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You could the "perry" Garmin Software Archives: http://www.gawisp.com/perry/agree.html

I have an Endura Sierra which is the same as the Safari but comes bundled with maps. The Endura loads the GPX files from a Pocket Query just fine. Create and run your PQ, download and unzip it, then copy the GPX files into the \GPX folder of the Endura. Boot up the Endura and give it a minute to index the new caches and you are ready to go caching.

I have the 550T and have been very happy with it. The electronic compass works great for finding geocaches. The pointer always points to the cache even when you are stopped or moving slowly. For placing caches, the waypoint averaging function works great. I did not find the 100K Topo map that is bundled on the 550T to be useful at all. It is just too inaccurate. I eventually removed the Topo map and replaced it with OpenStreetMaps for the US. That gave me accurate street maps and street navigation/routing capability. If you can get the Oregon 550 cheaper than the 550T, you might want to consider saving a few $.

You can use Pocket Queries, GSAK and the nuvi macro to download complete cache information to your nuvi as custom POI's. This will give you full descriptions, difficulty/terrain ratings, hint and newest logs as well as the cache coordinates, all displayed on the nuvi screen. It is still not the same as having a good handheld or smartphone app, but it does give you many of the advantages of paperless caching with your nuvi.

Are you asking about the radius alerts on custom POI files? These are implimented by having "TourGuide" as part of the POI source file name when you run POI Loader. As far as I know this is supported on all nuvi's.

New or refurb? Either way, you can't go wrong at that price.

I have have 6.40 on my Oregon 550 and have had no issues with it. Of course, YMMV, but I wouldn't worry too much about trying it. You can always backlevel if you suspect there are problems. The older software versions can be found on the Perry site: http://www.gawisp.com/perry/agree.html If you don't mind telling us, where did you get your Oregon and what kind of deal did they have?

Removing the micro SD card in the Oregon requires you to take out the batteries and fiddle with the flimsy locking cover on the card holder. Although it is doable, I would try to avoid changing SD cards in the field. It is pretty easy to drop the micro SD into a pile of leaves, and it is gone forever. I would prefer to hook the Oregon up via USB to a tablet or laptop and rename the files that way.

Doesn't the Garmin Montana accommodate a Li-Ion battery pack that can be recharged without removal?

Just tried it on my Sierra and you are correct. Thanks for the tip!

For the volume icon shown in the Windows My Computer window, on my Oregon 550 I think it is controlled by the autorun.inf file which is in the root folder of the device. For my Oregon, the content looks like this: [autorun] icon=Garmin\Garmintriangletm.ico action=Garmin Oregon label=Garmin Oregon The icon graphic itself is Garmintriangletm.ico which is in the \Garmin folder. When you formatted your device, you probably removed these files. If you have a backup, you can just copy them back in. If not, it is easy enough to create the autorun.inf file with Notepad and you can probably find the icon file with a little creative Googling.

Does it have the same symptoms if you plug it into a different computer?

Log it as a DNF, then ask the cache owner if you could have an additional hint. Many cache owners are willing to send you a private email message with an additional hint or two.

Seems to be fixed at this moment. I hope Groundspeak found the problem and fixed it.

Index corruption on GPX files has been a common problem on the older Oregons and other Garmin handhelds, so that may be what is happening to you. On my Oregon 550, it has happened most often when I add new waypoints in the field ... all of a sudden my presaved geocaches start disappearing. The best solution I have found is to keep all downloaded GPX files on the SD card. Then I can usually resolve the problem in the field (without connecting to a computer) as follows: 1) Shut down the Oregon and remove the SD card. 2) Restart without the SD card. At this stage, only the added waypoints in internal storage show up. 3) Shut down, reinstall the SD card, reboot. This forces the Oregon to rebuild the index of GPX files and has always brought back my full list of geocaches. Hope it works for you.

I think it is normal for fully charged NiMH to show higher voltage when measured with no load. I don't think you destroyed them.

You need to set the battery type to "Rechargeable NiMH" in Settings > System > Battery Type.The 1.2 V Eneloops will work great in your Oregon.

You can transfer a Pocket Query GPX file directly to your nuvi as Favorites, or as Custom POI's using POI Loader, but the problem is that they are listed with their GC code rather than the cache name. So it makes it hard to search for a specific cache in the list. The best way I have found is to load the PQ in GSAK, then run the GSAK macro named Nuvi_GPX_by_CT.gsk (Export GPX files by Cache Type for POI Loader). This gives you all the paperless information on your nuvi (name, description, D/T, hint, recent logs). As far as a recommended nuvi, any model should work. You might want to consider the nuvi 1450 LMT ($125 refurbished from Garmin's eBay store). Although a discontinued model, it would have a full warranty. It has a 5" display, lifetime map updates, traffic receiver, and true multipoint routing capability.

If you can get your money back from the seller, that is what I would do and put it towards a Garmin. I have a Lowrance Endurance Sierra and a Garmin Oregon 550T. The Oregon is superior to the Endura in every way. I doubt if taking your Endura on an airplane caused the problem, but moving it a large distance between bootups can cause any GPS device to take a long time to acquire. Have you tried leaving it stationary with a clear view of the sky for an extended time (20 or 30 minutes)? If you do that, it may be able to rebuild the ephemeris data and get a lock. Once it has locked, it should acquire a lock more quickly the next time. Incidentally, I am about ready to toss my Sierra. The power button has apparently broken off the system board. I felt it give way when I tried to power it on. I found that I can still boot it up by plugging it in briefly to the USB power, then quickly removing the cord. Then I have to turn off the power saving feature so it won't shut off or go into standby. The only way to shut it off is to pull the battery. So it is still usable, but a pain in the neck. Since it is a discontinued model, there is no hope of getting any support from Lowrance.

Have you tried this? Erase the GPX files in internal memory and remove the SD card. Boot it up and shut down. Then put in the SD card with the GPX files and boot again. If that doesn't work, you might try a system reset.

The Oregon 450 would be a good replacement for your Dakota 20. Since the introduction of the Oregon 6xx, the prices on the 450/550 have been dropping. YOu should be able to find a new one for under $200, used or refurb for somewhat less.

There is a discussion about sending geocaches to the Lowrance Endura series here: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=307311

Sox.exe is used by POI Loader. It needs to be in the same folder where POI Loader is installed

Go to the System Interface settings and change it from Serial to Spanner mode. Then when you plug the Montana into USB power, you should get a prompt about whether you want mass storage or navigation

The only way I know is to try to apply the update. If it takes, you had the older firmware. If it doesn't you already have the new firmware.