CacheFreakTim

Here are the instructions directly from the owners manual...doesn't get any more clear than that. Installing Pocket Queries from E-mail 1. After getting the e-mail with your pocket query results, save the attached zip file to your computer. 2. Unzip the pocket query file. There will be two extracted files, one with a xxxxxxx.gpx filename and one with a xxxxxxx-wpts.gpx filename. 3. Connect your Magellan eXplorist GC receiver to your PC using a USB cable. 4. When prompted, select “Connect to PC”. 5. On your PC, open the MAGELLAN directory. 6. Drag the file xxxxxxx.gpx to the ‘Geocaches’ folder and the file xxxxxxx-wpt.gpx to the ‘Waypoints’ folder. 7. The data will be transferred to your receiver and the geocaches are ready to use. (You need to disconnect or reboot the receiver to exit the “Connect to PC” screen.)

Tim, I was interested in the Dakota, but when I checked them out at the local Bass Pro I found I don't like them. I love my touch screen Nuvi, but the little munchkin touch screens on Dakotas don't appeal to my big fingers. Plus, it reminded me of a potato for some reason. Taters don't feel right in a shirt pocket. Thats good. I always recommend going to the store to check them out first. Same holds true with the new eTrex units. I'm sure I will pick up at least one just to test it out and give it away if I dot like it. Testing it out in the store is always better than just buying blindly online.

I own the 450 but to be honest right now I would go with the Dakota. There is around a hundred dollar difference between them and unless you need Wherigo or the other minor differences the others have mentioned I can't see the Oregon worth the $100 premium.

Ya I think a lot of people overlook the iPad but it really is a great Geocaching device. The GPS is very accurate and the battery life is much better than any cell phone out there. The only issue is that if you drop it you are out $500-$800. Just hold on to it tight, or get a case.

This is super simple, so simple you probably overlooked it. When you are creating your pocket query (or editing it) the last possible option on the page is "Include Pocket Query name in download file name." Just select that and you are all set.

You can get full paperless data onto your unit but it will take a little work. Watch this video I made which should explain everything you need to know.

Many thanks and i dont want to sound ungreatfull but i dont understand how to do this procedure as have no idea what GSAK - macro -etc means but i will try my best thanks again Watch this video. It states it is for an eTrex, but is the same exact steps for your unit. It will explain how to get paperless data onto your GPS. It is not as easy as many of the newer paperless Geocaching units out there but will allow you to go 100% paperless.

The Geomate does not have the ability to enter coords. manually. To update them you will need the update kit ($25, also note you do not need one for each Geomate as you can just use one to update all the units.) When you go to update the units you have the option of updating to "all public caches", or uploading your own .GPX file. At this point you have the option of actually creating caches and making them public or placing the caches and keeping them secret. To create a GPX file with just these secret caches you would need to use an application such as GSAK to create a GPX file to upload to the Geomate's. Its up to you on what you want to do. Just creating a bunch of caches and making them public is the easiest method, while placing them and creating a GPX with the coords in GSAK will take some work on your end.

I don't think they have shipped yet. But with that said they look really cool. My only beef with the eTrex 20 is the price. The MSRP is $199 which is very close to the Dakota 10/20 which has many more features. I think at $125-$150 it would be a perfect fit.

I found the waterproof bag/case I was talking about. Check out "Aquapac Waterproof Case for iPhone and Droid" at Amazon or other stores.

Ah! Well....might be worth waiting anyway. They look awesome!

I checked it out and it doesn't seem like it. If you want GPS features with the ability to import Geocaches check out the Motion-X GPS app.

The official app is currently my favorite. It has many features and works very well. Another good choice is Geosphere which is equally as awesome. It has some slight advantages in use over the official app. If you are looking for an alternative check it out. Also I will mention my current favorite free app is Geo Bucket. You need to be a premium member of Geocaching.com to use it. It is very basic but shows you all cache information as well as navigates you to the cache. If you are looking for something more simplistic than the official app, or something free check it out.

My biggest wish is to have a device like the Oregon or 62 series that has wifi/Internet capability. It would be nice to have the ability to download PQ's on the fly. Currently this functionality is only available with smartphones.

The only water proof case I have seen looked like a bag. It was designed to take to the beach or a pool and you could even use the touch screen though the see through bag. Im not sure who made it but it seemed like a gimmick to me. As far as a tough case designed to take falls, I used the Otter Box on my old iPhone 3GS. It was super tough to the point you could throw it against a wall and not break the phone (don't really try this.)

Most GPS units (iPhone included) will be off 20-30ft or so. No GPS on the market will get you right on the money. I own both the iPhone 4 and Oregon 450 and both give me similar results when I cache with them. Once you get within 30 ft. it is time to put down the GPS and start looking with your eyes. Also as far as hiding caches, most Geocachers (the good ones anyway) will do waypoint averaging when hiding their caches. This is the act of taking multiple readings over a period of time (sometimes even over a couple different days) and averaging their locations to get a better representation of where the cache really is.

We are about a week or two away from the new eTrex units coming out. Might be worth waiting.

I would do a hard reset (make sure there is nothing you need on there first.) Just turn it off and hold all the buttons in at once. After doing this it will delete all the data on the device. At this point cross your fingers it is working ok. If not looks like its time for an upgrade!

Also Garmin just announced they are discontinuing Mapsource in favor of moving to Basecamp.

Im a big fan of GSAK as it does everything under the sun. It has a ton of features and can be daunting for newbies. If you are interested I did a video tutorial series on GSAK that will more than get you started. You really only need to watch the first few to learn how to import PQ's and get them on the GPS.

As others have said pass on the discontinued Oregon 200. The Dakota 20 is the way to go here unless you want to spend upwards of $300 and go for the Oregon 450.

I do not find my Oregon 450 to have any glare problems. Maybe it is because I am used to using it out in the sun and do not notice but I would not choose another unit over it for this reason. It is a great GPS and I am sure you will love it.

I have found the easiest program to use on the Mac is MacCaching.

I always look to see if the added features are worth taking the risk of running into bugs. If it is no big deal I usually just wait.

You may want to post this in the garage sale forum. It is used for people looking to buy and sell GPS units. Also stop yelling j/k