Looking back at 2025 – thank you for being part of it
As we head into a new year, it felt right to pause and reflect on what has been a remarkable 12 months here at GPS Training.
More than anything, 2025 has been about people.
Whether you’ve bought a GPS unit from us, joined a training course, booked a one-to-one session, subscribed to the online resource, watched our videos, or simply picked up the phone for advice – your support genuinely keeps this business going, and we’re very grateful.
GPS Training has never been about selling boxes.
It’s about giving you the confidence to plan your own walks, trust your navigation, and enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the technology getting in the way.
Key themes from 2025
Looking back, a few clear themes defined the year.
Battery life improved dramatically across outdoor GPS units and watches. We’re now seeing devices capable of well over 100 hours of use, making them far more practical for multi-day trips, long-distance walking and ultra events.
Satellite communication became mainstream.
Changes to Garmin inReach subscriptions – including pay-as-you-go options and the ability to suspend plans – made two-way satellite communication accessible to far more people. As a result, many solo walkers and remote users chose extra reassurance when heading off-grid.
More choice, but also more complexity.
With major launches across GPS units, watches and satellite communicators, choosing the right product has become harder – not easier. That’s exactly why training, clear advice and honest explanations matter more than ever.
Tools designed to make life easier
Throughout 2025 we focused heavily on creating practical tools that remove guesswork.
These included:
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Two-way satellite communicator and Garmin inReach cost calculators
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A UK Grid Reference Finder with postcode and map input
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A GPX file cleaner to fix problematic route files
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An AI support bot trained on over 7,500 pages of GPS Training content
All of these were built with one aim: to make navigation simpler and less stressful, especially when you’re preparing for a walk.
Training, confidence and community
We’ve worked with complete beginners buying their first GPS, experienced walkers wanting to sharpen their skills, and people heading into remote areas who wanted extra confidence.
We’ve seen strong growth in:
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One-to-one Zoom training
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Online resource subscriptions
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Solo walkers choosing satellite communication
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Customers investing in quality kit and learning how to use it properly
Stories like our podcast with Spine Challenger North winner Paul Grundy reminded us just how powerful good navigation skills can be when paired with the right tools.
An end-of-an-era moment
2025 also marked the end of some familiar favourites, including the Garmin GPSMAP 67 and 67i. These were hugely popular units, and their discontinuation really does feel like the close of a chapter in outdoor GPS navigation.
At the same time, newer devices such as the GPSMAP H1 / H1i Plus show how the technology continues to evolve – blending buttons, touchscreens and satellite communication into more capable, premium units.
A genuine thank you
The second half of 2025 was exceptionally busy for us, and we genuinely couldn’t do this without your support.
Whether you’ve:
- Attended a GPS Training course
- Booked a one-to-one session
- Subscribed to the online resource-
- Bought a GPS unit, watch or accessory
- Or simply followed along with our videos and podcasts
Thank you.
From all six of us here at GPS Training, we wish you all the very best for 2026.
We look forward to helping you navigate with confidence in the year ahead.
Norman Flack
It’s a few years since I bought my gps from you but I have never tired of receiving your weekly tales and tips. I remain very grateful that I bought from you. I wish you all a very happy New Year and may 2026 be even more successful for you.
Norman.