PeoriaBill

I like Nano's when they are appropriate for the location ie Can't use a larger cache,etc. What I find a little frustrating is a camouflaged nano in a pine tree in the woods especially if there are great places for a larger cache that could accomodate TB's,etc. If I hike some distance to get a cache, a nano at the end seems a little disappointing. Peoria Bill :<)

I had the exact problem and got it resolved with a call to Delorme Technical Support. They had me do a Low Level Format 21002. They will send you the procedure and a link too run the firmware update to have the base data loaded back onto the PN GPS. Regards, Peoria Bill

Thanks for posting the website to recover activation codes. I got a plaque at GW9 and could not find the activation code. Peoria Bill :>)

One of the features of the PN60 is improved waypoint, track, and geocache file management › No finite limitations on the quantities of each that can be saved to internal memory › In addition, all can be saved to and retrieved from SD cards Although the latest software 2.8 improves battery life, etc for the PN40, it does nothing about the limitations on caches that you are asking about. You are at the limit for this model.

The screen on Oregon GPSR's is somewhat readable, but it is a pain because you have to look hard at it to make out the detail. I suppose if you select the brightest illumination, then it is somewhat better, but hard on battery life. You make the decision, but note that GPSR's since the Oregon have more readable screens. The 62, 78 and Dakota series are all improvements in screen readability. Now with the Montana coming, you can bet it won't be nearly as difficult to read as the Oregon series. I jumped on the bandwagon early and purchased an Oregon for $600 and returned it to REI after honestly trying to use it. If you are open to other brands, then DeLorme makes a great GPS PN60 as well as the Magellan 510-710 series. It is hard to understand how cachers can state that the Oregon is not difficult to view. Try out a few brands/models and pick the one that suits your eyes. Peoria Bill []

Here it is: Alt 0176 Press and hold the Alt Key and type 0176

The Rino 530HCx currently retails from $350-$450 dollars. Are you sure you want to try to charge it with something other than the factory charger?? Below are the prices for a new lithium battery and an alkaline battery pack. Proceed at you own risk. 530HCx Alkaline Battery Pack (010-10571-00) $24.99 - $22.49 GARMIN GENUINE RINO 530 530HCx LITHIUM-ION BATTERY PACK $55.96

Hello, Out of curiosity about older units I purchased a 315 from Ebay. If you use GSAK, there is a GPS selection for the 315 to use when sending GPS waypoints. I can't remember if the limit is 200, 500 or 1,000 caches. The biggest issue is properly setting up a serial port. Just make sure that all the Baud rates are the same and you pick an available Com port. If you are going to collect various GPS's, then the small investment in GSAK will play off as it works on almost all GPS's. Plus if you use the .gpx format instead of .loc you'll have a lot more info available from the GPS. Hope this helps...Peoria Bill

Hello, There are probably several ways to accomplish downloading caches to the Magellan GC. Here is my suggestion: Get GSAK (Geocaching Swis Army Knife). Also join Geocaching.com as a premium member. You can set up queries in Geocaching.com that will down load on the schedule you pick..daily..once a week,one time,etc. Use the GSAK program to consolidate and filter your downloads according to your desires. In the GPS tab, you will need to select Magellan GC then select Send Waypoints. You can tailor the number of waypoints downloaded, etc. I suggest you save the configuration with a name like Magellan GC. Then when you want to use it again just select the Magellan GC saved profile and it will recreate your previous settings and download to the GPS. You can repeat this same process for all your GPS's. (Note: The Garmin USB cable works fine for the Magellan GPS so you don't have to switch between various Garmin GPS units and the Magellan) I have had mine for sometime, but I think GSAK is around $20 and a premium Geocaching.com membership is $30. This is a modest investment that you will enjoy year after year of Geocaching. Finally, if you can get .gpx files, then you can copy them to the directory of the Magellan GPS and this should work. You will still have to join Geocaching.com to get the files. Good luck whichever solution you choose. Peoria Bill :>)

Hello, Here is some info I grabbed from Magellan: The most advanced GPS topographic software available, Magellan® MapSend® Topo In the US maximizes the navigation capabilities of your Meridian® series, SporTrak® Pro, SporTrak Pro Marine, SporTrak Map, MAP 330 or MAP 330M handheld receiver. You can find versions of this software on Amazon, Ebay, etc. or maybe another cacher. The Meridian Series is by today's standards poorly suited to routing and street navigation. Where it still shines is in navigation with Topo Maps. This GPS has a quad helix antenna is not paperless and is still a reliable backup GPS. Check to insure you have the last version of the firmware that was released. For street navigation I would buy an inexpensive Nuvi or Tom Tom which are better suited for street navigation. Hope this helps. Peoria Bill

In response to the OP's question: I do not enjoy camouflaged nanos tucked under the branch of a huge pine tree. At some point the hunt has gone beyond geocaching and is a tedious search. I feel the same way about caches placed in the large rocks under bridges, rocks placed in rock piles, and caches under rip rap. The fun soon disappears and you have to decide how much time to put into finding the cache. I will give it a good try then record my DNF and move on. Peoria Bill :>)

A couple of years ago while caching in the Pacific Northwest I routinely came across these encampments. Some times they were a few hundred yards from some really nice neighborhoods. I imagine the folks living there had no idea they were neighbors to a whole different community. Reminds me of that old 1980's TV show: Man lives in the sunlit world of what he believes to be reality. But... there is, unseen by most, an underworld, a place that is just as real, but not as brightly lit... a DARKSIDE. Anyway, you get my point. I've been told several times that I cache with my head down and pay little attention to my surroundings. This is a reminder to maintain situational awareness.

Hello, It can take some effort to recover or "unbrick" a magellan GPS. I saved a Meridian, but it took awhile. I think that you will need to do a hard reset. The article I am referencing will give you the key strokes to do that. You may have to try several times before it works. There are a couple of other articles out there that discuss fixing your GPS and you may need to do some further research. http://sites.google.com/site/rayjeromejobs/magellanwaasfix Peoia Bill :>)

Nice going...You made us all look good! Peoria Bill :>)

Pssst! Hey Buddy...got one word for you GSAK. Stands for Geocaching Swiss Army Knife. See ya around pal.

Works flawlessly with GSAK. Select Magellan GC in the setup and send to GPS(Up to 2000) caches).

Does not look like too much to me. Looks like you took some time to make a nice looking page. Peoria Bill :>)

Just in case, have you checked to see which datum you are using? WGS84 should be selected as most of the cachers that find your hide will have that setting. Also, turn off the compass and check to see if that makes a difference.

Hope this does not result in a double post. NEMA is for communicating with some serial devices. You should leave this at factory default. Baud rate is typically 9600 baud for the SporTrak. Make sure all your software and gps are set to the speed. I have tried the serial to USB connection cable with mixed results. ie Messing with device manager , cable settings and the GPS to finally get it working. The solution I use is a docking station hub with a serial port. The serial cable stays connected in the back and is ready whenever I need a serial connection. You can get them at Best Buy, etc. The extra powered USB ports allow you to charge some other devices while keeping the USB ports on the laptop free for working with other GPS's, etc. If you still want to use the serial to USB cable check that you have the last Magellan update for the Spor Trak, all devices and software are set at 9600 Baud, leave NEMA alone. To get to device manager right click on My Computer and look for any Universal Serial Bus connections that show a yellow symbol w/ an exclamation mark. That means that your connection has a problem. If you click on it, it may take you through a series of steps to try and fix the connection. Good luck Peoria Bill

Almost stepped on this guy while out caching. Hisses and slaps tail against the earth to imitate a rattler. I was startled and did not make the distinction till I took a second look. Not many rattlers in IL, but you never know. Peoria Bill :>) FYI: Bull Snake

As I mentioned in an earlier post I would post my initial impressions of the Magellan GC after finding a few caches. This GPS has a lot of features and is great at doing many tasks well. On the other hand I have a couple of observations that could be improved: 1. I don't like the triangle arrow. It operates like a boat or plane without a rudder. Specifically, when you get close to the cache it loses its functionality and ceases to point towards the cache. I had to back up and mentally project a line to the cache. I did this OK on open ground type caches. However, the next cache I searched for was in a thicket and I had to work around stumps, trees, rocks, vines, etc. to get to the cache. At the slow pace I had to walk the arrow did not function. I bounced around for awhile till I could get it to get me close to the cache. I remember a similar problem on the Garmin Vista HCx when it first came out, but they fixed it. Also, GPS like the 60CSx will hold the arrow on the cache location regardless of your pace or zig-zagging towards the cahe. 2. The track feature is an elastic line that similar to the old Magellan Pos-Des line that follows you around and shows a straight line back to your origination. In the woods or thicket, I do not need a straight line, but an actual track of where I have walked so that I can retrace my path closely if needed. The track feature does not follow a road either Overall a GPS with a lot of good features, but it will not be a snap for new users since they loose sense of the cache location at the most critical time. A good start, but this one need some improvements. Peoria Bill :>)

Just got mine last night. First impression is good. Dragged two .gpx files to geocaches and two wpt.gpx files to waypoints and it was loaded and ready to go. Lots of features, readable map, fieldnotes, etc. I will take it for a full test drive this weekend. So far, so good. Peoria Bill :>)

Hello, Check to see that the screws holding the cases together are snug. I had one Meridian that I purchased and it would come on then fade out. This fixed my problem. I had another that took a long time to solve - an interrupted firmware upgrade. If this is your problem there are several articles available that will walk you through the reset process. Good Luck Peoria Bill

Put me in the column with the folks whose wife does not like Geocaching. I still go, and have a good time anyway. Peoria Bill :>)

Looking forward to trying this unit. This unit may put Magellan back in the GPS business if the performance is good. I do not understand multi-directional patch? Hopefully, it will work well under cover. 18hrs of battery and a transreflective screen are good points. Intuitive menus for geocaching will also be a great feature. Need to address maps, the Accu-Terra line up and installation via Vantage point is not good. I think the biggest impact will be on competitors DeLorme - Why so long to get the PN60/W to market? This puts pressure on their higher priced new models. Also, this may enccourage Delorme to offer V2.8 update for the standard PN40 w/o having to update to TOPO9! The new GPS does not appear to have a battery life flaw if the 18 hrs stands up to usage. Garmin- Puts pressure on their high priced line-up! I predict we'll see 400t heavily discounted. Not sure about product placement for Dakota...Never understood the market for that GPS. The Oregon 200, 300 will be less attractive to sell. The new GPS if the specs are right does not have the fatal sun-light visibility problem associated with all Garmin GPS's since the 400t. Magellan - I would like to see their next series of offerings along the same line as this new GPS w/ additional features. Maps Maps Maps