Grasscatcher

On my 650... Press....Track Mgr., Current Track, Save Track, Name Track (or accept default), OK, then the next screen that comes up says that the track was saved as "xxxx" and gives you the option of clearing the Current Track and associated data or "Cancel". ( I always just Cancel (that action)). That way, you not only have the "saved track", you also have an identical copy still included in the Current Track that will be concluded when the "user defined" Archive period "End" is reached. (Daily, Weekly, or When Full) Note that this is on the older 650 , not a newer 610 or 680.....may be different. Saving a Portion" , you have to define both ends of that portion, then save. That does not delete anything. It continues to be part of the Current Track until the user either "Clears Current Track" or the unit reaches the end of an archive period.

Probably...largely depends...bit of luck...almost guaranteed... Words not displaying a high level of confidence in the subject being theorized on.... Theorize on this....ALL BM with adjusted coordinates have locations that are documented multiple times more accurately than your commercial grade GPS is capable of. You don't use a spectrometer to measure a rope....

ECA, Before you use opinion phrases like "Dunno Grasscatcher..." and "probably aren't....", you need to prove it to yourself just how accurate the "adjusted" coordinates from the specific BM's official datasheet are. They are more accurate than any point that you can set, or accurately verify, with your commercial grade GPS.(or any of mine either) Definitely a perfect place to check GPS accuracy.

Find a USGS Benchmark whose official datasheet states that it's coordinates are "adjusted"....those coordinates are more accurate than your commercial grade GPS is capable of reporting. This is true for both horizontal and vertical (elevation). The other standard type of coordinates is "scaled" which means they were measured or scaled on a map.....less accurate.

Get the Montana 680 and you will never regret it and never look back..... Do your own waypoint categories... Separate your waypoints in however many categories you want them. Make each category a separate / single GPX file. Place those GPX files on the mSD card. Some waypoints you may even want to put into more than one category. That will show up as duplicate in Waypoint Mgr list but you can solve the confusion as to which is which by adding an identifier (single letter or #) to the name to specify which category / GPX file it goes with, or even easier by using a different symbol for each GPX / category. Those files with all the waypoints will load on startup totally as usual. If you need to edit any category, you only need to work with that specific GPX file. When hooked up to your PC in mass storage mode, just select the "card drive" /Garmin/GPX/ "file" and make whatever changes. Changes can even be done with the unit still connected to the PC, or changes can be made on the original PC ver of the GPX file and then just replace the file on the card with that one.

39 01.890 108 37.871

NAD83 = WGS 84 No conversion, they are the same. How do you want them sent?

UTM Zone 12 705040 4322942 NAD83

There is a USGS BM disk near the lower trailhead of Serpents Trail which is just inside the East entrance to the park. It is shown on Topo maps and the elevation is shown as 5058. On the BM is stamped "CC 12" and 5058 ft above sea level. (Set in 1934) I'm familiar with the difference in accuracy of "Scaled" vs "Adjusted" coordinates and elevations, and am just curious as to how accurate that elevation should be considered as being. Is there anywhere that a datasheet could be viewed on a BM like that? Near the upper trailhead for that same trail, there is a "Witness Corner" with the elev given as 5886.I'm looking for the "official" data on that one too. Thanks in advance for any info. Grasscatcher

I would definitely suspect the charger and not the batteries. I don't think they are getting a valid full charge. I have a total of 20 Eneloops purchased back when Sanyo Eneloop brand was new (several years ago). Mine have always been charged with a Maha 9000 charger and are still going strong. Those 20 are used to power 4 GPSs, 1 scanner, 2 handheld Ham radios and a camera.

YZ, What does the "Current Track" app do? How is it beneficial in actual use? I haven't handled a new Oregon personally so I'm curious. I wonder if something like that might be included in a M 650 update in the future?

So....if you already had a 650 and wanted to get a 680 , you would be paying $549 for 3 MP, 1 GB memory, Glonass, and GGZ support and the worthless (IMHO) Birdeye imagery subscription. Anyting I missed?

Wouldn't putting all the desired data in one GPX file and pre-installing that file on multiple mSD cards work? Map image files for the specific area could be handled the same way. After the search is over, cards would be turned back in for re-use next time out with different dats / maps.

Only 100 WPs (If I recall correctly). No paperless caching. Mine also still works. From 1999 on I have used it for a few years in combination with ham radio for APRS. I must admit my Oregon 600 is more user friendly though. Yep, that was even BC / BG....Befpre Caching or Before the Game.....Good ole days.... I use my 76CSx for APRS with a Ram holder on ATV & Snowmobile.

Proof positive of the fact that all the bells and whistles are not needed, is that my Garmin 12XL will STILL direct me to a set of coordinates absolutely just as quickly and accurately as ANY of my other five GPSs. NO Color NO maps NO mSD card NO Camera NO Compass

Your words....not anyone else's....".... skip the knee-jerk "It's not our fault, it's your problem attitude." As it turns out, they would have been,or were, "correct" in inferring that cause. You were (and still are) so quick to point the accusing finger at Garmin....that your own "knee jerk" attitude prevented a quicker solution. Why wouldn't you START with a "Known to be good" cable, instead of dragging two others "that I hadn't used in a long time" out of the closet? That is what is really unbelievable !...and should be a good learning experience.

For me, the upgrade from Win 8.1 to Win 10 was pure simplicity and all settings and programs and devices are working properly. (and faster) My four different Garmin GPSs are recognized and work fine, so I think your problem must be either your computer or possibly there was a hiccup in the Win 10 installation process. When I plug in (any)one of my GPS, I immediately get an error message that says " USB Device Not Recognized" " the last USB device you plugged in malfunctioned and Windows does not recognize it" That is simply because of the difference in system speeds between the PC and the GPS. That message goes away when the GPS system catches up and goes into Mass storage mode. (my interface is set on Spanner). When I choose "Yes, I want to go into mass storage mode" ON THE GPS, I'll hear the USB connection tone and the GPS is recognized and both the GPS and the SD card are displayed as such in Win Explorer. When you connect your GPS, give it time to completely boot up and display the choice to go into Mass storage, choose yes and ignore any messages displayed before that point in the process. After choosing "Yes" it should go ahead and be recognized. Hope that works for you, it does for me.

GBC, FWIW these are my opinions and mine alone, and are not intended to create any arguments. They (the opinions) have been arrived at over multiple years, multiple units, while mapping literally several thousand miles of trails / tracks. "Sensitivity" may not be the correct term. What you are probably looking for is "accuracy" and repeatability of results", correct?. Between models you have to contend with different software, different chipsets, different antennas, etc.and the way those components are married together. I have carried as many as 5 units (different models) simultaneously (and multiple trips also) on single track trails in difficult terrain to try and determine what works the best and why. Short answer, there is no single "best" combination of settings for multiple units. For track logging,some time you need to use "time" interval and other time you may need to use "distance" or "auto". (Auto-most / more often is probably the best compromise). Time - 1/sec is good, but only for "actual path traveled" but not length /distance traveled. This logging interval is ALWAYS longer than ACTUAL distance traveled. So, what that means is that to get the most accurate track, you may have to carry multiple units and each with different settings and then combine the results. Carrying position is also very critical , especially in the case of multipath error. Sometime the user actually "wants" to use their body to block reflected signals from nearby cliff walls or buildings. Sometimes, sensitivity is a bad thing, like when a "birdnest of random points" is logged while stopped or reflected signals are received from multipath. Editing, or different settings, or not stopping can fix that. Using an external antenna can both help or hurt results depending on models and conditions. Think about this, if you put an external antenna (patch) on a unit with a quad helix internal antenna, what you have just done is "dumbed down" the sensitivity but might be able to place the X ant in a better position for signal reception. Experiment with different settings and carrying position and you can probably find the right combination where both units compare favorably......at least until the next software/firmware update and something gets changed....then you get to start "playing" again

That is incorrect information. That is not what the "Auto" method is designed to do. When the unit is set on Auto, it is the unit that determines the logging interval (instead of a "user set" fixed time or distance interval). It is a variable rate and that is determined by the direction and speed of travel(straight or changing). Most frequent logging is still 1 pt/sec.max. The user will STILL get a "birdnest" of random points logged while stopped due to the unit's "perception" that it is changing direction. (due to satellite signal error)

The user cannot disable the barometric sensor (as ECA said) nor is there a need to. Look on the satellite page. The elevation shown there is the GPS derived elevation. That is not affected by baro pressure. The elevation shown on the altimeter page is the Baro pressure derived elevation. If you have auto calibration feature turned on, any differences between the two will (over time) gradually be eliminated.(in theory) Inside a plane, the cabin pressure will affect the "perceived" Baro pressure or ambient pressure elevation, but will not affect the GPS derived elevation (on the sat page)

That is why in my earlier post I specifically referred to "newer models". (Etrex 30 does NOT strip the timestamp when saving) That being said, if the user is using some "off the wall" third party software to handle the downloaded data from the GPS, "whichever" software that is, may. Some track editing softwares do strange and mysterious things to the data.

You read "throws out" as delete, I read it as a time shift. "Date and Time created" info is exactly the same as Date and time logged by the GPS..... so no "time is thrown out" or "shifted" whether it be in a "saved track" or "Archived track"

Not an answer for the OP, just a.... Question.....On the newer model GPSs, since when did "saving" a track delete the time stamp? None of my 5 units do that...........

Amen to this one....I have lost test instruments and electronics over the years.EVERYTHING I own that takes batteries has low discharge NIMH....for GPS, cameras, and other critical items I use these : http://www.thomasdistributing.com/New-Version-Panasonic-Pro-was-Sanyo-XX-Eneloop-2550-mAh-Low-Discharge-AA-Batteries_p_2927.html For clocks, remotes, toys,etc. I use these : http://www.thomasdistributing.com/Maha-Imedion-AA-2400mAh-Rechargeablen-Low-Discharge-Batteries_p_2252.html This is my all time favorite charger : http://www.thomasdistributing.com/MAHA-MH-C801D-AA--AAA-Battery-Charger-DELUXE-8-Cell-Professional-Battery-Charger-w-Full-LCD-Display_p_2559.html I have a couple of these for traveling and they work fine : http://www.thomasdistributing.com/-Maha-MH-C204FA-Intelligent-Rapid-Charger_p_1105.html In addition to being a GPS junkie I'm a battery / charger junkie and over the years have tried everything.....I have drawers full of product and no telling what I have thrown away. I've born the expense and done the testing so save yourself the brain damage and get the above. I will say I used MAHA NIMH reguler batteries for years with no problems but the Eneloops are a cut above. The weak link of rechargeable batteries has always been the charger.....I've used MAHA ( I own every one they make )for many years with great results. ++++2 "Read and Heed"......Pay attention to these two posts and you will eliminate all your "battery problems" and "battery questions"........PERIOD ! The 20 Eneloops that I bought literally years ( 5+) ago and my Maha C9000 charger have kept 5 GPSs, 2 Cameras, 2 HAM handheld radios, multiple FRS radios all operaing flawlessly and are still going..... PRICELESS.

Yep, TCP, my bad spelling....sorry. However, as I previously said..."If the door is loose in the lock position, it's because someone..... (possibly even factory)..... has forced it open without unlocking it first and distorted it. Re adjust it's shape and use it the way it's supposed to be used." "Fixing" it will take less time than making another post.