Whizzn

Hi All; A few months ago I bought an eTrex Legend (blue'ish clear case) and MapSource Metro Guide V5.0. I've only used the eTrex a little so far so doing some beginner Geocaching, so I'm not real experienced. Last week I finally got a laptop. The laptop only has USB ports. I've been prowling this great forum looking for hints, clue's etc.. for putting this pair together to achieve real time tracking and auto routing on the laptop. Hopefully I've figured it out OR close to understanding and doing it. Here is what I understand so far: I install Mapsource Metro Guide on my laptop. I download and install Nroute from the Garmin site (I think it's called that). For live tracking info. I need to buy this cable http://pfranc.com/cgi-bin/P/eUSB1 . Since I'm no techie like you guys, this one I'm not sure about. I believe that I would need a dual cable; one that will supply external power from the USB port of the laptop to the eTrex (so I don't run on batteries all the time), and one to transfer constant data between the eTrex and the laptop. I have a cigarette lighter power plug for the eTrex, but, I don't think I can use it and a USB connector at the same time, right??? My goal is to put the eTrex Legend on the dashboard with a cable(s) going to the laptop. The laptop will be plugged into the cigarette lighter for power for long trips, powering itself and the eTrex. If I understand what I've been reading I will be able to get live tracking, auto routing and all the other standard eTrex information that is displayed on it's little screen, including voice for turns and directions all now coming from the laptop. Is this correct ??? Thanks to all in advance for any input you offer to keep me straight and not doing something stupid or buying the wrong things or worse, totally misunderstanding this whole thing. John McC Florida

Hi Zack; Thanks for answering. No, not any particular area. Just starting geocaching and with just my base map the waypoint is usually in a "blank area" of the map. I would like to see which roads would be around or very near the area of the cach. But with Panama City not being "metropolitan" I don't know the detail these maps would offer. If they offered the huge majority of our streets and roads then I would buy it. Whizzn

Quick Question. I'm new to GPSr's and geocaching. I've been reading the info on the city map software. They all basically say something like "....and has detailed city/street maps for MOST MAJOR METROPOLITAN areas...." Panama City hardly qualifys for that. Is there someone here from Panama City (Bay County) Florida that has the eTrex line and uses city software, that can tell me if it's detailed enough to spend $100 for ?? Thanks in advance for your time and help. Whizzn

Hi All; This makes sense now when reading various posts about caches. Once again, Thank You all for the various answers, it really, really helps. Whizzn

Hi All; I'm new to geocaching. When reading the forum, I see numerous mentions of archived caches. I've searched the various FAQ's for a definition of this and can't find it. It appears to be caches that are not any good (for some reason). If a cache is archived, does that mean that I couldn't look those up and still go there if I wanted too? If a cache is bad and is archived, why wouldn't it just be deleted from the web site? Thanks in advance for your time in teaching me about this fun sport. Whizzn

Thanks all for replying. That was confusing and I did switch to bearing pointer mostly. I'd switch back occassionally to see what the course pointer was doing just to try to figure out what it was really telling me. Whizzn

HI ALL; I'm brand new to GPSr's and Geocaching. I went out Sunday (my first day) with my new Legend armed with 5 waypoints to caches I wanted to try to find. I pointed to the waypoint I wanted, then I would switch to the Course Arrow. It would tell me I'm off course so many miles/feet. As I got closer to the cache, it would keep telling me I'm off course so many feet. I found 4 out 5 Sunday and it was great fun. My question: Why does the Legend tell me I'm off course when I haven't put any kind of course or loaded any kind of track to follow? If I'm simply putting in a waypoint and saying "take me there", what does it use to indicate I'm off course? I don't have City maps loaded, so as far as I can tell it is not using roads to say I'm off course. Thanks in advance for you time and help for a noobie user. Whizzn

Thanks ALL for the great answers and suggestions. You were right about my thinking I would need an external antenna. I put the unit in the truck with me (chevy S10) while I work. I guess I have enough glass that it seems to get and keep a signal pretty much the whole time even laying it in the seat seemed to do pretty good, with only the occasional "poor reception" message. However, I learned one thing real fast. I instantly became fixated on it !! I had to make myself put the thing down and drive. I was constantly looking at it, fiddling with buttons, and maps, watching my heading, speed, etc. This thing is worse than a cell phone. In fact, once I had my cell phone in one hand and the Legend in the other, trying to figure out how to steer. As to the WAAS mode: Going outside and letting the Legend get a good lock, I turned on WAAS and when all the signal bars had "D's" in them, I started walking around. My accuracy has been pretty good, telling me 15-25 ft. With WAAS turned on it reported 25-50 ft. I did this several times over the last couple of days. I had read a couple of articles including the one on the Garmin site about WAAS, and I wound up being disappointed with the accuracy, so I keep it turned off. (I read that with that off you will save battery power). I look forward to the holiday weekend and starting on caching. Thanks again for the help and support. John

Thanks Tubby for your answer. I would tend to think that "Battery Saver Mode" would make the Legend not as accurate or something. I do not have an Altimeter or electronic compass to "shut off" with battery saver mode. If I following a route and it shifts into battery saver mode, I would think it would quit tracking or something. As you can tell, that's why I'm asking here, I don't have a clue to what that does. Thanks again for your time. John

Hi All; This week I bought my first GPS unit, a Garmin eTrex Legend. I do not have a special need for one, like hiking, etc, I just plain wanted a GPS. While searching for info to learn how to use it, I ran across Geocaching and immediately fell for the concept and very obvious fun this wonderful hobby can provide. I have printed out the info and downloaded waypoints for several local caches and will be going out this weekend for my first time. The manual for the eTrex leaves much to be desired. Yes, it tells me what the functions do and how to do them, but for me at least, it doesn't "pull it all together" for practical use. For instance, there is a setting to put the unit into "Demo mode". The manual says click on this to put it into Demo mode, but doesn't say what Demo mode is or how to use it. So, could someone please tell me what this does and how to use it? The same goes for "Battery Saver Mode". What does this do to the unit? The manual doesn't explain that either. Since the Legend doesn't have an external antenna jack, I've searching for and reading about antennas. I found 2. One for $49 that uses 3 aaa batteries. It appears to attach to the top of the Legend with a rubber band. My question before I buy one: can I hook the cigarette lighter power cord AND this attenna to the Legand at the same time ? I very much look forward to Geocaching and reading the great postings in this forum. One day I hope to contribute to the forum and not just "take" from the forum. Thanks in advance for your time and expertise in answering my questions. I'm sure I will have more as time goes on. I certainly hope I don't wear out my welcome here. John Panama City, Florida