Today was my regular monthly checklist.
1. Since Garmin discontinued their (user) API I'll request a data download once a month and download, extract, and store it in my archive. I like to have my own backup of my data, a small tool called
jq lets me extract the json data into simple text or csv that I can pull into a spreadsheet.
2. My old GPS is now a backup since I got a GPS watch last year so once a month I pull it out and turn it on sitting in the window. Part of the GPS protocol is when new satellites are added and old ones removed they all send a packet letting receivers know, sort of a 'hint' of what and where to look. So letting it run a bit keep it up to date. Then I charge the batteries and put it back in my big backpack.
3. My GPS watch has a "health snapshot" activity so I run it at the month change to store those longer term metrics.
4. Charge flashlight and headlamp batteries. Even though I run Eneloops in most stuff, modern electronics with a 'soft' power switch always have a small draw so I just top off the batteries each month. Others are USB so I plug them to top off.
5. January I usually renew my fishing license from my compensation but this year my employer decided profit was more of a priority than employees compensation so I had to wait until payday. I renew online and save the pdf and print copies of it and keep the copies with fishing gear. This year they have a new app so I downloaded it to see if its useful.
6. I check over my most used gear. Late last year I had a coupe places where stitching was getting loose on my Camelbak. I know they have a warranty but its a model that was discontinued along time ago so sometimes manufacturers will offer a replacement but there is none like it so I choose to just sew on a couple reinforcements myself. Usually a couple times a year I will pull everything out and clean and check it so today was a good day for that.