Triple Crown

The topo maps included are about 1:100K (100' contours). You can get 1:24K (20' contours) for free from GPSFileDepot.com Linky If it was me, I'd rather get the Oregon 450 for the better screen and 3-axis compass but not the 'T' model because the included topos are, as you have seen, just OK.

www.gpsfiledepot.com Linky

If you use GSAK you can edit the cache coords with the final location before you upload them to your GPSr. If not, you'll probably have to stick to making a waypoint for the final then after finding it, 'go to' your geocache and mark it found.

I don't think the Venture HC can accept a memory card, so you're limited to the 24MB of onboard memory. First you'll need to download the maps into mapsource, then select the segments you want to transfer with the 'maptool' and send them to the GPS. For Garmin products, the H is high sensitvity receiver, C is color, and X is eXpandable memory. For the same form factor the eTrex Legend HCx is the most bang for the buck, the Vista HCx is a step up and adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter.

Well mine is here and I already feel lost. It is quite a bit different then my nuvi in my truck. I have been outside trying to get it to acquire a signal and no luck it is overcast I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. And the manual is very vague. it seemed like 10 or 15 minutes the first time out, for my 450 to acquire all the sat's and such. good thing I had a Blue Moon to sip. That's the problem I was missing the Blue Moon. Once I get a micro sd card ( i got a regular sd card) then I go to map source and install the topo map I got from gpsfiledepot.com to my 450? Actually you can put the topos right onto the unit. You've got plenty of room there (850 MB). You can always move the map file to the microSD card when you get it. I really like the City Navigator NT program (DVD version, not microSD card) for street maps, but its another $80. The free 1:24k topos from GPSFileDepot are great, and the new BirdsEye imagery ($30/year for all you can download) is really amazing. The unit does a lot for you, but you'll need to play with it to find the settings you like best.

Well mine is here and I already feel lost. It is quite a bit different then my nuvi in my truck. I have been outside trying to get it to acquire a signal and no luck it is overcast I am not sure if that has anything to do with it. And the manual is very vague. Go here: Oregon 450 Wiki Also get your free downloads. From Garmin run the WebUpdater to get the latest software. Garmin BaseCamp and MapsSource

Good you have found a way that works for you and probably for others It would be nice to know if you have you tried the "1-1,5 minutes" method described by myself above? "- The trick is to always leave it in this "Loading maps" situation for 1-1,5 minutes. After that time i push and hold the power button, it says nicely "beep", screen turns instantly black. When I then turn it on again everything is OK." Would be nice to know if it works for you to. It's a 100% fix for me and minimum of hazzle. And it works in the field when I am switching SD cards going from one area to another without PC available. Yes I did try that. I don't get the beep and the unit doesn't power down most times, sometimes if I hold it long enough the screen just fades to gray and then goes off, but most times the power button does nothing and I end up pulling the batteries.

My Oregon is on all the time when I'm using it, so there is no difference in battery life when using alerts.

when you open it up you'll see a folder called "Garmin", inside that folder should be a folder called "GPX". Drop the files in there and you should be set. If either of those folders don't exist (if you have a memory card in the unit you'll need to create them in that order. \garmin\GPX) just create them. Also for this unit make sure your GPX file has 500 cache locations or less. There were problems in some units if they were added in sizes larger than that. Also make sure the file is less than 5mb in size as this has caused some lockup issues on the oregon units. easiest way to drop the size is to include less logs. hope this helps. Thanks for the info! I use GSAK and usually try to load almost 2000 caches at a time. I'll try running filters so I can get 4 GPX files of 500 or less and see if that helps. OK, I put my GPS in mass storage mode, deleted the old GPX file, then put 4 GPX files of less than 500 caches on it. Hung up again on reboot. Pulled the batteries. No caches found. Maingray's solution works reliably, so I'm going to stick with it. paraphrasing from his post above: Gps into Mass Storage Mode delete the gpx file(s) disconnect, allow the OR to reboot reconnect, Gps into Mass Storage Mode Add the new gpx file(s) Reboot. Works every time for me. Clunky and tedious but dependable.

Just my two cents. After 879 finds with Garmins and after attending several events, I noticed cachers using the DeLorme PN-40. I was able look at one that the cachers had and I bought one today. It's about the maps (maps, maps and maps). BTW, I would keep the 60CSx since that is the most reliable geocaching GPSr there is. It might be about the maps but with the Garmin BirdsEye, the maps are pretty much the same, and the Garmins are a LOT easier to use, and when zooming in on those aerial maps, the higher resolution screen makes a BIG difference. IMHO the Oregon 450 with the improved screen and compass at $291 (after rebate) is the sweet spot for capability, ease of use and price.

You can have maps on either or both the internal memory and the microSD card. I had my topo and street maps on the microSD card because it was faster to transfer to the the card with a card reader than to use the USB connection to the unit itself, however the software has gotten better and now you don't need to combine all of your maps into 1 giant file, you can have smaller separate files for each map if you wish...so it's really up to you where you want your maps stored. I have not seen any difference in load times for internal vs microSD card maps.

when you open it up you'll see a folder called "Garmin", inside that folder should be a folder called "GPX". Drop the files in there and you should be set. If either of those folders don't exist (if you have a memory card in the unit you'll need to create them in that order. \garmin\GPX) just create them. Also for this unit make sure your GPX file has 500 cache locations or less. There were problems in some units if they were added in sizes larger than that. Also make sure the file is less than 5mb in size as this has caused some lockup issues on the oregon units. easiest way to drop the size is to include less logs. hope this helps. Thanks for the info! I use GSAK and usually try to load almost 2000 caches at a time. I'll try running filters so I can get 4 GPX files of 500 or less and see if that helps.

There is a GSAK macro that allows you to get alerts on caches on your Garmin Nuvi, Oregon or Colorado. Linky

A big WOOHOO !! for you two, just amazing!!! We love caching with you.....hiking, biking, & Jeepin! (well, except for those pesky flat tires!) Thanks for all the fun along the way to 16.000 caches............did we say AMAZING!! Keep Smiling Steve & Janie Wow!!! 16,000!!! Congrats!!! Sweeeeet!!! That was a fast thousand from 15 to 16...you two rock!!! Congrats to the kwvers on their Sweet 16(Thousand)!!!

Congrats! I think you'll really be happy with it...now you need to look at BirdsEye for aerial imagery that will really knock your socks off... Get the free BaseCamp download from Garmin and the $30 subscription for all you can download for a year...

Congrats to the Splashes!!!! They are so fun to cache with! WoooooHoooooooooo!!! WTG Steve and Janie! Congrats to two of the nicest, coolest, wittiest, fun cachers out there!! 14,000!! Go splashes!! Congrats to the Splashes on 14K finds! You guys are Solid Gold cachers!

Wow! Things are happening fast around here... Congrats to: bdhaz for 3,000 snflwrmh for 2,000 Congrats to snflwrmh & bdhaz for 5000 finds in the family!

Congrats to Bon Scott for entry into the MTRP Hall of Fame! Sometimes those trails feel like a Highway to Hell!

Way to go Ladies 7,000 WoooooHoooooooooo!!!! 7000!!!! Awesome!!!! Ya'll Rock! Congrats to the Fat Cats for 7000 finds! Amazing!

The new BaseCamp is working well and the imagery I am downloading is great too for the US. You can download anything you want in BaseCamp. It will send a small 'demo' file of Birdseye imagery to your Oregon. Can't figure out why Garmin isn't selling subscriptions yet-- I am ready to buy!!! Garmin, please add an "add to cart" icon on the Birdseye page so we can subscribe.... Please!!! Wow! Great imagery, looks great on the Oregon 300! Super easy to use...just draw the box on the screen and it downloads...waaaaay easier than the DeLorme map-cutting and downloading. I have screenshots but don't know how to post them.

Awesome job!!! Congrats, Ragfoot!! The more time that goes by, the more difficult it is. Good job!! Congratulations from the Splash Zone..........we know how hard that was!! The Splashes Congrats to Ragfoot for joining the MTRP HOF!!! and especially for persevering through 3 trips to 40!!!

WoooooHooooooooo!!!! Way to go, Skillet!!! Congrats, Skillet!! Congratulations from us too Skillet! You do alot in the dark also, only on the am end of things! The Splashes Congrats to Skillet for #4500!!!

That's exactly the setup I'd get (will get for my next GPSr) Add the free topos from GPSfiledepot.com and you'll be all set!

You have to do it with your computer. Plug the unit in and go to Mass Storage mode, navigate to the Garmin/GPX folder and delete the .GPX files there. Next you will have to re-load the new caches you want to find. To clear your field notes, in the Garmin folder open the 'geocache visits' .txt file and 'select all' then delete them. Be sure to save the blank file again. Hope that helps.

Congrats to BlondHiLites for the BIG 3-Oh-Oh-Oh! (Oh Yeah!)