clutter. You won’t find endless road names or town infrastructure that isn't relevant to a walker. Instead, key features like contour lines, crags, walls, footpaths, and terrain types are highlighted clearly. - Colour Shading for Terrain: They pioneered subtle colour shading to depict different terrain types, meaning you can assess the ground ahead at a glance. - Lightweight and Waterproof: The printed maps are typically lighter and more weather-resistant than traditional paper maps. On GPS units like the TwoNav, this translates to fast-loading, highly readable digital maps. - Scale that Suits the User: Harvey's 1:40,000 "British Mountain Map" series hits a perfect sweet spot for serious hillwalkers. It covers a broad area whilst still offering enough detail for accurate navigation. - Event-Specific/ long distance taril mapping: Harvey is often the choice for ultramarathons and mountain events, where navigation errors can be costly. If you're training for a race, there’s a good chance you’ll already be handed a Harvey Map at reg...

SatMap/ TwoNav upgrade offer - last week, Outdoor Expo - Birmingham NEC and lots more   In this month’s podcast   SatMap/ TwoNav upgrade offer - last week Outdoor Expo - Birmingham NEC OS shop - no longer selling GPS units and OS maps for GPS Unit 64gb TwoNav Terra and Cross Plus Andy’s top tips SatMap/ TwoNav upgrade offer - last weekgpstraining.co.uk > News > special offer – SatMap user upgrade Outdoor Expo - Birmingham NEC – many thanksMany thanks to everybody who came along and said hello.   Ordnance Survey shop - no longer selling GPS units and OS maps for GPS Unit 64gb TwoNav Terra and Cross Plus Gives us the ability to put both 1:25k and 1:50k maps on a TwoNav GPS unit – coming soon They will be more expensive.   Andy’s Top Tips TwoNav quicker sync of activities Settings Wifi – Turn on / Activate if not done so Settings – M account very bottom Addnew account if not done so and enter your TwoNav email address and password Settings – Go Cloud Turn on Then when you view TwoNav link app activities do sync in quicker You can then also online also view your synced activities at website go.twonav.com   Suunto – turn by turn via Komoot Routes If are using the Komoot app you can pair it with your Suunto then any new routes you add to the Komoot app will sync into the Suunto app to then send to your device , the Apps adds TBT arrows and notifications From the Suunto App  home - Profile icon top Select Partner Services – Select Komoot and follow instructions, you already have to have Komoot account Then any routes added to Komoot appear in map icon bottom of Suunto app – folder icon – Routes – you can edit and turn off Turn by turn in app if not required Any routes you do create yourself in app will add TBT

In this episode of the GPS Training podcast, we cover: 1. Suunto Range of Watches We break down Suunto's latest lineup, highlighting the differences in display types, battery life, size, and navigation features. From the vibrant AMOLED screens of the Race and Race S to the solar-powered, ultra-long battery life of the Suunto Vertical, we compare how they stack up against competitors like the Garmin Fenix 8. We also share real-world insights from the Spine Challenger North winner, who put these watches to the test on a gruelling 160-mile challenge! 2. Exclusive Interview with Paul Grundy We’ve got a special mid-month episode featuring Paul Grundy—don’t miss it! 3. Best GPS for Mountain Biking – TwoNav Roc If you’re looking for the best GPS unit for mountain biking, we explain why the TwoNav Roc is a top contender. With compact design, robust durability, high-accuracy satellite tracking, and cost-effective mapping, it’s ideal for riders tackling tough trails. 4. Andy’s Top Tips This month, Andy shares practical tips on getting the most out of your GPS devices, including: Suunto Race Quick Controls – How to quickly access key settings during activity. TwoNav Display Optimisation – Keep the display on for real-time tracking but conserve battery with quick adjustments.

In this special 'mid-month' podcast we interview Paul Grundy, winner of the Winter Spine Challenger North 2025

In this month’s podcast The New Montana 710/ 710i and 760i Outdoor GPS Shop Podcast Garmin BaseCamp and other route planning options Andy’s Top Tips  1.   Garmin Montana 710, 710i and 760i What are the differences between the 710, 710i and 760i? Upgrades - - USBC – we put an an adapter - Double the memory – 16gb to 32gb -  The ability to download free Topo Active maps other regions – also via wifi now if you add wifi via Garmin express first this should change -  Improved battery life – 18 hours > 24 hours Garmin Montana 710 Garmin Montana 710i Garmin Montana 760i Review - New Garmin Montana series of outdoor GPS units 2. OGPS Podcast What is the Outdoor GPS Shop How does it vary from GPS Training Abigail and Ian (AI), the hosts Outdoor GPS Shop podcast - https://outdoorgpsshop.podbean.com/ Shorter episodes on x 1 subject Review - Coros Apex 2 Pro Essential walking kit The Garmin GPSMAP67 – review Weather in the Hills Mobile phone app or GPS unit? An introduction to Abigail and Ian Saturday morning – Winter Safety Sunday morning – The Power of Dual Frequency Please do hunt out on whatever platform you listen to podcasts in and give it a listen. It has really grown on me and the more episodes we put out the better the AI is learning, I listened to the review on the Coros this morning and could not fault it 3.   Garmin BaseCamp and other options Garmin BaseCamp – extras prox alarms, covert routes to tracks, lots of tools for trimming down easily, no wifi required, allows TBT routes for National parks or cycling Maps can be slow to load, split into regions more complex Free OS planner – free & simple, maps will get updates, no turn by turn no extra tools as Basecamp , only GB not abroad Memory Map – Familiarity if have been using for along time Quo OS own app/online planner OS does have a snap to path mix and match ,More tablet / mobile phone friendly then connect app on phone to transfer works well Garmin Explore App – free , can use with no wifi , for GB maps not detailed no OS, can be slow syncing careful not to wipe routes of unit already – have added new videos to online resource Etre SE & Solar that have no maps will transmit GPS signal to explore app to see yourself on explore map Pros/ cons of each Andy’s Top Tips Garmin New 710, 760 do have a slightly larger capacity battery but there are still things you can do to help: Tap power button backlight down Main menu setup display – backlight time out 30 secs, battery save on screen off after 30 seconds Setup wifi off if not using + Setup Phone off if not using Setup – system – Satellite change to GPS only If you are leaving screen on not on Map TwoNav If you import route into device from OS sometimes no elevation you can add it as follows: From maps menu make sure you have a 3d map selected i.e westerne Europe relief or the UK-Ireland high res 3d From routes menu select your route , tap on route top of screen and if no elevation after tapping route to see overview screen select 3 white dots bottom right – select Edit and select import altitudes - Video just added to online resource Mod 6 unit 6

What would you like to see from GPS Training in 2025? In this month’s podcast What would you like to see from GPS Training in 2025 - 1 min 40 sec GPS Training Options for 2025 - 5 min 15 sec Post TwoNav catch-up - 19 min 55 sec Andy’s Top Tips - 27 min 18 sec 1. What would you like to see from GPS Training in 2025? Asked for questions for TwoNav in the last podcast and had a good response, many thanks for that – More about that later So what would you to see from GPS Training in 2025? Video ideas Training ideas Product ideas Please just email – office@gpstraining.co.uk 2. GPS Training options for 2025 Online resource- £50.00/ year (included free with and GPS purchase) Support packages - Bronze, Silver and Gold- £80.00/ £125.00/ £145.00 / year (included free with and GPS purchase) Group training courses over Zoom- £74.99 Nationwide two-day training course- £195.00 for 2-day course 1:1 over Zoom - 2 hours- £89.00 1:1 in person, Northumberland, get in touch 3. Post TwoNav catch up Outdoor Expo – NEC – 22nd and 23rd March 3.   Andy’s Top Tips TwoNav – Units display set to go off after 30 seconds during use We have found as there is a quick screen off button that a lot of customers prefer to set as screen on and simply use the screen off button - From 3 white bars bottom left – main menu – settings – System – Display & Brightness – Set Shutdown screen to never you can also adjust brightness here and turn of auto brightness, I prefer nighttime view No From systems settings – Keys option – Power: Short Press Lock This also stops accidental screen movement if in a pocket Garmin – GPSMap67 series keys lock – tap power button once then select Lock Keys – Power Button unlocks Montana 700 series as default double tap power button takes screen off you can check this in main menu – Setup – system – Power Key – Double tap screen off

Winter walking, an update from Zoleo, a look back at 2024 and Andy's top tips. In this month’s podcast Winter walking – some things to think about Meeting with Zoleo last week A look back at 2024, what would we like to see for 2025 Andy’s Top Tips 1.   Winter walking – some things to think about 1. Batteries 2. Powerbank, don’t forget your cable to charge your mobile phone or wireless charging 3. Escape routes, planning for the worst-case scenario - watch a video - planning your walk. 4. Two-way satellite communication – this has become a lot more affordable over the past year with Garmin’s £7.50/ month contract 5. Headtorch/ torch 6. Extra clothing/backup clothing 7. Biffy Bag / Foil Bag If anything we have missed, drop us an email Andy's video - contents of his rucksack ahead of the Spine Challenge race. 2.   Meeting with Zoleo last week - Bristol John - VP - Vice president of sales Roadpost Inc. Prevails in Arbitration Against Beam Communications Pty Ltd. TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roadpost Inc. is pleased to announce that the arbitrator in its case against Beam Communications Pty Ltd. has rendered a decision in its favour, finding Beam in material breach of the 50/50 ZOLEO Inc. joint venture agreement between the two companies. The arbitration decision is final and binding, compelling Beam to sell its joint venture share in ZOLEO Inc. to Roadpost at fair market value. Should the parties be unable to agree on fair market value, it will be determined by an independent professional valuator. The purchase price will be paid 25% at closing with the balance due in three equal annual payments. Roadpost is confident that ZOLEO device supply will continue without interruption during this process. The joint venture agreement and related documents clearly define the mechanisms, including price, through which all necessary IP for manufacturing and operations will be acquired by ZOLEO Inc. pursuant to Beam's share sale. It is Roadpost's view that the device IP must be rolled up at no additional cost to ZOLEO or Roadpost. So what does this mean for you, the end user? Nothing short term Long-term lots, as Roadpost (who won) can now progress with new features, new devices etc Exciting meeting to hear about some of their plans and also to pitch some of our ideas So let’s see what the future brings Whilst we are talking about meeting with manufacturers we have TwoNav coming to see us early this month, any thoughts/ ideas from you the listener would be appreciated.   3. A look back at 2024, what would we like to see for 2025 TwoNav has to be the out subject of 2024 Garmin Fenix 8 – it’s been very well received Lack of new Garmin handhelds, inReach Messenger plus only new device, fingers crossed this will change in 2025   4. Andy’s Top Tips All about battery saving: All GPS Devices Garmin / TwoNav Wifi / Bluetooth off, Backlight down, how long backlight on for use screen off buttons , battery save mode etc, gps only, north up, if screen on all of the time do not leave on map AA batteries units make sure setting correct in system Watches As above + optical HR off Spare batteries and power-banks keep in inside pocket next to body for warmth, Eneloop or lithium better in cold

What training opportunities do we have coming up in 2025, Fenix 8 - 6 weeks in and Andy's top tips. In this month’s podcast What GPS Training courses do we have for 2025 Garmin Fenix 8 – 6 weeks in 1 thing that we each would encourage any GPS to do – the one action you would encourage every handheld GPS user to do Andy’s Top Tips 1.   What courses do we currently have? 1. Online resource - £50.00/ year (included free with and GPS purchase) 2. Support packages - Bronze, Silver and Gold - £80.00/ £125.00/ £145.00 / year (included free with and GPS purchase) 3. Group training courses over Zoom - £74.99 4. Nationwide two-day training course - £195.00 for 2-day course 5. 1:1 over Zoom - 2 hours - £89.00 6. 1:1 in person, Northumberland, get in touch A video looking at the training options can be seen here 2. Garmin Fenix 8 – 6 weeks in Full review on the Garmin Fenix 8 - watch/ read it here   3. When teaching on a GPS Training course - What 1 thing that we each would encourage any GPS to do – the one action you would encourage every handheld GPS user to do 4. Andy’s Top Tips  TwoNav - Route Off course alerts change distance & volume Main menu – Settings – Activity Profiles – Alarms – Data Fields Deviation from Route – Maximum – enter distance (Min off) Terra, Aventura Have different Tones options All units have Option to Repeat alarm on or off and how often to repeat , 15s, 30s, 1min, 2min, 5min Volume Top toolbar from map page Audio muted or change volume Garmin - Push Button Units GPSMAp65,66,67 – Add Shortcut applications to page button A good example satellite page to check grid ref & accuracy using Page button From Main menu setup – Menus – Page Sequence – Edit page sequency – Add page – applications – Satellite, another example 66, 67 only flashlight

Coris Vertix 2s, new inReach contracts, the all-new Garmin inReach Messenger plus and Andy's top tips. In this month’s podcast First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s - 2 min 09 sec. New inReach contracts - 14 min 10 sec. New inReach messenger plus - 28 min. Andy’s Top Tips - 33 min 55 sec. 1.   First thoughts on the Coros Vertix 2s Robust tough sapphire screen sunlight readable, titanium bezel, big battery not all the bells and whistles but so easy to use. For a none solar watch battery is great Bigger screen very clear data boxes Scroll wheel works really well as per other coros like lock screen to stop accidental stopping of activity but can still scroll though screens off course alert virbrate seems stronger and works well ease of use, app simple, routes transfer easily Maps not as details but so easy to see line in fromt of you and have handheld with os maps for those more difficult navigation, on 16 mile route yesterday used watch 90% of the time only looked at handheld couple of times Coros Vertix 2s - more here 2. New inReach contracts   SOS only (Garmin call this inReach enabled) - £7.99/month - inReach Enabled has no annual fee and includes unlimited SOS and pay-as-you-go pricing for other features. (You have to have contract in place for at least x 1 month) 10p / check-in 10p / trackPoint 50p / message/ weather 1 off payment – Activation fee - £39.99 Garmin inReach products - more here 3. New inReach messenger plus What is the Garmin inReach messenger? - £199.99 Up to 28 days with a message or location sent every 10 minutes with full sky view; up to 14 days with moderate tree cover Up to 6 days with a message or location sent every 2 minutes with full sky view; up to 3 days with moderate tree cover Up to 46 days with a message or location sent every 30 minutes with full sky view; up to 23 days with moderate tree cover Up to 1 year when powered off What is the inReach messenger plus? - £429.99 ( 30 second voice message, photo’s) -- NEW -- The ability to also send voice recordings, photos and group messaging on the Garmin Messenger™ app Up until now Garmin’s inReach line used Short Burst Data (SBD) to send messages, but with entirely new hardware, the Messenger Plus uses Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to send messages 300 times larger than SBD. That means it can support photos, 30-second voice memos, and 1,600-character texts (previous inReach text messages couldn’t exceed 160 characters). Battery Up to 120 hours of text message or location information sent every 2 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 70 hours in performance messaging mode. Up to 600 hours of text message or location information sent every 10 minutes in power-saving messaging mode; up to 110 hours in performance messaging mode. Send up to 250 multimedia messages on a single battery charge. Up to 1 year from power off Note: Battery life estimates assume use with a full view of the sky. Battery life may be significantly reduced by obstructions or dense trees. Garmin inReach Messenger Plus - more here 4. Andy’s Top Tips Coros Watches When on map or elevation plot screen If you do press in scroll wheel you will see + - icon to use scroll wheel to zoom in and out – remember to press back button when finished or when screen unlocked scroll wheel will not move to next screen as still in zoom mode back button cancels Remember you cannot pause or stop activity from map or elevation sreen but any other screen   Mac recycle bin for TwoNav maps or Garmin Topo Active, make sure you clear if you have deleted from devoice otherwise when device connected and bin can be seen it still shows that the device has this memory taken

The new Garmin Fenix 8, Irish mapping for a TwoNav GPS unit and a new GPS Training course for 2025. In this month’s podcast It’s our 100’th episode Fenix 8 – what has changed Irish mapping for TwoNav NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025 Andy’s Top Tips  1. It’s our 100th podcast Sorry it’s a little late in the month, normally it is the 1st of every month. Holidays and very busy at GPS Training If you do not already do please subscribe to the GPS Training podcast on whatever platform you listen to us on   2. Fenix 8 - what has changed? AMOLED screen – no longer EPIX Fenix 8 – AMOLED Fenix 8 – SOLAR Additions – - AMOLED comes in three sizes: 43/47/51mm - Solar comes in two sizes: 47/51mm - Solar edition only - New edge ring solar panel is far more efficient, and no longer covers display, improving clarity - New sensor guard protects microphone and barometer (between buttons) - New leak-proof button design using inductive buttons, so no actual hole in the case – Added recreational scuba diving/apnea features, down to 40M with EN13319 certification – Added diving no-fly and surface time features (widgets/data pages, etc…) – Added access to phone assistant via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone) – Added taking phone calls via microphone/speaker (with your smartphone) – Added voice notes recorder (on watch) – Added new offline voice assistant – Added new maps radius zoom UI change – Added new maps North Up quick toggle – Added new maps layer selection quick access menu – Added quick access touch unlock feature (temporarily unlocks touch, such as for a map during workout) – Added new ‘Active Navigation’ menu system while navigating a course/waypoint/etc – Added new consolidated ‘Saved’ feature, to find saved routes/waypoints/etc – Added new dynamic round-trip routing, to auto—change route mid-way to achieve a specified distance if you go off-course (e.g. set for 5 miles) – Added ‘Set a Target’ distance reminder, to remind you to turn around after the half-way point – Added Ski difficulty tracking option – Added strength training plans (4-6 weeks, via Garmin Connect) – Added new watch face editor, and new watch faces – Added new Countdown app to countdown to various dates/events – Added new Focus Modes – Added new online processing of troubled GPS tracks, using internal watch sensor data to correct them – Major redesign of user interface, including widgets, settings, and activity/workout pages – Revamped Notification Centre to include Garmin-based notifications (e.g., Morning Report or Daily Summary) 3. Irish mapping for TwoNav – potentially getting updated Source: LPSNI Northern Ireland Scale: 1:50.000 Format: Topographic Size: 437.19 Mb Resolution: 4.0 m/px Version : 2012 £34.16 Southern Ireland OSM & TomTom Overseas and Irish map options for TwoNav GPS Units 4. NEW – GPS Training courses over Zoom for 2025 Over the next couple of weeks we will be putting our 2025 GPS Training courses on the website – Two-day ‘physical’ training courses around the UK – £195.00 Scottish Borders Northumberland Lake District Peak District Northamptonshire Gloucestershire South Downs New Forest Then we have out 1:1 over Zoom – 2 hours - £89.00 – at a time that suits you best BUT, new for 2025 we are having 1 day group courses over Zoom Unit specific – TwoNav, GPSMAP series, Montana series and maybe watches and other series of units going forward. These will be - £75.00/ person During the week 10.00 – 16.00 (with x 1 hour for lunch – giving time to digest what has been taught Unit specific – Cover how to use GPS unit and planning routes on our free OS planner – 4 people on each Zoom training course   5. Andy’s top tips TwoNav If you own a computer you can organise your Routes into Folders From your computer Windows File Explore, Mac Finder,

This weekend Andy heads out on an epic 109 miles as he participates in the Spine Challenger race, we catch up with him a couple of days before the event. Live tracking for event - https://live.opentracking.co.uk/ssc2022/Andy Ayre - Number 110 Andy's Just Giving Page - more here