TheDeadWalk

I attempted an update to the device. I read that this is a common problem, but every solution I found online did not work for me. I've attempted to follow them for several hours to no avail. Garmin support was also not helpful for me. Bricked it. eh? Something that always gives me the willys when I do something about the firmware. Did you see this thread? I tried this. Maybe I am doing something wrong. My screen flashes once, but then nothing else shows up on the screen. After that, the screen won't even flash again unless I take the batteries out and put them back in. The webupdater doesn't see anything either way. Your computer analogy doesn't hold up. There are 100's of companies making interchangeable computers, whereas in handheld GPS receivers there is effectively one: Garmin. Apple would be a better computer to GPS analogy. Garmin has little incentive to either advance technology or lower prices. No significant competitor has yet to appear. Thanks for this information. I assumed that Magellan and Delorme were in brisk competition with Garmin just pulling out ahead, but I guess not.

I attempted an update to the device. I read that this is a common problem, but every solution I found online did not work for me. I've attempted to follow them for several hours to no avail. Garmin support was also not helpful for me. I'm more tempted by the price than the actual device. The device does seem nice, as as it is essentially an updated version of what I currently have, I don't need anything more, especially not the 30. I was more trying to figure out how GPSr's are updated. The 20 came out last year. Is it expected that there won't be another update to the line for several years again?

I bought my eTrex Venture HC about four years ago. Just the other day it crapped out on me and I've been trying to decide what to do. The Venture HC was perfectly suitable for my needs, but it's over 5 years old at this point. I can pay the same price for it that I did 4 years ago and get the same GPS or I was also looking at the more recent eTrex 20 for my needs. It's only slightly more expensive but it's newer. My question is, how do GPSr's appreciate over time? For instance, no one would ever dare think about buying a five year old computer. I don't understand why a GPSr, five years later, has the same price point. If I'm looking in that relative price point, what would be my best move?

Happy birthday mate! Just voted! Interesting results.

Just sent in a request, hopefully not too late =].

While your answer is probably sufficient to answer the original question, I thought I'd be a geek and point out the answer isn't quite correct... The number you see on the satellite screen is the satellite's PseudoRandom Noise (PRN) code. This number identifies the code the satellite is using in it's signal. It is not an ID number of the satellite. A satellite's ID number is unique to that satellite, while PRN codes are obviously "re-used" See here for more info on PRN codes. See here for the current SVN (SV ID)/PRN assignments. ' This is all really interesting. Thanks for that info. Very cool.

Thank you all for the replies.

Well I just got my first GPS about a week ago, and I have several questions. I bought the Garmin Etrex Venture HC. It seemed like a nice cheap GPS that would work for what I wanted it for, and so far, I have been very happy with it. I do have several questions though. My first couple questions are about the Satellite screen. First, are the numbers significant? Or are they just the "name" of the satellites. Also, how do the meters work? I understand the taller the bars the better the signals but do not quite understand all that. On the same line, what does a hollow bar mean comapred to one that is filled in? My last question would be what does the D stand for inside the bars. I saw that for the first time yestereday, and am just curious. My last question (I had more but since writing this have figured them out) would be about averaging. What exactly is it doing? Or is it literally just taking the location over and over and over again and just averaging it? That seems a little innacurate to me, as the average could be in a further location than even originally. Thanks, Telp

Nevermind, figured it out.

Thats good to hearm thanks for the link. If you don't mind, just post back here with the verdict. Best of luck to you. -Telp

I have the iPhone 3G and am very impressed with the accuracy of the GPS. I am, afterall, just a beginnger, but have been very happy with it so far. The only thing is, its a killer on the battery.

The description pretty much says it all. I am new to geocaching and so far have been using my iPhone 3G, which works amazingly well, and better than I ever could have hoped for. My only concern with it is the battery life consumed when out in the field. Therefore I have been looking at some good cheap GPSr systems to take the place, but still something jiust for beginners, as I don't want to spend 4 or 5 hundred dollers only to give it up in a month or two. The only thing I am worried about is that I have a mac (no PCs, won't touch one), and I have not read anything about this GPS being Mac compatible. Sorry if this is a repeat question. Thanks a lot. -Telp

Kinda an old thread but I would like to say as a beginning cacher, I use my iPhone 3G with great success. I just stick the coords into google maps and use the GPS. Accurate, quick, and no problems so far. As for apps, theres one called Geopher Lite, and theres another one coming to the market soon. Not sure when.

Has worked very well for me in the car. Just picked it up yesterday and have not used it a lot. With a good geocaching app, I think it will work quite well, but as a noob, what do i know.

I got mine yesterday!! Waited in line and everything. The GPS seems very accurate, have not been able to get out and test it yet.

Thanks for all the input. I will be getting the iPhone, and from the sounds of it, probably a GPS as well. As for the palm suggestion...fair suggestion, just doesn't cut it. I dont like the Palm OS or windows Mobile, and you honostly can't beat iPhone OS X.

I really don't understand the point of this post at all? But um, you want a picture of my cracked screen?

I am planning on getting the iPhone 3G, and use it as a GPS for geocaching. As a beginner I don't think I need much more, when/if i get more serious I will purchase a standalone GPS device. Really looking forward to see any software coming out that would allow me to go caching, and I am very glad there is an iPhone population in the geocaching community that will help make the iPhone3G an optimal device. In the meantime, all I can do is read these forums and wait...It's going to be a long wait...

I will look there. Thank you very much for the information. The wikipedia article confused me a bit which is why I decided to ask here.

Alright, so this is my first post on this forum, and i joined about two days ago. I had learned about geocaching last summer from some friends, and just recently have I really looked into it. Long story short, I am psyched about going geocaching this summer. Right now I am in the market for a new iPhone (old one got a cracked screen). I was looking at the 3G iPhone and being a huge Apple fan, figured I would buy it. Well when I wathed the keynote and learned it had GPS i thought, this might be a great two in one. Now I am sure a question like this has been asked, and yes I did search, but here goes. How accurate or much worse is A-GPS than standalone GPS. If I do get the iPhone3G and use it as my GPS, will google maps work? I understand that there is a program for phones, not the iPhone yet, that helps with the geocaching, but I am not very interested in paying the monthly fee (not that I think its a bad price). My real question, and I will get to the point here is, what kind of third party programs would I be looking for in order to use my iPhone to its full potential for geocaching (atleast for the beginning stages, get a real GPS when / I get serious). Thanks a lot in advance, and I hope to be apart of this wonderful geocaching community.