>> Mike: Today we review the Garmin 62s and ask if there’s an App for that why would
you need a stand alone GPS?
>> Mike [voice over] Britain, we have some of the best and most accessible outdoor spaces
in the world.
But when the weather closes in it go from sunshine to pea sea in a matter of minutes.
Knowing exactly where you are on the map can mean the difference between relaxing in pub
after a great day out and a long night waiting for mountain rescue
>> Mike [voice over]Luckily there are a few things that can help.
Pretty much every smart phone has built in GPS these days , and there are some great
apps out there that can overlay your position onto a digital version of the 1 to 25,000
OS map.
Combined with a case like this brilliant one from LiveProof it can seem like a perfect
solution.
However, there are some downsides, not least the face that GPS receiver is soo tiny you
need a magnifying glass to see it properly
>> Mike: Speak to Mountain Rescue Teams across the country and you will be bombarded with
tales about people who got hopelessly lost rely on technology that designed to help you
get to work in the morning rather than taking them of a mountain in a howling gale
>> Mike Don’t know what I’m going to do now?
>> Mike [voice over] Its not even that I can replace the battery hoping that I
don’t have to call Mountain Rescue.
Not that I could with a flat battery.
Good job that I’ve brought this, the Garmin 62s.
Beautiful isn’t she.
She to the outdoor enthusiast, to what petrol is to Jeremy Clarkston Pooooweer..
>> Mike: No bit of technology that relies on battery should ever replace your ability
to navigate with map and compass.
But GPS units from Garmin can be a really valuable addition to your outdoor kit.
>> Mike [voice over] Getting a map out when its calm is one thing, but trying to using
it in a gale is quite another.
The buttons and menus can seem a little bit archaic when you compare it to your designed
in California smart phone, but its all layed out in a very logical way and everything is
easily assessable.
And having actual physical buttons, means you can use it without taking your gloves
of, not something that you can do with a touch screen phone.
>> Mike [voice over] The buttons are bigger enough so that even if you’ve got sausage
fingers you can still access all the features.
And the receiver is several times larger than the one of inside your smart phone, which
gives it a much better chance of picking up GPS reception.
>> Mike: Learning about using one of these things can be a little bit intermediating,
so we have come to the Lake District to Matt from Lakeland Mountain Guides.
>> Mike: Hiya Matt
>> Matt: If you’ve found yourself lost, it will be a great way , whether your GPS
has mapping or not, of relocating yourself and actually getting a nice quick safe way
of the mountain.
>> Mike: You actually offer courses where you teach people how to use these things?
>> Matt: Through out the course of day you can get to grip with any unit and feel much
more confident and be able to use it to its full potential out in the mountain
>> Mike: OK, well I’ve used one of these units before, and I think we need a man with
literary no experience.
That’s you Ollie..
Soo
>> Mike [voice over]: Time spent with a guy like Matt, can be a great way to get to know
your equipment.
But more importantly it will show how to use in context and boost your confidence in the
hills.
It was a day spent with someone like Matt that inspired me to start mountain leadership
training in the first place
>> Mike [voice over]: As you can see the weather obliged us perfectly, allowing Matt to show
Ollie to show exactly when a GPS is most useful, Navigating a tricky descent in bad weather.
Fundamentally, its about enjoying the mountain safety, and used in conjunction with your
other mountain skills – a GPS like this on can be on of the best investment you make
before setting out into hills.
Because at the end of the day friends, beautiful places and pint when you get down – that’s
what its all about.
A full range of Garmin GPS units can be found stores nationwide or on goooutdoors.co.uk