NWArkies

How about doing some individual GPX to -40 from gc.com? I know it's not the PQ's, but you can put 5-10 on there to go out and play afaik, CR is the only way to batch load onto the PN-XX... TopoUSA8 will do it. http://findcache.info/pn-40/ is something a user put together that utilizes the Send to GPS plugin to load GPX files. Is it just me? If I click the link above, I get a 404 file not found error. Faulty memory on my part. http://findcache.info/pn40/ There was a misunderstanding what this software does and does not do. -It does load GPX files and transfer the geocaches and waypoints to the PN. -It does the transfer without the need of going through Topo -It does not get around the Premium membership requirement for downloading GPX files via PQs from GC.com. -It is not necessary to use this if you have current software and Topo8. It merely eliminates the need to use Topo as the exchange tool. -It does not do this transfer quickly. -It does not do the things Cache Register is capable of doing. One question....I downloaded a cache but when we pulled up description on it but the hint wasn't available. Stated for premium members. We are premium member, so what should we do different when downloading to have hint available? Thanks. Sorry it has taken so long, but we've been out of town. The listing for Lake Cache GC11AZH Also, we had some issues with compass over this past week -- Explain the compass screen for me -- on the downloaded caches, there were two compass points (one black, one colored). When we found one we needed to manually download waypoint....it wouldn't route for us and there was only one compass bearing arrow. Why is that? thanks

How about doing some individual GPX to -40 from gc.com? I know it's not the PQ's, but you can put 5-10 on there to go out and play afaik, CR is the only way to batch load onto the PN-XX... TopoUSA8 will do it. http://findcache.info/pn-40/ is something a user put together that utilizes the Send to GPS plugin to load GPX files. Is it just me? If I click the link above, I get a 404 file not found error. Faulty memory on my part. http://findcache.info/pn40/ There was a misunderstanding what this software does and does not do. -It does load GPX files and transfer the geocaches and waypoints to the PN. -It does the transfer without the need of going through Topo -It does not get around the Premium membership requirement for downloading GPX files via PQs from GC.com. -It is not necessary to use this if you have current software and Topo8. It merely eliminates the need to use Topo as the exchange tool. -It does not do this transfer quickly. -It does not do the things Cache Register is capable of doing. One question....I downloaded a cache but when we pulled up description on it but the hint wasn't available. Stated for premium members. We are premium member, so what should we do different when downloading to have hint available? Thanks.

PN40 is definitely different than garmin unit i have. I'm trying to download just one simple cache but it is not working. It's been real hard just to figure out how to get around. Just tried to download latest update and couldn't get past first step . Feel real stupid right now and very frustrated. I plan on purchasing Cache Register if I can get past initial stage. Any help will be very much appreciated. I think I will love it if I can understand it.

I know the single download used to include more logs. But that was a month or two back the last time I used it. I use GSAK to massage my GPX and then load it via topo to see what the area looks like first. this is above my head at the moment, but will save for future reference.

It takes time to get all the "gadgets" as my husband calls them. I had been saving some money since Fathers Day -- this is his gift but it's taken us that long to decide which one we wanted. I tried to change shipping but they had already shipped it. It says delivery estimated August 31 , but I really think it will be sooner. It was shipped on Friday evening from KY, unless they sent by slow snail mail. usually it works out pretty fast. Regardless, I will be opening the box with same expression . It's a shame we live so far apart. We could learn together. Can't wait to try it out when we are on Vacation the week after Labor Day. Keep us posted on your learning progress. email is debe_777@yahoo.com if you want to not load down this thread.

I have Sunday off, if you're around?? Maybe we can meet somewhere. If not, shoot me some questions and I'll answer what I can!! As for batteries, if you're going to be in your car for a part of the day, the power kit really is worth the money! The battery only lasts about 7-8 hours non-stop, but plugging in between caches, plugging in when driving long distances etc...I use mine all the time! Plus, it lights the screen to full power for best viewing! CONGRATS, my friend! I went ahead and ordered the power kit when I ordered mine. It's enroute -- can't wait to get everything

Now I'm jealous. I settled for standard delivery. Wonder if I can contact them and change that?

I did mistype some info above in regards to the reader though. The PQ's get transferred to the unit when the card is in the unit, not via the card reader. Just to make sure everything is clear - the SD card has nothing to do with caches & waypoints. Caches & waypoints always go to the built-in "system" memory. got it!

Absolutely NOT!!!! I just bought one and it arrived this afternoon Literally, within 20 minutes of opening the box I could have gotten in the car with it and gone caching. That is with loading my maps and my caches. Granted I did some prep before it arrived - bought premium membership and cache register. Ran a couple PQ's and had them loaded into the CR ready to go, and I read through the wiki a little. After arrival I put my SD card in a card reader and transferred the caches to it. I then put in the Eastern Region disk and followed their easy walkthrough to load the areas around my residence to the card. Put the card in the PN-40, put in the batteries and started it up. I went through the menus and put the Geocache page on the main scroll pages so they are always available a little easier. Went to the page and loaded up a nearby cache, and I had the PN-40 route me to it. Just before arrival, I hit the menu button, changed driving routing to hiking routing (it unsnaps from the road?) and followed the arrow to GZ What you read and hear as far as a steep learning curve has nothing to do with using this unit for geocaching. It has to do with the Topo DVD and using that software. This disk is separate from the 3 DVD's that you use to put the maps on the PN-XX. I'm not sure of the full usage of Topo8 but it allows you to create custom routes and map out your tracks etc... It's the next step of using the GPSr, but is not needed for normal caching. I will be doing a full write up of my first day in this thread in a little while. Thanks alot. I plan on ordering mine tonight. In your reply, I learned something new (guess I'm tech challeneged to say the least). I have a card reader but didn't realize I could downlowd to card. Excited.

I really appreciate your post and anxious for Part 2 as well. I think you have helped me decide on which gps to order. Thanks so much.

Were any of the models PN40 or Oregon 400t? If so which performed best? leaning toward PN40

Are you aware that there are a limited number of the PN-40SE models made available again? http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtd...p;section=10461 They are available only through DeLorme and I think that there is a $125 discount to the price shown in the link. Thanks so much. This has really helped making a decision.

Like to throw additional thought -- is the PN40 really that hard to learn? I currently have the very basic Garmin Etrex.

Will all paperless gps units accept field notes?

their touchscreen looks different than Oregon/colorado. It looks more like units PN40 and 60CSX

Since we just started and not sure if this will be a long lasting sport for us, I was a bit hesitant on spending big bucks and was looking in the $150 range. After A LOT of reading it looks like the breaking areas are the $140 Venture in the entry area and then the CO or OR for the more "advanced" cachers. I don't think I could justify ~$400 at this point (5 caches found with a borrowed etrex H). If after trying this for a year or so I find that we thoroughly enjoy it and it will be a lifelong thing for us, then I may go for the upper end, and either sell the Vista or keep it for a backup. What unit did you have in mind, was it the CO or OR? believe me, you will probably be hooked after a few more finds. go ahead with a paperless model. You wont' regret it. You can always sell it on ebay if you decide you don't like the sport.

You don't know what you're missing. And if $30 a year will break your bugdet, I don't know how you pay for your boat, your computer, your internet connection, or your $200 GPS ... Yes but you don't NEED membership to get the job done. I've gotten around just fine without paying membership. I can download all of the caches I need to my Oregon (yeah the cache size and description isn't there, but thats what I do research beforehand for). As of right now there isn't enough incentive to pay the extra fee. Geocaching.com isn't giving me enough for the money AFAIK. I'm not a paperless fiend, all I need is the waypoint in my GPS and maybe a little title for it that states what the name of it is. I'm not out looking for 500 geocaches a day, so I don't need the GPS to hold the kitchen sink for me of information. Thats just my opinion though. If Geocaching.com started offering more incentives (maybe free t-shirt and a starter cache container for first time members) I would be willing to pay. But right now, its like trying to sell me a car just because it has 4 cupholders instead of 2. So you're saying you have one of the top-of-the-line GPS units but no PM? Isn't that something like buying the best race car you can get your hands on, but only putting regular unleaded in it? Sure the gas makes it go, but it just sputters along like a cheapo car... (sorry, couldn't think of a better analogy this early today lol). OK, that's like paying for first class and then sitting in coach! That's like paying for the movie and leaving after the trailers. That's like.... Isn't the reason to own a unit that does paperless caching is so you can actually utilize that feature?? I don't search for 500 caches a day either, I hardly search for 1 cache a week at this point...BUT, should I have the urge in the middle of a nice afternoon while sitting here at my computer, I can just pick up my unit and head out since the info is there already. When I come home, I'm not tied to my computer again logging the one or five or ten finds, I upload via field notes and they simply wait in queue for me to finish the process...no need to worry if I lost the notes or anything, it's there waiting for me! And, shame on you for thinking GC owes you more...just the listing service itself is worth the $30 a year (IMHO) and I'm about as cheap as they come! When I first started and owned a Garmin Etrex, you couldn't give me a membership, but I quickly realized that loading each cache by hand, writing down the notes (which were usually nothing more than size diff/terr, hint and name/GC #, but still took awhile to get written down) and then having to rely on them as well as the co-pilot (to keep track of the notes and to mark the RIGHT cache as found or DNFd or whatever...and then there's the bugs). To each their own, but to me, a $30 a year expenditure here is money well spent! I mean, would you pay top dollar for a hi-def TV and then hook it up to an antenna?? I agree - exactly. I have PM and I am still using very basic gps, but getting ready to upgrade and can't wait to load a bunch just in case we want to go caching.

I currently have an Oregon 200, Colorado 300 and have used a PN-40. What do you want to see and know? which do you perfer? Oregon touchscreen or PN40?

Very anxious to hear how you like it as we are also shopping for new gps. Need to make decision soon as we have a trip the week after Labor Day.

Bass Pro Shops have them in stock for $349.

I'm still shopping for new gps but need to make decision so to have in time for the week after Labor Day. I want paperless caching for sure. Looking at the above mentioned, PN40 and Oregon 300, 400t,550t Anxious to see responses. Thanks so much.

The only paperless unit that fits the OPs criteria is clearly the PN-20. Rockin Roddy, have you had a chance to "test" the new lowrance endura? I'm leaning towards the PN-30 but sure like the screen size of the Endura. I've been using my mag.exp 600 for quite a while and have been used to the small screen size like the PN-30. But, it sure would be nice to have the larger screen of the Endura-if it can "matchup" similar to the PN-30. thanks Sorry, no. I wish I could afford to go out and test it, just not an option for me at this time! You might post a new thread asking about a comparison between the two though, I would bet some have used the Endura! I haven't heard a lot about the Endura which is probably a good thing since most people complain more than praise...if you know what I mean!! As to screen size, I have used the OR 300 for a little more than a week and I must say, the smaller screen of the PN-40 (which I also own at this time...the OR is going back) really isn't an issue for me and I didn't really even notice a benefit when using the OR...the size difference isn't all that much...IMHO! we looked at Endura over weekend and it seemed really nice, but they switched to the smaller sd card and don't have maps available as yet -- there's some question on how long it will be before you can purchase maps.

Looked at Lowrance Endura yesterday but map cards aren't due out for a while. Are you downloading maps from another website? I've been looking for reviews on previous Lowrance models but haven't located yet.

I haven't been a member of the PM very long, and haven't used it's benefits, but will as soon as I upgrade my gps unit soonnnnnnnnnnnn. Still shopping and hope to make decision soon so we get it back in time for Labor Day trip. Bottom line....I love the membership

IMO I would much rather support GS with my money. I agree.