GPS Training Podcast – number 121

Big news from Suunto, updated UK Grid reference finder, the end of the Garmin GPSMAP67 and Andy’s top tips.

1. 90 Years of Suunto

• Suunto was founded in 1936, celebrating 90 years in 2026
• Anniversary marked with the Suunto Vertical Titanium Limited Edition
• Only 1,936 units worldwide
• Just 22 coming to the UK
• GPS Training is expecting at least 6 units

What makes it special

• Titanium build
• Based on Suunto’s flagship outdoor watch
• A nod to Suunto’s expedition and navigation heritage, not fashion or hype
• This is a watch for people who actually go outside and use their kit

This is one of the most meaningful limited editions Suunto have ever released. Proper heritage, proper scarcity, and a watch that’s actually designed to be used.

More information about Suunto’s anniversary can be found here.

2. GPS Training Website Update: UK Grid Reference Finder Improvements

What’s changed

• Nearest postcode now shown, not just exact matches
• Distance to nearest postcode displayed
• Shareable link that opens the map at the exact selected location

Why it’s useful

• Convert between:
  • Grid references
  • Postcodes
  • Lat/long
  • Eastings and northings
  • What3Words
• Ideal for:
  • Finding car park grid refs
  • Sharing locations with friends
  • Dropping accurate points into a GPS

You can look at the UK Grid Reference Finder online here.

3. The Last GPSMAP 67 Sold: A Handheld GPS Milestone

• GPS Training has now sold the last GPSMAP 67
• Marks the end of a hugely important handheld range

Brief history

• GPSMAP 66s
  • October 2018
  • First appearance of this case design
• GPSMAP 66i
  • InReach satellite communication added
• GPSMAP 66sr
  • Multi-band GNSS for improved accuracy
• GPSMAP 67 / 67i
  • Refinement rather than reinvention

Why this range mattered

• Rock-solid reliability
• Physical buttons
• Big improvement in screen and battery over older models
• Trusted by walkers, mountaineers, and professionals

Garmin GPSMAP67i – more here

4. Andy’s Top Tips

Suunto Web Based Route planner:

Did you know Suunto have a web-based Route Planner routeplanner.suunto.com

• Rather than the App you can plan on your computer, bigger screen, use a mouse for ease
• Routes you plan can be synced to the mobile app with one click of the mouse so that when you open the mobile app they are there to quickly send to your watch
• Of you plan routes on other software’s on your computer i.e. OS, GPS Training route planner etc or downloaded from websites, rather than email them to yourself to then open and import to app simply import them into web planner and select the upload sync
• You can view routes you have planned on the app within the Web planner

Online resource – Multi Activity Watches – Suunto Race or Vertical – Module 3 unit 5 Using the Suunto Web browser Route planner

Garmin FENIX 8 Pro tip using LTE tracking only £7.99 a month unlimited LTE tracking

• Using Live Track on Garmin devices in connect app will pull down phone battery,
  With the new Fenix 8 pro from Garmin you can use LTE tracking on the watch standalone, will use more watch battery but not your phone
  Make sure in the Connect App More menu – Safety & Tracking – Live Track – Auto start on, you can have show course & spectator messaging
• Then on the connectivity settings on your watch turn of phone connection and then also in Connectivity settings make sure Garmin Share enabled and on LTE & Satellite Status does include an option with LTE & LTE Mode Auto
• Tested using Fenix 8 Pro 51mm with route navigation and LTE Tracking, Satellites Auto, screen on gesture and would have achieved approx. 28 hrs
  16-mile hike only a couple of very small parts, loss of LTE , LTE 4g signal will depend on area