rick417

The big difference between v3 and v5 is ability to autoroute on the PC using v5. With v3 you do not need to use your PC's hard drive to store the maps. You build your map sets in Mapsource and insert the appropriate CD to transfer them to the GPS. I upgraded to v4.02 for the autorouting, and the maps were updated for a new road in my home town. So if you don't have many new roads around you and you don't need autorouting, plus you'd rather not fill up your hard drive with map regions in order to get the maps to your Legend...v3 would be a good choice. Almost forgot...the Map Sets are larger in the v3. I think about 2 - 4 MB per set since they include a larger area. The v4.02 & I assume v5 have smaller map set sections under 1MB a piece. I had an 8MB expansion chip for my eMap and I think I could generally only get 2 map sets loaded to it before I filled up the memory. Once you have Mapsource installed off any Mapsource CDs, updates to the Mapsource program are free from Garmin. The latest release of Mapsource is v5.4. Note that this does not update your maps, just the program that lets you see the maps on your PC and interfaces map, waypoint, route, & track data with your GPS.

I have Mapsource Topo and use it for geocaching. It does have several limitations, the biggest one being that it is 1:100,000 scale...so not a lot of detail. It is mostly helpful only for giving you an idea what side of a stream or road you might find the cache for planning your approach. I personally don't think it's worth $100. But keep watching ebay. Here's a listing I found that hasn't had much activity. Topo On Ebay

I use GarTrax to get my GPX files into Mapsource. When you download all the configuration files and extract them to the same folder as the executable, you can select the type of waypoint symbols to use. Choose the input file and the export file (this case MPS) types and click Convert. Give your export file a name and then open it in Mapsource (with the beta version, it will convert it). The waypoints have the geocache icon and the comment section has the cache name. Takes some initial setup, but after that it's a 3 step process...drag the gpx file to Gartrax, save it as MPS, open it in Mapsource. It's also free and another option for you.

EasyGPS & ExpertGPS use the serial port to transfer to the GPS. The iQue works through the USB port. So the two won't talk to each other. I use Cachemate with my iQue, which supports exporting the waypoints to the iQue's address book for display on the map. Very nifty program. You have to use the utility CMConvert included with it to get things in the proper Palm format. If you use the gpx downloads from geocaching.com, Cachemate will include information about the cache, such as description, decrypting the hints, past logs, etc. Definitely worth your consideration, but it does cost $7.

Is the waypoint a geocache icon in Mapsource? Maybe that would make a difference. Double-click the waypoint on the Mapsource screen and select Geocache from the drop-down box. Do that before transferring it to the GPS.

Wish I could help you soerries...but I haven't used EasyGPS. However, look for something like a Convert button, or Export.

Change the waypoint icon in Mapsource to Geocache before transferring to your GPS would be what I'd try first. If that resolves it, look at the conversion program you're using to see if it allows setting the icon during the conversion. I use GarTrax and when you have all the support files in the same folder as the program, you can select the Mapsource type in preferences and it creates the Mapsource file with the Geocache icons for you.

My input: it's not as much law enforcement as it is the general population that needs educated on the sport. If you can prevent the call being placed to the police in the first place.... Part of the solution has to include public awareness. Keep the sport as family entertainment, involve the children and friends, and tell people who will listen. And remeber there will always be someone who didn't hear about, doesn't like it, and doesn't think anyone else should do it.

I'm not familiar with the 60CS...but I don't know why using Mapsource as a means to transfer waypoints would interfere with the geocache function. You can select what you want to send to the gps...waypoints only, tracks only, maps only, routes only, or any combination of those. So if the goal is to get waypoints only to your gps, then Mapsource will do that. Also, you're not limited to only gpx files with GarTrax. I use gpx since it's one type of download from geocaching.com. GarTrax doesn't appear to support LOC files. It does work with EasyGPS to convert waypoints into a format for Mapsource. I didn't mean to complicate things for you. I just wanted you to know how I get my geocache waypoints into my gps...which is a Garmin eMap. Not nearly as sophisticated as your 60CS.

Sorry, I don't know anything about Easy GPS, but as a fellow iQue user, I can tell you that I have been using CacheMate with mine. It exports the waypoint information to the iQue's address book so you can navigate to it. It's well worth the $7 purchase price, IMHO.

If you have a Mapsource product to get the full benefit of your mapping GPS, you can do what I do: Download the GPX files from geocaching.com Convert the GPX files to a Mapsource MPS file using Gartrax (http://www.p-terminator.nl/geocaching/gartrax.php?language=english) Open the MPS file in Mapsource. Save the waypoints to your GPS using the Transfer tool. Hope this helps!