GeoCyclist

I love my Vista, if you get into deep enough tree cover you will lose reception. But when this happens I just move around until I can see the sky then my reception comes back. It has not been a huge problem. The side buttons on the eTrex series are very nice. It is designed to allow you operate the unit (pressing all buttons) with one hand. It was designed to be held in the left hand but I can also use it in the right hand. This has been a nice feature for geocaching and using the unit when driving. I have not tried it but imagine you could carefully use the buttons with thin gloves but not heavy artic gloves. But considering other GPSrs I have seen with small buttons close together the eTrex looks as glove friendly as any. I also like the small size of the Vista for caching and hiking and Garmin makes a very nice holster with belt clip for around $15 to carry it in.

If you go to Garmin's web site it will tell you what each version does/fixes.

I did a lot of research on the web and on these forums before I bought. This helped me understand what features where out there on a GPSr and what models people liked. Also I found the best price on he web.

When I find a cache I always like to see new items in packaging rather than used items that are unpackaged. Use common sense, if the packaging takes up a lot of space and there is little room left in the cache then remove the packaging. Also consider how the item will survive a little moisture. Even though caches are supposed to be water tight many aren’t. I will often put items in zip lock bags to help keep them dry and clean.

Might be good as long as you get to shoot muggles. On another note, with the interactive games you can play with other people over the net a Caching game might be neat if it was interactive. You could look for caches that others hide.

You said you tried to use a "route" and your GPSr gave you a straight line. If you want to see the actual path you walked you need to use the "Track feature" This feature will show you your actual path and allow you trace it back to the start (or the end). The advantage of "tracks" is the you can turn it on and forget about it. You don't have to save waypoints along the way. I use this feature while hiking. When you save waypoints and create routes the path between each waypoint will always be a straight line. I also got the map software and like it a lot.

Welch gave some good advice. The legend does not have an electronic compass. This means your compass works by GPS only. If you stand still your compass will not work. For the GPS compass to work you must be moving, the faster the better. As you move along GPS takes your position every couple seconds then your Legend figures out what direction you are moving. Also try practicing in your back yard. Drop a marker then save your location as a waypoint. Then walk away and practice finding your marker. You said you were looking in a shopping center. Was this a micro? If so it may be easier to find a traditional cache in a large container, like an ammo box that is rated easy to find. As I am new to the sport too I usually go after caches that were found recently so I am pretty sure they are still there.

I use the rechargable NiMH too, they are great and don't have the memory problem old NiCads do. When weight is a consideration (hiking) I use Litium Ion batteries as they are many times lighter than other types of batteries. Unfortunately I have not seen rechargable Litium Ion batteries yet in AA or AAA.

If you cut the top of the pole off flush you can insert a threaded rod (or cut a bolt head off) into the top of the pole and screw it on to cover up the nut. Just unscrew when you need the camera mount.

To add to PandyBat just remember "Red, White, and Blue" are colors not to wear in the woods. White can get you mistaken for the white tail of a deer. Another reason I like camo pants (genuine GI) is they are more durable than other types of clothing. Double layered knees and rear.

If you are considering the eTrex Legend I would strongly suggest spending a few extra bucks to get the eTrex Vista. It has an elctronic compass which has been very handy for caching. Additionally it has 24 MB of memory vs. the Legend's 8. I love my Vista. With the buttons on the side it is easy to use with one hand.

See a thread I started in the Getting Started Section, titled "How Much Memory Do I need? I go many replies from people who told me many states they could load.

I search for caches by Zip code. This works okay in rural areas but may not work in a City where there are several zip codes.