Pax42

I see there are sales of Topo USA 8.0 on Ebay for as little as $25. Unfortunately Topo 8 isn't fully compatible with Firmware 2.8. For that, as mentioned by Cowboy, you'd need Topo 9 which of course, will cost you more. Download cables run about $12 I think and you definitely have to have that. To be honest, $100 wasn't a great deal without the software or cable. The PN-40 often goes on sale online for as little as $179 new with accessories including the Topo and regional map disks. A few folks here on the forums just recently bought some factory refurbished units with everything for about $120.

I tried to use CacheRegister but it doesn't work for the PN-20. I am using Topo USA 6.0 Can't speak for compatibility between cache register and PN-20 but can tell you Topo did not support full geocaching functionality with the PNs until version 8. That is why you're not getting the full info or even the correct symbols on your 20. You would need to upgrade to Topo 8 (I don't believe Topo 9 is compatible with the 20)or use GSAK to get what you're wanting. Are you familiar with GSAK?

After Topo tells you there is an update and you click to update the device, a certain amount of time will pass and you'll be given instructions to put the device in firwmware transfer mode. Menu>Device setup> Connect to Computer>Firmware Transfer.

Did you have your PN-60 plugged into the PC with cache register open and click on the sync button of cache register? Topo NA 9 is the software that came with your PN, not something you have to download. Have you installed it yet?

If Topo 9 came with the PN-40, install it and run synch. Synch will automatically check your version and initiate the update process to 2.8. Edit: Embra beat me to the punch.

The issue you are having with the single caches is likely due to not having a waypoint file created and loaded into internal memory first. Since you can now have multiple waypoint files stored on the SD, The "send to gps" only works if you have one of those files open. Go to Geocaches>File>New to create a file and then try sending a single cache again.

Then that is definitely a great deal.

All of the high end GPS receivers these days will be just as accurate as one another. I can't speak for the new Garmins but I did own the legendary 60csx and my PN-40 and PN-60 hold signal just as well and are just as accurate. The 62s only comes with a worldwide basemap, no detailed maps and no routable maps. You'll have to purchase City Navigator separately or find some free routable maps.

The main issue with getting Topo 8 rather than 9 is that the latest firmware update for the 40 is designed to be fully functional with 9 and when used with 8, there is some loss of functionality, primarily with the way files are synched between the software and device. If the unit is used strictly for geocaching then it may not be an issue. Many cachers with PNs never even use the Topo software. Of course, you don't have to update the device to the latest firmware but it does offer some nice enhancements.

When mine was updating, I did see it display something about basemaps but the update still went rather quick.

What version of Topo comes with these refurbs? I don't see it listed in the descriptions at those links. If it's pre-Topo NA 9, that would be another reason for the cheaper price.

You are correct in that all models at that level and above are going to be very similar in accuracy.

I notice the PN-40 is on your list but not the PN-60. If your budget can handle the Oregon series then it could easily handle the Delorme PN-60. I don't see any deals on it right now but it often gets discounted at Amazon and several other retailers. The price has been as low as $250 during the holidays. May not see that price again for awhile but a sub $300 price isn't out of the question. As for the performance of the Delormes, I like both, but much prefer the 60 for it's better user interface and much longer battery life.

The PN-60 has essentially the same thing but it's called "activities" rather than "profiles".

Yes, it's multipath error and from your kitchen table, nearly all consumer GPS receivers will have the same issue. Here's a brief article that explains it. Multipath Errors

Yes, the app is available for the android and I use it on my incredible. I haven't used an iphone but am told the app looks and works pretty much the same.

They've always been very good about sending a free replacement cable when it appears one is defective. Are you able to see the unit appear on your desktop as a drive when you open the sd card or internal memory? If so, the problem is not likely the cable. Did you insure there is a geocache file created and open before clicking on the send to GPS button?

If this is a new unit with firmware 2.8, you must first create a waypoint/PQ file on the device and have it open otherwise the "send to GPS" function has nowhere to send the cache.

While I'll say my Droid Incredible is very convenient for a quick grab, I would never put it above my PN-40 or PN-60 for accuracy or overall performance. I don't know that people are bashing the phones, I think they're just reporting the facts as they see them. Of the smart phones I've seen in action while caching, none have performed as consistently well as dedicated handhelds.

Per Delorme's website: Waypoints/Geocaches You must create a waypoint or geocache file on the device before transferring data. Once there is an open waypoint or geocache file, you can use the Exchange dialog to move data to the opened file. The desktop application interacts with only the opened file. Tracks To transfer tracks to the device first you must export them as .gpx files. To do this, click on the Draw tab in Topo 8, then click the File... button, choose the track layer you want to send to your PN-40 and click Export. Type in a file name, choose a destination to save the file to, make sure to change the Save as type drop-down to GPX file, and click Save. Connect your device to your computer, turn it on and press MENU > Device Setup > Connect to Computer > and change Use GPS to Open SD Card. Copy the .gpx file that was just created during the export from Topo 8 to the 'tracks' folder on the SD card. Once the track file has been moved to the SD card, select Use GPS on the device and from the Tracks Page go to MENU > Open > File to open the track. When you view the Tracks list in the Exchange dialog, you will see the Active Track and the opened track file. Routes Route transfer is the same for Topo USA 8 and Topo North America 9 (there is no difference with 2.8 firmware). Maps Map transfer is the same for Topo USA 8 and Topo North America 9 (there is no difference with 2.8 firmware).

If you have a Mac, I personally wouldn't go with any GPS that's not Garmin. Garmin easily is the best GPS for Mac, and I kinda found that out the hard way. I bought a Triton 2000 when I started geocaching, and it only works with PC- same with Delorme. Unless you run parallels (which isn't a fun process in itself) I would stick with Garmin. I've found that the Etrex H gets really nice accuracy, but it's a very manual GPS to have to enter coordinates. Have you thought about a Garmin Dakota 20 or Oregon? I'm using the Oregon 450 on my Mac, and it's been amazing. Free maps as well. That's not exactly true about the Delorme PN models. The PNs will work fine with a Mac but the Topo software that comes with the PN only runs on windows. The Topo software however is not absolutely necessary. Many cachers with PNs never even install the software. If you're wanting to do more than just cache however, the software does come into play.

While the Triton may have a few fans here, I think the majority would advise avoiding that unit. The other units would all get the job done fine but the Garmin Vista HCX and Delorme PN-40 are the cream of the crop on that list. The primary difference between the two would be that the PN-40 provides "paperless caching" while the Vista does not. Paperless caching simply means the GPSr is able to display the cache description, hint, logs, etc. No need to carry a PDA or cache pages with you. The PN-40 also comes with Topo and routable street maps in the box so depending on the price it might be a much better deal. Battery runtime would be much better with the Vista.

The base price may be a little cheaper but you have to pay to have a card shipped to you which puts the cost back to $30 or more. But ordering it through the netlink tab of Delorme's Topo software there is no shipping fee and you have instant access, no waiting for a card.

Sorry but no. Garmin maps are not compatible with Delorme handhelds. One option you may want to look at: Delorme now offers a separate map download subscription for Digital Globe imagery which includes areas outside the U.S. It's an additional $30 per year beyond their standard subscription service and it's tied to one device only. It's imagery rather than topo but it's more than what you would normally have with the PN. I don't know specifically what areas are available in France but if I remember where to check, I'll post a link.

If you updated to FW 2.8, see my comments in this thread.