imajeep

The American Geophysical Union has a new article on the subject

Try doing a 'hard reset on the unit. Turn it off, then hold down the Page and Enter keys while you turn it back on.. Hope that helps!

Both are good units, but Garmin is by far the most popular. That means easier to ger peer group support. Also, Garmin has a very good reputation for customer service.

It works fine on Vista. It sounds like the KML file association is messed up on your computer. Try downloading and saving the GE geocache browser file, rather than opening it. Then, right-click the downloaded file and select Open With > Choose Default Program. Then find Google Earth and select it as the default program for KML.

I have a 60 CSx, and Ms. Imajeep has a Vista HCx. We're very happy with both units--no freeze-ups on either unit. The Vista actually outperformed my 60 on a recent trip to Yosemite, keeping a signal after mine had lost it during a hike up a narrow canyon.

I've had the same problem recently--having to recalibrate the compass before every cache. Check to make sure 'Lock on Road' is turned off. I did that but still had the problem. I've tried doing a hard reset of the unit (turn the unit on with ENTER and PAGE pressed). Don't know yet if that has fixed the problem, but it does seem to have restored the unit to its out-of-the-box state, including the 'Garmin' waypoint.

Nah, it's not a bushwhack--it's right off the trail!

When your GPSr arrives, select some regular size caches with a difficulty rating of 1 to get started. Check the logs before you go to make sure there aren't a bunch of DNFs. Starting with some easy caches will reduce the frustration early on and help you get the hang of the game.

I don't keep a personal log separate from what I post on Geocaching.com. I can go back and look at my old logs, so I can see when I found a particular cache. I think some people do keep a personal log, in which they record the details of a particular hide. That way, if a friend calls them up six months later wanting a hint, they can oblige.

You know what? I'll bet that was it! I was using Easy GPS around the time the question came up. That seems like the siimplest solution--I'll use Easy GPS to download waypoints to the Garmin, instead on MapSource. Thanks. For the benefit of anyone who comes across this thread while searching the forums: GSAK will do the same thing, and it's a pretty good program, but it's overkill if all you want to do is load cache coordinates onto a GPSr. GSAK is a full-featured caching database with a fairly steep learning curve. If you are looking for a solution that will let you take cache descriptions, hints, and logs on a laptop into the field, you will like it, particularly if you want to store all the caches is a particular area. But if all you want to do is load coordinates for a few caches, EasyGPS is hard to beat.

I'm getting the info as GPX, so I've got both the name and ID. The ID (GC*****) shows up in the unit's Name field, and the name shouws up in the Comment field. So, what I'm trying to figure out is, since I've got both pieces of info, can I get the 'Find Geocache' list to display the Comment field (i.e., the geocache name), rather than the Name field (i.e., the Geocache ID). I could swear I read a forum post a year ago that told how to do that on a 60 CSx, which has the same setup as the Vista. But I can't find in on the archive, and I can find the menu item in the Garmin that makes the switch. Of course, there is a good chance that I'm imagining all this...

Found my answer. Bring up the geocache list, then his the Menu button. Thre is a menu item that toggles between 'Find By Name' and 'Find Nearest', to sort alphabetically or by proximity.

Can the sort order of the 'Find Geocache' list be changed. If so, how? Thanks.

Hi--My wife recently got a Garmin Vista HCx, and the wants to change the 'Find Geocache' list to show names, rather than IDs. How does one do that? I know you can use Spinner to combine names and IDs, but I also recall that the Vista has a setting that will change what's displayed. Thanks.

Check to see if the "Lock on Road" setting on your unit is set to 'true'. I had the same problem on my 60 CSx, and that's what it turned out to be.

Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim. I'm scheduled for Sept. 15.

Vista will basically hold the cache ID, name and coordinates. But not description, hint, logs and so on. People generally use PDAs for those. You can pick one up cheap on eBay. BTW, Vista HCx is a great little unit. Ms. Imajeep uses one and loves it.

Go for the newer HCx model. It gets much better reception.

Depending on your budget, I'd suggest either the Legend or the Vista. In either case, get the 'H' model with the high-sensitivity chipset. You will also need a set of Garmin Topo maps to go with the unit. If you can afford a higher-end unit, I'd suggest the Garmin GPSmap 60 CSx, or the new Colorado series. Hope that helps!

All pretty comparable. I think they all come from the same Chinese factory.

Look on the Garmin web site. They have a promotional bundle of the Vista HCx and US topo maps for the unit for 259. i think the retailer is Dick's. You might want topo (terrain) maps, instead of road maps. Some people think the eTrex units are too small to really do auto navigation. If you plan to do any hiking, definitely fo with topos.

Advice to get either the Legend or Vista is spot on. My wife uses the Vista for hiking and geocaching and likes having the compass. You can get a direction even when you are standing still. Make sure to get the HCx version of whatever you buy--high sensitivity chipset that works wonder in canyons and under canopy. You might also look at the GPSmap 60 CSx. Same features as the Vista HCx, but in a larger case with a somewhat better antenna. Also a bit more rugged than the Vista. It's what I use. Hope that helps!

Your naming is all wrong and not helping to unconfuse the OP. Etrex H Venture HC Summit HC Legend HCX Vista HCX The only other unit still availablefrom Garmin is the Legend, which is not worth considering as are any of the other older units. Yeah, shame on you!

It works fine for me--IE7 with Vista

You can get started without GSAK--just load a few caches onto your venture using GarMin MapSource (assuming you got Garmin US Topo 2008 to go with your Venture). or use EasyGPS to transfer waypoints--you can learn it in a few minutes. Once you've gotten the hang of things, GSAK will make a lot more sense.