alandb

The eTrex 20 is on sale today at Amazon for $169.98.

Why are Eneloops so hard to find in local retail stores? I have looked in every big box store, electronics store and battery store in my area and none of them carry the Eneloops.

Not sure what you mean by "big enough". I use 2700 mAh PowerEX batteries in my 550T and usually get 5 or 6 hours when geocaching with fairly continuous use. I always carry fully charged spare batteries in my pack ... you never know when you might need them when your batteries die and you need to find the way back to the car.

While it is possible that Garmin has changed the case of that folder on later models, be advised that at least for earlier ones (e.g. Oregon), it is Garmin\GPX (upper case), and that these devices seem to be case sensitive. Thanks for that clarification ecanderson. I was not aware that the older models had the case restriction on the folder name. On my Oregon 550T (running firmware 6.60) the folder is named \Garmin\gpx (lower case) and the files load without a problem.

Yes, put the .gpx files in folder \Garmin\gpx on the card. Yes, the card is the place to put additional maps. The procedure depends on the type of map and where you get it from. But in general, the map files with the .img file name extension will go in the \Garmin folder on the card When the unit boots, it reads both the internal memory and SD card and loads files from both sources that are recognized file types in the correct folders.

Have you tried turning off the GLONASS?

If you are within 15 to 20 feet of GZ, it is time to put the GPS away and search with your eyes. A different GPS won't change this. There are good reasons to get a a handheld (durability, waterproof, battery life), but as far as finding geocaches, your iPhone app will do just as well.

I suspect you loaded the geocaches into your nuvi as Custom POI's using Garmin's POI Loader Program. If that is the case there are two ways to delete them. The simplest way is to plug your nuvi into the computer in Mass Storage mode, go to the \Garmin\POI folder and delete the file(s) that end with .gpi. The other way is to run POI Loader again and select the option to remove existing custom POI's

You/re welcome. Glad it worked for you.

Interestingly, the method doesn't work with my 550 if I use the "Safely remove hardware" selection on MyComputer instead of Eject. Maybe it is something unique to my computer setup. I am running Vista Home Premium on an ASUS G50VT laptop

I use this on my Oregon 550 all the time for two reasons. One is what you said, to be able to load and test geocaches and play with other functions without using up the batteries. The other reason is to reduce the number of times I plug and unplug the USB cable, as I think the USB port is a common point of wear and failure on the Garmin devices. Here is how I switch modes using Spanner mode: When in Mass storage mode, eject both the device and SD volumes (in the Windows My Computer panel). This safely closes the mass storage mode and powers down the Oregon. Then leaving the USB cable plugged in, I just press the Oregon's power button to restart it and get the spanner selection prompt again. When operating in normal mode under USB power, I simply press the power button to turn the device off. Again, leaving the USB connected, I press the power button again to restart it and get the spanner prompt.

Doesn't the 62s have "spanner mode"? If you can set the interface mode to spanner mode, it should prompt if you want mass storage. At least that's the way the Oregon works.

Watch for sales on the Oregon 450, expecially on factory refurbished units. You might be able to find one for close to your price range.

They are if you are a Premium member, use Pocket Queries and load the geocaches on the unit with the proper procedures.

I use the GSAK program (with a published macro) to generate a .GPX file that is loaded into the nuvi with Garmin's POI Loader program. This gives you full descriptions, hint, difficulty/terrain, etc. on the nuvi as Custom POI's. yes, all relevant information is available on the Oregon when you load a PQ.

I have let my subscription expire, but still have the V1 images on my Oregon 550.for my local area. I like them and find them useful when I am geocaching even tho they are out of date and the resolution isn't that good. I am considering renewing the Birdseye subscription so I can redownload the V2 images which are much better resolution and more up to date.

I have purchased two Garmin refurb's ... an Oregon 550T and a nuvi 3597LMTHD. Both were in "like new" condition with full 1 year warranty. I have had no problems with either of them.

Actually the Montana and Monterra do have a "nuvi mode" and give turn by turn voice directions if you buy the automotive mount (which has a built in speaker) and City Navigator maps. I would love to have a Montana with these add-ons. But the price is prohibitive by the time you pay the premium price for the unit, then add the cost of the mount and the maps. I keep waiting for the Montana prices to go down, but they have actually gone up since the Monterra came out.

If there is any chance you will want to use the device for conventional automotive "on road" navigation, the Montana might be the best choice. With the Montana, you can add the automotive mount with speaker and City Navigator map and get full nuvi-like navigation with voice prompts, lane assist, routing, etc.

Yes. Create folder \Garmin, then create subfolder GPX within \Garmin. Put your geocache files (.GPX or .LOC) in folder \Garmin\GPX.

Did you put the cache files in folder \Garmin\GPX?

I have had this problem occur "in the field" after adding a new waypoint for the next stage of a multi. Everything was fine with all geocashes showing, I add a new waypoint, and POOF! all the geocaches are "gone". That is why it is best to keep the GPX files on a SD card if your Garmin has the SD slot. With the files on SD, you can force the index rebuild as described by mineral2. If you have the GPX files in internal memory, you are stuck until you can make a USB connection to a computer. SD cards are cheap, so get one if your Garmin is a model that supports it (which is all of them except the low end models).

My Garmin Oregon 550 compass works like a dream. My Lowrance Endura Sierra, not so much.

They do, except for the lower end models. But be aware that Garmin has replaced the "Custom Routes" and legacy multi-point routing function on your 760 with something called Trip Planner. Trip Planner will convert routes created in S & T to trips. The main difference between trips and routes is that the Trip Planner processes each waypoint as a destination and splits the route into multiple segments that are automatically linked together. This has some side effects in navigation that many users have complained about. Just Google Nuvi Trip Planner vs Routes and you will find lots of discussion about it.

That is tough luck tonkaMN. Here is a pretty good youtube video that shows the repair process: . If I were you I would probably take the 550 apart and inspect it for damage before ordering the new parts.