Bobthearch

Older GPSes can be successfully used for Geocaching, but you have to be more intuituve and work harder. Some people geocache with only a map and compass, and have logged hundreds of finds. Maybe start with an easier target? But you're right, a new unit will make geocaching much easier. And the Legend is a good one to start with. They're definitely in your price range, $179 the last time I looked, maybe less now. Here are some pros and cons I see with the Legend: Neg: - screen size is small, but the coordinate numbers are abolutely tiny - buttons scattered all over unit, and aren't labeled - compass is GPS-driven, meaning it only works when you're moving - 'patch' antenna not as good in poor-reception areas Pros: - lightweight and compact - connects to computer for downloading/uploading data - cool thumb stud - picture-oriented menu system - can be used without removing from protective case All-in-all, a great unit to start with. Personally, I would recommend selecting a unit with a built-in compass. The eTrex Vista, GPSMAP76S, or Magellan Meridian Platinum. Don't know if any of these fit your budget though. I expected the 76S to come down in price once newer models were released, but I haven't noticed a price drop yet. Happy Shopping, Bob

I've used my GPS's track function to map archaeological sites for work. You can do the same easily. Save any object on your property as a waypoint, save any line (creek, road, fence...) as a track file. Then you can transfer your data onto any mapping software on the computer and print out custom maps of your land. Best Wishes, Bob

Sounds like you want a Garmin GPSMAP76S. A very reliable and durable unit that I highly recommend. You can compare features of any Garmin units side-by-side at their website. Happy Shopping, Bob

Who can relax in the light of such terrifying events? I mean, these black boxes are ~everywhere~, over 126,000 of them. What if there was a rubbermaid tub in ~your~ neighborhood? I bet you'd take that very seriously indeed. How many cops does it take to shoot a Rubbermaid? You think they'd have something better to do... How were the Department of Natural Resources officers participating, making sure no animals were harmed in the demolition? This is really getting out of hand. -Bob

Size DOES matter. Screen size that is. Bigger is better. Weight doesn't matter unless you're long-distance backbacking where every once counts. -Bob

Trimble. -Bob

You might try acting official. Carry a clipboard and wear an orange vest. Act like you're supposed to be there; the 'sheeple' probably won't even notice. -Bob

Imagine the nerve of "David Cook" taking children along on his bomb-planting expeditions!! And imagine the disappointment of those cops when it didn't blow up. All that paperwork and nothing to show for it. Sheesh. A bad day was had by all... Except Lucas, who had a fine time, "I got to ring the bell." -Bob

I just bought the DeLorme USA Topo. It covers the entire country and costs under $100. Might be nice for custom maps since it has the ability to display in 3D with light shading, and other cool features. If you need quad-maps on the computer, several companies sell those including DeLorme, National Geographic, and AllTopo. The benefit, you can print out and customize actual topo quad maps. The downside, each is around $100 per state. Happy Shopping, Bob

You can download most Linux distros, including RedHat, Mandrake, Lycoris, etc. A good cache prize to leave for "computer nerds" would be one of the live CD distros - no need to install, boots and runs entirely from CD. Knoppix is the best-known of these distros. There're also many other operating systems that can be downloaded for free: BSD, QNX, BeOS, etc., etc. You guys have 'tripped' over one of my other hobbies. -Bob

I log DNFs, just for my own records, and extra motivation to try again. -Bob

I use the BLM regional maps for finding public/private lands. Much of New Mexico is a random checkerboard of private, Forest Service, BLM, State, military, Indian, etc. I don't know of any software that shows property lines... Best Wishes, Bob

You can certainly use rechargable batteries. I use Duracell NiMH. There have been several discussions on which rechargables are best, but I don't recall a specific outcome. Best Wishes, Bob

Working in the National Forests in Arkansas, we stayed home for the entire duration of gun season. Just too many shooters out there all at once, and it seems there were fatalities every year. Of course they were mostly hunter-hunter shootings, who else is out there? For bow season we went out, but wore plenty of orange. -Bob

Maybe use a "make reservations now, space limited" invitation? That would make sense for your situation without being rude or exclusionary. Another idea, just send personal invitations to local cachers for a day of events and cache-hunting. Post the caches on Geocaching.com after you and your friends are finished with them. I wouldn't want 100 people showing up at my house either... Best Wishes, Bob

It's perfectly OK with me if they want to have a "locals-only" event. But they shouldn't have it listed on the public Geocaching.com website. If they want to have their own little 'club' with exlusionary events, they need to get their own website. -Bob

I'd pay extra for the built-in compass. That's just me... -Bob

I haven't used any of the 60-series models, so I can't comment on usability. However, the price would be a major deterrent for me. Not that I couldn' afford it if I really wanted; it just doesn't seem worth it. The Legend has the thumb-stick and a picture driven menu. Those features are ~way~ cool and make the unit simple to use. However, the other buttons are hidden on the unit sides and aren't even labeled. The GPS76S has the built-in compass that is a big benefit. Not only does it work when standing still and turning in place, it also allows several of the screens to stay aligned to the direction you're facing. The larger screen is a BIG feature, worth paying extra for. A smaller benefit on the 76S is the various alarms. The unit can even be set to 'beep' evey time a button is pressed, very handy when wearing gloves. You should be able to find these in a local store somewhere to look at and get a better idea of which fits better and seems more durable to you. You can't make a bad choice with those three to select from. It's up to you how much $$ to spend to achieve the next feature level. Happy shopping, Bob

It does now. Yuck. -Bob

I vote GPSMAP76S. The built-in compass is ~very~ handy. If you want to spend more $$ for a color screen, that's up to you. Probably all of the 76 or 60 units will meet your basic needs. At the Garmin website there's a handy feature that allows you to compare the features and specs of any of their models in a side-by-side chart. Happy Shopping, Bob

A backup never hurts, especially if you need a GPS for work. If I were you I'd keep the lighter-weight Legend for backpacking, when every ounce counts. Best Wishes, Bob

At the Garmin website you can do a product comparison between any of their units. It'll give you a side-by-side list of specs. Happy shopping, Bob

I'd also like to mention that any computer mapping software I've seen can communicate with name-brand GPS units. See an interesting place on your computer screen topo map, mark it as a waypoint, load it to the GPS, and off you go! -Bob

Yes...No...Maybe... I'll try to explain. You don't really need any extra software to geocache. You can go to each cache page, enter the coordinates into your GPS manually, and off you go. But manually entering coordinates for ten or more caches, repeatedly, is a pain. And very time-consuming. So the next-simplest method is to download .loc files from Geocaching.com to your computer hard drive and use EasyGPS or other freeware utility to transfer the data to the GPS. Only takes a few seconds, and it's a breeze. Now the more complicated (and more expensive) stuff. If you want to load more detailed maps onto your GPS, it has to be Garmin MapSource products. This allows you to see topo lines when you're in the field without lugging around a seperate computer. If you want to use topo maps on your computer you have several choices. The Garmin MapSource products can be used on your computer. However, the topo lines are rather crude compared to actual USGS topographic quads. So something like Delorme Topo USA is much better for printing maps or using on the laptop. However, Topo USA still isn't the real topo quads, although it's detailed enough for anything I do. If you want exact duplicates of USGS topo quads, there are nice software titles for that including the Delorme, National Geographic, and All Topo Maps state sets. Prices: The Garmin MapSource Topo maps are under $100 for the entire country. The Delorme TopoUSA is also under $100 for the entire US. The detailed quad maps are about $100 per state, regardless of brand. Hope this helps you make the right product choices! Best Wishes, -Bob

My complaint with the eTrex lineup is the ~tiny~ numbers on the location readout. Sure the screen is smaller than other units, but Garmin wastes most of the screen displaying a graphic picture of satellite locations, while the "where am I" numbers are crammed onto a a tiny portion at the screen bottom. My boss required reading glasses to see the numbers on his Legend. On the plus side, I like the picture-driven menus and the thumb-stick. The Vista is the only eTrex (I think...) that has a real compass that works even when you're standing still or turning in place. Also, on the eTrexes, the buttons are scattered all over the unit, they're not labeled, and they're 'squishy' - makes it difficult to tell when you've pressed a button, especially with gloves. As far as accuracy, the only time I've noticed a difference is under dense tree cover, particularly in canyons or valleys. My choice, the Garmin GGSMAP76S. Built-in compass, large screen, plenty of memory, durable, and good tactile feedback in the buttons. you can even set the unit to 'Beep' whenever a button is pressed - great for wearing gloves. Also has an alarm when you're getting close to your target. You can upload the Garmin MapSource products to the GPS (the Legend is the lowest eTrex with that feature). My second choice was the Magellan Meridian Platinum. There's no good reason why the Garmin is better than the Magellan. My own reason, everyone else at work had Garmin and I wanted to be compatible. Hope you found something in this helpful. Happy shopping, Bob