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GPS Training Podcast

GPS Training Podcast

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 124

    GPS Training Podcast – number 124
    May 1 2026
    In this month’s podcast Mad May – Half prices OS maps on the Garmin GPSMAP67iThe biggest GPS mistakes we see every week32gb TwoNav Terra being reintroduced, and the reasons whyWhy more people are getting rescued in the hills… and what we’re getting wrong – BMC article I recently readAndy’s Top Tips —- 1st Story – Mad May – Half prices 1:25k OS maps on the Garmin GPSMAP67i —- Garmin led promotion – we cannot offer this discount without them. – 1:25k, 1:50k and 1:250k map card – RRP – £349.99 Normal bundle price – £295.00, when bought with a GPS unit But in May – £175.00 (£120.00 off bundle price, or £175.00 off standalone price) Garmin GPSMAP67i – RRP £549.99, we have had it reduced to £499.99 for a little while now. BUT, we are not increasing it in price, we are selling it with the map card offer at this discounted price. Garmin GPSMAP67i with 1:25k, 1:50k and 1:25k – Yesterday’s price – £794.99 Mad May price – £674.99 (saving £120.00) 👉 We may run out of stock 👉 We will take your unit/ map card as a trade in – Look for the big button on the product page to get an instant trade in price More about the offer here To find out more > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units —- 2nd Story – The biggest GPS mistakes we see every week —- —- 3rd Story – 32gb TwoNav Terra being reintroduced, and the reasons why —- When we ordered from TwoNav back in March, we got a small amount of 32gb TwoNav Terra’s in stock, as we were told they were not going to make any more. Only need 64gb if you want to put on more than just 1:25k mapsMemory prices (DRAM and NAND) have soared by 80%-90% in early 2026, driven by an AI-driven supply crunch. High-end memory demand for data centres has constrained supply for consumer electronics. Therefore TwoNav have done a U-Turn and this month going to start producing 32gb TwoNav Terra GPS units again. It will be June before they filter back onto the market. To find out more > GPSTraining.co.uk > GPS Store > Handheld GPS Units —– 4th Story – Why more people are getting rescued in the hills… and what we’re getting wrong —- With the May Day weekend coming up, it feels like the perfect moment to revisit something that was highlighted just before Easter… but hasn’t gone away. The British Mountaineering Council recently shared new rescue data, and it paints a really interesting picture of what’s happening in the hills right now. Callouts are up around 24% since 2019, and here’s the headline that grabs you… 18 to 24 year olds are now the most rescued group. Now, that’s not about ability. It’s not that younger people are less fit or less adventurous. If anything, it’s the opposite. More people are heading outdoors than ever before… and that’s brilliant. But here’s where it gets uncomfortable. The real issue isn’t the hills… it’s how we’re navigating them The BMC points to a growing trend: Social media hotspots pulling people into unfamiliar terrainHeavy reliance on mobile appsA lack of basic navigation and planning skills And you can almost picture the scenario: You follow a route you’ve seen online You rely on your phone Battery drops… signal disappears… And suddenly the “blue dot” stops moving That’s when a simple day out turns into a rescue callout. And here’s the stat people don’t talk about enough In 2024, there were 3,842 rescue callouts across England and Wales. Mountain Rescue teams are out every single day. They’re volunteers. And in some areas, they’re dealing with multiple incidents a day. That’s not just a safety issue… That’s a system under pressure. So what’s actually changed? This is where it gets interesting for discussion. It’s not that people are more reckless. It’s that the barrier to entry has dropped. Navigation feels “easy” with appsRoutes are instantly accessibleSocial media makes everything look achievable But what’s missing is the decision-making layer. As one BMC spokesperson put it, people are often seeing “perfect weather” online… but not the reality on the hill. This is the uncomfortable truth Phones aren’t the problem. In fact, used properly, they’re brilliant. The problem is overconfidence without understanding. And that’s something we’re seeing more and more. The May Day reality If Easter is busy, May Day is often worse. Better weatherLonger daysMore spontaneous trips Which means more people heading out… often without much preparation. And the pattern repeats. The big question for us (and the listeners) So here’s the discussion point: Are we doing enough to teach people how to think in the hills… not just how to follow a route? Because: Technology will keep improvingAccess will keep growingMore people will keep heading outdoors But unless skills catch up, this trend isn’t going anywhere. Simple takeaway (strong close) The hills aren’t getting more dangerous. We’re just...
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    39 mins
  • GPS Training Podcast – number 123

    GPS Training Podcast – number 123
    Apr 1 2026
    In this month’s podcast Garmin software updateGPS Amnesty – get free OS maps on a TwoNav GPS unitUK GPX Walks DirectoryPremium OS Planner – within online resourceTrade in – get an instant priceAndy’s Top Tips 1 – Garmin’s software update The Problem (In Simple Terms) Garmin released new software updates in March 2026: – Montana 700 / 700i / 750i / 710 / 710i / 760i Updated from 24.30 → 24.50 – GPSMAP 67 / 67i Updated from 9.35 → 9.38 These updates were intended to fix issues (including a “copy reversed” track problem), which is all well and good… 👉 But in the UK, they’ve caused a much bigger problem. ❌ What’s went wrong? After updating, users are reporting: – OS Maps (Topo Pro V3 1:25k, 1:50k, 1:250k) no longer display – Preloaded TopoActive maps also disappear – You’re left with a very basic, almost unusable map screen In short… your premium GPS unit suddenly feels very basic. And that’s not acceptable, especially when many users rely on Ordnance Survey mapping for safety and navigation. – FIX NOW AVAILABLE (23rd March 2026) Good news. Garmin have now released new firmware updates which resolve the issue with OS maps and TopoActive maps not displaying correctly on affected devices. If you’ve been affected, you can now safely update. New Firmware Versions Montana 7 series** → v24.70GPSMAP 67 / 67i → v9.40 You can read the full story on the GPS Training website, please just go to gpstraining.co.uk > More (top menu bar) > News > Garmin Update Issue (March 2026): OS Maps Missing on Montana & GPSMAP 67/67i – Here’s What You Need to Know 2 – GPS Amnesty – get free OS maps on a TwoNav GPS unit Upgrade your GPS for less with our limited-time GPS Amnesty. Trade in any old unit, working or not, and receive credit towards a new TwoNav GPS. How the GPS Amnesty Works 1. Fill in the form Tell us about your current GPS unit and which new TwoNavNav unit you’re interested in. 2. Receive your pack We’ll email you a printable PDF with full instructions. 3. Send us your old GPS Print the form, include it with your unit, and post it to us. (It doesn’t need to be working.) 4. We assess your unit We check it matches the details provided. 5. Get your credit or mapping upgrade Depending on your device, you’ll receive a voucher or mapping credit (minimum £59, often much more). 6. Order your new TwoNav GPS Use your credit towards your new unit and mapping. Key points: Open to any GPS unit, even broken or very old onesRuns for a limited time (27 March to 10 April 2026)Old units are either recycled or donated to community groups Walk and talk videos – Walk and talk – TwoNav Terra – watch it here – Walk and talk – TwoNav Aventura 2 plus – watch it here To find out more go to GPSTraining.co.uk > More > News > GPS Amnesty – 2026 3 – UK GPX Walks Directory What is a GPX file? Our community sharing their walking routes Currently, 218 walks to download Training videos underneath take you through how you download them and transfer onto a GPS Unit/ GPS watch If you have walked routes (tracks or courses) please do upload them to the GPX library. Be the ambassador for your area, if you have a large number of walks to upload get in touch and we can help you or give you some free training if you prefer to do it yourself. To find out more go to GPSTraining.co.uk > More > UK GPX Walks Directory There is a premium (full-screen version) within the Online Resource > Courses > GPX Library > Day Walks 4 – Premium OS planner Everybody had access to the Free OS Planner – GPSTraining.co.uk > OS Planner (top menu bar) But this sits within a window and people have been asking for a ‘Full screen’ version. This was brought to the fore, as we had our first TwoNav GPS Training course, and we decided to make this the default route planning software to plan on (on our TwoNav GPS training Courses) There is a premium (full-screen version) within the online resource > Courses > Premium Ordnance Survey Route Planner 5 – Trade in – get an instant trade in price If you are looking at upgrading your GPS units, we can take your old unit as a trade in. In the past you filled in a short form and we came back to you. Now, according to you answering a handful of questions it will give you a trade in price, there and then, and even give you a trade in form to print out and include in with your GPS unit. On any product mage (both units and watches) you will now see a big button. 6 – Andy’s top tips Memory issues on computer can cause problems when downloading Purchased maps to TwoNav or updating Topo Active Europe Maps TwoNav Map install – When downloading maps using TwoNav downloader on a computer , the maps are first saved on temp files within the Downloader program before going to your device, if you have low memory the downloads can fail, also make sure in your power settings computer not set to shutdown ...
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    46 mins
  • GPS Training Podcast – number 122

    GPS Training Podcast – number 122
    Mar 1 2026

    GPS Training Podcast – Episode 122

    **Interview with Martin Overton, Founder of TalkyToaster Maps**

    In this episode, we sit down with **Martin Overton**, the founder of TalkyToaster Maps, to explore the story behind one of the most detailed and widely used third-party map providers for Garmin GPS devices.

    1. What Are TalkyToaster Maps?

    Martin explains what TalkyToaster maps are and who they’re designed for. With over 500 maps covering almost every country and updated monthly, TalkyToaster provides highly detailed, Garmin-compatible maps built using OpenStreetMap data and NASA elevation models.

    We discuss how these maps differ from standard Garmin topographic maps. TalkyToaster maps often include additional detail such as:

    * Field boundaries
    * Stiles, gates and benches
    * Water points
    * Enhanced footpath routing
    * Frequent updates

    For many walkers, hikers and geocachers, this extra detail improves confidence and navigation accuracy, especially in rural and remote areas.

    We also explore why users choose TalkyToaster over official Garmin mapping. Cost, routing accuracy, map freshness and level of detail all play a part.

    —

    2. Martin’s Journey from Cybersecurity to Cartography

    Martin shares his fascinating background in IT and cybersecurity, including over 35 years in computer security and ethical hacking.

    A lifelong outdoor enthusiast who grew up hiking mountains such as Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, Martin combined his technical expertise with his love of the outdoors after buying his first Garmin GPS for geocaching in 2008.

    Frustrated with the mapping available at the time, he began creating his own. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into TalkyToaster Maps.

    We talk about:

    * The early days of map-making
    * The learning curve from cybersecurity into digital cartography
    * How programming skills and technical thinking helped shape the business

    —

    3. The Story Behind the Name (and the Man)

    Yes, the name *TalkyToaster* does come from the Red Dwarf character.

    Martin explains how the name began as a geocaching handle and eventually became the brand itself.

    We also uncover some unexpected sides to Martin:

    * Keeping tarantulas and scorpions
    * Publishing articles for the British Tarantula Society
    * Playing guitar
    * A love of science fiction

    It’s not your typical mapping company backstory.

    —

    4. Supporting Mountain Rescue

    TalkyToaster’s British Isles map operates on a donation basis, helping to raise funds for UK Mountain Rescue teams.

    Martin explains why supporting Mountain Rescue matters to him personally and how the outdoor community benefits from that approach.

    —

    5. For Walkers, Hikers and Tech Enthusiasts

    We round off the conversation by looking at how TalkyToaster maps serve two audiences:

    6. For Outdoor Users

    * Improved trail and footpath coverage
    * OS-style appearance with added detail
    * Reliable routing for walking and hiking
    * Regular updates

    7. For Tech-Focused GPS Users

    * Built from OpenStreetMap and NASA elevation data
    * Garmin-compatible formatting
    * Monthly updates across 500+ maps
    * Technical challenges behind contour generation and routing

    We also discuss device compatibility, installation options, and how TalkyToaster caters for both plug-and-play users and those who prefer full manual installation.

    —

    This episode is ideal for anyone using Garmin GPS devices who wants better mapping, greater detail and a deeper understanding of what sits behind the screen when navigating outdoors.

    If you enjoy your navigation with a side of geeky detail and real outdoor passion, this one is well worth a listen.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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