{"id":4958,"date":"2020-12-01T15:40:33","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T15:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/?p=4958"},"modified":"2022-04-27T15:36:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T14:36:09","slug":"gps-settings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/gps-settings\/","title":{"rendered":"100K Day – GPS Settings"},"content":{"rendered":"

To paddle the 100K Day Challenge<\/em>, you may need to tweak your GPS settings – both to save battery life and to optimise memory usage. Here’s a quick look.<\/p>\n

Work out how long you think the 100K is going to take – in paddling hours. It’s useful to anticipate required memory settings. Set your GPS up for a trial run (at home, in the car, on the water), to see how long it lasts – for both memory and battery life.<\/p>\n

Above all get to know your GPS. Read The Manual and take a little time to learn how it works and how to change the settings. Then take it out for a paddle, or three. Learn how to download the track files – and where they are stored on your computer – or how to download them from Strava etc.<\/p>\n

In use, keep your GPS inside a waterproof pouch. It helps to tether it safely, it floats better if you do lose it(!) and prevents the screen from getting scratched.<\/p>\n

Consider taking a spare. I take at least one spare!<\/p>\n

Think now, don’t leave it until ‘the day’.<\/p>\n

100K is a lot to throw away for a press of the wrong button…<\/p>\n

(We prefer to use use a\u00a0 purpose built GPS units rather than Smart-phone app.)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Battery Life<\/h4>\n
Batteries<\/h5>\n

Modern AA batteries have a longer life than previously, but you do need to use a decent brand. We use Duracell Alkaline batteries and get 12hrs + from a set. Skimp on the batteries you buy and you will need to change them. Carry a spare set in the waterproof case that your GPS unit lives in, with a further backup set in the day hatch or food bag.<\/p>\n

Rechargeable GPS Units<\/h5>\n

Life is a little more complicated here. You may consider using a ‘powerbank’ type device to charge on the go, but in the marine environment I don’t think this is a realistic (or reliable) option. Your only real option here is to carry a spare GPS unit. (Or maybe use a AA powered one.)<\/p>\n

Power Saving Settings<\/h5>\n

Use Battery Saver<\/strong> mode. (Note: This may reduce the precision of the recorded track)<\/p>\n

Set the Backlight<\/strong> to the lowest brightness-level and minimum duration you can manage with. Better still try not to use it, just use a headtorch instead – powered by AA or AAA batteries of course.<\/p>\n

Set your Satellite Settings<\/strong> to GPS only – i.e. turn off GLONASS, Galileo etc.<\/p>\n

Turn off WAAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Turn off any Digital Compass<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Turn off any Altimeter\/Barometer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Turn off Bluetooth<\/strong> or Wi-Fi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Turn on your Warning Tones<\/strong> – to get an audible low-battery warning (depends on model).<\/p>\n

Consider turning off the unit completely if you stop for an extended break – don’t forget to turn it back on when you restart though – risky!!!<\/p>\n

Specific examples of Menu Settings follow later.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Memory Settings<\/h4>\n

Your GPS records your track as a series of ‘tracklog data points’. Memory size in GPS units varies, modern units may record 20,000 data points. Older units 10,000 or perhaps fewer. (Manufacturer specifications should tell you – Garmin display them on their website).<\/p>\n

Before setting out you my want to reset\/clear your GPS memory to free up as much memory space as possible. NOTE: There is no going back from this, ensure you have downloaded all data you require first.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Set the Recording Method<\/strong> to ‘Auto’ or ‘Smart Recording’ – do not use 1 sec intervals! (1 sec intervals will use 10,000 data points – at 3600 per hour – in less than 3 hours! As a very rough rule of thumb – ‘Auto’ typically uses around 670\/680 per hour i.e. a 10,000 point memory will last around 15 hours.)<\/p>\n

Set the Recording Interval<\/strong>\u00a0to ‘Less Often’, or ‘Least Often’ – perhaps… These sampling intervals differs from unit to unit – you may have to experiment to see just what you need.<\/p>\n

Set to Auto Archive When Full<\/strong> – this saves your track record as a number of separate files when the tracklog memory becomes full. These files can be easily recombined later.<\/p>\n

Set your Battery Type<\/strong> as appropriate – Alkaline or Lithium or Rechargeable NiMH – this gives you a better indication of likely battery life.<\/p>\n

Note: These are suggested settings to extend battery life and memory usage –\u00a0 some of these setting changes, such as Battery Saver Mode, GLONASS off, Recording Intervals etc may reduce the accuracy and precision of your GPS.<\/p>\n

Menu Walkthrough\/Suggested Settings for Specific Units<\/h4>\n

Note: On Garmin units the Backlight Intensity<\/strong> is usually set by repeated pressing of the Power Button.<\/p>\n

310 XT<\/h5>\n

Use Mode Button to cycle through screens until first menu list -> Settings<\/p>\n

Settings -> System -> Tones and Vibration -> Message Vibration<\/strong> -> Off
\nSettings -> System -> Display -> Backlight Timeout<\/strong> -> set to min. you require
\nSettings -> System -> Weight Scale Ant+<\/strong> -> Enabled -> No
\nSettings -> System -> Fitness Equipment<\/strong> -> Enabled -> No
\nSettings -> System -> Data Recording -> Recording Data Points<\/strong> -> Smart Recording
\nSettings -> System -> Data Transfer<\/strong> -> Pairing -> Off
\n(Note: To download your track file, you will need to return\u00a0-> Data Transfer -> Pairing -> On)<\/p>\n

Clear Memory:
\nMode Button -> first menu list -> History -> Delete<\/strong> -> All Activities – Yes
\n(Note: this permanently deletes data stored in the GPS)<\/p>\n

Etrex 20<\/h5>\n

Select Menu twice then:
\nSetup -> System -> Satellite System<\/strong> -> GPS (only i.e. no GLONASS etc)
\nSetup -> System -> Satellite System -> WAAS\/EGNOS<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> Display -> Backlight Timeout<\/strong> -> set to min. you require
\nSetup -> Tracks -> Record Method<\/strong> -> Auto
\nSetup -> Tracks -> Recording Interval<\/strong> -> Normal or Less Often or Least Often (it’s your choice)
\nSetup -> Tracks -> Auto Archive<\/strong> -> When Full
\nSetup -> Tones -> Tones<\/strong> -> On (select warnings on – to get a low battery audible warning – model dependent)<\/p>\n

Clear memory \/ delete tracks:
\ncycle to Trip screen -> menu button -> Reset -> Reset Trip Data<\/strong> -> Yes
\ncycle to Trip screen -> menu button -> Reset -> Clear Current Track<\/strong> -> Yes
\nTrack Manager -> select a track -> Menu -> Delete All<\/strong> -> confirm
\n(Note: these\u00a0 permanently delete data stored in the GPS)<\/em><\/p>\n

GPS 66<\/h5>\n

Select Menu twice then:
\nSetup -> System -> Satellite -> Satellite System<\/strong> -> GPS (only i.e. no GLONASS etc)
\nSetup -> System -> Satellite -> WAAS\/EGNOS<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> System -> Battery Type<\/strong> -> set as appropriate to your battery choice
\nSetup -> Display -> Backlight Timeout<\/strong> -> set to min. you require
\nSetup -> Display -> Battery Saver<\/strong> -> turns screen off when backlight times out.
\nSetup -> Bluetooth<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> Wi-Fi<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> Recording -> Record Method<\/strong> -> Auto
\nSetup -> Recording -> Interval<\/strong> -> Normal or Less Often or Least Often (it’s your choice)
\nSetup -> Recording -> Advanced Setup -> Auto Archive<\/strong> -> When Full
\nSetup -> Tones -> Tones<\/strong> -> On (select warnings on – to get a low battery audible warning – model dependent)<\/p>\n

Clear memory \/ delete tracks:
\nSaved Tracks -> select track to delete -> Menu -> Delete<\/strong>
\n(Note: this\u00a0 permanently deletes data stored in the GPS)<\/em><\/p>\n

GPS 73<\/h5>\n

Select Menu twice then:
\nSetup -> System -> GPS Settings -> Satellite System<\/strong> -> GPS (only i.e. no GLONASS etc)
\nSetup -> System -> GPS Settings -> WAAS\/EGNOS<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> System -> Battery Type<\/strong> -> set as appropriate to your battery choice
\nSetup -> Display -> Backlight Timeout<\/strong> -> set to min. you require
\nSetup -> Tracks -> Record Method<\/strong> -> Auto
\nSetup -> Tracks -> Recording Interval<\/strong> -> Normal or Less Often or Least Often (it’s your choice)
\nSetup -> Tones -> Tones<\/strong> -> On (select warnings on – to get a low battery audible warning)<\/p>\n

Clear memory \/ delete tracks:
\ncycle to Trip screen -> menu button -> Reset -> Reset Trip Data<\/strong> -> Yes
\ncycle to Trip screen -> menu button -> Reset -> Clear Current Track<\/strong> -> Yes
\nTrack Manager -> Menu Button -> Delete All Saved<\/strong> -> Yes
\n(Note: these\u00a0 permanently delete data stored in the GPS)<\/em><\/p>\n

GPS 72\/76\/76S<\/h5>\n

Select Menu twice then:
\nSetup -> General -> Mode -> Battery Saver<\/strong>
\nSetup -> General -> WAAS<\/strong> -> Disabled
\nSetup -> General -> Backlight Timeout<\/strong> -> set to min. you require
\nSetup -> Altimeter -> Altimeter<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> Compass -> Compass<\/strong> -> Off
\nSetup -> General -> Beeper<\/strong> -> Message Only or Key and Message<\/p>\n

Clear memory \/ delete tracks:
\nTrip Computer -> menu button -> Reset Trip<\/strong> -> Yes ( resets Trip Computer – repeat as reqd. for Max Speed and Odometer)
\nTracks -> Clear -> Yes\u00a0 (clears track memory<\/strong>)
\nTracks -> Down (highlight a saved track if any) -> Menu Button -> Delete All Saved -> Yes\u00a0 (deletes all previously saved tracks<\/strong>)
\n(Note: these permanently delete data stored in the GPS)<\/em><\/p>\n

(Altimeter\/Barometer\/Compass etc settings where applicable)<\/p>\n

More PSK GPS thoughts:\u00a0 Get To Grips With Your GPS<\/a><\/p>\n

Get in touch if you need help. We’ll try.<\/p>\n

by
\nJohn Willacy<\/p>\n

Dec 2020<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To paddle the 100K Day Challenge, you may need to tweak your GPS settings – both to save battery life and to optimise memory usage. Here’s a quick look. Work out how long you think the 100K is going to take – in paddling hours. It’s useful to anticipate required memory settings. Set your GPS … <\/p>\n

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