merlot

I'm the cache owner of Chuck's Last First GC3PXG1. The cache was originally called Pedal on the Ocotillo Trail. I saw this thread a few days ago but didn't want to respond until after Chuck's Funeral. No, I do not feel guilty. Yes, I'm hurting just like the family and the 51 cachers watching the cache page. I have known both Chuck and his wife, Ginny for about two years and have cached with him several times including an incredible day less than a month ago. The difficulty and terrain were maybe over-rated but certainly not underrated. The Ocotillo trail is an intermediate level hike/bike trail around the base of a hill. I hiked from the same trailhead as Chuck, but in my log I referred to the concrete hike/bike trail just south of the cache. In fact, I placed the cache within 250 feet of the concrete path. This path is so level you could ride rollerskates to the access point. The cache could be found within seconds since there was nothing else around. Chuck made several mistakes. Everyone probably has made some of the those same mistakes. But we were given a second chance. Unfortunately, Chuck didn't get that second chance.

If I'm planning on doing a lot of caching I wear cargo pants (either shorts or zip off long pants). They hold almost everything I normally need including cell phone, GPS, trade items, tweezers, etc. I also have a fanny pack available in the car that has more TOTT items. But I usually don't wear that unless I will be a distance from the car. For water I have an over-the-shoulder sling. If it's a hike then that is another matter and I have a pack with more items and just throw the fanny pack inside.

I have been using the Oregon 550T for a long time. The camera is a nice feature but not necessary. Once in a while I need it for an earth cache, virtual or a benchmark. I have used it to photo some interesting objects in the desert including several Desert Tortoises and some incredible Saguaro Cactus. But yesterday I also went to Cabelas's and purchased the 450T for $299.99 to use for topo and for my wife when she goes geocaching with me. I had planned on buying just the 450 but they wanted $345 for that model. Today we found 32 caches using both units. It's more fun when we both have GPS's in our hand.

I was surprised all of the responses I generated with my comments. No, I did not know that you could have larger than a 4GB microSD card. We kind of got off topic about the Montana. I do a lot of caching (almost everyday) and I didn't feel comfortable with the built in batteries lasting all day. I never get close to the 16 hours of battery life per Garmin Specs for any of their GPS. I didn't want to be somewhere where I couldn't use the Montana since those batteries need to be charged in the unit. Of course there is not much of a problem carrying 3-6 additional AA's. But I rotate rechargeables to keep them charged so I could find myself with discharged batteries or would have to use throw-aways. I need CN for all 50 states but I do not need topo for all 50 states. I can load up the western states that I need and that should be okay 99.9% of the time. My comment was more directed to the lack of technology progress by Garmin. Electronics seem get more advanced with smaller units every couple of years with even a price decrease. The Montana didn't seem to make any major advancement but they increased their price with not much IMO to show for it. I would think they would try to match the competion instead of just keep using the 1:100,000 topo. In rethinking about the Montana IMO it is more of a "NuviOregon" and not intended to upgrade the Oregon 550 series. Maybe a future model will have more advanced features. The bottom line: I went to Cabela's today and bought an Oregon 450T for $299.99. I was going to buy just the 450 but they wanted $345 for that model. I plan using my new 450T for off roading/hiking and as a GPS for my wife when we are caching together. Thanks to Red90 and ceeG comments I have a free microSD slot for more detailed maps and maybe satellite imagery.

I already use the 550T and was waiting for something great to come along. The 650's series appears to be a disappointment. The Lithium batteries are great IF you charge them everynight and IF they hold to 16 hours. Garmin said the 3 AA are either (1)an additional 22 hours or (2) last 6 hours making it a total of 22 hours. I don't know which is correct? I get about 6-8 hours out my 2-AA rechareables. Doesn't seem logical that Lithium would not last longer than normal AA batteries. I was hoping for a built in 1:24,000 topo map as the 1:100,000 is pretty much worthless and provides very little useful information. I was hoping they would at least have a slot for 2 micro SD cards so both Navigator and detailed topo could be added. The newest Magellan came out with a built in 1:24,000 topo. The bulk would be a big factor while hiking or carrying in my pocket. The MSR price is high. I think I will buy a 450 and put detail topo on it and use it while hiking.

I have had terrible experience with Duracell batteries. Their service center was worthless as is their batteries. They don't hold a charge.

Is there any way to see "Show found caches" by date instead of distance. When I get back home to record caches I can find how many geocaches I found but then have to go through the list of "show found caches" to deterimine which caches I found today.

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago with my 76csx. I had installed the CN NA Micro SD and then tried to install some GPX files to see what would happen. In fact it just kept saying "drawing....." forever. I contacted Garmin and they just had me install the latest version 4.00 software. Apparantly the problem was having maps greater than 2 GB. This solved the problem immediately. They said I should do a master reset but I didn't do it/or apparantly didn't need to. The GPS is working great.

Interested in the Sierra. Tagging on another question. Manual states Sierra will only support turn by turn with an optional TBT Accessory Card. Can't find any information on this card? Manual also states address function is available with accessory mapping cards. I would like to assume this is the same card as TBT Accessory Card but the manual stated plural cards??? With all of the memory available to the unit it would have been nice to save the card slot for other uses instead of just an auto routing card. Maybe the gps needed two slot cards.

I bought a Garmin76cs in May. This unit replaces my Garmen76s. This week in Jackson Hole, WY we used both units. The 76cs kept a lock almost the entire day with trees and cliffs all around. While in the SUV we just keep it on the dash or the center console. While hiking I often just keep it in my shirt pocket, cargo pocket of my shorts or in the nylon cover on my belt. I love the unit. The older 76s doesn't have as good a lock and battery life as the new unit. The amount of memory of the 76cs is valuable for adding vehicle navigation maps and topo maps. I don't know why people complain about the size. I like the screen and big buttons and am carrying it all day hiking. Battery life of the new unit is great but I carry extra batteries just in case.

No i haven't used the batterysavemode but the compass is turned off unless i need it for a cache. the 4 hours life was only a guess i think it is about 6 hours but we are constantly changing zoom, checking distances, next intersection info,etc. in fact my wife can't keep her hands off of it. Hiked Death Canyon with very steep sides and 100 ft trees in the Tetons and lost reception a few times going up but almost never on the way down and the GPS is just stuffed in my cargo pant. Maybe the Sat were better located.

Great unit. Just drove 800 miles to Jackson,Wy with the unit flat on the SUV dash..never lost reception unless moved the unit to our passenger seat, but if you keep it close to the window, no problem. Battery only last about 4 hrs, but we are constantly changing menus and zooming in/out. We keep a 1 hr charger handy in the car and carry 4 extra AA batteries. Never without an extra battery. Hiked yesterday in the Tetons and lost reception a few times but in heavy trees and steep canyon walls. Also just have the unit in my Cargo Pants. I like the size of the screen and buttons.