ThomThom43

nope. FINAL REPORT: I got over my paranoia and used WebUpdater to update my 76CSx from Version 3.70 to 4.00, and it was flawless. It did not change my GPS [chipset] Software version, but it did add an "s" at the end (GPS Software Version 3.00s) apparently to distinguish my SiRF chip from the Mediatek. Tried my new 3.8 GB map in my Jeep and found the performance to be comparable to the smaller mapsets that I had been using. Smooth scrolling on the road!

My only concern with WebUpdater is the fact that it has caused on some other units (not mine) the chipset to revert to Version 0.0. It's probably silly to worry about this. Now I'm thinking again to use WebUpdater as my choice unless somebody chimes in with a better recommendation. And maybe that is how you get to Version 4.20 which is not available as a download.

I know this isn't answering your question, but it seems kind of strange. I have a 76CSx that I bought new 4-26-10 and mine has software version 4.20 but my GPS sw version is only 2.30m, I wonder what the story is on that. When Garmin changed the chip from SiRF (legal issues) to Mediatek the sw version changed. You two have reminded me of something important that I forgot: the Mediatek chipset. I bought my unit several years ago and believe that it has the original SiRF chipset. I seem to remember that units shipped with the Meidatek had an "M" in front of the software version, and mine does not. I now plan to upgrade using the GPSMAP76CSx_400.exe file that I downloaded from the Garmin website. Interestingly enough, the website does not offer the software version 4.20 mentioned in the above thread. All I care about is to be able to use the larger 4 MB chip. I want to make sure that I don't encounter problems with MapSource after upgrading the software because I use it to manage my waypoints and routes, loading them as needed into the GPS prior to each trip. Which method of upgrading do you think will be safer: WebUpdater or the downloaded executable?

Thanks, but this link only gives me the unit software. I need the chipset software. Here is what my unit says is installed: Software Version 3.70 GPS Sofware Version 3.00 The first is the unit software. The second is what I believe is called the chipset software. Any new GPS chipset firmware is included in the unit firmware distribution. They aren't managed separately. I recall being pleasantly surprised when a firmware distribution finally bumped our MediaTek chipset firmware to a level where WAAS started to function properly again. That was a good day. Thanks. Makes perfectly good sense to me and explains the lack of a separate download area for chipset software.

Thanks, but this link only gives me the unit software. I need the chipset software. Here is what my unit says is installed: Software Version 3.70 GPS Sofware Version 3.00 The first is the unit software. The second is what I believe is called the chipset software.

My GPSmap76CSx has Software Version 3.70 that I soon intend to update to Version 4.00 via WebUpdater because I now have a 4GB card full of Garmin 24K topos. I have a backup of 3.70 just in case because I know that updates do not always work out for the best. My unit also has GPS SW Version 3.00. Can somebody point me to a location where I can get a backup for this version just in case?

Also, wrong.... The latest firmware update allows card usage up to 16GB. I've been using an 8 gig card for a long time without problems on the 4.00 firmware version. They upped the limit somewhere around version 3.8 and this firmware is easily downloaded and installed from Garmin for free. According to the Garmin support site, any size memory card can be used, but only 4GB of mapping data are utilized. And the version of MapSource that I am using (6.15.1) warns me whenever my mapfile exceeds 4GB, overwriting the file size and number of map tiles, until I drop down below the limit.

So how long do NiMH batteries last in your Colorado 300?

Not sure how others do it, but I hold the unit level in the palm of my left hand and slowly rotate it with the right. However, before doing so, I remove my ring and my wrist watch figuring that metallic objects that close could cause screwy calibration results.

Your 60CSx should have built-in tide tables. Hit the FIND button, scroll down to the Marine icon and press ENTER. You should see the Tide Station icon. Press ENTER again and you will see a list of the closest tide stations based on your GPS location. Select one and press ENTER again to view the tide charts. If times are tough to estimate, hit the MENU button and select the Show High/Low option. This will give you the high and low tide times, easier than reading the charts.

Thanks. Without any other map sets loaded, I did not have a dropdown window. Everything seems to be working fine, now.

Dummy me. I wasn't zoomed in far enough. Everything is fine.

I installed Topo US 2008 on this desktop computer using the program CD that I purchased from Amazon. Previously, I had successfully installed it on my notebook several months ago. However, this time, although the installation appeared to be successful, the program is not accessing the topo maps which are in a Garmin subfolder folder named TOPO2008. There are 3GIGs of IMG files in this folder. What did I do wrong? When I select the maps tab, it shows nothing. I even updated to version 6.15.6 like on my notebook, but that did not bring up the maps. The map tab is still empty.

The Garmin site says 6.15.7 is dated 10/09/09, but when you click on the link to download it, you are taken to another page of map programs. Does anybody know how to retrieve it?

MD is included in the NE Topo .... Depends on how you define 24K and how close the available data is to that definition. There are good reasons why MD and some other eastern states have not been made available. The NE Topo is great, especially in Maryland where I live. The roads, water, and other features are so much more accurate than Topo 2008. However, the NE topo DOES NOThave the numeric road labels. Hence, if you like to use the topo in your vehicle, all you see are a maze of roads with no intersate shields or state road numbers of any kind. For that reason, I still use Topo 2008 while traveling in my Jeep, but I use the NE topo when afoot. By the way, what are some of the good reasons MD and some other Eastern states are not available from Garmin?

How you you reset a Garmin 60CSx and select the closest city when you relocate?

What exactly are map points? I've wondered about that setting for awhile.

If you are checking the location of your target with a hand held compass, the setting is extremely important.

Agree, frustrating that they would leave this for so long. Vista? Try this workaround: •Start MapSource (regardless of which map loaded) •File / open any GDB file •File / open any GPX file •File / open the GDB file again •File / save as GPX works ok I'm still slightly confused. If I open a GDB file and it remains open while I open a GPX file, how do I open the GDB a second time? I should have tried it before opening my big mouth. I forgot that MapSource closes the open file when you open a second file. Anyhow, YOUR TIP WORKED!!! You are correct in that loading a gpx initializes something in the program that is missing when it opens on certain computer. Thanks so much for this tip.

Agree, frustrating that they would leave this for so long. Vista? Try this workaround: •Start MapSource (regardless of which map loaded) •File / open any GDB file •File / open any GPX file •File / open the GDB file again •File / save as GPX works ok I'm still slightly confused. If I open a GDB file and it remains open while I open a GPX file, how do I open the GDB a second time?

Agree, frustrating that they would leave this for so long. Vista? Try this workaround: •Start MapSource (regardless of which map loaded) •File / open any GDB file •File / open any GPX file •File / open the GDB file again •File / save as GPX works ok I'm still slightly confused. If I open a GDB file and it remains open while I open a GPX file, how do I open the GDB a second time?

I have two machines with Windows XP (Professional and Home Edition) and cannot save GPX files with either. I also am using version 6.15.6. I have found that if you select No Map from View/Switch to Product that I can save in GPX format. I tried your procedure, but alas, it did not work for me. I still cannot save GPS in MapSource 6.15.6. Oops, typo. I meant GPX, of course.

I have two machines with Windows XP (Professional and Home Edition) and cannot save GPX files with either. I also am using version 6.15.6. I have found that if you select No Map from View/Switch to Product that I can save in GPX format. I tried your procedure, but alas, it did not work for me. I still cannot save GPS in MapSource 6.15.6.