Jeep4two

My plan eas to place a small TB decal between the numbers on the plate. They are grouped like "433 GFE" so the TB decal could just go right in between. It could however be easily overlooked. I might just go with a regular decal and get "JEEP 4 2"

I should clarify that by state issued tag I mean state issued license plate number.

Is it possible to get a custom TB tracking code? I ask because I am going to have a TB code on my new Jeep, but would like to just order a TB tag that matches my state issued tag number (if available and not already used). This would be much cheaper than the $40 annual fee for vanity plates in my state. Out state uses 6 character plates so it would be possible if of course that combination of letters and numbers hadn't already been issued. Who would I contact to see if this is possible?

On the OREGON 400 you would use the arrows to scroll your menu until you see the "Mark Waypoint" icon, then press it. If you are entering a new point just choose Save And Edit, then change the LOCATION and NAME and you will be good to go. Also - if you have an Oregon model you can 'send wirelessly' so you can enter a few, an someone else with an Oregon or Dakota 20 do some of the others, then send to each other to round out the set (I mean while at the event of course - but you can send to other Oregon or Dakota 20 users any time as well).

Check the local dollar stores. They have small round lock n locks (and some have kits that have large, med, small and very small sizes in one box) for low low cost. I don't see many sized as small as altoids tins, but the .75 quart size round ones that I've used hold up well and cost - - - well - - - $1 The little kits are a little more but I found a kit at an Aldi (small grocery store) for $5.00 that had 3 different sizes in it and the smallest makes for a very small container (but still not micro).

The closest thing in a dedicated handheld GPSr would be the Oregon or Dakota series handhelds from Garmin. Depending on the maps you put on the Dakota or Oregon you can have turn by turn directions for street level mapping and most of the other features. The real issue for a smartphone user to get past is having to load the caches to your dedicated handheld GPSr _before_ you head out for a day of caching. There is no dedicated handheld GPSr that has integrated cellphone access to my knowledge. Of course the durability of a SmartPhone when dropped into a babbling brook is pretty questionable as well, so I always recommend a rugged/waterproof handheld for the non-urban cacher.

Try contacting support@geocaching.com They may be able to better help you with your upgrade problem.

My wife has the latest Droid (not sure if it's an X or not, but it's the one with the slide out full keyboard). We are going this weekend to do some caching and I'm hoping to take it along for 'fun' and see what it's capable of. For caching we use our Oregon 400t (and occasionally take the old eTrex Legend) so we would never plan on using the Droid as a primary device. I could see it being handy however for logging from the field or getting additional info should I have forgotten to bring cache descriptions on my Oregon for a particular cache.

If you must choose between those two, the Oregon 300 is the way to go. However as brucered states, an Oregon 450 is a much better choice if you can afford the difference (and assuming it might be available to purchase under the employee discount program you mentioned). The 300 is a star performer with electronic compass and a MicroSD card slot for expansion - the Dakota 10 has no expansion slot for adding memory and no electronic compass which would be deal breakers for me personally. edit for spelling

I think it might also be worth noting that the 'accuracy' as advertised by your GPSr while in use is an estimation of the accuracy based on the signal quality at that point in time. Key word here is ESTIMATION. If a GPSr shows accuracy below a meter it's likely a flaw in the algorythm used to calculate the EPE (Estimated Position Error) on the GPS. I've never seen any of my Garmin units read below 10 feet of accuracy.

You can do your own quickie "repeatability" experiment in your front yard. Personally - I just do this using my water meter cover in the front yard. It's my personal 'benchmark' for testing any unit that I happen to have my hands on. FWIW: I've found my Oregon 400t to be within 5 feet of the original coordinates at worst, and right on at best (original coords were averaged for 20 minutes, then had an additional sample of averaging added a week or two later).

I have an Oregon 400t (and recently a Dakota 20) that I've used along side my eTrex Legend (non-H, older unit). As others have said you can't see any difference in performance under 'ideal' conditions. However under tree cover, cloud cover or in more challenging conditions (in a steep valley, under tree cover on a cloudy day for example) I've found the old eTrex Legend virtually useless while my Oregon 400t holds lock admirably.

2 things I noticed. 1) You say that there aren't maps for your area at GPSFileDepot, however I'm using a variety of Topo maps on my Dakota 20's with no problems. They are quite compatible (24K USGS, and others). 2) You say that the 24K Topos are routable from Garmin. I didn't know that. I now see more value in the cost but will leave routing to my in car unit most of the time. Good luck -

If you have to have a single in-car / caching unit and insist on the in car format, look at the Nuvi 500 and 550. They are geocaching friendly (with pointer screens for on foot navigation to the cache). Personally I would recommend a lower cost in car unit (like a refurb Nuvi 200W) and a low cost handheld (like the $90 eTrex H) to allow you stay on budget and have the best of both worlds. You can load the full cache info on the Nuvi (using the paperless nuvi macro and GSAK) and then use the eTrex H for the 'last leg' of your caching adventures.

As some others have said I have found having an electronic Compass very very valuable when Geocaching. For other purposes - maybe not so much. For me, being able to stop and not worry about my bearing swinging around and pointing me in the wrong direction is a great feature. Having to move to get a bearing (especially when close to ground zero) is a real pain. I'll never have a GPSr without the electronic compass (have had both with and without).

The 'software lock' on your model should provdie the locked screen and still display the map when navigating. It might be that you need to be navigating for it to show anything while locked. Safe Mode won't help you - it will simply prevent you from 'fiddling' with the menus and options while driving - to keep you save while moving through traffic. Basically when you touch the screen while moving you'll get a prompt about safe mode. Not sure it would prevent it from being used at walking speeds.

The Garmin maps have DEM which allows the pretty 3D shading on the screen (in addition to the elevation lines) but honestly I use the free USGS 24K topos probably more than the ones that came with my Oregon 400t. I only chose the T because at the time I made my purchase I was able to get the T version for the same price as the non-T version - so logic dictates right? If there's significant price disparity I would agree to forgo the T and spend that money on routable street maps, or stick it in the bank

The info in the guide that you followed should get you going and shouldn't take too long to get setup. As red said, post specifics and I'm sure someone will help get you up and running.

Yeah - What he said - ALSO however, there is a product called Novus. It's a plastic polish and comes in three different formulas. Novus 3 is a heavy scratch remover. Novus 2 is a fine scratch remover and Novus 1 is a 'clean and shine' product designed to be used as the final step. I use it all the time on my pinball machine plastics and those tough stains that sometimes require a little more than just a little soft cloth. I would recommend Novus 2 followed by 1 for most light scratches. If it's really bad you'll need to start at Novus 3, then 2, then 1. Product info here: www.novuspolish.com Good luck.

As I understand it you are transferring your pocket query by way of opening the GPX file in EasyGPS then using its menus to 'send' the caches from that GPX to your unit. Is there a reason you use EasyGPS versus just dropping the file into the x:\garmin\gpx folder? The unit has a limit of 200 GPX files, but the limit for number of Geocaches is 2000. I guess my point is: Just drop your pocket query GPX files into the GPX folder on your unit. Make sure you include a 'myfinds' query to filter out those you have found and your good to go. Just over write those old files when you refresh or re-run the pocket query later. Your pocket query files will always have the same number for the file name so you don't have to worry about having multiple copies of the same query. You could also use recognizable names of the query by renaming them. I've been known to rename mine things like "small-large-regional-40miles-732461.gpx" or "all-micros-20miles-from-home-566742.gpx". I leave the original number that was assigned, but just add the description part using -'s instead of spaces for the descriptive part.

Make sure you have loaded the latest software/firmware updates for your Dakota. Use the Garmin Webupdater found here: http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp My unit (Oregon 400t) will get me within 20 feet assuming the cache is indeed where it is supposed to be. Keep trying and give it some time before you decide your unit isn't accurate enough. I've had caches be 80 feet (previous finders confirmed the bad coordinates) from where my GPSr said it should be as well as had my GPSr virtually read zero. You'll find that some cachers have better coordinates than others as well. Some folks will drop their cache, turn on their GPSr and take a read as soon as they get a fix. Usually that's not very accurate. Other cachers will choose their site, take an averaged reading then return several times over several different days to collect additional averaging samples before publishing. Those tend to be more accurate. Regardless - expect a wide variance in the game.

This way....... there...... must....... be something....... under those............... sticks! ------ When I actually say that out loud - I realize I'd push him off a cliff before we ever found any cache....

Of the units you have listed, I would probably lean personally toward the Dakota 20 for a few reasons. The Dakota 20 has the 3-axis electronic compass, touchscreen, fully paperless features and is easy to learn to use due to the well designed menus and touchscreen interface. Tons of free maps, supports Birdseye Aerial Imagery and lots of other features. The Oregon 200 is a good choice but has less storage, no electronic compass and a slightly less readable screen than the Dakota. Of course you'll spend less $$ As others have pointed out - if paperless on the GPS isn't a necessity the 60CSx is the undisputed champ of accuracy and dependability. You'll need to have some other way to manage cache pages while in the field (i.e. print them, or use another device to store them - which for me personally is a deal breaker). If you get the Oregon or Dakota - invest in a screen protector. I have an invisible shield protector on my Oregon 400t. I feel it improves the screen readability and keeps me from worrying about scratching it when scrolling cache descriptions.

There is a bookmark feature included with premium membership. Other than that the site doesn't offer any way to create 'lists' of caches for retrieval later. Of course you could bookmark the cache pages in your browser (create a folder in your browser favorites folder, say 'Geocaches' then save the bookmarks there).

Chrysalides: Right on - you simply can't beat NiMH when considering the new low discharge options. 20 battery bulk packs (Sanyo Eneloops 2200mAh) can be had for under $36.00 anywhere - probably less. A quality 90 minute charger for about $10 and a higher end conditioning charger for around $25 makes NiMH an unquestionable choice these days. I have a brick of 20 aa NiMh Lenmar 2500mAh batteries (not low discharge) that I'll use in my digicam, gps's and other high drain devices until they are no longer usable. I charge with a Lenmar 90 minute charger most of the time with an Energizer 8 hour charger (after full discharge with a AA battery flashlight) about once a year for conditioning. I'm frugal. . . what can I say. When the Lenmar's are gone I'll go with low discharge Sanyo's or other quality 2200+mAh batts then.