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,

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,

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,

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

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

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

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

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...

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.

 

 

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 - Show more...