GPS Training Podcast Jon Monks, GPS Training and reviews

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



 

The all-new eTrex solar and live tracking on the Motorola Defy - Satellite Link



In this month’s podcast –



1. After we discussed the Garmin eTrex SE last month Garmin released the eTrex solar last month, the first solar powered GPS unit



2. Nationwide GPS courses for 2024



3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy – Satellite link – Beta resting and our thoughts



4. Al Pepper – our first ‘Ambassador’



5. We then have Andy’s top tips



1. Garmin eTrex solar



After we have had the Garmin inReach SE for a 8 months it is great to see this updated version, the first-ever Outdoor GPS unit which has a solar panel - Garmin eTrex Solar



Solar Charging -With the addition of solar charging also gives us the ability to now have a built in lithium battery, which will give you unlimited battery life in sunny conditions (75,000 lux) or upto 100 hours when using GNSS and multi-band tracking.



Multiband satellite network, new addition for the Garmin eTrex Solar - This all new multi-band GPS gives you access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites which gives you improved positional accuracy.



Live Geocaching on the Garmin eTrex Solar – With the Garmin eTrex Solar you now get automatic cache updates from Geocaching live, including descriptions, logs and hints. When connected to the Garmin Explore app, each find will upload to your geocaching.com profile.



Garmin Explore app alongside the Garmin eTrex Solar - You can connect the Garmin eTrex Solar to the Garmin Explore app, once connected you can undertake wireless software updates, get access to cloud storage, plan trips, get smart notifications and access additional mapping.



Live weather - When connected to the Garmin Explore app you can get real-time forecast information, so you're aware of any changing conditions.



To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex Solar go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Unboxing and first review









2. Nationwide GPS courses - 2024



All our course dates for next year are now online



Our course prices go up in price on Friday 22nd December – so please get yourself booked on before then.







If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course





3. Live tracking – Motorola Defy -



Andy has been Beta testing the new live tracking feature for the Motorola Defy – satellite link



It has been on the Bullit app for some time now, but it does not function



Watch Live tracking - Beta testing - Motorola Defy - Satellite Link 





4. All Pepper – our first Ambassador



Over the coming months you will be seeing/ hearing lots about Al.



Who is is –



YouTube Vlogger – We first came across him on the Cheviot Challenge

Posted a video after he, his dad and uncle participated in it – Tracy and Katherine appeared in the video as he approached one of the summits.

He is an ultra-runner from the NE



On one of the videos, where he competed in a Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks ultra he struggled a little bit with regard to navigation to I reached out to him.



After a number of phone calls he is our first-ever – Ambassador



You cannot fail to like hem, really nice guy.

Garmin eTrex SE, 7 months on, GPS in the Hills and which app should you be using?



The big 90, that not bad going.



In this month’s podcast –



1. eTrex SE – 7 months on



2. GPS in the Hills – last course this/ last weekend – what is this course all about?



3. BaseCamp, connect, explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?



4. We then have Andy’s top tips



- Garmin eTrex SE – 7 months on



The Garmin eTrerx SE was launched on the 14th March, in the same day the Garmin GPSMAP 67/ 67i was launched



Price - £149.99



To read an indepth review on the Garmin eTrex SE go to GpsTraining.co.uk > Product Reviews > Garmin eTrex SE Review







- GPS in the hills course – what is this?



You may have seen this on our website/ newsletters



For those who have been on our two-day Garmin GPS Training course.



£158.00 on website, but if you have been on a course you get a discount code making it half-priced - £79.00



What do we cover on this day-long course



Week leading upto course



- Planning over Zoom – week leading upto course



On the day - straight out onto the hill -



- Following the pre-planned route



- Looking at the different navigational experiences for a route, track, and course



- Trackback - we will do a trackback taking us back the way we came



- Creating a route directly on the unit



- Managing an emergency situation - what options do we have and how are we going to approach this



- Changing the ‘pre-planned’ plans - what options do we have and how we do this



- Navigating in the dark, how to set up our GPS units



This will all be delivered during an 8 - 12 mile walk (depending on elevation climbed) and only people who have been on our 2-day course will be invited onto the course.



South Downs – 4th October 2024

Lakes – 18th October 2024

Northumberland – 26th October 2024







If you want to find out more about our GPS courses please go to our website > GpsTraining.co.uk > GPS Training Course



- BaseCamp, Connect, Explore - which and for what scenarios – When using alongside a Garmin handheld unit?



Garmin BaseCamp



Garmin Connect



Garmin Explore



 



- Andy’s Top Tips



Explore App – Convert imported GPX files from track or route to a course before syncing – syncs quicker and seems to be more reliable when syncing

2 X Drawing pin icon - Route

Footprint icon -Track

Curved line – Course

3 x Red dots top right screen – copy as course, go back to track or route 3 x red dots top right select delete

Remember Find / Spy Glass Course



GPSMap65s – Pause Track – in theory you cannot or can you?



- When you are just about to go into a building and want to stop the recording - press your menu button twice to goto main menu



- Select Setup



- Select System



- Select Satellite System - changed from Muliti-GNSS to DEMO



- When you come out of the building and standing where your changed satellite to Demo - repeat the process and change Satellite back to Multi-GNSS