Buttons, Garmin, GPSMAP 66s - September 28, 2018

Interview with Garmin - GPSMAP66s

An interview with Garmin - GPSMAP66s, looking over the key, new features on this all new Garmin Outdoor GPS Unit.

Welcome Tom from Garmin, joining us to talk about the Garmin GPSMAP 66s.

In the previous months GPS Training Podcast (September 2018) we did an indepth review of the Garmin GPSMAP66s

Since that first review of the Garmin GPSMAP 66s in the podcast listed above, we have found a number of new features –

Backlit buttons on Garmin GPSMAP 66s

As soon as you touch any of the buttons on the Garmin GPSMAP 66s that light up, to compliment the lit screen. A great feature for walk at night time.

Round trip routing on Garmin GPSMAP 66s – More for the road cyclist it is great to see the Round-trip routing feature incorporated into the Garmin GPSMAP 66s.

This enables you to ask the unit to find a circular route that is x miles long and it gives you a number of ‘round trip’ routes to choose from.

Track record feature on Garmin GPSMAP 66s

This is also upgraded so now you can pause and stop it then start it again whilst on route. A feature we have seen in the past on the Garmin Oregon 700 and eTrex touch range of GPS units, it’s nice to see this now on the Garmin GPSMAP 66s Outdoor GPS unit.

Key features on Garmin GPSMAP 66s as pointed out by tom at Garmin – Larger screen with a better resolution, new buttons and the layout of the buttons have changed slightly with the power button now being on the top, rather than the side as we find on the Garmin GPSMAP 64.

Inreach mini compatibility on Garmin GPSMAP 66s

The Garmin GPSMAP 66s now pairs with the Garmin Inreach mini two-way satellite communicator.

Live Geocaching on Garmin GPSMAP 66s

This is another feature that has come over from the Garmin Oregon 700 range of GPS units, enabling you to download geocaches without the need of a PC or Mac.

Download Birdseye satellite imagery directly onto the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

With the Garmin GPSMAP 66s on a Wi-Fi network you can now download Garmin satellite imagery directly onto the GPSMAP 66s, making it as streamline as possible.

Can I use my existing Ordnance Survey map card in a Garmin GPSMAP 66s?

Yes, you can put your old discoverer or TOPO Great Britain Pro map card both 1:50k and 1:25k directly into this unit and it will display it on the screen and in Garmin BaseCamp.

Ordnance Survey map options for Garmin GPSMAP 66s

- Birdseye plus option with the Garmin GPSMAP 66s, enabling you to download 25,000 sq km of 1:25k Ordnance survey Maps

- 1:50k TOPO PRO with the Garmin GPSMAP 66s, full country 1:50k Ordnance Survey mapping

- 1:25k TOPO PRO with the Garmin GPSMAP 66s, full country 1:25k Ordnance Survey mapping

Expedition mode on Garmin GPSMAP 66s

This is the first GPS unit from Garmin to have Expedition mode.

When the on Garmin GPSMAP 66s is running in expedition mode is a further advance on battery save mode.

In Expedition mode the Garmin GPSMAP 66s powers off the screen completely and reduces to making a track point every one minute and this enables you to get one week of battery life.

Battery life of the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

Much improved battery life over past units, even with the Garmin rechargeable power pack.

.gpx and FIT files on the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

The Garmin GPSMAP 66s saves the track data as both a .gpx and now also a FIT file, which enables you to sync better with the Garmin Connect and Garmin

Garmin Explore App. and the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

The Garmin Explore app now works alongside the Garmin GPSMAP 66s outdoor GPS unit

Galileo on the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

This is the first unit to use the European Galileo satellite system, which will give you improved accuracy.

LED flashlight on the Garmin GPSMASP 66s

On the back of the unit it now has a LED flashlight.

Accessories for the Garmin GPSMAP 66s

All existing accessories for the Garmin GPSMAP 64 and Oregon range are also compatible with the Garmin GPSMAP 66s Outdoor GPS unit.