Ken in Regina

In Mapsource, click the UTILITIES menu, click UNLOCK MAPS, click YES, I HAVE A 25-character UNLOCK CODE. You can enter the unlock code and Mapsource unlock wizard will unlock the maps. ...ken...

Bob, Based on flannigan's experience with his Nuvi we have observed a couple of things, as you should have seen in the discussion thread. First, the update did not mess with the City Navigator North America NT2009 that he already had installed in Mapsource on his PC. It installed a complete new version into Mapsource on the PC named City Navigator North America NT2009.1. Second, based on the amount of internal memory used in flannigan's Nuvi before and after the update, it does not install the entire mapset. The entire mapset takes about 1.7GB. The additional memory used by the update on flannigan's Nuvi was around 350MB. We are still exploring what the update actually put on his Nuvi (filename(s), file size) but it's clear that it's not the entire mapset. Based on the way you use your maps you have no reason not to go ahead with the update that I can see. 1. You have the original CNNA2009NT DVD so if the update messes with it and you need it, you just reinstall it. Takes a few minutes but no harm done. 2. If you are concerned about having to take the time to rebuild the map you already have on the microSD card, just copy it to a safe place on your hard drive. If you want to go back to it after everything is done, you just need to copy it back to the card. ........ Or use another SD card for the update. 3. There is absolutely nothing from flannigan's update experience to indicate that you will lose any ability to create partial mapsets for your 60CSx from the updated CNNA2009.1NT mapset. At this point I don't see how anything can get messed up so bad that a few minutes won't see things back exactly as they are right now. The absolute worst possible case would be that you have to reinstall CNNA2009NT from the DVD and copy your existing gmapsupp.img file back to the microSD card. ...ken...

It's impossible to answer that question without knowing quite a bit about what you do with your computer that requires horsepower, and what kind of power it needs .. lots of CPU performance, lots of graphics performance, lots of hard disk performance, bags of RAM? If you don't do anything but web browsing and email and Microsoft Office stuff, the only reason you need a new one is "Just Because..." (the most common and most honest reason). If that's the case, just go find the best package that fits your budget and buy it. If you're a hardcore gamer .... well, you aren't or you wouldn't even be asking the question in a geocaching forum. Is there anything you do with it right now that needs a boost? Things you start up and then go find a cup of coffee while you wait for it to get done? ...ken...

Hey GeoBobC, Check out this thread for some information that might help you decide what to do next. It looks like it installs a copy into Mapsource, so no matter what it puts on your microSD card, you can always use Mapsource to create a new map with just what you want on it. If you go ahead and install, please let us know what it does. ...ken...

Hi Jedi, I have 4.1.0 and it's working fine on both XP and Vista. Installing on XP I did nothing special. Installing on Vista might require a couple of precautions. You might need to set the Palm.exe to XP compatibility and to run as admin. Just find the executable, right-click, Properties and select the appropriate settings. In the worst case, some folks had to give admin priviledges to the installer (SETUP.EXE). If you're installing from a CD you would create a shortcut for the Setup.exe program on the desktop (right-click, Send To/Desktop as Shortcut). Then right-click the shortcut, Properties and Run As Admin. Hope that helps. ...ken...

Disagree with this, I have owned three different Garmins, the latest being the Oregon model, and I think they're all plenty intuitive. ... Hi BlueDamsel, I'm simply using "intuitive" by its proper definition. Unlike what many people think, "Intuitive" does not mean "easy to learn". Just the opposite, in fact. If you have to "learn" it, whether by reading the manual and/or trial-and-error, it's not intuitive. The second definition below is the one that applies to this situation. I'm not suggesting that the original poster get rid of the 60CSx. I'm simply encouraging him not to be discouraged about the Triton simply because a lot of techno-weenies on GPS forums don't like simple gadgets like the Triton and love complicated gadgets like the 60CSx. Go back and read the original post. The original poster was out of the box and having fun with the Triton in hardly any time at all, with no help from anyone. He had a bunch of caches found with the Triton, including downloading caches from here into the Triton, with no help from anyone. He had no trouble finding the caches with the Triton. He says it always puts him very close to them. So, let's review .. the original poster says that the Triton was, for him, easy to learn, easy to use, easy to download cache information for paperless caching without a bunch of extra programs and multiple learning curves, accurate enough to get close to the caches every time, screen is big and bright and easy to read. ... You know, if I dig through the bulk of the discussions in this section of the forum and pulled out all the things people are looking for in the perfect geocaching GPS device, that would be pretty much the ideal list. Why on earth would anyone try to persuade him to use something different??? Contrast that with his introduction to the 60CSx. After banging his head against the wall trying to learn it from the manual, trial-and-error and reading a bunch of the stuff already published here, he has not been able to come close to what he accomplished quickly and painlessly with the Triton. He has been forced to ask for help just to figure out where to start down the long and complicated road to doing with the 60CSx what he already knows how to do with the Triton. I think it's fine if he wants to learn how to use the 60CSx now that he's got it. I'll never discourage anyone from learning new things, if that's what they wish to do. The 60CSx is a fine device if you need the features it has and want to spend the time to learn how to use them. As I said, I love my eTrex Legend HCx to pieces and there's hardly any difference. I just don't want him, or anyone else, to lose sight of the heart and soul of the original post..... He already has a device - his Triton - that everyone in here is constantly searching for .. the Holy Grail of geocaching: a device that allows him to do easy, effective, paperless caching. Does it get any better than that? ...ken...

I guess I'm going to sound like a contrarian here but I would trust your first instincts about the Triton rather than giving in to envy of something else just because lots of people rave about. None of the Garmin handhelds are intuitive by even the most lenient definition. Obviously they can be learned if you spend enough time. But just think about how much enjoyment you could have, out there finding caches with the Triton instead of banging your fingers, and head, against the keyboard trying to make the 60CSx work at least as well for you as the Triton does already. If you had had difficulties with the Triton I could understand your wanting to change. If the 60CSx was a genuine "upgrade", that would make sense. But you didn't have any problems at all with the Triton and now the best you can hope for is to get the 60CSx to work "as well as". Why not spend the time caching with the Triton instead? For the record, I do not own and have never used a Triton. Wouldn't know one if I tripped over it. I own an eTrex Legend HCx and love it to pieces. But it's not intuitive by any sensible definition. I had to spend time learning how to use it and if I don't use it for a couple of weeks I have to relearn half the stuff all over again. Go have fun with the Triton and don't let others' opinions fool you into not trusting your own reactions to it. Only spend valuable time mucking with the 60CSx if you genuinely enjoy learning geeky stuff or have masochistic tendencies. ...ken...

It still doesn't transfer data (maps, routes, waypoints) to Mobile PC. You still need 6.13.7 for that. ...ken...

Please, nobody tell my Legend HCx. It seems quite happy with the SanDisk Ultra II that has been in it since September. ...ken...

An "update" is a complete new package. The reason it is called an "update" is that it won't install unless it sees that you have an earlier version. Otherwise it's the complete deal, not just changes. ...ken...

I've got all of Metroguide Canada v5 plus most of City Navigator North America 2009 on a rather ordinary standard SanDisk 2GB card in my Legend HCx. I can't tell any difference from when I had just Metroguide Canada on it. The only place there is a bit of a performance hit is when I do a search for anything in Canada because there is so much more data for it to wade through. It's nothing that concerns me and certainly not an argument for only using small segments if you really want lots loaded. I get a much bigger display performance hit (panning/zooming) when using the Ibycus topos at the wrong zoom level (eg. too much detail). ...ken...

Although we've disagreed over this same subject before, this time I have to agree with MtnHermit. Yes, the Vista (or Legend or 60Csx, etc.) can be used in a vehicle. BUT... I saw a Nuvi today for Cdn$99. (With the current exchange rate isn't that, like, US$37.95? ) That's about what you would pay for the City Navigator maps alone. That sort of price is an excellent argument for just getting a cheap Nuvi complete with maps and car mount, and just put some free topos on the Vista for caching. ...ken...

I just checked on my non-NT version of City Navigator NA 2009 and Pennsylvania contains about 15 seperate segments. That would allow for some flexibility in picking only the area needed. On the other hand, it might be a bunch smarter to take the Venture back and spend a few more dollars on the Legend HCx which allows for a micro-SD card. That's what I did when I discovered how limited the internal 24MB really was .. returned the Venture HC for full credit on the Legend HCx, bought a cheap 2GB micro-SD card for about 7 bucks on blow-out at a local electronics shop and I've never looked back. I was so frustrated on the first attempt to fit anything useful on the Venture that I knew it wouldn't be more than a few more days before I tossed it into a lake or cut my throat. I know my limits... ...ken...

What do you use for detailed maps for these Linux GPS apps? ...ken...

Hi grammatj8, Please see this post in the other thread where you also asked for help. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...t&p=3764292 ...ken...

Hi grammatj8, If you want something easy, take the 60CSx back and get yourself a Nuvi that already comes with the necessary detailed road maps and vehicle mounting bracket and talks to you and has a big bright touchscreen with an easy-to-use menu. It won't be as handy to carry around for geocaching but you'll have a fighting chance of getting used to using a GPS without the frustration. If you want to make sure you get a Nuvi model that will work okay for geocaching, there are many discussions about Nuvis in this forum that will help you decide which model might best suit your needs. There's no easy way to learn how to use a GPS and set up a 60CSx with detailed maps for use on the road. It takes a little work, some more money for the right kind of maps and a proper vehicle mount and power cable, a lot of reading, some trial and error and time and patience. Trying to get the 60CSx set up for use in a vehicle will frustrate you ... is already frustrating you. Once you finally get it set up, trying to use it for vehicle navigation will frustrate you some more. If you know what you are doing, it can be used for vehicle navigation in a pinch, but it's called a "handheld" GPS for a very good reason. I saw a Nuvi on a Boxing Day sale for Cdn$99. At the current exchange rate, I think that's about US$29.95. You could just keep the 60CSx, buy the cheap Nuvi, get going on the road, then start using the 60CSx for geocaching when you're a little more familiar with GPS use. ...ken...

When I bought my unlock code for the City Navigator North America 2009 update version it worked out to about Cdn $79. I can't remember the US$ price but the exchange rate was very close to par at the time so it might be been US$75. I think a second unlock code is about the same but I've never purchased one so I can't be sure. ...ken...

When I hook my Legend HCx to my PC my desk moves at an average of 1.3 KPH over about a two hour period. I have seen maximum speeds of higher than 5 KPH. Pedal to the metal!!! ...ken...

"Snowshoeing ... perfect" ... isn't that an oxymoron? I hate winter. I really need to move somewhere I can golf year-round. I used to think that was Vancouver Island until the last few days .. ugly weather there, too. ...ken...

Well sure, twenty-four hours should be plenty for most of us. There just ain't enough daylight, thas'all. ...ken...

And you have to have the unit connected to the PC when you download from geocaching.com so the Garmin Communicator plug-in will be able to see it when it tries to start the download. ...ken...

-33°C/windchill -44°C at N50°25' W104°36'. Eight hours of daylight just isn't enough.... ...ken...

As mentioned, don't try NVBackup on any Palm that doesn't have NVFS. I use CardBkup. It's a great backup/restore program if you have a memory card. ...ken...

Prairie Geomatics in Minnedosa, MB, has both the full version and the update version. ...ken...

OK, I'm calling you on this one.... The display of maps on the Nuvi style OS is quite different than the older Legend style. Roads are variable width for one, which makes for a much better display. It is night and day. An etrex is horrid for car use to the point of being unsafe. That's fair. I intended "the size of the display" to cover all of the benefits that implies and I assumed the original poster has looked at both displays. But I didn't say it. My bad. You're right that the size of the Nuvi display allows a much better display, in a number of ways, for vehicle nav. I don't agree that the eTrex is inherently unsafe for car use. I've used it quite safely and I even described the key things you need to do to minimize the risk. In spite of my caution not to use it sitting on the seat, I have done just that. But I took the trouble to familiarize myself with the general route before putting the vehicle in motion so I just needed the beeps to cue me that a turn was coming up. The device was in a location where the quality of the display was irrelevant because I couldn't see it at all. It was still very helpful. It's not a method that would work for a long complicated route in a totally strange environment but for shorter routes with few turns it works fine. In fairness, I make another assumption. The assumption is that anyone using an in-vehicle navigation system is not trying to follow the routing visually while driving. That they have familiarized themselves, generally, with the route before starting to drive, are following the voice guidance or other audible cues and only looking at the display if they need a quick peak at the turn guidance display when it pops up. Anyone trying to do VFR with their nav system without pulling over is just begging to have an accident. In such a case, while the Nuvi might arguably make such a practice a little less dangerous, it sure doesn't make it safe. You're absolutely correct that the eTrex would be a disaster for anyone who needs significant visual guidance and it needed saying. ...ken...