GPS Training Podcast Jon Monks, GPS Training and reviews

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,

In this month’s podcast 



1. Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ tracker - 1 min 30 seconds



2. Garmin backpack tethers -  has your cord become frayed? - 17 min 27 seconds



3. Free OS planner – many thanks for the donations - 25 min 27 seconds



4. Andy’s top tips - 30 min 54 seconds



 



* Spot Gen4 – satellite communicator/ tracker 



Pricing - Plan prices are in Euros also in small print you do need to also add on 20% vat to all prices shown.



Unlimited messages-  Unlimited is only for email contacts if you send any messages including Check-in, Custom & help messages to a Mobile number you have a total allowance of 200 a year, hence for unlimited I would recommend using email addresses.If you go over the 200 you can purchase a bundle of 200 more messages otherwise you are charged 0.15 per additional message over the 200 per year.



Contacts - The maximum of 10 x contacts should really be named as 10 x slots i.e. you could not put 10 x mobile numbers in and for the same people 10 x email addresses at this would be 20.



If you put 5 x email addresses in and 5 x mobile numbers in this would your 10 x contacts slots used up.



Do you need a computer – A computer is required with USB connection to the device to sync and changes you make to tracking, tracking intervals and to install new firmware / software updates.



If you change messages and contacts a computer is not required for these changes.



Battery change – To change batteries there are 4 x screws to undo, advise customer to have small flat screwdriver in their backpack



Selling points



Peace of mind when off grid to have SOS and being able to send check-in messages to friends and family and have friends and family track you.



Lightweight robust weatherproof



Can use your own AAA Batteries



With 4 x AAA Lithium batteries excellent battery life – see PDF battery life chart



Unit itself cost effective to buy – cheapest physical unit that we sell.



Simple to use – but If you are not using tracking the monthly pricing is not as good when comparing to say a Garmin messenger that will allow two way messages and more functions on the device, but sometimes extra functions if not require could be more confusing.



The big selling point for me would be that the pricing includes 5, 10, 30 & 60 minute tracking at no extra charge, if you mainly want for SOS peace of mind and tracking it is more cost effective than others.



The Spot 20% discount code (only from GPS Training) is only for the annual messages not flex plans – must be activated by 30th June, we will include a discount code in with your SPOT



20% off activation



20% off annual plan



Normally £215.52/ year

Now £206.90/ year, so great way to see if it for you

SPOT GEN4 Tracker – Normally £149.99, now - £139.99 



This has 5, 10, 30 and 60minute tracking included in with it



 



To find out more about the Spot Gen4 please do to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Two-way satellite communication and you will see the Spot Gen 4 there at - £139.99



 



2. Garmin backpack tethers -  has your cord become frayed?



Just under 50 people answered the questions – 



* Which rucksack strap are you carrying it on

* I have found the cord has got caught - Yes/ No

* Any other comments/ feedback



¼  wore it on right

Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC, TwoNav Roc, Going overseas and Andy's top tips



In this month’s podcast



1. What was going on at Outdoor Expo, Birmingham NEC - 2 min



2. TwoNav Roc – a new edition to the range - 6 mins



3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip - 23 min 15 seconds



4. Andy’s top tips - 34 min 30 seconds



 



1. The National Outdoor Expo – last weekend, Birmingham NEC



Many thanks to everybody who came along to say hello.



I was on the Zoleo stand and spoke to many listeners of the podcast including Kevin who has gone all the way back to episode number 1 and listened to every single episode of the podcast.



Zoleo – 2nd year we have been there with Zoleo



Amazed on how their profile has been increased over the last year, great product and it is really good to see how well it is now being received both online and at the show.



Key thing is the live tracking - £4.50/ month and this can be bolted onto any package



2. TwoNav Roc



In addition to existing range we stock –



- Cross Plus



- Terra



- Aventura 2 Plus



- And now TwoNav Roc



Videos comparing the TwoNav Roc with a Garmin eTrex 32x and Cross Plus



3. Taking your GPS overseas, what should you do ahead of your trip



* Position format settings - changing the Position Format settings on your GPS device to suit the map grid system being use in the Country that you are visiting.

* Mapping options – OSM or Topo maps if no pre-loaded topo active mapsAdvanced map setup – detail level higher

* GPS settings, time settings and compass calibration – time settings set automatically, calibrate the electronic compass



Videos taking you through how you set your Garmin GPS unit up before heading overseas.



4. Top Tips



Fenix, Epix Lock Keys

Hold top left button Scroll down widgets unit you see padlock and select with start stop button – to unlock any button for a few second’s



If you cannot see padlock – hold top left button – hold middle left button – add controls – start stop button to enter – scroll down select lock device option



Coros

Setting Auto Lock set as Standby and activity hold to unlock



GPSMap67/66 – Lock Keys



On off button held in few seconds – status screen – lock keys – press Enter – power button to unlock



Touch Screen Montana 700 series all TwoNav



Montana default double tap power key screen off and locked – power key single tap back on

TwoNav – single power button tap screen off and locked – single power tap back on

Bullitt, TwoNav, PSMA map cards and Andy's top tips



In this month’s podcast



1. What is going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? - 2 min 31 sec



2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air – quick update - 13 min 15 sec



3. Mountain rescue teams - PSGA map cards - Garmin - 26 min 33 sec



4. Andy’s top tips - 30.08



1. Bullitt – maker of the Motorola Defy Satellite Link



In late January filed for bankruptcy



Founders were paying for service to continue for 1 month



We are over that time period and everything is still working



19th February - Sky News understands that Exponent Private Equity, which has successfully backed companies including Quorn and Trainline, is expected to agree to a restructuring of Bullitt's finances in the coming weeks.



The change of control is expected to see the Business Growth Fund (BGF) - a £2.5bn vehicle set up by the UK's biggest high street lenders in the aftermath of the financial crisis - play a leading role in Bullitt's future.



People close to the talks said that an auction of Bullitt, which had been triggered by a large volume of unsold inventory, had resulted in a proposal led by the BGF, an existing shareholder in the business, and the company's co-founders.



If concluded, the deal would crystallise a rare disappointment for Exponent, which has seen each of its funds make impressive returns for investors since the firm was set up more than a decade ago.



So, As I understand it - Exponent have pulled out, this was the backer we talked about in last month’s podcast, who pulled out at the 11th hour.



And in conversations I have had with our contacts at Bullitt stated finance was being negotiated and it sounds like this is referring to the funding from BGF (Business Growth fund). The business growth fund was set up after the financial crisis and fingers crossed it can play a big roll in Bullitt’s future going forward.



BGF is an equity investor in the UK and Ireland that provides long-term, minority investment and value creation support to growing companies, it was set up.



So, let’s see what the future brings.



We were under the understanding that customers would be notified if anything was to change, but to date nobody has received any notifications, so no news is good news.



Motorola – they have not been discussed yet, what did you find out Andy with regard to this.



I am personally very disappointed by the scaremongering that has been online, as I said last time our thoughts have to be with all the staff at Bullitt around the world, who I know have worked very hard on this product and the other products they produce.



Read the full regard to what is going on with Bullitt online here



2. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air



Lots of SatMap users upgrading – it is a SatMap on steroids



We have put 75 units bicycles in UK, Spain and Italy for a cycle tour operator we work with



We ended up stocking x 3 models –



* Cross Plus

* Terra

* Aventurer 2 Plus



Software update – last week



To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units



OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air



Now 2 x walk and talk videos for the unit –



TwoNav Terra

TwoNav, a breath of fresh air and what is going on at Bullitt, the creators of the Motorola Defy - Satellite link



1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air - 2:00 minutes in



2. What has been going on at Bullitt, the creator of the Motorola Defy – satellite link? - 33:45 minutes in



3. Andy’s top tips - 46:51 minutes in



1. TwoNav – a breath of fresh air



Backstory – TwoNav has been on our radar for several years.



6 or 7 years? OS teamed up with TwoNav to create a OS branded GPS unit.



We bought one at that stage and within 2 weeks it was on eBay, why?



This partnership did not work as OS do not have the expertise to build and grow this type of technology in the UK.



So late last year TwoNav kept coming up in conversation so



Just before Christmas, we bought 1 x of each of their models and that was our Christmas holiday sorted as we started to get to grips and understand this new manufacturer –



TwoNav are based in Spain



Very keen to listen to feedback and build on what they have



We ended up stocking x 3 models –



* TwoNav Cross Plus

* TwoNav Terra

* TwoNav Aventurer 2 Plus



Map options available –



* Pre-loaded European maps

* 1:50k

* 1:25k

* 1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k on Aventurer 2 plus



Summary –



* SatMap on steroids – clarity of screen

* Wireless transfer from phone/ tablet

* Easy to use, intuitive

* Made by someone who believes and is passionate about their product



To find out more please go to our website – GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS units



OR – GPSTraining.co.uk > Reviews > TwoNav – a breath of fresh air



 



2. Bullitt - maker of Motorolla Defy - Satellite link



Thursday - buy out was in place by their largest invester



Friday - they pulled out on Friday and sadly Bullitt Group ceased trading and was handed to Lloyds as the receivers



Article - The Verge - Key manufacturer closes down



Motorola are the 'brand' behind Bullitt, to date no news of what they are wanting to do with regard to Bullitt going forward.



The founders of Bullitt have personally put money in place so subscribers can continue with their current service for at least the next month.



Bullitt are going to email customers to update them on what is going to happen, but to date nothing sent which has to be good news.



Good luck for the future of all the staff at Bullitt, the team here at GPS Training are thinking of you and your families



3. Top Tips - on using an outdoor GOPS unit/ watch



TwoNav - Backlight 50% rather than Auto – Main Menu – Settings – System – Display & Brightness – Auto Brightness off – slide bar 50%



Shutdown screen we have 30 seconds can change never and use single tap power button to take screen on & off



Garmin Epix – Fenix 7 –...

In this New Year’s Day Podcast, we look back on 2023 and ahead to 2024.



- The year that was 2023



January



* February - Motorola Defy - Satellite link launched

* March - eTrex SE launched

* April - Coros watches

* May - GPSMAP67/ 67i

* June - Fenix 7 Pro launch - New Epix - Powerglass, improved power glass, new HR monitor, flashlight and updated statsSpine Challenge Race

* December - Solar-powered eTrex



 



- Looking forward to 2024 – what would we like to see



* Solar-powered GPS units

* Two-Nav

* Spine race

* BaseCamp/ apps