capt caper

I save my tracks into Basecamp and Mapsource then convert the to gpx by using MS i.e. save as gpx. Then open NG Topo and under handhelds go to import wizard. Import from gps file that has tracks,routes,etc. Then choose make as single track. I then save as tpo file. If I want more tracks on a file I use "file then merge tpo file. Been doing this since NG first issue of Topo. I have the later one as well. Yes it's a good program but limited as all the rest are. Thus I use MS Basecamp as well. I too have tracks datiing back to 1995. First used with external antennas on my packs until Glonass came on the seen.

That still doesn't hold a candle to a Garmin Handheld. It's comparable to the 20 yr old Garmins.

amen.

Right on. It is far from a short coming. Li's work in freezing temps better and charge faster and release power evenly down to zero. It's a much larger battery in this one so it would be impossible to change out in this given case and hardware. Like I said above. Anyone who thinks going on a extended usage trip would use many means available today. Garmin is fully aware what they've built and did so with style. Nice unit. Nice unit but I'll stick with my ResQlink. Its a fact the 406 mhz and 121mhz and gps linked signals instead of the 2.4 ghz frequencies 66i are much more reliable.

Have you read the book Where you'll find me? published by Ty Gagne head of the NH public risk management? if not read it. I have. That's the real account of what happened straight from the rescuer's mouths. The article you quoted was a second or third hand reporting. The ResQLink was used and the first activation was the spot she was near when found. The others were gps signals bounced around the mountain from her putting it into her pack actually. Up there in those conditions she was done anyway when she activated it. as it takes hours for the teams to organize and get up there.

It's still used by search and rescue as they have all the equipment still. They use it to pin point your location if needed. Via helicopter or hand held units I read. As the gps signals can be off. Case of Kate that died here one winter on the mountian is one failure of gps. https://www.outdoors.org/articles/appalachia-journal-blog/too-cold-the-death-of-kate-matrosova If you check out the video part 1 and part too all the way thru especially the later half of part 2 describing Inreach ,spot etc.

I wonder if the 66i does 406mhz as well as 121.5 mhz. garmin doesn't state this any where I've seen so far. Res Q Link does. This is why I bought it. From what ACR says in their Utube the Inreach types don't broadcast on those frequencies and will fail to contact rescue in some situations.

the 64 is one popular series and is smaller then the 66 so why not keep it. Not like they had to retool completely. I bet they made some nice changes in the menu options,etc too.

No 2.70 available for me either from GX or BC

check that the pins aren't stuck down a bit. Where they are they collect dirt etc. Push down on each. Clean with something like alcohol while pushing down on each pin. I had that happen and this cured it.

I had a 66st while back and turned the screen up high on a cloudy day outside. Also my 680T was at hand. Big difference. I re orderd the 66ST for the wife so I'll compare again but I know these units enough that I nailed it the first time that cloudy dark day. I'm hoping the quad helix antenna works better then the Montana while it's in my shirt pocket. When I travel light without a pack. With the pack the Montana is set out from my body and in a holder on a thick shoulder pack strap that gets it away. Seems the body blocks or effects the barometer or gps elevation as my elevation graph shows spikes but not wearing the pack. The track is perfect after 6 hrs in the woods and mountain revines,etc. Just the elevation data. Not sure if the mileage is perfect but the track recorded every three seconds shows perfect tracking. No spikes.

Thanks I have a 66st coming tomorrow to check out.

I read the C port on the 66 has been loosening. I believe it was at Gpsrchive issues. Also again the Montanna has a better brighter screen from a type of backlight that the Oregon 700 doesn't. Which in dark or low light conditions shines so much over the 66.

i use it for hiking and snowmachines. great for both still. I tried the 66st but sent it back. screen sucked too small track lines and not bright when you need it.

I had the 66st and thou it's nice I'll take my Montana any day. A few ounces doesn't matter and the size is nothing much different then the 66st length wise anyway. Screen is much brighter,track is much more pronounced on the Montana.

Try setting the routing settings in the settings menu under navigation to direct no road or bike etc. This happened to our Oregon 700

My wife and I hike up to caches and many hikes up to 13 miles or so and we never have the same results. Sometimes were real close but I don't count on it. Been this way for years. Her's is the Oregon 700T mine the Montana 680T. We bought have the track log set for once every 3 seconds and auto pause off. Gps settings the same as well.WAAS ,etc. And load it into Basecamp to compare tracks as well as MapSource. Go figure.. different internal computing. It doesn't take much to make them different.. just carrying ways or how one hikes would effect it as well over a day. And since it's a phone I wouldn't count of great results in the data transfer,etc like a dedicated Garmin and Basecamp would give.

Yes I'm sure.. still a phone..rugged is subject-able...android,non battery change and life, can't load great maps into it and manage back and forth transfers of routes,favorites,tracks with ease. And many more.. The Ruby does all but is king of none.. All this has been covered.. I would not follow a so called hiker or mountain guy with one.

I'm so glad Garmin came out with this 66S. So much better then past versions.. Sorry but the current crop of phones aren't nearly as durable as a Garmin handheld GPS.. you'r way off on this one.. And not as versatile. Again I think your hanging with the wrong crowds..Ha.. most hikers I see on popular trails wear sneakers,no support gear and use cell phones..not my type...

Don't want to hijack the thread.. Garmin still builds rugged and useful handhelds and this 66s seems to be one still. I would not hike with anyone that uses a phone if I had left my Montana 850T home.. too many cons for that use.. I mean real hiking.. back country into mountains or any where one relied on having to navigate for safety. especially.

Key pad gps's will work good in all weather. Extreme cold. gloves and rain.

I agree as far as the Glonass/Gps combo.. amazing .. compared to just gps and waas..although not so much the antenna.. I just tuck the 680 into my (wifes 700 is the same) pocket and it records perfect and accurate all day in deep ravines while hiking up mountains and while bending over scrambling up rocks or down ledges,etc.

GE is going to charge big bucks now to companys using it in their programs,etc. This is why Garmin dropped it I bet.. look for other programs to drop it as well.

thanks.. will do..

Thanks... so this beta was ok? I'm downloading now