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GPS Training Podcast

GPS Training Podcast

Written by: Jon Monks GPS Training and reviews
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 Keeping you up to date with everything going on in the world of outdoor GPS navigation Politics & Government
Episodes
  • GPS Training Podcast – number 120

    GPS Training Podcast – number 120
    Jan 1 2026
    Getting to Grips with Your GPS in 2026

    In this New Year’s Day episode, we look at one simple question many walkers and runners ask at the start of the year:

    “How do I actually get confident using my GPS?”

    Rather than talking tech for tech’s sake, this episode walks through the practical training options available through GPS Training, helping you choose the right level of support for how you use your GPS.

    What’s covered in this episode

    1. The GPS Training Online Resource – more here

    • 24/7 access to step-by-step training videos
    • Covers current GPS units and older models
    • Ideal if you like learning at your own pace
    • A single GPS unit can have 50+ dedicated videos

    2. One-to-One GPS Training (Zoom or In-Person) – more here

    • Tailored entirely to how you walk, run or navigate
    • Perfect if you want focused help on specific issues
    • Ideal for people short on time or lacking confidence

    3. Two-Day GPS Training Courses (Nationwide) – more here

    • Hands-on, outdoor, practical GPS training
    • Learn route planning, following routes, trackback, and emergency scenarios
    • Designed to build real confidence, not just button-pressing knowledge

    4. Follow-On & Refresher Training, GPS in the hills – more here

    • Options for those who already own a GPS but want to go further
    • Particularly useful if you’ve never fully used your device’s features

    5. Choosing the Right Training for You

    • Advice on matching training options to your experience level
    • Why there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to GPS learning

    Key takeaway

    Getting the most from your GPS in 2026 isn’t about buying new kit — it’s about understanding the kit you already have. With the right training, a GPS becomes a genuine confidence tool rather than a frustration.

    If you’ve ever thought “I know my GPS does more than I use it for”, this episode is a great place to start.
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    39 mins
  • GPS Training Podcast – number 119

    GPS Training Podcast – number 119
    Dec 1 2025
    The final episode of the year – winter GPS tips, end of an era for the 67, multi-day adventures, Christmas wish-lists, and the AI Bot in action. Episode Overview In this month’s episode, Jon and Andy wrap up 2025 with a bumper winter edition of the GPS Training Podcast. They discuss the sudden end of the Garmin GPSMAP 67, compare the best units for winter use, dive into watches vs handhelds for multi-day adventures, and explore what people are asking the GPS Training AI Support Bot. They finish with their Christmas gear wish-lists and Andy’s shortcut tips. 1. Is This the End of the Garmin GPSMAP 67? Garmin have quietly stopped supplying new GPSMAP 67 stock — despite saying in October that there were “no plans to discontinue” it when the new GPSMAP H1 series launched. Key points No more GPSMAP 67 units on order from Garmin — stock is now extremely limited. The 67 has been hugely popular thanks to: A massive jump in battery life (way beyond 100 hours). Its robust build and reliability. Button-only control, ideal for poor weather. Second-hand 67 and 67i units are selling fast — proving the demand is still strong. What about the 67i? The 67i is still incoming for now — but Jon expects it may also disappear in the near future. Many people prefer the 67i over the H1i+ because: It’s £350 cheaper. Some users don’t want picture messaging or voice memos. It still offers excellent battery life and proven inReach SOS. You don’t need to activate an inReach subscription to use the 67i as a normal GPS. Verdict: If you’ve been thinking about a 67 or 67i, now is the moment — stock won’t last long. 2. Best GPS Units for Winter Walking Cold weather affects batteries, touchscreens, and usability. Jon and Andy break it down into budget, mid-range, and large-screen options. 💷 Budget: Garmin eTrex 32x Around ~£200. Uses AA batteries (ideal for cold temps if kept warm in a pocket). Joystick + button control = excellent with gloves. Basic but extremely reliable. Brilliant as: A backup navigation tool. A device for quick grid references. A simple, safe winter companion. 💷 Mid-Range: TwoNav Aventura 2 Plus Andy calls this “an undersold gem”. Good size screen with joystick + button control. 36-hour battery life. Battery is removable (spare available), plus optional AA battery pack. With OS 1:25k maps, around £579. 💷 Large Screen / Premium Units Includes Garmin H1, H1i+, GPSMAP 67i, and Montana 700 / 710 / 760 series. Garmin H1 / H1i+ Buttons and touchscreen. Touchscreen performs extremely well in the rain. Bigger, clearer input buttons than a smartphone. Around 60–70 hours battery life. Garmin GPSMAP 67i Over 100 hours battery. Buttons only. Still one of Andy’s all-time favourite units. Garmin Montana 700 series Pure touchscreen, but excellent glove performance. Rain & glove modes in Settings > Accessibility. Removable big battery, plus AA pack for non-“i” versions. Winter rule: If you wear gloves a lot, buttons (or a mixed interface like the H1) are your friend. 3. Multi-Day Adventures – Watch, GPS Unit, or Both? Andy gives an honest look at how he uses watches and GPS units across events like the Montane Spine, Winter Lakes events, and long DIY challenges. How watches have changed In 2015, the Fenix 3 gave ~20 hours battery life. In 2025: Fenix 8 Solar: up to 149 hours GPS. Fenix 8 AMOLED: ~84 hours GPS. Suunto Race 2: ~55 hours (all systems). Suunto Vertical 2 AMOLED: ~65 hours. These battery gains mean a watch can now last most ultra events without daily charging. Why Andy still uses a watch Quick glances without removing gloves or stopping. Instant stats (distance left, current pace, ascent). Vibrations every mile help with pacing and morale. Perfect when using poles. Why he still carries a handheld Bigger OS map for tricky nav decisions. inReach SOS & satellite communication. Night navigation in poor visibility. If he had to choose only one… If forced: 67i, purely because of inReach safety. But realistically?→ Watch for recording + stats, GPS for tricky nav is the perfect pairing. Best budget pairing A brilliant low-cost combination: Suunto Race 2 (~£300+). TwoNav Roc handheld for OS maps and emergency navigation. Cheaper than a single high-end Garmin unit. Event rule reminder Some events (e.g., the Montane Spine) require a handheld GPS at kit check.Jon is doing kit checks this winter — so brush up! 4. Ask the Bot – December Questions The GPS Training AI Support Bot now runs on 6,776 indexed pages of training videos, guides, and troubleshooting steps. A few questions from the last 24 hours: • “Where are the setup sheets for the Garmin GPSMAP 67?” Bot linked directly to the correct downloadable setup sheets. • “How often should I calibrate my altimeter?” Bot recommended calibrating: At the start of a walk (when height is known). After big weather changes. Or leave ...
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    53 mins
  • GPS Training Podcast – number 118

    GPS Training Podcast – number 118
    Nov 1 2025
    Welcome to the GPS Training Podcast, where we explore the latest outdoor navigation kit, training opportunities, and tools to make your time on the hills easier and safer. In this month’s episode, Jon and Andy dive into a packed line-up – 1. Field-Tested Review – Garmin eTrex Touch After several weeks of walking with the Garmin eTrex Touch, including filming a new Walk & Talk video, Jon and Andy share their real-world impressions.They cover: How well the touchscreen performs in wet and cold conditions Battery life and handling in the field The lack of a micro-SD card slot (and how that affects TalkyToaster map compatibility) Who it’s best suited for — whether you’re a day walker, family user, or new to GPS navigation Andy has also added new walkthroughs, setup guides and practical tips to the Garmin eTrex Touch online training resource, available via the GPS Training website. They finish by asking — is the eTrex Touch still one of the best entry-level GPS units on the market? 👉 Explore the Garmin eTrex Touch at GPS Training 👉 Watch the Walk & Talk video on the Garmin eTrex Touch 2. GPS Training Courses for 2026 The 2026 GPS Training course calendar is now live, with more locations than ever before.The two-day Garmin GPS courses are running in: South Downs Northamptonshire Gloucestershire Peak District Lake District Northumberland These courses take you from “I’ve got a GPS” to “I actually know how to use it properly”. Early booking is recommended — places are already filling up! New for 2026, GPS Training is launching TwoNav One-Day Courses in the South Downs and Northumberland, helping new TwoNav users get up and running with setup, mapping, and our free OS route planner. And for those who’ve already completed the two-day Garmin course, there’s GPS in the Hills, an advanced one-day course focused on real-world route planning, on-hill navigation, and problem-solving. 👉 View all Garmin GPS Training Courses for 2026 👉 View all TwoNav GPS Training Courses for 2026 3. Free GPX File Cleaner If you plan your routes in apps like OS Maps or OS Explore, then export a GPX for use on a GPS device, you’ll know how messy those files can get — with thousands of points, gaps, or strange spikes. To fix that, GPS Training has launched a Free GPX File Cleaner — a quick, easy-to-use online tool that: Removes excess data points Fixes formatting errors Ensures compatibility with Garmin, TwoNav, and Suunto devices Simply upload your GPX, let it process, and download a cleaner version ready for your next adventure. 👉 Try the Free GPX File Cleaner 4. Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Review Andy shares his first-hand impressions of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, the latest evolution of Garmin’s flagship adventure watch.Discussion includes: Key upgrades from the Fenix 8 The introduction of LTE-M and inReach messaging directly from the watch Improved battery life and brighter AMOLED screen If you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor watch, this one’s worth listening to. 👉 Shop the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro 5. Ask the Bot! The GPS Training AI Support Bot has had a busy month — helping users get to grips with Garmin, TwoNav, and Suunto devices. In this episode, Jon and Andy highlight some of the most common questions, including: How do I delete a track from my Garmin Montana 700? Can I navigate to a saved location on my Fenix 7X while still recording an activity? How do I open topo maps from an SD card in Garmin BaseCamp? What software should I use with a TwoNav device on my computer? Why does my Suunto watch show only a basic clock until I press a button? As ever, expect a few light-hearted exchanges with the bot voice along the way! 👉 Try the GPS Training AI Bot 6. Andy’s Top Tips We wrap up with Andy’s tried-and-tested navigation tips: Garmin Fenix 8: Turning off auto-lap for activities other than ultra mode, setting useful watch-face shortcuts, and holding ‘Back’ for quick access. TwoNav: Understanding the new “cross” icon on map screens and managing overlapping map layers (like British Isles vs GB Topo). These are small tweaks that make a big difference when using your GPS devices in the field. Outro That’s it for this month’s episode! We’ve covered: The Garmin eTrex Touch field test The 2026 GPS Training Course Calendar The Free GPX File Cleaner A hands-on Garmin Fenix 8 Pro review This month’s Ask the Bot And of course, Andy’s Top Tips As always, you can find more info, videos, and free tools at GPSTraining.co.uk.Stay safe on the trails, and we’ll see you next month!
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    58 mins
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