Buy this day course for £79.00 or buy yesterdays 'getting started' course and todays 'going further' course for just £125.00 (saving £33.00). To book on both days call 01830 540453

This one day course is all about route planning & creation using digital maps on a PC, transferring to & from a GPS and further practical aspects & features of using the GPS out & about

The aim of the course is that you should be able to confidently and safely use the full potential of a combined GPS and digital map system (on the PC) whether at home or abroad.

The day will involve downloading and uploading routes and tracks between GPS and digital map systems on a PC with the opportunity to design and walk some routes and practice the skills that have been learnt. Advanced safety techniques will be considered and you'll also learn how to use your GPS abroad with different map systems and download waypoints from the Internet. The latest developments in Geocaching & GeoTrailing™ will also be explained.

Is this course right for you?

You will have taught yourself the basics of GPS or will have attended our 'Getting Started' course. You may not yet have worked with digital maps. All the jargon and technical features will be explained as we go along If you do not already own a GPS, we will have a choice of GPS for you to use on the day. Our courses will cover Garmin, Satmap, Lowrance & Memory–Map Adventure 2800 GPS systems.

Although most of the learning points of the course are easily transferable to other products and brands, please note that there is usually not enough time to address specific product-related questions that are outside the scope of the course.

What will I learn?

layout below below shows the programme for the day. As you can see it covers all the topics needed to plan, create & save routes on your PC; download & upload routes & tracks between PC & GPS; and learn further practical aspects & features of using your GPS on the hill.

There is a lot to take in and learn and there will be practical exercises during the day to make sure you know --- ‘how to’, ‘when to’, & ‘what if’.

Course layout –

- Revision

This short session covers the main points about using & navigating with your GPS machine. Can you remember the essential settings and housekeeping; how to create, edit waypoints & routes? – if not this acts as a refresher.

- All about digital maps for GPS machines & PCs

This session is all about working on one of our PCs to get hands on planning experience using digital maps.

- Navigating your routes

Now we will go outside and walk the routes you planned and transferred to your GPS. You will learn more about GPS navigation as we also examine the track features on your GPS as well as the waypoints & routes whilst outdoors.

- More digital maps

Back inside you continue using the PC’s to upload your tracks that you have just walked and complete the rest of the mapping exercises until you are happy with planning & saving waypoints, routes & tracks and creating such things as profiles & route cards.

- Using maps & your GPS further afield

This session explores many interesting topics to help you get the most out of your GPS and mapping on both your GPS & PC. You will also learn about using worldwide maps and the growing number of internet based walks and route sharing websites.

- Geocaching

Geochaching, the treasure hunting game will be explained.