Jeep4two

Dang - I thought it was because you were a pinball fanatic and loved the Black Knight series of pinball machines from Williams / Bally, more importantly Black Night 2000. . . would have been my reason anyway

I'm not familiar with the Nuvi but I'll try to help answer this one: With most handheld units (I'm thinking of the original yellow eTrex) you can use the unit without any maps. It still places your location in relation to any waypoints you may have entered in. Not sure if the Nuvi does this in the absence of map data or not. Just think of it showing your location in the middle of a big blank screen. Then if you are near a cache location, you will see the cache on the screen, but won't have any map drawings. You can certainly cache like this - but it can be more difficult since you could find that as you navigate to the cache without a map that the road you are on won't get you close enough, there's a river between you and the cache location, or any number of any other issues. Maybe some of the other folks here can give some input on the OSM maps for the Garmin units. I've used the OSM maps on my Garmin Oregon (they are routable as well - so you could use autorouting) and they show availability for Ireland. You can view/download them here: http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php Looks like you can get all of Ireland with only two map tiles - so space shouldn't be an issue. I can't vouch for the detail you'll get but I'm tempted to load them just out of curiousity. My wife's going to Ireland for 10 days in June (no caching AFIK).

Try thinking hard about how you will use your unit. Then prioritize features that you want. Post back with those (along with budget) and you'll get some excellent advice. Based on your budget - I'm probably with SkellyCA right now. To me paperless is very valuable when it comes to enhancing the sport of geocaching. I'm brand loyal to Garmin (been happy with all Garmin units I've owned/used). If you can extend your budget a bit you'll get in the range of the Colorado 400 or 300 series, another $50 and after rebate with the REI special right now you can get an Oregon ($350 net). Best of luck.

At this time I'm using my new Oregon 400t as a dual unit. I already had Metroguide 6 North America, so I used Metrowizzz to make my map grids routable. Now I have paperless geocaching, high sensitivity receiver, good routing (without annoying voice prompts - a benefit for me, maybe a drawback for you). I'm happy with this as my all in one solution. Now - if Garmin will add landscape mode for the display it will be perfect in my opinion. The Oregon screen is a 3" screen so if you don't have good vision that might be a consideration. The there's also the price. . .

Two hours . . . a modern day record!!! Most spend weeks and still can't make up their minds. I'm sure he'll like the Oregon. Yep - that's quick. I felt like I rushed my decision - took me almost 2 weeks before pulling the trigger. . . of course today the Oregon 400t went on sale for $399, about $65 less than I paid before rebate. So is the way of technology Also - I'm still not sure on the nuMap updates. The link provided above does say in the compatibility that it includes the Oregon 400t but on the Requirements page says "This map update can only be used to update the preloaded maps that came installed on your Garmin device." so I wonder if this means that it will be a lifetime update for the Topo maps (not that useful IMO). If however it gave and updated CN maps - well worth the price.

The Oregon Geocaches come over with full description, last 5 logs, hint and ability to log your visit and then later upload your field notes to complete logging when you get back home. You can choose whether to display the GCXXXX name or the friendly name when searching or selecting on map. I use the friendly name of course. I did my first paperless expedition last weekend and truly went paperless. The ability to add field notes when logging on the unit lets you provide some basic keywords (you can't write a 200 word log on the Oregon - the notes field is limited to the number of characters but it's more than adequate). I especially like having routable maps on the unit, logging my find, then selecting 'next closeset cache' and moving right along either on the trail or to the car with turn by turns rolling (you need to add your own routable maps - can be done with City Navigator or Metrowizz and your older Metroguide maps). It's expensive - but at the phenomenal price of $350 and true paperless via a touch screen. . . well it's a deal. I wish I hadn't bought mine 2 weeks ago There are other benefits - I have multiple map sets loaded (Preloaded Topo 2008, my state topo 24K USGS, OSM regional routables, and a full set from Metroguide with the entire US routable with POI's). I can turn on/off any of those 4 sets based on the profile selected. Also very handy. It's an all in one car nav (albeit a small screen), trail recreational, geocaching device. Good luck on deciding.

Don't confuse the Colorado on Amazon with the Oregon. This is one heck of a deal. I ordered from a place in Michigan 2 weeks ago, paid $465 (best price anywhere at the time) so this is awesome! Lifetime satisfaction guarantee is pretty nice too although I'm not familiar with their policy on that.

Not all color Palms are transflective. I have a Palm IIIc - not transflective and not very good in the sunlight. That said - the IIIc is very (very very very) old as Palm's go.

You are right on when it comes to Garmin's maps. I have Metroguide 6 that I got as a gift along with my original eTrex Legend. I love it. I've used the ability to find categorized POI's when traveling and that alone makes it worthwhile for me (I don't have Internet on my phone so my GPS is my source of data). the GPSFileDepot.com maps are great too - I have my state topos loaded since they have better detail than the 400t's basemap. However in the absence of the cash to spend on their nice products the OSM maps fill in the gap rather well sans a good POI database. I do understand however that there are sources for POI's but I haven't explored that at this time.

On a PC YES - so I would assume the same with the Mac products. I'm not familiar with the Mac applications but I seriously doubt that Garmin wouldn't have a way to load maps from the application to the GPSr. There are open source maps (OSM) that are routable, and other freeware topos out there too.

If it's just gone would the user be able to find someone that had the .img file for the basemap and just copy it to the device? It's rather large do getting over the internet would be difficult (I think the Topo .img file on my Oregon is about 2.4Gb). I'm sure Garmin will help out - and as the other poster said, just avoid mentioning eBay and hopefully they won't notice/care/check names on the product registration.

We've been using a small leather backpack purse (wife carrys that) and I'll take care of the GPSr and carry a bottle of water and my camera. I got a Lowepro Inverse 100 to carry the camer in and it has adequate space for an extra lens, bottle of water and pockets for other various sundries. It is a waistpack (like a fannypack) that has adjustable straps, padding, etc.. I got mine on eBay for $35 (retail is like $70 plus). When I need more camera gear I'll load up my Mini Trekker Classic. Lots of hidey holes for lenses and other gear but gets heavy if too loaded down. I like the ideas of some of the other posters using VOMP's as well.

If you want routable maps and don't need all the additional fluf (read: POI's) that comes with City Navigator you can save $100 and us the routable Open Street Maps project maps. They are free, and available in routable flavors for your Garmin unit (if it supports onboard routing) Just select the grids you want from their map here: http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php and they will build the mapset and all you have to do is download the files from a link that they e-mail you. I tried our a set for my region, worked great. I've opted to keep my older Metrowizzz modified Metroguide v6 maps since they have the POI's and I can have the entire US in one single file.

Without any limit? I thought I had read something about "5 gpx files a day" or something like that? Thanks for your answer. I've been unclear on the 5 GPX limit personally. It is stated that there's a limit if 5 GPX files per day but I'm not sure if that's a limit to the number that you can 'schedule' to run on a recurring basis or total runs per day regardless of whether they were one time or scheduled. I've not had a need to exceed more than 5 in one 24 hour period yet but maybe someone can clarify for the OP (and myself). Thanks,

I've been very pleased with the Garmin Oregon - wife 'got' mine for me for my recent b'day (I picked it out, researched it and ordered after she suggested it as my b'day give when I got frustrated with poor reception in tree cover on my Legend). Garmin is provding top notch support for getting the Oregon 'cleaned up' from a software and operational standpoint. You may want to get your hands on both - since you can do paperless with either one - the real deciding factor for me was the touch screen and ease of data entry and general operations versus the wheel on the colorado. Ultimatley the Oregone was my choice because of it's ability to be a great in car nav system too. The touch screen makes it equivalent to (although smaller) most car only units. I love it. . .

You know, when a defect is found on a car, the company usually does a total recall for the defective part. When something like a GPS that might save a life is defective, I don't see any reason why the manufacturer shouldn't completely solve this problem. Either by a better designed replacement part (which I highly doubt possible) or replacing it with a unit that stands to its claim. I'm all for a company standing by its product and replacing defective units (or repairing - a simple user installed replacement could solve the issue - who knows). None the less - it's just good business. I personally try to spend my money with companies that do just that - good business. (I believe Garmin to be a quality company that produces quality products - I've been fortunate enough to be inexperienced with their support department) With that said - I think that referencing the Colorado or any other Garmin recreational use device as a 'life saving' device might be inaccurate. We all assume personal responsibility associated with the use of these consumer devices. While it might save a life, it's not designed to perform on the level that professional units marketed to emergency services, military etc.. A leaky battery cover might cause a unit to be outside of the designed specification (they are specified to be IPX7 certified) but it's not the same as a leaky fuel system that could cause a car to spontaneously combust at highway speeds I would suggest approaching Garmin's customer service and support from the standpoint of the unit not meeting the IPX7 standards (which is an advertised feature/specification). I totally agree that a Colorado user shouldn't have to use a 5 cent ziplock baggie to try and protect a device that costs $500-$600 that should already be splash proof (actually 3 meter depth for 30 minutes water proof for IPX7). Just some ideas.

Actually the current Garmin auto mount allows you to rotate your OR on a ball joint to any position you desire. It is a very good auto mount. Yes - the Garmin mount rotates 90 Degs (my old mount for my Legend did as well - it was Garmin branded - never understood why it would rotate so far). None the less - it seems like a simple software update but I'm no programmer (YUCK!). I'll send a note to the beta folks and an e-mail to custsrv. Can't hurt. My mom used to say no a lot too . . . sometimes I'd manage to get a yes after 1567 nos I'll encourage all others interested in a landscape display option to let Garmin know as well.

Oregon 400t (Legend classic sparkly blue as a backup). The Oregon does it all... Love it.

Commercial only in the sense of being a promotion for tourism in Ohio, but doesn't appear to be soliciting anything but attendance. Agreed more likely to be useful in the local/regional forums. In addition - couldn't an Event Cache be created for these events?

I won't elaborate since I think there are lots of threads on the Oregon and it's paperless abilities. However - I'll say this. In the past I gathered up all the 'gear' to go caching and found it a real hassle to log late at night (or the next day) after caching and trying to remember everything, all the wasted paper, lost field notes, etc, etc.. I got my new Oregon last week - went caching all day Saturday and hit 15 of 18 attempted, logged all in the field on the Oregon, uploaded my finds when I got home, logged in 20 minutes after adding detail to my quick field notes and had extra time to play on the forums. The Oregon (300 or 400 recommended) makes for a great all in one geocaching device. You can have up to 2000 caches loaded, easily navigate from cache to cache (on foot or using automotive mode and autorouting with routable maps loaded). I'm continuing to be surprised by my new Oregon. I think may favorite thing is that I can target a zip code, pull a Pocket Query, load the GPX and hit the road. I'm ready to go with one device in a matter of a few minutes.

This works great. Just connect your 300 to your computer and upload the geocache_visits.txt file using the link above. You can then edit your field notes as you post your logs. It greatly speeds logging at the end of a long day/weekend of caching. Just a tip: I save my geocache_visits.txt file (and add the date to the beginning of the file name) and delete the original file from my unit. I read this was recommended somewhere. However I believe that the Geocaching.com website will ignore entries in your geocache_visits.txt file that occured on/before the last date of fieldnote upload. I'm going to experiment with that in the future. None the less - this is an awesome way to log your caches.

Hmm - Interesting. When I registered my older Legend (yep - the blue sparkly one) that I had never registered with My Garmin I was able to use the 30 Premium Trial for Geocaching.com. FWIW: I had to use my serial number even for my older Legend first generation unit.

I can confirm that the current 6.xx.xx version of Mapsoure (version alludes me at the moment) works fine with the most current version of Ibycus maps - I just DL'ed and installed the other day.

I've had my Oregon for a short time now. I'm loving the features and have been pleased with the screen performance overall. I see that Garmin is giving lots of attention to the Oregon software right now and adding features, refining, and hopefully removing all the bugs. One thing I have wondered is if anyone has seen any requests or feels there will be any move toward offering a 'rotate display' or landscape display option for the Oregon? With the touch screen the display orientation is easy enough to change (since there are no hard buttons, only soft keys using the touch screen). I see a benefit when using in automotive mode. In addition a landscape mode would make it possible to integrate a qwerty keyboard. I even think that a qwerty keyboard when in landscape mode (a quick flick around in the hand to make log entries - then back to landscape to navigate to the next cache) would be fine as well. I'm sure there will be lots of UI feature updates and changes after the bugs are worked out. Any opinions/ideas?

I'll agree with Yogazoo - my new Oregon 400t doesn't have any issue with viewing with PL sunglasses. I have a set of linear polarized prescription glasses - the create a bit of a 'rainbow effect' at certain angles but no real visibility issues for me. I wonder if you have an earlier model with a different polarizing screen if Garmin would consider warranty replacement?