sakko

FOUND IT WOOHOO! Now for the rail adapter...

DOH Where did I put it!!!! Hmm I think I know... the search begins...

Hi everyone. I hope that accessories are allowed to be discussed in this forum. I'm really sorry if I have posted on something that's not up for discussion here. I'm not sure where else to go. I've been trying to find a bike handle bar mount for my Etrex Legend HCX. I mistakenly purchased the: Garmin eTrex Handlebar Mount http://www.rei.com/product/658740 ...from REI. The problem with this product is as you can see the battery cover that fits against the GPS is uniform on both sides where as on the Legend HCX there is a micro SD slot on the left side. Thus, it doesn't fit. What I am trying to find is the appropriate bike mount for the Legend HCX. When I go to the Garmin site and navigate to the Legend HCX accessory page (click on Accessories tab), the only thing indicative of a product for bicycles is 2 rail mount adapters: I would gladly buy one of these rail mount adapters, but I don't think the rail size is my problem, and neither of these products seems to indicate that it contains a battery cover that will allow you to slide it onto the rail adapter, thus joining the GPS successfully with the bike. Does anyone have a Legend HCX bike mount? And where did you get it from? I was going to call Garmin, but I'm afraid without links and pictures I would have a hard time explaining myself and I know there are plenty of knowledgable peeps here. Any input is appreciated!

Hi, I am a proud owner of a new Etrex Legend Hcx... I loaded the PC software last night, figured out how to export some geocaches to a .loc file, then imported them. I transfered them to the handheld, but then wanted some kind of way to turn them on and off as I please, when I came across waypoint categories... I *think* I moved them to category 2, and transfered to the handheld. But now I can not find them on the handheld... is there a way to select categories on the handheld? I can't seem to find a way and the manual doesn't talk about it either...

I think what both of these companies need is a PR person, just 1, that would follow up on community forums and connect with people... trying to dig up firmware release dates, trying to find out what features a product might expect with a new update etc. I'm reminded of the PC videogame arena where large multiplayer PC games often have a PR person that answers community questions and sort of has to don the flame retardant gear every once in a while to answer some hot questions. Interestingly enough these games are often played and even sometimes released in a beta format before they are fully polished (sound familiar?) Honestly, if you don't have the best customer service in the world or even the best product in the world, if you are connected with your customer and honestly showing an effort to improve you are much better off.

As far as a underground haterade convention on Garmin I'm not so sure there is one... but I too dislike registration processes for software. I'd like everything I need to get going in the jewel case. If they have a sernum printed in there, well, fine, but I'd rather not have that at all. I know I know, pirates would compromise it and the company would lose money. Well I was under the impression that was why the software cost over $100 in the first place. It's like 10 bucks for a movie ticket, 20 bucks for a CD... it just doesn't add up to me personally. Many people will likely say the price is well worth it, and to some yes, and to some no it is not. For me, a good price point would be $30. I just don't feel the maps should be on par with the cost of the GPS.

I'm about to buy a Etrex Legend HCx do you think I will have problems on my bike? I could put it in my backpack for less shock...

Tape it to the wing! THEY SUSPECT NOTHING

Hmm.. thanks for the replies gang, I appreciate the input. It seems as though many of you would not touch a unit without a high sensitivity reciever with a 10 foot pole! As I read the posts I see the feature-factor creeping back in and soon I will not be in the minimalist market anymore hehe... I will likely take the advice of egorny and go with the 60. I don't need to get a signal inside my house, but under tree cover is a plus, and it seems to do just fine. I've still got some time before payday though I'll keep researching with an open mind as possible.

Hi all, I have been looking around for info on the Triton series for a long time now. I am pretty convinced that I'd rather not deal with the headache. If they worked great I would be on board, but there are just too many listed problems. Also it seems people are pretty disappointed with the Colorado, although that one was a bit out of my price range anyway. I've decided that neither Magellan or Garmin is ready to release a high tech unit reliably, so my best bet is to go for the next best thing... reliability and a minimalist interface which will lead to long battery life. Because honestly how long did I expect the batteries on a Triton 500 with 3 axis compass, color screen, and beautiful NG topo maps to last? I think the answer is the Garmin GPS 60. It has all the things for the minimalist side of me to be happy. * Takes AA's, lasts 28 hours (according to Garmin) * Does the essentials, waypoints, tracks, etc. * Can be used for geocaching * Reliable interface (ie. not Windows CE) * USB compatible. I can deal with that! I have a question for you all though. I can't find info about reception comparisons on different units. I know theres a bit of black magic involved, but I read SOMEWHERE (I forget) that this thing has the sirfstar III chipset, is that good stuff? Quad helix antenna? Also good? The problem with hunting for a lower-end GPS unit is that you may end up shooting yourself in the foot with things like reception. Can anyone vouch for this systems reliability? If you can not would you recommend another model with similar features? I'd hate to get a unit that wusses out under some pine trees. I will be using this unit for hiking, biking, and I'd also like to try my hand at geocaching.

I blame the aliens

This may be a stupid question but why oh why can GPS's not determine their own time zones? I keep hearing about folks adjusting time zones and stuff. It just sounds goofy. Whats the scoop? Sorry to turn this in to a GPS newb thread... Oh and as for the Aussies visiting the US, COOL what are you guys visiting? And can you bring some Kookaburras with you please?

Meh.. well I personally try not to be a brand loyalist, if a competitor has something good, then I will go for it, provided the "good" criteria are met. That is, easily obtainable, easily supportable, and the product does what I want it to (and more would be nice). I'm a new consumer to the GPS game. I have a lot of options out there. I have to admit, so far I'm not liking what I'm seeing with this Triton deployment. With the recalls, disinformation, question marks I have about price (costco flat out won't say what they are going to charge, not necessarily magellan's fault though) I am very skeptical of having a happy ending to this ordeal. I am VERY interested in the Triton 500. The features/cost ratio is shocking. It's got a nice high res (for a GPS unit that is) color screen. It's shiny... I'm a gadget nerd, this thing is like nerd candy! Anyway my personal plan is probably to not buy the sucker until I see it in a good store with a good return policy (major sporting goods store, REI, something). I will likely unbox it in front of the clerk as well to see if it has everything and boots up okay as well.

Are they still going to honor the $150 price point? If so I will definitely wait until Jan...

No need to buy a cable!? AWESOME I want my 500!

Bleh yucky licensing... Too bad they can't sell you maps you can use how you wish. Instead of some virtual copy of the thing you're paying for... meh. Gotta make money I guess huh? Sounds like the music industry!

I was thinking... a lot of people seem to want to get a paperless cache system going. What if a GPS handheld had a built in keyboard? Such as a little blackberry-esque keyboard to punch in info and edit stuff. Wifi would be handy too so you could hit geocaching.com and download new caches etc... Hmm now it's sounding like a PDA. Maybe that's a bad thing. What do you think would be the ultimate caching handheld?

When I first saw this topic I thought one of you crazy people had stuffed your wife in to an ammo can.

I feel the same way buddy hehe... I will be anxious to hear some HAPPY people with tritons telling us more about their experiences. This newegg debacle seems like a nightmare, I will try to pick mine up from a store... with a nice juicy return policy JUST IN CASE lol.

I did download the vantagepoint software (do not have a triton unit yet however) and there is plenty of room for entering geocache data... here are two hopefully helpful pics: In this pic it looks as though other than the usual statistics there is a "HINT" field, which probably ties in with the vantage point software hint field shown below. This is all speculation.

Hey jen can you double check on the "distance to waypoint" or "distance to end" that you mentioned was unavailable? According to the 2-500 manual that I downloaded you can select the data fields and choose other data types and those two features are listed as possible choices from the menu. There are no pictures in the manual showing exactly those pieces of information however so I'd appreciate if you could check on that if you still have the unit with you.

tttedzeins THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting that manual! Very helpful I have been looking all over for it... I am looking at the 500 model with an intent to buy, but it is listing all over the place at $250. Can anyone give me some ammo on how to get the costco.com unit for 150? Or sportsmans warehouse? I'm gonna go in there tonight and ask them if they will honor the 150 price advertised and give me a chance to actually purchase a unit they have not had in stock at that price... wish me luck! My consumer kung-fu is relatively weak. If any of you have any ideas how to get the Triton 500 on the cheap I am all ears! As far as technical discussion, I am loving my Duracell AA rechargeables for my RC plane remote controller, Sony digicam (and the wifeys) and many other items around the house, I am looking very much forward to using them in a Triton. I know a lot of you like the proprietary Li-On batts, and I know where you are coming from, I used to like them too. But the nice thing is when the AA's go kaput you can get new ones in there on the cheap instead of paying for a $50-100 dollar (speculation) battery. Before I used em I tended to think "meh... AA's", but when I started using them in my Sony digicam I was really amazed that they held on for so long. I've not had to trash any yet, very happy. I hope they serve me well in the Triton. I am a little diffused at the extra cable cost, BUT, I have to remember that it seems like comparable units with the features of this device are much more expensive (doubly so if I can pick it up at the $150 price point). I'll buy a $40 cable without hesitation if I can get this unit for 150. Ahh one more thing... maps... I live in the Denver CO area and am REALLY wanting to check out Rocky Mountain National Park and many other really cool locations around CO. I found out that they have National Geographic Weekend Explorer 3D packs for sale with coverage of not the entire state but places you will most likely end up hiking. I can't speak for the other states but the one for CO is awesome coverage at like $35. Definitely going to pick that up. While we are at it though I am very new to GPS. Can anyone give me a run down on maps and what kinds of extensions are commonly used and maybe what they mean to me? Sorry if this is a newbie question but well, I'm a newbie! Thanks! A PM would be fine if you'd like to keep this thread on topic...