partimcmpr

Not to get off thread - but that is so true. I missed two great shots (probably more!) in the past because I was tired and decided to leave the camera behind. I usually bring my dSLR, but also have a good Nikon coolpix I use if I need to travel light. I always cary a plastic bag to deal with those unexpected showers. As for being 'on the water', I have not dealt with that, but have started thinking about it. Happy hunting... ParTimCmpr

After looking at some old notes and the software I have I think I have the right choices. It looks like I used a NT on the street pilot. It was actually a free copy I convinced Garmin to provide since I had just purchased the unit and it had the older version of maps even though 2008 had been out a while. I then purchased a non-NT version for my vista. I plan to do the same for 2009, however I am concerned in that I have seen some posts that imply the 2009 does not appear to be significantly improved over the 2008 version. I will post my results later. ParTimCmpr

I previously read a good discussion about the two versions of City Navigator, but cannot find it now. I would like to purchase City Navigator North America but want to get the right version. As I recall, there was an issue with the NT version on hand-helds that caused it to draw maps slowly sometimes. I need to update the maps on two garmins, a street-pilot c530 and a vista HCx. I believe I can use the NT version on the c530, but should I use the NT or non-NT version on the vista? I checked Garmin's site, but they show the vista as being supported by the NT version. Anyone have any experiences that may help guide me? Thanks, ParTimCmpr

You are going to get a lot of opinions on this one. I have a Garmin Vista HCx and have been very pleased with how close it gets me. I recently found a cache under heavy tree cover and was practically standing on it when I found it. Of course there are many factors that can be considered when evaluating 'accuracy' of a unit. Look for some of the posts that compare the overall performance of a unit and decide what is most important to you and your needs. Don't forget to consider the price of maps, which will vary from unit to unit, and map detail desired. Good luck!

I looked and looked, and searched and search. Then I go out and just take a quick look. Just like you said - there it is. Thanks!

I am trying to display the topo maps on a vista that also has city navigator maps. I loaded a small set for my area that included both topo and navigator map segments. Now I can navigate, but I cannot remember how to switch and show topology. Thanks in advance for your help! ParTimCmpr

I have am using cachemate on an ipaq without problems so far. How do you get the file from your pc to the ipaq. I transfer mine using the 'sync' software which appears to convert the file as it moves it back and forth from the ipaq. Also make sure you are creating the correct file type from gsak. If you are not careful you create a file for palm, instead of the type for the ipaq. ParTimCmpr

Hand helds also have other features which are useful for geocaching. For example, a recent cache required a waypoint to be projected based on some clues in the area of the original waypoint. I am not sure if this could be done on other 'navigation GPSr's. ParTimCmpr From Vista HCx owner's manual; Projecting a Waypoint - Create a new waypoint by projecting the distance and a bearing from one location to a new location. Vista HCx User's Manual

When you are looking, think about where something could be hidden. Don't just look for the cache. I am just starting out myself, and the ones I found the quickest were the ones where I thought 'that looks like a good hiding place.' Remember, caches are going to be where they will not likely be accidentally found. Keep in mind what another poster said - once in the area, don't expect your GPSr to put you right on the cache. You could be a few feet to a few yards off. I also recently read sometimes it helps to approach the area from several angles if possible. Warning - geocaching can be habit forming! Good luck and happy hunting! ParTimCmpr

Yea - Then I would even have 'text to speech' and have the street names called out. I believe that version even comes with the nagging option!

I did see the post No More Lagging, so I would probably want to get the non-nt version. I just have the update cd for the c530 and it is NT version, so I am not sure if that is a good option. I do not have a second unlock code anyway. Thoughts? ParTimCmpr

I am considering my options for navigation, both for general directions and for looking for caches. I currently use two units, a StreetPilot 530 for street navigation, and a Vista HCx for goecaching and trail use. If possible, I would like to use just the Vista HCx for navigation and for cache hunting. I am a little confused about whether or not I need the MapSource City Navigator North America maps, and if so, do I need the 'NT' version or the 'non NT' version. I have the Garmin TOPO 2008 maps. I would appreciate any direction on what would be needed to use the Vista HCx for street navigation. Also, any additional comments on what to expect would be appreciated. I realize I will not get voice prompting and will be working with a much smaller screen, but what other differences should I be a aware of. Also, will I need to download caches to the Garmin as both POI's and caches? What else do I not realize I need to ask about? Thanks in advance! ParTimCmpr

Sounds like you loaded maps to your card and then put the card in your gps. I put the card in my gps, and then used mapsource to load the maps to the gps with the card already inserted. I am not sure about the Inland Lakes maps you mentioned. ParTimCmpr

I believe another difference is the chip used. The 60csx is the Sirf, and the Vista HCx is something else, though I am not sure as I believe I learned this on a forum, not the Garmin site. However not sure how this would factor in to you decision, other than some forums have suggested this might be the cause of some initial issues with the Vista HCx. (Which most have been corrected by now.) They are very close in feature/function, making it a difficult choice. I chose the VistaHCx, mostly based on price and size. I believe battery life played into it as well. Like a previous poster suggested, there are a ton of posts on this you can look at while waiting for posts here. Good luck! ParTimCmpr

I am only a few caches ahead of you, but I will warn you of a mistake I made. When looking for a cache, keep in mind it has to be hidden in a place that will not likely be disturbed by 'muggles'. I kept looking in bushes and places that would be disturbed by maintenance/landscape workers. A cache will be hidden where non-geocachers will be unlikely to disturb it. Once you get to the area, think about where something could be hidden, don't just look for the cache. For example, on one hunt, once at the area, I looked around for a place that looked like a good place for a hide, but would not be disturbed by a muggle. Just off the trail, I spotted a rock, and behind the rock was the cache. I would never have seen the cache, but the hidding spot was easy to find. BTW - My first find was also with a Garming driving gps. However, other caches I have found would have been very difficult, if not impossible without a hand-held. Good luck and have fun! ParTimCmpr

I have not had a problem with my screen since I originally posted this question. I just did the software update as well. I will keep an eye out on screen at startup and post updates if I have the problem.

Another good use for duct tape!

This is an often discussed decision on the forums. I have had a vista HCx for about a month. So far it has worked great. I saw the washed out screen once, but have not seen it again. The HCX is a little newer than the 60CSx, so there are a few minor bugs being worked out, mostly around the odometer function, and some altimeter issues. A few quick searches and you can find those discussions. One point to consider is the receiver used in the two models. The 60cxs uses the Sirf, and the vista HCx uses something different. There is debate about the performance of the Sirf verses other High sensitivity units with no clear winner. I only mention it as some posts suggest the receiver in the Vista HCx may be the reason for some of the bugs. The vista is smaller, and the buttons are located differently. I would suggest going to REI or somewhere and look at and hold both models. Good luck! Partimcmpr

I was out looking for a couple of micro caches today. There was a sprinkler head near one of them, and I kept wanting to tug on it to make sure it was not concealing the cache. I eventually found the cache and realized all the places I had been looking are places where a muggle would have eventually found the cache. I think a sprinkler head cache would eventually get checked by someone and possibly disturbed. And do you really want people walking around yanking on sprinkler heads?

I can vouch for the need to calibrate the compass. I just purchased my first gps and chose the vista HCx. The first time out I could not figure out what was going on. Then I realized I had never calibrated the compass. Once calibrated, it worked as expected. I left it on overnight once, running the battery down. (low, not dead. I think I probably had close to 20 hours on the first set of batteries.) I had tracking turned on so it was logging tracks all night. I changed the batteries and went out looking for another cache. After a bit of walking around, I once again remembered to calibrate, and like 'magic', it worked great again. Calibration is simple and only requires turning in a circle for a couple of rounds. Though some have said the compass is not terribly accurate, I like not having to carry a compass most of the time. I guess if I were going on a long hike, I would still carry one as a backup. Good luck. ParTimCmpr

I just wanted to point out that the price of some of the units being discussed does not include the topo maps. When considering your options, make sure you understand the total cost for the unit as well as whatever mapping software you decide on. I recently purchased the Vista HCx and the topo 2008 maps. Along with a case for the garmin it was about $325 from Amazon. The Vista includes electronic compass and altimeter, which I have seen good and bad reviews on. Good luck!

I think I am good for now. I ran across a link that does a good job explaining pocket queries. http://www.markwell.us/pq.htm

I figured out the timing part. I thought since I was doing a run once and delete, I did not have to specifiy a day. After selecting today(Saturday), it ran immediately.

I just signed up as a premium member and am in the process of setting up some queries. My first question is how long should I expect to wait before receiveing results from my first query. Any comments about what to expect for times on daily queries? Any other hints and tips on how to best utilize pocket queries would be greatly appreciated. I will be using GSAK on my computer and cachemate on my iPAQ 6900.

I read about this in the forums last night, but I cannot find it now. Check out tinygpx