GPS Training Podcast – number 115

Welcome back to the GPS Training Podcast! This month Jon sits down with adventurer Ian Hughes, whose journey has taken him from leaving school with no qualifications to serving in the Royal Green Jackets, working as a deep-sea saturation diver, and now aiming for one of the biggest challenges on earth — the Explorers Grand Slam. Tomorrow, Ian begins his GPS Training course ahead of attempting a solo, unsupported ski to the South Pole. In this episode, we hear his story so far, how he’s preparing, and what keeps him motivated to take on such extreme adventures. 🔑 What’s in this episode: Ian’s early years – from school to the army and beyond Life underwater – his time as a commercial diver and running diving companies Becoming an explorer – why he’s drawn to big challenges The Explorers Grand Slam – what it is, and why he’s chasing it South Pole prep – training, kit, and mindset for skiing solo and unsupported Using GPS in polar expeditions – how tech plays a vital safety role Motivation & resilience – lessons from pushing the limits 🌍 Links & Resources Support Ian’s Explorers Grand Slam attempt: GiveWheel page Ian's Instagram page

In this month’s episode, Jon flies solo while Andy enjoys a well-earned holiday. We’ve packed a lot in — from brand-new GPS tools to the latest watch launches. Here’s what you can expect: 📰 News Round-Up Satellite Messenger Plan Calculator – Compare real-world costs of Garmin, ZOLEO, and Spot devices. Garmin inReach Cost Calculator – Work out the ongoing costs of owning an “i” series GPS unit. COROS NOMAD GPS Watch – Adventure-first design with journaling features, but will GPS Training stock it? Garmin Running Metrics – New Running Tolerance and Running Economy tools to help prevent injuries. 🎙️ Interview with Simon from Suunto We sit down with Simon to talk about the brand-new Suunto Race 2 and Suunto Wing 2 Headphones. Design updates: slimmer profile, titanium vs steel, and sapphire glass New sensors: heart rate, blood oxygen, VO₂ max Navigation: 32GB memory, offline maps, safety features Everyday use: AMOLED display, touchscreen + scroll wheel Battery life: 50 hours in all-satellite mode Plus: what sets the Race 2 apart from the competition Find the Suunto Race 2, Race S, and Vertical at GPSTraining.co.uk. 🔦 Spotlight: UK Grid Reference Finder A brand-new free tool from GPS Training! Convert postcodes, grid references, eastings/northings, lat/long, and even What3Words Download GPX files to load straight into your GPSPerfect for finding car parks or planning routes. Try it at: GPSTraining.co.uk > More > Grid Reference Finder 🤖 Ask the Bot! We put your best AI support bot questions under the spotlight, including: What’s the difference between a check-in message and a normal message on Garmin inReach? How to change data boxes on a TwoNav Cross Plus Sending tracks to a TwoNav Terra from your phone Changing your GPS Training online resource password Locking the screen on a TwoNav Terra Switching Garmin GPSMAP66i to hiking mode Exporting GPX files from Garmin Connect to Strava Want to try the Support Bot yourself? Log in to our online resource: GPSTraining.co.uk > Online Resource > Support Bot. 🎧 Outro That’s a wrap for Episode 115! New Garmin features, COROS NOMAD launch, and a deep dive with Suunto Check out the new UK Grid Reference Finder and Satellite Messenger calculators on our website Andy will be back next month — plus we’ll hopefully spill the beans on Garmin’s mystery webinar Thanks for tuning in, and safe walking until next time!

GPS Training Podcast #114 – GPX Files, Suunto Insights & Long-Distance GPS Choices Welcome to another packed episode of the GPS Training Podcast! This month, Jon is joined by Andy from GPS Training to cover: 🔁 1. Reflections on the Suunto Interview (Podcast #113) Andy shares his key takeaways from the mid-month chat with Dan Southam, Suunto’s UK Marketing Manager. 👉 Watch the full video interview with Dan Southam here » What stood out? Suunto's long heritage in navigation, starting with their liquid-filled compasses in the 1930s Why Suunto watches are sports watches – not smartwatches Focus on simple, accurate, fast-to-orient navigation Designed for people who want brilliant mapping and fitness features without the distraction of unnecessary "smart" tech Explore the Suunto range we stock here: 👉 Suunto Watches at GPS Training » 🧭 2. GPX Files – What Are They and Why Should You Care? We break down: What a GPX file is (it's a route, track, or collection of waypoints in one handy file) Why GPX files help with day walks and long-distance trails How to use them with your GPS watch or handheld The difference between a route, track, and course on Garmin and other devices 🛠️ Watch tutorials and import GPX files easily in the GPS Training Online Resource » 🔗 Recommended GPX download sites: See our updated list: 👉 Top Sites for Free GPX Walks & Routes » 🥾 3. Best GPS Units for Long-Distance Trails Andy shares what to look for: Long battery life Larger screen for clear mapping Built-in OS Maps (or worldwide mapping if you're heading overseas) Satellite communication (e.g. Garmin inReach) 💥 Top Picks: Garmin GPSMAP 67i – Long battery life + built-in satellite communication Garmin Montana 700/700i/750i – Large screen and touchscreen mapping TwoNav Adventurer/Terra – Great for planning on-the-go with live tracking 👉 Compare GPS Units for Long-Distance Walking » 📦 All GPS units from GPS Training come with: Free setup Full UK OS maps 1 year’s access to our Online Resource Support from real humans who walk the walk 🧠 4. Andy’s Top Tip – Why You Should Use Garmin BaseCamp (Even if You Hate It) Even if you plan your walks in another app, BaseCamp is your friend when: Checking if a GPX file is a route or a track Making sure it’s got the right number of points Cutting down long-distance trails into day-by-day walks Renaming files and adding proximity alarms 🎥 Learn how in the Online Resource – Module 3 » (You’ll find full BaseCamp guides for both Mac and PC.) 🤖 5. Questions to the GPS Training AI Bot – What You’ve Been Asking This Month Some of your top questions this month: How do I adjust the screen brightness on a Garmin GPSMAP 67? How do I remove waypoints from a planned route in OS software? How do I create escape routes on my Garmin GPS? Try it out: 👉 Ask the GPS Training AI Bot (Online Resource) » 🧠 The bot is trained on our own GPS videos, manuals, course notes, and real customer FAQs – so you're getting our expertise, 24/7. If you enjoyed this episode, please: 👍 Leave us a review on your podcast platform 📣 Share it with a walking or running friend 🎧 Catch up on past episodes at here. Until next time, happy navigating from all of us at GPS Training – learn from the experts.

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,” Suunto appeals to serious outdoor users who prioritise durability, battery life, and navigation over smart features like phone notifications.

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, next working day delivery To find out more about Suunto GPS watches - GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > GPS watches and Filter By (top right) - Suunto 5. Andy’s Top Tips - Suunto App does not need internet for some functions, when you download offline maps to your watch also in app
You cannot create snap to path road but can create point to point route
Also great if you would like to change something on route to re-sync
I.e reverse route, in device start walking opposite way after short distance will change but main elevation plot in reverse on app goto Map icon far right – select folder icon – select route – 3 dots top right to edit – 3 dots reverse route – tick to save...

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, meaning you can assess the ground ahead at a glance. - Lightweight and Waterproof: The printed maps are typically lighter and more weather-resistant than traditional paper maps. On GPS units like the TwoNav, this translates to fast-loading, highly readable digital maps. - Scale that Suits the User: Harvey's 1:40,000 "British Mountain Map" series hits a perfect sweet spot for serious hillwalkers. It covers a broad area whilst still offering enough detail for accurate navigation. - Event-Specific/ long distance taril mapping: Harvey is often the choice for ultramarathons and mountain events, where navigation errors can be costly. If you're training for a race, there’s a good chance you’ll already be handed a Harvey Map at reg...

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.