ace862

just a test

You may need to turn the geocache file on in the active setup menu. Try this: Menu -> Preferences->Active Setup-> Geocaches ->Select File ->Make Active "name of file"? -> Yes Then escape back to your map screen. Hopefully that fixes your problem. Cheers!

I'm in the same boat. From what I am able to gather the problem is the date of the firmware. If you hit 'menu' the goto 'about...' mine says Rev 5.2.17 Apr 24 2007. It seems that 2.17 was released after 2.57 which has a date of March 2007. The firmware will not let you "upgrade" to an older firmware than you already have. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong. As well, you can not get the 2.57 firmware if your serial# starts with 133. I wish I had known this before I tried to update the firmware. I had WAAS up until a couple of weeks ago. I tried to update the firmware and started with a "Clear All". Everything still works even though the firmware didn't change. But now no WAAS. Then I read in another thread not to clear all memory. If anybody has come up with a workaround to this I would be most greatful. I've emailed Magellan but I'm not holding my breath there. Maybe if everyone here emailed them they would have to listen. Right? And then, maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt. I know, wishful thinking.

test

A work around would be to hit 'Print Screen' on your keyboard and then paste it into something like Paint, or Photoshop, or even Word. You will have to play around with it for a bit to get it formatted the way you want. Try that and see if it helps any. Cheers!

I think this may be what you are looking for: Mini Ammo Box It makes for a very devious micro. Cheers!

These are some of the places I have used: Worldcaching GPS Central Prairie Geomatics Also you may want to look here: Shop Groundspeak Hope this helps some. Cheers!

I have the Explorist 500 and I'm having a great time with it. It does take a little getting used to though. Read through the manual on the Magellan site. It should answer most of your questions about the GPS itself. In answer to your questions; 1. I'm using GSAK to download to the unit. A premium membership to GC.com will allow to use pocket queiries. Then you can drag and drop the .gpx file into GSAK and then download up to 200 (max per file for the Explorist 500) caches including D/T and hints to the unit all at once. GSAK can be a bit complicated and takes some playing around. I still don't know all it's capable of. The other option is Magellan's Geocache manager. I used it when I first started but moved quickly to GSAK. On Geocache manager you can add things manually or download the .loc file and open it in Geocache Manager. But unlike a pocket query, you can only do the .loc files one at a time. 2. Yes you can find other options for maps you just need to look for them. I know there are some free TOPO maps available for parts of Canada. I found that out after I bought the TOPO from Magellan. It was only about $100. $150 seems a little high. I could be wrong though. It may take a bit of a search but you should be able to find something. 3. I'm not a 100% sure about what you want here but it sounds like you've put in a GOTO point and the unit points straight to the waypoint. It will give you the direction to the waypoint as the crow flies. I believe you want turn by turn directons. I think the Direct Route software will do this but again it's going to cost $100+. 4. At the top of this forum section there is a pinned thread with FAQ on various models. Lots of good info there. Check it out Hope some of this helps. Give yourself some time to get used to your Explorist 500 and you should have a great time with it. Cheers! ace862

I think I have said this before but I believe it's worth repeating; Just remember that quality will always cost you less in the long run.

The last Invisible Shields I ordered took a good 3 weeks to arrive. Don't sweat it too much yet. They are worth the investment though. I've got them on my GPS, my PDA, the LCD on my digital camera, and my cell phone.

While I'm currently in New Zealand (only for the moment), I am a proud member of the KAG, and I'm in the forums semi-regularily. BTW it is gorgeous here in NZ right now. I'm hoping to get some caches in soon. Cheers!

Thanks for the reply ShowStop. I had thought about doing some of the things you suggested but in the end I just stuck it out in the terminal. On the plus side, I did meet a very attractive Australian women to chat with and pass the time. So I guess it wasn't a total loss. Now I'm waiting for next fight here in Fiji. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the transit lounge. It looks gorgeous here. Auckland should ge great though too. I should have posted a message sooner. I'll know better next time. Thanks again! Cheers!

Tomorrow (Jan 10th) I am on my way to New Zealand but I have a 10hr stop over at LAX. I don't know if it will even be feasible or not but if I can find somewhere to store my luggage for a bit I'd like to get in a cache or two. Any suggestions? Will I be able to walk to any around the airport? I've never been to LA before except for a previous stopover and then it was only a couple of hours and I didn't leave the airport. I'd even meet up with anyone who'd be interested in helping me out. Like I said, I'm not sure if it will even work out but feel free to send an email through GC or PM me and I will give you my contact info. Thanks.

This cache in my area is a similar type of idea but the TBs are keys that open the lock on an ammo box. GC17EY0 However there is no restriction on where the TBs may travel. Check out Key#4. TBs are meant to travel and I think that's half the fun. As the TBs travel they bring attention to your cache from other areas that they otherwise might not notice. If you pick up a TB that opens up a cache hundreds of kilometers/miles away, it gives you a good excuse to travel somewhere new or different. Just something to think about.

I'm going to agree with Miragee and say go with the Invisible Shield. There was a small scratch on the screen of my Explorist 500. When I put the Invisible Shield on, the scratch disappeared. I have run keys and a fork across the screen with the Shield on just to test it. Nothing. Not a scratch. The stuff is guaranteed for life. I've also put the Invisible Shield on my PDA, my cell phone, and the LCD for my camera. The thing with the holster/carrying case is that when you're crashing around in the bush, dirt and grit can get inside the case and still scratch the screen. It may cost a bit more than some of the cheaper solutions, but remember, quality will always cost you less in the long run. Just my two cents. Take it for what it's worth. Cheers!

Have a look at Mountain Equipment Co-op. Looking on their website they seem to have a decent selection and the prices are reasonable. They also have a storefront in Halifax. Here is the link to their website. MEC Hope you are able to find something that works for you. Cheers!

Thanks guys for your responses. It gives me some ideas to think about. It was JohnnyVegas' mention of the washer that I remember reading about a while back. Unfortunately the cable doesn't seem to come with a washer anymore. The screw and what probably used to be the washer are now one solid piece. Thanks again guys, I will get something worked out. Cheers!

I know I've seen this mentioned by someone on here before but I can't find it right at the moment. Tonight I went to attach the USB cable to my Explorist 500LE to charge it but the cable would no longer connect. I believe the connector on the unit is stripped. It is almost like the screw on the cable is not long enough anymore. Has anyone encountered this before? Is there an easy fix to this problem? The unit is only 6 months old. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ebay! I went with this one. I've had no problems. Battery I had a Magellan brand battery and cable on order from a retailer but it had been backordered for months. I cancelled the order and went to Ebay. It was much cheaper this way too.

I had this problem too in the beginning. I was using a USB port on my keyboard. I think that was the problem. I then plugged into it's own USB port right on the PC and haven't had a problem since.

I'm using the Explorist 500LE and it works great for me. I used Geocache Manager for the first few caches I did but I switched to GSAK very soon after that. It's so much easier to get a Pocket Query with X number of caches and put it into GSAK and then right from GSAK into the GPS. Then add an inexpensive Palm with Cachemate on it to go paperless and you are flying. IMO For your problems with Geocache Manager, are you seeing the caches you've loaded when you press Goto? You may need to make the .gs file active in the unit. For this it's Menu>Preferences>Active Setup>Geocaches>Select File The is should ask you Make file Active? Hit Yes. It should bring you back to the Active Setup page. From there you can escape back to the Map Screen and you should see the caches you've loaded. As well they should show up when you do Goto>Geocache Pts. The other thing you should watch out for is if you are loading the caches to the Internal memory or an SD card. To choose where the unit is looking for the .gs file, when you do the Active Setup step, you may need to choose the Up One Level option twice I think. This should give you the option of Internal Memory or SD Card. Pick the one you loaded your files to. I hope some of this makes sense and helps with what you are trying to do. Don't give up on your Explorist. You may need to play around with it a bit but once you do, it should give you lots of enjoyment. Cheers!

No but at work I have to sign everything with my employee number. I have to really think about it when I'm signing a cheque so I don't add my employee number. People look at you strange when you do.

I'm one who will sign with both my first name and my geocaching name beside it in brackets. I don't have any particular reason why, it's just the way I started. I guess because if I meet others on the trail I introduce myself with my real name and my geocaching name second. That's just me though. I say sign whichever way you feel most comfortable with. Cheers!

Thanks for that link Bootz. I wish I had known about that before. It looks great. Sunchaser, Sorry I haven't gotten the screenshot up yet. I spent last night after work finishing off the christmas shopping. I took much longer than I wanted. I'll try to make some time tonight. And Swimmrguy is right about caching in the Kingston area. I started in July of this year and have had an amazing time and met some really great people. The Kingston Area Geocachers (KAG) love to challenge each other with well thought out unique caches that leave you wanting more. It's simply amazing. And one more thing, Swimmrguy may like his Garmin, but I've never fallen into a stream following my Magellan. LOL

Hello Sunchaser81 I'm also have the Explorist 500LE and have Mapsend TOPO Canada. I find it is very detailed and from what you are asking I believe it should cover what you want. Later this evening if you'd like I can post a screen shot for you. (Unfortunately I'm not at home right now.) On the Vista issue, I'm not able to help you there. I'm using XP. Perhaps try the GPS and Software forum. Someone there will definitely be able to answer you questions there. Good Luck!