sindigo

Only Magellan's mapping software will allow you to upload maps. You can, however, use something like National Geographic topo software to upload routes and waypoints that you create in the NG software. But the topo maps from NG can't be uploaded. Sindigo

Hi, Congratulations on your Sportrack Color. It is a great GPSr. I've found mine to be very accurate. I have heard that v5.34 mostly dealt with European stuff related to Magellan's DirectRoute software. That is what has been mentioned on the Meridian message boards anyway. With regards to maps, the only ones you'll be able to load are maps from Magellan (i.e. MapSend Topo, MapSend DirectRoute, etc.). I have found MapSend Topo to be great and I use it on my Meridian and Sportrack Color. About the water resistance...I wouldn't voluntarily submerse it. I just don't trust the claim. :-) I hope this help. Have a good time with it. As I said, it is a great GPSr and I've put a bunch of miles on mine without any problems. Cheers! Sindigo

Actually, it does make sense. But since you can't do it on your MeriGold you wouldn't know. Here is an actual example. When I head to southern Utah for geocaching, there are many caches near forest service/ATV roads. These roads aren't on the basemap (obviously) and aren't on MS City Select. But they are on the MS Topo maps. So, instead of having my nose buried in a paper map figuring out when to take which forest service/ATV road, the 60CS tells me. That is safer AND more convenient...and IT IS AUTOROUTING! You'd have to be colorblind to say that color doesn't, in many cases, make finding caches easier. To reiterate what others have said, a color screen shows items such as parks, waterways, trails, roads, etc. much more clearly (to me). There is obviously no changing your mind...which is fine. But I take that you aren't reading these forums on a monochrome monitor. Oh wait...color is great for EVERYTHING but geocaching. Now I get it. Sindigo

Even more interesting is that Garmin was able to add a data port to their low end units. Sindigo

One thing no one has mentioned (that I saw anyway) is that the 60CS will do routing with their base map and topo software. Meridians will only route with the DirectRoute software. I use my GPSr for caching as well as traveling. The screen is great in the car...and when hunting a cache. Does the color "help" me find a cache? No. But then again I guess I could be a Neanderthal and walk barefoot to a cache instead of wearing shoes since the shoes don't help me find a cache either. But, everything else being said. Use whatever friggin' GPS you want to. I just happen to use my 60CS much more than my MeriPlat. Why? Because I enjoy it more! Sindigo

My thought on this stuff is "How do you upgrade the firmware?" Or does Magellan plan to make it perfect the first time out. Then again, they seem to release firmware updates once a year or so. Of the year that I've had a Meridian Platinum and a SportTrak Color there has only been one update. I could live with the no USB/serial connectivity if it at least had an SD card like the Meridians. Heck...even my 7 year old Garmin II Plus had connectivity! I am with the folk that think this is a mistake. I was going to buy a couple to give to family members that are getting into Geocaching. Now...no way! "Yes Unlce Howard..you have to enter the 20 caches in your area by hand. Hook it up to your PC?!? No...isn't capable." Hahahaha. I'm a Magellan fan but I think they goofed with this one. Shoot...a $100 eTrex has connectivity! Sindigo

Count me in as well. I think it would make a great Premium Members benefit. I'd love to have something that would notify me when a new cache is available in an area that I specify. Sindigo

Actually, I would like something from geocaching.com that is similar to what this used to be. You'd enter your coordinates and whenever a new cache with the specs that you define is approved you'd get an email. This was awesome because I'm not able to check the site everyday but I could get new caches sent to my phone. I think this would make a great feature...even if it had to be a members only thing. Sindigo

Thanks Binrat!! I've never been "caught" yet but I will definately keep a couple of these in our cache bag. Sindigo

With the purchase of my 60cs, my MeriPlat is pretty much relegated to the bottom of the backpack. Sindigo

Hi, I ordered my Meridian Platinum from them nearly a year ago and had good service. They promptly shipped my goods and I received it when promised. Just my $.02 worth. Sindigo

Oh my god!!! That is absolutely HILARIOUS!!! I will definitely remember that. Sindigo

They are semi-sticky on one side. What I like about it is that I can remove it, clean the screen and the protector if need be, then reapply it. When removed it leaves to residue on the screen. Sindigo

I ended up get these that mrkablooey recommended and they are nice. I got the Do It Yourself kit and they are great. Light years ahead of the Strong version that I received. Sindigo

I agree that there must be two versions. Like I said, the ones that I received (and apparently others as well) are definitely not nice and shiny. They have a very fine texture...and you can feel it. Believe me...I have no ill will to you. It isn't your fault. But I do have ill will towards the protectors I paid $8 for. I wish that they would have worked but all 12 of mine were useless. Sindigo

After reading the posts about using a hair dryer and so forth, I dug out my Strong 60CS protectors. I took my time, used the squeegee and hair dryer method and.....they do in fact "suck". There IS a texture to the batch of 60CS protectors that they've sent and no hair dryer and squeegee removes the texture. My old Strong protector for my Meridian is texture-free and looks great. These though leave a TON to be desired. I'd be hard pressed to order anything from them again. Sindigo

No wonder you need to reroute! Sindigo

Hi, I too have a MeriPlat. The biggest advantage to it is the SD card. But since the purchase of my 60CS, the MeriPlat has been relegated to backup duty. I don't travel a ton so I don't need Topo and DirectRoute maps for the entire US. The 60CS allows me to have all of the topo and street maps I need for my travels throughout the Southwest US. Things that I really like about the 60CS: 1. Great screen. Looks great at night and in the sunlight. 2. I like being able to delete a type of waypoint. For instance, I can delete all of my Geocache waypoints and leave others intact. This is handy when I do an update of all of the caches in my area. 3. I like the geocache "Found" feature. I sometimes forget what I've found in my day/evening of caching. 4. Autorouting is great. Unlike DirectRoute, if I miss a turn the 60CS will automatically re-route me. With DirectRoute, I have to hit "Goto" then select "Re-Route". Not easy to do while driving...and lost. :-) In the two weeks I've had the 60CS, those are the things I like the most. Are they a necessity? No, but they do make my geocaching experience more enjoyable. The MeriPlat will find a geocache just as well as a 60CS. I just find that I reach for the 60CS when I go caching now. I hope that helps. If you have any further questions please feel free to ask. Sindigo

I agree with the above comments. I live in Las Vegas and my 60CS is GREAT in the sun. Much better than my SporTrak Color. Sindigo

Yeah...I tried the heat/squeegee (sp?) method. It helped but did make it as nice as my previous (texture free) Meridian protectors that I received from Strong about a year ago. I can't even tell the Meridian has a protector. I was hoping for the same result with the 60CS but to no avail. Sindigo

Yes...EasyMPS works GREAT! Take the .loc or .gpx file and load it into EasyMPS. This will quickly convert it to Mapsend format and open Mapsend for you. The waypoints will be loaded into Mapsend. Then, simply choose USB connection and send them to the 60CS. The waypoints will be on their way to your 60CS. Sindigo

What brand were they? Are they clear and free of any texture? The ones I got from Strong had such a bad texture to them that they render the screen useless! I emailed them about it but never heard back. Thanks, Sindigo

I have a cache place just outside of the door to where I work (GCGMKG). The cache has been "adopted" by all of my co-workers. And yes...it is very fun to watch the people try to find it. We sometimes give hints if requested. Sindigo

Man...I'm glad I read this thread. My girlfriend and I tend to focus on the cache we're going for...not even giving a thought to "surroundings" such as those described above. I think we will definitely be a bit more careful...especially me! Sindigo

There is a cache very similar to this in our area. It is definitely a stumper!! I like hides like this. Espcecially here in Las Vegas, it would be fun to hide something like that in a crowded area. I am working on another stealthy hide. I'll post a pic after a few people find it. Sindigo