Jester966

Sorry, yes they are Garmin maps. They were purchased on CDs. The maps on the MicroSD card are just the Southern Ontario maps, put onto the GPS with MapSource. Are there any free Southern Ontario topographical maps available? I had a quick look last night, but none of the maps I found covered this area.

I have 2007 Topo Canada maps on a Garmin Vista HCx. If I buy a new Oregon 450 (or other newer garmin), am I able to load the same maps onto the new device? If I put the MicroSD card from the Vista into an Oregon, will the maps show up? Basically I'm wanting to upgrade the device, but don't want to have to buy new maps if the old ones are still compatable with the new device. Also, if it is possible to use the old topological maps, will the "3D"-like shading effect in the Oregon screenshots show up? Thanks

Has anyone used, or know anything about, the newer rechargeable Alkalines from Pure Energy? I just bought some today. From what I have read so far, the newest "generation" of rechargeable alkalines are far superior to the previous (failed) RAM products. In theory they sound like they've got the best of everything, but I suppose I will have to wait and see how they perform in the real world...

Can anyone tell me anything about Pure Energy's Rechargeable Alkaline batteries? How does the performance compare to single use alkalines batteries, and to other rechargeable batteries? How does this brand compare to other brands? Which performs better, and which is more economical, between Rechargeable Alkalines or Nickle Metal Hydrates? What is the lifetime of the new rechargeable alkalines compared to NiCads (and to NMHs)? On the Pure Energy website (http://www.pureenergybattery.com/products.html) it mentions their superior XL line, but the picture shows (as far as I can tell) the same standard rechargebles that I just bought - is it a mistake, or are they all XL (the packaging I have does not say XL anywhere, but neither does the picture on the website)? Is there any other considerations regarding battery types and brands? We have three kids (including myself) with lots of electronic toys, and I'm tired of buying batteries all the time. For some applications, I don't like that NiCads are only 1.2V, and up until today I was un-aware that there are now other rechargeable options. The fact that they are "environmentally friendly" is nice, too - does that me that when they eventually wear out, I can just throw them in the trash? Thanks

Through ryleyinstl's link, I wound up using shell1fish's method. Thanks for the help both of you!

Is there a way for me to transfer a path made in Google Earth to Mapsource or my GPS (without subscribing to Google Earth Plus)? Can I use GSAK to do it? (I've never used it before, so specific directions would be great) What I want to do is use a satelite image to trace a path along an underwater shole to put onto my GPS for fishing along. So if there is another way to do it, please let me know. Thanks

The lines are your "tracks", which are recorded automatically by default. Go to the Main Menu and click Tracks. Here you can clear the tracks, and can also turn off the track log, if you want to. I'm not sure about the "other map" though, unless you've loaded a new map onto your GPS it should still be the default I think. Are you sure you're not just zoomed way in or something? What is the background colour of the current map? If the backlight is not turned on, it won't look yellow...

Can someone tell me how to downgrade? I dowloaded the file "eTrexVistaHCx_250.exe" from the above link, but it would not work, saying the device is unresponsive and to ensure that; 1. the devices interface option is set to "Garmin or Host" (how do I do that?) 2. the cable is set to the correct serial port (even though I had selected the USB option) 3. the device is turned on I have not yet encountered the problem, but I just upgraded tonight then immediately afterwards found this thread (DOH!) Thanks [edit] or am I supposed to download one of the GPSChipsetTypeG files? If so, which one?

Oops, sorry for posting in the wrong forum. Thanks for moving it.

Is there a way to: Display the geocaches in my area on one map? Select several caches to download to my GPS together, rather than one at a time? Display a Bug's travel as a map? (If not then why? I think that would be neat!) Thanks!

I am trying to upload my waypoints from my Vista HCx to MapSource and I get the following error: The GPS is not responding. Please ensure the following and try again: 1. The GPS is turned on. 2. The cable is connected to your computer. The unit is on, and connected. When I go to the "Interface Setup" page the GPS says it is connected, and MapSource can "see" it because in the "Save to USB GPS" and "Open to USB GPS" window it shows the unit listed under "USB GPS". To downlaod the maps I had to select "USB Mass Storage" on the GPS and select "Storage Card Reader" in MapSource - if I tried to download to "USB GPS" I got the same error as above. I was able to update the firmware to 2.50 already, and I have the Garmin USB drivers installed. So... what am I doing wrong? I had no problems with the Legend, but it wasn't USB. Thanks!

I picked up a Vista HCx today. While I was out with it, it switched into night time mode and the colours went dark, which was annoying (I didn't realize what happened at the time, and it was getting dark). I have since turned off the night time colours, but the map background is still black - how do I fix it??

I'd really like to order the Vista HCx now, but the one thing holding me back is the odometer issue... Is this issue something that is likely to be resolved soon with future updates, or is it possible that Garmin will choose to forget about it? And assuming it may not be resolved, is it an issue that should sway me to buy a different model, or do the other advantages of the Vista HCx make the odometer bug negligible? Thanks again

I know there a quite a few similar threads already, but I didn't want to highjack someone elses thread so I thought I'd start mine own. I hope that's ok! I received an eTrex Legend for christmas, the one bundled with the topo software. I think I'd like to return it and upgrade to one of the high sensitivity models - uses will primarily be hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and geocaching, but will also use it in the car for the occasional road trip. I'm currently leaning towards the Legend HCx or the Vista HCx, and have a few questions: Is the primary difference between the Vista and the Legend the electronic compass and the barometer? (Anything else?) How much more useful is the electronic compass than just moving a few meters to get your heading on one without it? (Is it worth the extra money?) I can't see myself needing the barometer, but if I have it I may use it - any comments? I see the Legend HCx on sale at Walmart right now for $269.97 (in Canada, btw) - is this a decent price? Is the advantages of the Vista really worth the extra money? Do these models come with the PC interface cable, or is it usually sold seperately? (I see they are somewhat expensive to buy seperately) Both of these models don't come with the SD Card - how much is an SD card, and is there any internal memory on these models? (Eg: can I download any maps without the card?) If I return this bundle I lose the topo software... however it's already installed on my PC - will it work with a new GPS, or will I have to buy it again seperately? Any other makes or models I should consider? I have looked at the GPSMap 60 series as well, though I can't really see any advantage of them over these models, and physically, I like the eTrex series better. Anything else I should be aware of, or am posibly overlooking? Also, in the real world, how useful is the Hunt/Fish calendar on these? What exactly is the Geocaching mode? (the basic Legend I have doesn't have this) Thanks for any comments -Chris