Point2Point

Sumi Das takes the RINO for a walk on Fresh Gear and comes back with a thumbs down rating (says it's too pricey). But she's lucky she got back at all - did you see her track when they showed the RINO's screen for a second? Made me laugh.

I have Mapsource Metroguide version 4.06 with map data version 2.00. How can I upgrade the map data? Do I have to buy a new version of Metroguide to get it??

First can I say that the Etrex socket/connector is a lousy design? It's about the only thing I don't like about my Vista. I'm sure the Garmin guys went with this sliding 'T' slot type connector because it was an easy way to keep the unit waterproof. But it's so difficult to use. And to make matters worse, the flip-up rubber cover is right smack in the way when you're trying to plug/unplug your cord (or is that slide/unslide?). Anyway, with that said, I originally bought a $15 power/PC cord on ebay. The Etrex end of it was made with 3 pieces of some type of cheap thermo-plastic (colored red, white and blue), held together with one screw. The plastic lost its shape in one day of dashboard heat and then the spring contacts wouldn't mate firmly to the Vista. I had to bend them out a little to make them touch. This was only a temporary fix because the plug continued to lose its shape more and more and would barely stay in place. Can you say "aggravating"? Bottom line is that you gets what you pay for and so I ended up buying a Garmin cord which has a one-piece molded plug on the end. It works good and I havent had any problems with it.

I have seen a lot of posts on here about what is the best idea for carrying your GPSr and,, well, might I just say that all of you have overlooked the obvious solution. I simply had my Vista surgically implanted in my left arm and now it goes with me everywhere. Totally hands free! Of course it hurts a little when I have to change batteries, but, I'm getting used to it. [This message was edited by Point2Point on October 06, 2002 at 03:57 PM.] [This message was edited by Point2Point on October 06, 2002 at 04:04 PM.]

Bottom line is that Mapsource (Metroguide) is just not that great of a program. It lacks so many features that you think it should have - but it doesn't. Like when you have your GPSr plugged in, Mapsource should give you all of the information that your GPSr has to offer - but it doesn't. Especially the basic navigation info such as bearing and distance to destination - updated in real time of course. Garmin, are you listening?

When using real time tracking in metroguide, is there a way to show the bearing pointer on the compass and/or a bearing from current position line on the map? If I have a "go to" waypoint selected on my GPSr, I would like to see the bearing info on the Metroguide screen. Why doesn't it work?

...if there are differences between units, I must have gotten one of the "good" ones. (Bought my Vista a little over a year ago.) I haven't had nearly as much problems with reception as most people claim with the Vista. I can usually get reception inside my house - and even in the car when it's in the garage. I don't really need to navigate throught my house or garage, but it's nice to power up the unit and have reception before taking off.

nah, they just left the 'H' off the end. It's a common mistake, but a typical example of the many errors you will find in Metroguide.

Ya, the Vista base map is not super-accurate, it basically gives you a rough estimate of where things are. Roads and streets are a little off and things like rivers and lakes aren't perfect when it comes to their shore lines. And forget about secondary roads and streets, they aren't there. Mapsource Metroguide does a LOT better, but you will still find errors here and there. In my local area there are roads drawn where there aren't any, streets mislabled, and even city markers with the wrong name. They even spelled Pittsburgh wrong in the map region indicator. So, I guess getting maps accurate down to the last detail is nearly impossible, but overall Metroguide does a decent job.

Ya, you're right, the retail price of Metroguide is outrageous, even at the lowest retailers. I got mine on ebay at less than retail (MUCH less after following a lot of auctions) but I only got the CD's - no documentation. So again, you're probably right, the seller might have copied them and resold, but who knows? Selling used software is not illegal, but using the copies is - so as the buyer, you don't have any liability when purchasing the originals. The last word is,, once you get Metroguide, you will probably not be that impressed with what it does - I sure wasn't. It's just not that great of a program. It has very shallow features, maps have a lot of errors, and, how can I put this,,, no "wow" factor. To me, it should be a $49.99 program - at most. So don't pay retail, be patient on ebay and try to pay as little as possible. That's what I did.

is there any way to get the latest maps without buying a software upgrade? or is that the main purpose of purchasing a new version of metroguide?

Now what we really need is a USB cable that not only talks to your GPSr, but also powers it. (USB can supply up to 5 volts right?) That way, a mobile set-up in the car would not require separate power plugs for the GPSr and for the laptop. Just get the laptop plugged in to your cig lighter and then the GPSr feeds off of that via USB. My Vista/laptop mobile set-up now requires two power plugs - and luckily my Grand Cherokee has two. But it's a hassle with all the wires. Maybe there is such a USB cord? Anybody?

This may sound stupid, but one of my biggest fears is wild animals. Have you ever seen the shows on TV where people get attacked by deer and bears and dogs?? even rabid racoons can be potentially very dangerous. I always take a 3 oz belt mount of pepper spray. Hope I never have to use it.

My take on FRS radios: "Can you hear me now?" "Huh?" "Where are you?" "Huh?" "What?" "Can you hear me now?" .. and so on.

I'm actually using the aux power outlet in my Grand Cherokee,, it stays on all the time. It's not actually the cig lighter

Choice of default start-up screen. The Garmin units go to "Satellite" upon start-up. I would prefer to just go to "Map". I'll check satellite screen if I need to. OK, Garmin?

Thanks for the comments. I wasn't at all worried about damaging my car, that's not really an issue. Was just wondering about any effects on the GPSr. I guess this all stems from the fact that I don't really like the power-up hassle of the Vista. The touch-hold power button doesnt give any tactile feedback when you press it and you have to wait a second or two to see if the unit is turning on - or if you didn't quite press it right and it's waiting for a little more finger pressure to turn on. It's always a guessing game. Then the boot up process takes another minute or so and brings up the satellite screen. My default screen choice is the map screen, so then I have to click over to that.. Just a hassle every time I get in the car to go through "the launch sequence". I have no problem just throwing the unit in the center console when I leave the car parked where someone might see it. That's easy. But if someone does ever steal my car, well I guess they get the Vista as a bonus.

Cool. Worked on my Vista.

I have been leaving my Vista in the car - plugged into the cig lighter and leaving it on all the time. Was just wondering if anyone knows if that is a bad idea? I mean, I know electronics don't wear out from being left on, but is there a good reason to turn off your unit and reboot it occassionally? Or any other reason to shut it off? Thanks

just too curious about this story to let it go without a reply.. how did you leave your unit behind? and why didnt you go back later and look for it?? maybe you could have posted on the cache page and the next finder could have helped locate it?? just wondering.

Thanks for this thread,, I was going to try a Virtual CD program to emulate a CD drive on my hard disk just for this purpose, I didnt think just copying the CD's to a directory and installing from there would work,,,, but it DOES !

I was considering buying Metroguide until I looked at the map detail window that Garmin provides on their web site. (I assume this is the latest map data used in their newest Metroguide version?) But when I start looking closely at the maps, there are SO MANY errors,, roads and streets drawn where there really are none,, streets and roads with wrong names, schools mislabled, even city markers in totally the wrong place! How could anyone depend on this software when there are so many errors?? I don't think I want to spend 100 bucks on a program that can't even locate city markers correctly. Does everyone/anyone notice these types of glaring errors with Metroguide in their local area?? Just wondering. Thanks Oh one more thing, can anyone tell me if you have to have the CD in the CD tray for the software to run? I was thinking of using this on an old laptop that doesnt have a built-in CD. [This message was edited by Point2Point on August 15, 2002 at 02:44 PM.]

Ok, well I keep an old laptop in the car that I use with mapping software, but there are times when I just want to use the Vista's displays, not the maps. So it would be nice to have the Vista ported through the laptop so the Vista screen would be bigger and easier to see (on the laptop). And also I could leave the Vista in its windshield holder where it can maintain good reception and just use the laptop keyboard to control all the functions.

Anyone know of any software for the Vista that will allow you to use your PC as the user interface for your GPSr? In other words, you plug your Vista into your laptop and the PC software displays a replica of the Vista's screen and then you use your laptop keyboard to access all of the Vista's functions. I want this! NOW!

Just looking for some comments on the power adapter for cigarette lighter for Etrex Vista. Thinking of buying one and was wondering about the pros and cons. Thanks