H1 first impressions

[JungleJim]

I couldn’t resist buying the GPSMAP H1 to see if it could replace my GPSMAP 67.

Out of the box, the device came with software version 1.22 and GPS software version 6.04. The hardware version is H1 V7 (you can view this in the debug menu by holding the Enter button right after powering on the device).

The H1 is larger than the 67, but it somehow feels less bulky. The bigger screen is a nice improvement.

The touchscreen responds well, although I have not tested it in rain yet. The buttons feel more tactile than those on the 67, and the haptic feedback works well.

The new user interface is an improvement in my opinion. It feels much more intuitive than the older one, although there are some inconsistencies, such as missing back buttons on certain screens. One of the default home screens even shows a camera app, but the device has no camera. After updating to version 3.04, I noticed only one home screen instead of the original three, but restoring the default settings fixed this.

I really appreciate that Garmin finally added direction chevrons on courses, which was badly missing before. Starting an activity is also much more intuitive now.

Some features have been simplified. For example, the device only supports FIT courses and no longer supports routes. That does not bother me since I only used courses anyway.

I can imagine some people will not like these changes, but for my use (mainly recording hikes and navigation) they make sense and are an improvement.

The next step is to test it outdoors and record activities. I want to see how the altimeter performs, since my biggest complaint with the GPSMAP 67 is that ascent and descent values are almost always heavily exaggerated. I also want to check how accurate and precise the SatIQ system is, a feature that has already been available on many other Garmin devices.

[GPSrChive]

We look forward to more of your reviews, JungleJim!

[bonstetten]

I was on a hike with the H1 today and summarized my first real H1-experience in my blog (german). Maybe ist nevertheless interesting.
Some found bugs and encounters will be posted in other threads here.

[RWvdK]

Hi @All,

The following issues I discovered in comparison with my GPSMap 66sr.

- Barometric plot not possible anymore.

I discovered on my GPSMap H1 a very important issue (for me personally) ... In comparison with my other unit (GPSMap 66sr), the H1 is not able to plot a (history) graph of 'Ambient Pressure' or 'Barometric Pressure'. If you look at the option 'Plot Type' on the H1 you simply don't have these two options!
When starting a hike or when you are hiking you want to know what the barometer pressure is doing, especially when you hike in a foreign country. Simply only see what the current Ambient Pressure or Barometric Pressure is, is not what you want when going on a long hike ...


- A selected map (unselect other maps) with a chosen Profile, will not stay when you switch your Profile.

For example; (my maps are OFM maps like OFM Benelux and OFM Europe, City Navigator NTU and of course already installed by Garmin, Topo Active)
When you choose Hike profile and select a certain topo map with it, while deselecting others, works fine.
But now you switch to lets say, Bike profile. This works fine too, and with the Bike profile you also select a certain map while deselecting others.
Now you go back to your Hike profile; your map selection is gone within this profile and ALL maps seems to be selected, or sometimes some maps are selected.
The same happened with your Bike profile when you select this profile; your map preference is gone but suddenly all, or sometimes some, maps are selected.

- Wifi connections; downloading Garmin Outdoor Maps+
In my situation I had to set my wifi Access Point to only WPA2 encryption. The mixed encryption mode 'WPA2/WPA3' makes the wifi connection unstable or not working at all.
Note: some wifi AP gives you the option of selecting the encryption mixed mode 'WPA2/WPA3'.

Kind regards,
RWvdK
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[Przekątny]

Some features have been simplified. For example, the device only supports FIT courses and no longer supports routes. That does not bother me since I only used courses anyway.

Can you describe how H1 imports data in .gpx files? Does it automatically convert them? Is there an option to convert .gpx files to .fit files?

H1 supports .gpx files (as the manual states), so they must be read somehow.

[JungleJim]

Can you describe how H1 imports data in .gpx files? Does it automatically convert them? Is there an option to convert .gpx files to .fit files?

H1 supports .gpx files (as the manual states), so they must be read somehow.

I only got time for a quick test, but a GPX fill with a track will only be read if you copy it to the GARMIN\NewFiles folder. The unit converts it to a FIT Course file in the GARMIN\Courses folder. (This is also how it works on Edge cycling computers and Garmin smart watches, btw).

I'll check GPX files with waypoints and routes later.

[Przekątny]

The unit converts it to a FIT Course file in the GARMIN\Courses folder.

So it is as I expected, the data from the .gpx file is converted to the .fit file and then .....

Thank you.

[javawa]

The waypoints will probably also converted to a FIT file, but I'm curious what will happen with geocaches. A geocache is essentially a waypoint with additional information. I don't know if it's possible to put that additional info into a FIT file.

[GPSrChive]

The waypoints will probably also converted to a FIT file, but I'm curious what will happen with geocaches. A geocache is essentially a waypoint with additional information. I don't know if it's possible to put that additional info into a FIT file.

Geocache GPX and GGZ files are still supported natively. No need to put them in the NewFiles folder

[GPSrChive]

H1 supports .gpx files (as the manual states), so they must be read somehow.

The manual is wrong.

If the device supported GPX files (waypoints, tracks, routes), you wouldn't need to put them in the NewFiles folder to be automatically converted to FIT format.