janandsteve

I dont think this can be done. You cannot alter any of the fields 'within' the actual 'dashboard'. Replacing the 'dashboard' with datafields could help and then you can have displayed whatever you want. Here is my setup which you may find useful to tweak as you see fit.... I have the full UK Garmin GB Discoverer maps loaded at 1:50K scale ( incl routable roads and POI data ) and the full uk coast with the uk bits from Bluechart Altantic ( incl tide data ). Applicable to Geocaching I use 3 different profiles - Car / Geocaching / Recreational. Recreational is a north-up facing map, so that I can see all cache locations easily without them spinning round all time like if I used track-up maps. This helps me plan if I am out - Basecamp and routes are the way to go for home planning. Car is used with a 'recalculate on road' function, so the GPS gets me to the nearest road location for me to begin my search. This is only useable with routable maps like I mention above. I find this function useful and quicker than programming my car sat nav with coords - yes i could bring that in and load caches into that, but that just seems a waste when all are in the 62s unit. Geocaching is the main profile used once at the starting point. I flick between the 3 profiles as required, but please note my thread here: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=263825&st=0&p=4532770&fromsearch=1entry4532770 There is a profile software issue that I notified Garmin about and they agreed it was an issue - still waiting for them to confirm when it will be incorporated into a future software release. Within the geocaching profile I have the following page sequence setup....map/compass/trip computer/elevation plot Map screen, showing OS map, with a geocaching dashboard. When not navigating, this shows me the nearest cache location with its small compass at the top. It also shows me the cache distance and how many caches I have found. compass page - compass showing bearing large, with 4 data fields at the top - time to next, dist to next, off course, gps accuracy. I think this may be where you see 'two direction arrows on the geocaching compass' - you have the geocaching dashboard setup on your compass screen, where I have 4 small data fields. The choices are almost endless, so it is all down to what works for you. trip computer - 10 small data fields setup here. speed, trip odometer, moving time, elevation, stopped time, time of day, moving avg, eta at dest, overall avg, sunset. The main use of this screen is to see if i will get back before sunset. Note that I use eta at dest and not eta at next as I make use of routes and want to note what time i will get back. ( I use the GPS for other purposes than geocaching ) elevation plot - I have current elevation on the trip computer page, so my main use of the elevation plot page is to 'monitor' weather. I have ranges of 0.5mb and 45min - that way I can see what the pressure is doing at short time scales therefore can decide if the weather will get worse etc. I also have 2 small datafields at the top - ambient pressure and barometer. Its all about personal preference and the choices are almost endless. The above is what works for me, something else may work better for you, but I hope the above helps. Remember to save your profiles on your PC in case of probs - they are located at F:garmin/profiles. Custom maps are also worth backing up from f:garmin/custommaps. Have a look at the free Garmin Basecamp software - thats excellent to manage waypoints routes tracks etc.

Hi I have never had the gps switch off on me before, but I have had probs with geotagged photos not appearing on the gps list - even though they are in the jpeg folder of the gps. What I established was that the size of some pictures was too big - I am not at home at the moment, so dont have the gps with me to check exactly, but from memory the size of the pics needs to be around 600x400 - thats what the sample pictures were about on the unit when it ships. ( even tho the display is only around 240 x 160 ). If pics are bigger than around 600x400 you need to resize them with something like Photoshop. Also, the metadata/EXIF of the image could be corrupt or non compatible with the GPS unit. If I have a route and taken pics along that route I use GPicSync - the times on the camera and gps need to be within a min or so for 'auto tagging' to work, but I think there is a menu to alter the times somewhere in there - never used that bit myself. If you have a simple photo - eg a spoiler pic from geocaching - I use a program called iTag - that uses placemarkers within Google Earth to get the coords of the location, then the prog puts this location into the metadata/EXIF header of the file and 'geotags' the photo. Just pop the photo into the jpeg folder on your gps and you are away ( remember to make sure it is approx 600x400 as mentioned above ) Hope this helps a little. Steve

Hi and welcome to the forums. I have the Garmin 62s and upgraded from a yellow etrex which I had since 2002. The yellow etrex was very poor under trees ( didnt work ), but I'm pleased to say that the Garmin 62s works well - in fact I get an accuracy of 15ft sat in my living room - this drops to 9ft when outdoors. The Garmin 62s does have some issues - before your decide to purchase one, search the forums for '62s' and it will come up with the issues currently been experienced by some users - I have loads of posts around the forums. With what you read, you will be able to decide if this unit is for you. Hope this helps. Steve

Hi and welcome to the forums. I have the Garmin 62s, but maybe the following procedure may help, if I understand your question correctly... 1) Delete all gpx files in the garmin/gpx directory ( back up any that you want to keep ) 2) Unplug usb from PC 3) Reboot GPS. wait for it to fully load the map screen. 4) Reconnect usb 5) Load the new gpx files to the garmin/gpx directory and copy across those that you saved and want in the gps 6) Unplug usb from PC 7) Turn on the gps and view all details in the gpx files incl new caches. I'm not 100% sure this applies to the Oregon 300, but I had the same issue with the 62s and the above procedure worked for me. Hope this helps. Steve

Whilst I accept your point, I firmly believe that prevention is better than a cure.....

Hi Andy Thanks for your reply. I did read your entire post and made note of your point 'perseverance pays off sometimes' - thanks for the comment. Your initial reaction to ignore the thread was a little off putting, but I'm pleased to see you have continued to read. I agree that some posts were trying to take the you-know-what - but these people just dont get a response. I firmly agree that manuf should be accountable for their quality issues and by starting this thread I was hoping that someone - even if it is only one person - would stand up and get their unit changed - who knows what underlying probs will be caused by the squeak in 18mths time? At this point if water ingress does damage someones GPS then they will be outside warranty. I made this point on the phone to Garmin UK and they told me that the seal should not cause any probs - how can they say that with any confidence - the unit is not even 12mths old? It is peoples small mindedness that they think we are making a fuss about a little squeak - to those I say 'think out of the box a little' - quite a few posts above do indicate that the squeak is a problem. I was fortunate of someone telling me about shipments that are squeak free - it was my intention to tell everyone in the hope that someone else will stand up and get theirs sorted - trying to support fellow users - in the spirit of the forum. Garmin cannot treat its Customers like it is doing in my experience ( and just reading other threads, Garmin are currently not flavour ( flavor? ) of the month ). I do hope that you take my comments in the spirit that they are intended and I'm pleased to see, on reflection, ignoring this thread was not the right thing to do. Let's stand up for ourselves and not be pushed over by Multi-Nationals. I do hope that I have not found myself in your ignore bin and that you get the opportunity to read my reply. All the best. Steve

I'm please to say that I have not ( yet ? ) experienced this problem. Thanks for clarifying. I dont use the User Grid myself, but thanks for the explanation. Yes, you have a valid point here. When close to a cache site it would be good for the compass to accurately point to the cache location, and as you rightly say, this is when a user will just be wondering around slowly - far slower than walking pace. To be honest, in reality, when close to the cache - say within 20ft, I tend to be on the look out for possible locations and only refer to the compass screen if I get stuck - and prob after taking a sneek peek at the clue. I tend to use my 62s far more for other activities than I do caching, so to me I have not really noticed the prob too much. The 3 axis compass working in 'real time' is one of the advantages over, say the yellow Etrex, I had earlier - that meant walking back and forth and then walking 20-30ft away and then walking back towards the cache site, to get a reading on the arrow. I agree that this 'sticky' issue does need sorting - another for the list of things Garmin needs to sort out. Thanks for getting back to me. All the best. Steve

From my post above, the user here was refering to: 'Faded into the background' = 'learnt to live with it' rather than the actual squeak fading away with time - it went into the background meaning it was still there.... If it was purchased used you do not know the history of any repairs - a seller would prob not tell you it was faulty in the past to get you to buy it from them. As you said in your own post earlier '....Garmin, like most manufacturers, will use refurb'd models....' I accept your view that the US may offer better service than here in the UK; I have yet to experience this for myself. I take it your 15 year old GPS was pretty useless, with only having an accuracy of 100m? - Selective Availability was eventually turned off by order of the then US President, Bill Clinton on May 2 2000. I cannot afford to be calling a state side number; I have tried the US email address before using this link http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support/supportcontact - only to be told to divert to the UK email for a faster response. I dont have time to be driving over 220 miles to the Garmin UK offices.

My belt is not big enough to be carrying 3 or 4 gps' around with me

Oh great, another thread to ignore. Alrighty then. GOOD RIDDANCE. His loss :-) Lets just hope that in 12 months time when his GPS gets a dunk in water and the possibility of the seal not holding up..... It's not just putting up with a squeak, its the possible consequences in 12 months time ( after warranty ) when the seal has possibly worn away a bit due to the squeak...

AGREED AGREED. It is not only me that is concerned about the squeakers....To the doubters - have a think what may happen in 12 months time when your GPS gets a dunk in water and the possibility of the seal not holding up..... It's not just putting up with a squeak, its the possible consequences in 12 months time ( after warranty ) when the seal has possibly worn away a bit due to the squeak...

Why is it there in earlier models and not in later models? I think there has been some input from Garmin to the manuf plant. Have another read.... '... The first unit I got squeeked, sent in to Garmin three more times for exchange only to get squeakers every time. I learned to live with it and although it really bothered me at times, I must admit it faded into the background....' Squeaky unit sent in 3 times = was a problem to him. Faded into the background = learnt to live with it. No mention of 'working its way out'. '...my unit developed another issue that warranted replacement. When I received my replacement unit from Garmin, vwalla, the squeek was completely gone...' Earlier models had squeak. Later models it has gone. I think this means they have 'fixed it'. No one has mentioned anything on here about the squeak working itself out.... See my previous posts - In my experience Garmin have poor Cust Facing skills here in the UK. Dont answer emails and give you the fob off when you call. No one has mentioned anything on here about the squeak working itself out.... Have another read at my OP and you will see I have called Garmin in the UK 3 times on the issue - and you will see my quotes on their standard reply.

Thanks for your reply. Can you expand on what you mean re the 'flap/thump in the rocker and the lower buttons'. What problems did you experience? I personally have not tried any test at less than walking pace - while walking the tracks seem to tie in well with the OS map trails. Having said that, over here http://garmingpsmap.wikispaces.com/message/view/home/32052076 people are still reporting the 'sticky' issue you mention with the latest 2.92 beta software, so I guess it is still a problem. It is not something I have had trouble with personally. I also use the GPS for things other than geocaching and for my use in these situations the sticky issue is not that much of a problem. Having said this, I can appreciate that when at GZ near a cache, it can have some weird effects if the unit is sticky, pointing you in the wrong direction. For me, when near GZ, I just use my caching instincts to get the actual box. I agree that the sticky issue needs sorting. You have lost me here. Can you please clarify what you mean? In the earlier releases of the software, I had the hang and freeze issues, but I am pleased to report that these have gone away in the later versions of software. Over here http://garmingpsmap.wikispaces.com/Versions at the bottom of the page it gives you a change history and you can see in what releases of the software things got fixed. The sticky issue is still there, as described above. I have had my unit for approx 6 months and the earlier versions of software were very 'buggy'. Improvements have been made, but Garmin needs to do more to get bugs sorted with the latest software.

Hi - yes point agreed. My post included some links to previous requests/suggestions I had made and I was sort of adding these to the list. The OP quoted 'For the Oregon / Colorado / Dakota units Garmin seemed very open to usability changes.' - I was making a point that any changes or suggestions are not, in my experience, easily implemented. I take your point, and apologise if my post was perceived to be off topic.

Firstly, thanks for replying with a sensible post and one that warrants a reply. The fact that the squeak has gone does indeed suggest it was a manufactuing issue. Why cannot Garmin acknowledge this and offer a replacement to those that are not happy? - just makes complete Customer satisfacion sense to me. Even better, why not do a recall if they have fixed the issue - if it wasnt a problem, then we would still be seeing the squeaky cases flooding the market - but just by the fact that the issue has been sorted, suggests some 'cover-up' from Garmins point of view, IMO. I'm glad someone else agrees that this was a manufacturing quality issue. Yes, I agree on the logistics and financial aspects of outsourcing - my box says 'Made in Taiwan' - but what about close management of prototyping before market release? I think it is poor management practise to go chasing the horse once it has bolted. I'm sure that Garmin have had many discussion with the manuf plant on the issue, but what about been open and honest? Before my experience of this issue ( and other forum topics I have posted in today re Garmin Cust Service issues ), I was all for Garmin - I have had their yellow Etrex since release in 2002 and it was a very solid and reliable unit. Now my perception of Garmin has changed. Why cannot they be just honest about it? Why the standard reply when you call? I too would pay extra for a quality item - but Garmin claim that the 62s is their 'top-of-the-line' and with regards to "We get what we pay for", then I'm sure you would agree that a squeaky case should not come as standard - the unit is not cheap afterall. Just to clarify to some readers, its not just a complaint about the squeaky case been an issue - what if this is a manuf prob that has issues with the waterproof rubber seal that goes between the case back and front ( I have read somewhere that someone took theirs apart and applied some sort of silicone lube - and this cured their squeak ). If it is an issue with the rubber seal, then this suggest that it is not making good contact ( hence squeak ). To the doubters out there - lets hope that in 12 months time, when your unit is out of warranty, and it gets a dunk in some water, that the rubber seal holds up and your unit doesnt get damaged.....Although if you are carrying a few other gps units with you on your caching trip, then maybe this would not be an issue to some?...( I await a post from someone telling me that their unit squeaks and it has been in a bucket of water for 29mins and 53 secs without an issue - ( An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes )). Have a nice day people.

Thanks for the reply... made me smile..... On a more serious note, it is not just the on/off button that squeaks - it is the whole case - as though the rubber seal is maybe a little too loose all the way around? Would this effect the waterproof capabilities? Sorry to have disturbed your caching day with a 'trivial' post..... :-)

I return to the topic of the infamous squeaky case of the 62s - the 'Top-of-the-line' model from Garmin. If yours is squeaky - dont be fobbed off... read on..... I bought my 62s approx 6 months ago from one of the large Garmin resellers here in the UK. I noticed the squeaky case and informed the reseller within a few days. I got them to check their other stock ( 10 I think they had in at the time ) and they told me all the others had the same problem - so I know some of you out there will have the same problem. As this was the case, there was no point me swapping the unit for another with a similar problem. I was advised to contact Garmin, which I did. I got the fob off - 'it doesnt effect the functionality of the unit, hence not covered under warranty'. I was a bit stuck. I left it a few months and then rang Garmim again..... got the same fob off - almost to the word, as though they were reading from a sheet to tell everyone the same - I began to detect something was wrong. I intended to leave it a while until there were units been shipped that didnt have the problem. I had read that some of the models in the US were squeaky free - maybe it was just a batch problem here in Europe. I was prompted last week by a forum member on here ( thanks again - you know who you are ), that their unit was squeaky free. I rang my original supplier, and they told me that they were aware of the problem, but I should contact Garmin to see what their response was - any probs to get back to them. This didnt seem right... Contacted Garmin again and got the same reply to the word - 'it doesnt effect the functionality of the unit, hence not covered under warranty'. If you bought a new car and it had a squeaky door, you would expect the garage to get it in and at least sort it out - not tell you it is still driveable! I recontacted the reseller and after the guy spoke to 'his manager' he was back on the line telling me to send the unit in for a straight swap! I couldnt believe it - 6 months after purchase. I made the swap in person to check the unit and yes, I'm pleased to say that it is squeak free!! Just another example of the poor commitment and Customer Service from Garmin. In my opinion they should do a recall and sort people out, not fob them off and hope they go away. The moral of this post...... dont be fobbed off if you bought one of the earlier models - the squeaky case issue seems to be resolved - get yours exchanged today! Garmin's 'Top-of-the-line' model should be squeak free - my yellow etrex from 2002 was a very sturdy piece of plastic - I, and you, should expect the same from the 62s. ( The squeaky case issue is well documented on the internet - incl some you tube videos. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwtW2QuQxlk I think this unit is trying to tell us something.... have another listen...... ah yes, I got it now.... 'Dont be fobbed off by Garmin; send me back for a replacement' Hope this helps someone out there......

I am also a 62s user and have had my unit for almost 6 months - yes it is a great piece of kit, and I like some of your suggestions above, however..... I really do think Garmin should start to walk before they run......there are quite a few things they need to sort with the present software before introducing new functions.....and from my experience their Tech Support People need to brush up on their Customer Facing skills ( Garmin Europe based in Southampton, UK ).... I reported this http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=263825&st=0&p=4532770&fromsearch=1entry4532770 on the forums back in mid Nov 2010 - and I am STILL waiting for a reply from Garmin. I did have a single point of contact who promised to keep me informed of progress - he never did - I had to keep chasing them by email and phone - they wouldnt reply to my emails - I spoke to Garmin only last week and they say they are still waiting for a response from the US. A simple email reply to this effect would make for better customer service. You only have to search in these forums to see a similar lack of comitment from Garmin - so it is not only me that is effected. Another software issue here http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=268044&st=0&p=4606105&fromsearch=1entry4606105 that was reported to Garmin. This time I got the standard 'cut-and-paste' reply..... 'Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe. Thank you for taking the time to give us this feedback. We appreciate your comments & opinions regarding our products. I have forwarded your email to the design /cartography team as they are always interested on customer feedback. Many of the comments/suggestions we receive (such as yours) are often evaluated towards potential implementation into future GARMIN products or current unit software releases. We cannot guarantee that what you have suggested will occur, however we do appreciate you passing along your opinions.' The software has a flaw, it is not a 'nice to have' suggestion - 'We cannot guarantee that what you have suggested will occur' - why not it is obviously a flaw???? A cut and paste special is very impersonal. I also spoke and emailed Garmin with regards to having a Garmin Forum for specific problems / suggestions with regards to specific gps units. If you look here https://forums.garmin.com/ there is no place to make suggestions like yours at the start of this post. The Garmin 62s is an outdoor unit and has uses other than Geocaching - we are all talking about it on the GC forums - If this was your product, I'm sure you would want to know feedback from your Customers and not pick things up from a third party site like GC..... thats the only way to improve your product base, but Garmin lacks this facility.... maybe a big list of problems on their site would put new customers off??.... maybe Garmin have got it right not providing this facility??? Here's the poor response I got from Garmin on the subject... 'At present the Garmin Forums are primarily aimed at use with Garmin Range of Fitness devices and the software related to our outdoor and fitness devices. This is likely to expand in future, however at present there are no message boards specifically for use with devices outside the fitness range.' This is just stating what I told them!! How poor a reply is that? While I do agree with the points you make in your initial post, I do firmly believe that Garmin should get their act together with what we have already, before introducing new functionality.

It's where I bought mine last week. Be prepared though, it's a car showroom and you buy the GPS over reception? Bit of an odd set up but genuine. :-) Imdeed..... although the free tea, coffee, hot choc and biscuits in the posh cups makes up for it..... or is that just if you are buying a £29k RAV?.... opps.... Good place tho, nice guys. highly recomm.

I've got an OR 550T. When I try to enter the barametric pressure, it will only allow me to enter it to one decimal place (If it is 31.14, I can only enter 31.1). But it displays the barametric pressure to two decimal places. Set it with mbar. 0.1 Hgin = 3.34 mbar, so in effect you would be setting the unit with a resolution of 0.03 Hgin - better than 0.1 resolution. Maybe this would help?

I just replace the ones I am going to reload and all seems fine. If I go caching, I only have the 2 relevant gpx files loaded. If I am doing something else, I may load some tracks from my PC or a set of waypoints that I have saved on my PC.

a GPX only contains the coordinates of a specific set of caches. The KML doesn't contain any actual coordinates, it merely describes a live, online interface into Groundspeak's cache database. This interface can be used not only from GE, it could also be used from any other application. Since the KML doesn't contain any authentication information, the interface doesn't know who's requesting the coordinates - it could be anyone, from anywhere, using any application. Groundspeak requires you to have an account go view coordinates, but with the KML interface, you don't need one in order to view the caches and see/download their coordinates. That's why they obfuscate them. Something being against the rules doesn't mean that nobody will do it, all the "illegal" mobile applications are the best example for this. Groundspeak wants to protect their data, and a public online interface to all caches' coordinates doesn't do that. But don't get me wrong, this is just an explanation for the "why", it doesn't mean I actually agree with this decision. Personally I find the KML viewer to be pretty useless too. Thanks for the explanation about the online dbase. I'm glad someone else agrees that the kml is pretty useless - thought I was missing something obvious. You would think that with 'wrong' coords and GS wanting to protect their data, that they would just junk the thing and have done with it. Thnaks for getting back to me with the info - appreciated. Steve

I too have the 62S - highly recommended. Not in stock at handtec ( 22 feb 16:15GMT ) £245.33 with postage. Try these people: http://www.pentagongps.co.uk/garmin-gpsmap-62-copy-i18009.html £237.59 and FREE postage AND IN STOCK TODAY.

Thank you for the info.

Just a quick post that someone will hopefully be able to clarify...... When I am route planning with Basecamp, I have to leave my GPS connected to my PC to display the Discoverer OS maps. From the main setup screen I have selected rechargeable NiMH battery type. Does this mean the GPS charges when connected via usb, or is this setting just for when the GPS is powered from an external power source, eg car? Thanks. Steve