GPS Training Podcast

Jon Monks, GPS Training and reviews
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GPS Training Podcast

Keeping you up to date with everything in the world of outdoor GPS navigation. Reviews, top tips and everything you need to know about the world of Outdoor GPS unit navigation.

  1. 1 NOV

    What training opportunities do we have coming up in 2025, Fenix 8 - 6 weeks in and Andy's top tips.

    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

    55 min

  2. 1 OCT

    Coris Vertix 2s, new inReach contracts, the all-new Garmin inReach Messenger plus and Andy's top tips.

    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

    43 min

  3. 14 SEPT

    The new Garmin Fenix 8, Irish mapping for a TwoNav GPS unit and a new GPS Training course for 2025

    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

    55 min

  4. 14 AUG

    GPS Training Podcast – number 99 – 3

    In this podcast, we look back at the past 99 episodes of the GPS Training podcast. The first ever GPS Training Podcast went out on Sept 15th 2017 – 7 years ago I had been on holiday that summer and first learnt about Podcasts and had got slightly ‘hooked’ on them, or one particular – Big Ideas for Small Business, which incidentally I was interviewed for 2 years later. I loved the format of the podcast, long-form, which you invested in. I remember the first ever day I pitched the idea at one of our staff meetings I was met by some interesting ‘blank stares. Here it is – In the first-ever GPS Training Podcast the lead piece was on the ‘all-new’ Sat Map Active 20 – 2 months on. Quite ironic as SatMap went out of business in 2022, 5 years later The Podcast has really gone through x 3 eras/ formats Podcast 1 (2017) – 19 (2019) – with Andy and other guests Streamed live on Facebook Podcast 19 – 59 (Sept 2021) with Ian and other guests Then Andy came back from then on to the present day Podcast 60 to current day Monthly except for Podcast 33 (March 2020) onwards - Covid, we went to fortnightly podcasts Recorded these at 7.45 in the morning then I could answer any calls in the office, as all the other staff were furloughed It hopefully kept you all sane, I know it certainly did that with us – kept us sane – very hard time personally, working on my own and being upbeat on a podcast not knowing what was around the corner on the business front As things started to get a little more ‘normal’ we had our 50th Podcast (March 2021) we had the whole team from GPS Training at the time on the podcast and we answered random questions, picked out of a hat. Questions that are in the hat * If you could go anywhere in the world, where would that be and why? * If you were going off today on a 15 mile walk what GPS unit would you take with you? * If you could make one thing change in this business overnight (no budget), what would it be? * AA batteries or built-in battery in a GPS unit? * Favorite workday of the week and why? * Favorite course location? * Favorite walk? * What one sneaky thing do you keep in your rucksack? I know a number of you that I have spoken to over the years have gone all the way back to number 1 and listened to them all. I am massively impressed, well done to you guys and girls! Some of my - Highpoints – I was first introduced to the Spine Race by Paul Freeman – Podcast 31, back in 2020 – Spoke to Paul Freeman before he undertook the Spine Challenger south – I knew nothing about this race before I interviewing him Quite ironic now as the Spine Race became such a large part of both mine and Andy’s life over the past number of years. I remember doing a bit research before that interview and learning about the spine Race for the first time, all the different race options. After I interviewed Paul again, after he had finished the race, I remember thinking to myself, I would love to do that one day and x 3 years later I finished the 108 mile spine challenger south, the race Paul had done. Then the following year, this year, the 160 mile Spine Challenger North. I am often humbled, when speaking to these people, how often the person I am speaking to really opens up and often you can see tears running down their face...

    39 min

  5. 8 AUG

    GPS Training Podcast – number 99 – 2

    In the second of our x 4 Podcasts for August, we look back at the past 10 years of GPS Training. Shepherds Walks bought GPS Training in 2014 Bought GPS Training from Peter Judd, Peter had his own business and retired to the Lake District. He worked for George Fishers in Keswick and could see a space in the market for GPS Training. The first ever GPS Training course was in Mungrisdale, Lake District. First x 5 years very hard but we quickly learnt that a more informed customer made life a lot easier for us The first GPS training Podcast came about in September 2017 In 2016 we got rid of our retail premises and went solely online, this was in the old Tourist Information Centre in Rothbury when we finally closed down the retail premises. We set up Outdoor GPS Shop in Sept 2019, which is the 'budget' website for GPS units. GPS training offers a post-sale training and support package whereas Outdoor GPS sells just on price. March 2020 - Covid - this had a very large effect on the business. It was a real wake-up call. We managed to fast-track a number of plans, as we needed to get our sales up very quickly. In 2021 I created our first ever 'walk and talk' video for YouTube, to showcase to potential customers the final navigational experience you get on a GPS unit. April 2023 - Moved into our current premises, look at our build here. Many tahnks for all your support, not only from myself but from all the team here at GPS Training.

    45 min

  6. 1 AUG

    GPS Training Podcast – number 99 – 1

    How is Shepherd's Walks made up? x 4 aspects of the business in 2024 – multi-million-pound turnover Shepherds Walks – Events, courses, retailer and guided walks Shepherds Walks Holidays – Guided and self-guided walking holidays Capricorn Mohair Socks – 60 + trade accounts and retail GPS Training/ Outdoor GPS Shop – largest retailer of Outdoor GPS units in the UK, I know what our competitors sell, not very professional to say what they sell 1999 – Shepherds Walks – Northumbrian Shepherds Walks - But, let’s go a back a little further than that I’m Jon Monks – School – not academic, school just did not work for me - Dyslexic But excelled and Cubs, Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh Hiking competitions Maps made more sense to me than text in a book Career choice - work outdoors – farmer? Career officer – School Career office – St Helens James Hayes Lancashire College of Agriculture – Careers office YTS x 2 years – Arable framing College x 3 years – Dairy and finally sheep   Post college – Australia, Lord Carnarvon (Highclere Estate) and Northumberland x 2 jobs 1999 – Shepherds Walks – Wrote walking guides (from a Shepherds perspective) The web was made for walking – marketing Telegraph, Guardian, Radio 4 (Ramblings x 2), Countryfile, Country Walking Magazine Country Shows, Farmers Markets – really learning how to sell – hard work 2005 – Went full-time – Health Walks Barclays Bank, Local District Council (now dispended) – Small business adviser and Business Link   Hard to make money, as did not really have a viable business - Had a small shop/ unit on a converted farm with coffee shop and 8 other small ‘more crafty’ businesses. Guided walks, self-led walking guides, maps, local history books, postcards etc 2006 – Bought Capricorn Mohair Socks Needing 36k to buy business 15k bank, 15k our own money but 6k VAT Became VAT registered after this – 75k ish turnover 2006/ 2007 – Selling GPS units – Contacting Peter Judd and Sheep Trails Started selling GPS units/ training courses 2008 – Shepherds Walks Holidays – part of Saddle Skedaddle   2014 – Bought GPS Training – doubled my turnover – not scared of talking figures (125k x 2 – ¼ million turnover) – But more about that in next weeks podcast   And what a story that is – GPS Training Covid – First lockdown - March 2020 Started to understand that often less is more – My shepherding background was the more I went around the sheep at lambing time the more sheep I would have, but this was not the case with GPST We had a great stable base to build the business on – 50k Bounce back loan New website – GPST Jan 2021 – Built in Christmas/ January lockdown SWH – 2022 – invest or die after Covid SW – Jan 2022 Moved to our current premises – April 2023 (got keys on 1st February) If you have not seen the video of us building the new offices please do, I will leave a link in the show notes - a href="https://gpstraining.co.

    44 min

  7. 1 JUL

    GPS Training Podcast – number 98

    In this month’s podcast 1. We look back this year's Spine Race and how we each got on - 00:50 2. TwoNav software update – what has changed - 22:22 3. Apple's announcement – Two-way satellite communication - 28:06 4. Andy’s top tips - 36:10   1. We look back to this year’s Spine Event Andy took part in - Spine Challenger South – Started Saturday morning – 15th June – 108 miles 60 hours to complete Edale to Hardraw CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn Jon took part in - Spine Challenger North – Started Monday morning – 17th June - 160 miles 90 hours to complete Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale CP2 – Alston YH CP3 – Bellingham CP3.5 – Byrness Completed it in 86 hours and 10 mins Highpoints – First 37 miles to CP1 (Low Fell Farm, near to Middleton in Teesdale) and then section that follows River Tees, it’s truly stunning, especially as the sun set. Low points – Eating, first part of Cheviot Hills Jon’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon Andy’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger   2.   TwoNav software update   3. Satellite Texting Is Coming to the iPhone. Do I Still Need My inReach?   Apple’s new iOS 18 update allows its products to work off-grid. But are phones a suitable replacement for purpose-built backcountry communication tools? Being released in the US late this year, but no price structures have been given to date. I was speaking to a contact in the industry this week and he was saying there is a large problem metering and measuring the data that is being send from satellites, so it is hard to ‘measure a cost’ as the data request for this info costs more than sending the message itself. Currently, free SOS Satellite capabilities from Apple since late 2022, using Globalstar satellite system (currently used by Spot) Globalstar also does not cover full coverage of the world, but it has been utilised very well by the Spot outdoor communicators in the past, but Globalstar getting a massive cash injection from Apple. Apple will pay for 95% of the approved capital expenditure for the new satellites needed to support the service for Globalstar to upgrade their satellite systems. So let’s see what happens Iridium (Garmin and Zoleo use) far better quality than Globalstar But, we have Apple, the 6th largest business in the world supporting/ backing this A little bias, but anything apple do will be good and have a good interface so time will tell.   4. Top Tips If you Garmin came with preloaded Topo Active Europe but you also have OS map card how do you view them say for cycling or in a more urban environment As OS maps take precedence over maps on memory you simply turn them off Main menu – Setup – Map – etrex 32, GPSMap - Map information, GPSMAp66i, 67, Montana 700Map manager some older units  configure maps Worldwide basemap should always be enabled Disable Topo Pro 1:50k or for 1:25k Older North Scotland, South Scotland West England wales etc 5 x regions , newer map card 12 x regions   TwoNav – Main menu Maps – tap and turquoise Eye icon means in view – tap eye icon to hide GB Topo is OS Maps British Isles OSM – Open Source GBrtn23q1TomTom

    45 min

  8. 1 JUN

    GPS Training Podcast – number 97

    This year's Summer Spine Race series, GPS accuracy, getting the best battery life on a GPS unit or watch whilst participating in an Ultramarathon and Andy's Top Tips. In this month's GPS Training Podcast  1. We look forward to this year's Spine Race and how our race prep is doing - 1 min 2. GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years? - 26 min 35 seconds 3. Getting the best out of your battery – during an ultra event – both units and watches - 36 minutes 55 seconds 4. Andy’s top tips - 45 minutes 55 seconds   1. We look forward to this year’s Spine Event x 4 distances Sprint – Starts Saturday afternoon – 15th June – 46 miles 18 hours to complete Edale to Hebdon Bridge Spine Challenger South – Starts Saturday morning – 15th June – 108 miles 60 hours to complete Edale to Hardraw CP1 – Hebdon Hay, CP 1.5 – Malham Tarn Spine Challenger North – Starts Monday morning – 17th June - 160 miles 90 hours to complete Hardraw to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders CP1 – Low Way Farm, Middleton on Teesdale CP2 – Alston YH CP3 – Bellingham CP3.5 – Byrness Full Spine Race – Starts Sunday morning – 16th June – 268 miles 156 hours to complete Edale to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders Paul Turner, Byrness Hill – Walking an epic 1000 mile. His walk will include both the Coast to Coast & the Pennine Way (walking each twice) & finishing with the Yorkshire Dales Centurion Walk. Paul’s Just Giving page - https://www.justgiving.com/team/pauls1000miletrek - Training - Doing anything different this year - Thoughts ahead of this year's event? Jon’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/spinenorthjon Andy’s Just Giving - https://www.justgiving.com/team/andyayrespinechallenger     2.   GPS accuracy – What is good, settings and how have things changed over the years? 3 x Satellites show position 2d, 4 x Satellites 3d elevation What is Multi GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite system) Device picks up more than one set of Satellite Constellations Main ones we use in devices such as Garmin, TwoNav, Coros GPS – USA 1978 started Military - Global use 1994 31 Satellites Glonass – Russian development 1976 – operational early 80’s 24 Satellites operational Galileo – EU – 2016 started 26 Operational Beidou – China – Started 2012 56 Operational Twonav does not use duel frequency but multi-band uses 3 x satellite constellations at once, we have been using GPS, Galileo & Beidou and seeing under 10 feet and have seen down to 4 – 5 feet GPSMap65,67 dual frequency have seen down to 6 feet Generally we find other handhelds picking up either GPS & Glonass or GPS & Galileo around 10 - 12 feet Garmin Watches do not show an accuracy screen Coros has a Satellite screen where you can see how many are in view and how many are strongly locked on What is Dual Frequency / Multi Band Use Coros Article GPS – 18 satellite transmit at L1 & L5 Glonass – older L1 & L2 no L5 Galileo – all E1 & E5 Beidou – all B1 & B2 Devices we sell with dual frequency Epix gen 2, Fenix 7 sapphire solar & pro models GPSMap65,65s,66sr,67,

    52 min
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About

Keeping you up to date with everything in the world of outdoor GPS navigation. Reviews, top tips and everything you need to know about the world of Outdoor GPS unit navigation.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon Monks, GPS Training and reviews
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2024
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    GPS Training Podcast

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