MrThom

I use also use the Freedom 2000 with my Blackberry Pearl 8120. Accidentally left it on,in my pants pocket with the phone, when I wandered through a Walmart Superstore all the way to the back. As you might know Walmart is lacking in windows. Much to my surprise when I looked at the track, it included my shopping trip in Walmart. Have used the Freedom continuously for at least 10 hours with no battery shutdowns..

Two good suggestions. Will give them a try. Thanks for the assistance.. Thom

Well good question and I do not know the answer. Am using "GoogleMaps 2 Trekbuddy" which processes selected google maps and the result is a "tar" file that is then loaded to and read on my phone by the "TrekBuddy" application. Want to take several of these "tar" files and combine them into one file to be viewed on the phone.

Would like any information on how to merge tar map files. Thanks. Tom

The QuakeMap support page allows you to submit your question to the software author... He has answered every question I have had...

I have switched over to the small hand crank flashlights(internal battery store charge) for backpacking and 4x4 off-roading. Relatively light weight and so far very dependable. Keep one of these in my pack and my truck. A headlamp as mentioned above is good if you want to hike out in the night. Sold by a multitude of companies in various styles. One example: ElectriLite 5 LED Crank Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger(buttons on top determine how may LED's are lit) http://www.21st-century-goods.com/page/21st/PROD/PREP/ELITE

Vegas thanks for the possible lead. Tom

Looking for info leading to a cache in the area of 'Picture Cave" Missouri. Was told it is somewhere in East Central part of state. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

According to PhoneScoop, the Sanyo M1 is a Type A GPS; Quoting their information: Most phones with "GPS" in fact use A-GPS technology. The "A" stands for assisted, and means that the phone relies on the network for help in determining location. Although the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites, it can't determine actual location without help from the cell network." So,if you plan to stay on the network that phone will do it. If not then, you will probably want something with a standalone GPS that supports LBS and log output such as in the new Sanyo SCP-7050. If you want all the other non-phone features like camera,video and music players then this is not the phone for you. PhoneScoop has a "phone finder" feature to help you find the phone and carrier that will suit your needs. Once you find the phone then you will probably have to sign for something like Geocache Navigator from Trimble Outdoors. The Trimble site has info as to what phones and carriers will work with their software. Looking at the monthly service cost,plus airtime to download maps etc it appears to be more cost effective to just buy a standalone GPS unit. Since the phone will be in constant usage not in standby, another item to consider is how long the phone will work before the battery will have to be recharged. Check out the link FamilyDNA has proovided.

Wondering if there are any Backpacker Magazine staffers out there???

If price is not a major issue look over the new Garmin Rino 130. http://www.garmin.com/products/rino130/

When you get you unit and use it for a while would like to know if the 256MB disk causes any problems. Reason is Magellan indicates the max memory for the color is 128MB. Possibly when they released the unit, a 128MB disk was that largest available. thanks, Tom

Go to their site at: http://www.magellangps.com/en/ click on the photo of the unit. Link gives specs and at very bottom of page one of the available options is an external antenna. I downloaded the entire user manual and am comparing it to the same info from Garmin. Will probably get the Meridian Color as I understand it is much more legible. PC Magazine did a review in Dec 2002 on several units. The Magellan site also has a link and info on the new Sport Track Color. Hopefully Magellan will be issuing a new Meridian Color with the newer high resolution screen in the near future. They tactfully ignored that part of an email I sent to them. Happy shopping TJ

YukonMike, That 128MB SD card you got, is it from Magellan or some other brand name like ScanDisk? Thanks, Tom quote:Originally posted by YukonMike:I just purchased a Meridian Platinum and accessories from CompuPlus.com and I have to say that I am extremely pleased with both the GPS and CompuPlus. The GPS is everything I expected and more. It locks on to multiple satellites quicly and is loaded with features. The only drawback to CompuPlus is their shipping. The cheapest they offer is 2ND Day Air UPS, which for me added $41.15 to my total. However, when you compare prices with other places that offer free shipping, and believe me I DID, I still got a better deal. I bought the Meridian Platinum, 128Mb SD card, Sandisk Card reader, Mapsend Streets and Trips and the Auxilliary Car power cable and including the $41.15 shipping, I paid $453. The good news is that I'm getting the Magellan $75 mail in rebate since I got both GPS and Software. If you are going to get one, go ahead and get all you'll ever need now, so you don't have to upgrade in a year to get the extra features. Oh yeah, everything was NEW equipment, nothing refurbished. Good Luck and Happy Caching... YukonMike