Sputnik 57

I would first try re-loading the maps from MapSource and make sure your routing method is set to Follow Roads. If that doesn't work, I would try resetting the unit (Hold ENTR and PAGE while powering up).

Converting an address to GPS coordinates (called "geocoding") isn't an exact science, but it generally works will enough to get you close. I like to use TravelGIS, which is free and pretty easy to use. My address is 4235, which happens to be the last house in the 4200 block of my street. Most geocoding servers show 4235 as about a third of the way down the 4200 block of the street. Like I said, not exact, but close enough for Jazz.

Forum lore says more caches have been found by the little yellow etrex than by any other unit. Inexpensive but effective. If you buy a used unit, make sure that the firmware is version 3.xx. Units with firmware version 2.xx do not have WAAS data correction and are not quite as accurate. Once you are even more hooked, you'll want to get a data cable to connect your GPS unit to your computer (entering cache coordinates by hand gets to be a pain). The Etrex doesn't come with a cable; it runs another $20 or $30. When you add the cost of the etrex and a cable, you are nearly at the cost of a blue Garmin Legend, which is like a etrex with a map. You may consider going straight for the Legend if you can fit it into your budget.

Many Garmin handheld units have a "jumpmaster" mode. It is designed for people willing to abandon a perfectly functional aircraft. Not for me, but if that is your deal, it might be worth looking at.

I always wear my foil hat when I use mine, just in case :-)

Note that for some urban aerial maps, the data source for USAPhotomaps is off by about 500 NNE. Houston happens to be one of the affected areas, but there are others. This should not be the case with topo maps. Is it possible that USAPhotomaps is using the NAD27 datum (which many paper USGS Topos use) instead of WGS84? I haven't ever had that issue come up. Edit: Since you are just exporting the jpeg, and not the data, these shouldn't matter. It is a calibration issue. As Emily Latella would say, "Never mind."

Some people ask why they should support public radio. They give you a nice tote bag or a coffee mug, but that isn't why I do it. I can listen for free, but I think it is worthy of my support. I am a premium member because I think CG.com is worthy of my support too. I'll be the first to admit that you can't push the analogy too far. GC.com is a for-profit business, and there is plenty of add space on their site. But I like caching! I want to keep using this site as a repository for lots of cache info. I want the folks that took the initiative to put all of this together to prosper and stick with it. That, for me, is reason enough to join. YMMV.

Two observations. First, the maps are stored on your card, and the waqypoints in internal memory. It is unlikely that one interfered with the other. Much more likely is that the memory card wasn't properly seated and the maps disappeared until it was reseated. Second, not all waypoint symbols are supported by all units. Units designed for automotive, marine and airplane use all share MapSource, and not all use the same symbol set. I know its a pain, but you are stuck with (i) the symbols pre-loaded on your unit plus (ii) a small set of custom waypoint symbols. Search this forum for threads on the latter.

Nope. nRoute basically puts a map on your screen (somewhat like MapSource, but with a more navigation-friendly interface) and then plots your position using info from your GPS receiver.

On the unit itself, you can list the waypoints, hit MENU, and then Delete by Symbol. There isn't any way to filter by "those I like best." The Delete by Symbol thing works great if you want to get rid of, say, found geocaches.

Great review! I think everyone has personal preferences and feels strongly that whatever he or she owns is the "right" unit for everyone. Those thoughts got a little carried away in the dialog in this thread. I'm betting you'll love your Vista!

Here is one by NeoGeo. There are few more linked in question 9 of the Waypoints section of the old FAQ.

You can't go wrong with either unit. They are functionally pretty much the same. The features are pretty much the same. The only real difference is the human interface. Best suggestion is to go and hold them both and see if you like the 60 lot$ better. If not, go with the Vista

In short, Geocaches are just waypoints with the geocache symbol (by default, a closed treasure chest).

Maps and POIs are stored on the card, but waypoints are stored on the unit's internal memory, so that may be the reason why you are seeing one and not the other. Is it possible that all the waypoints on your unit are more than about 110 miles from your nearest location? I know that sounds far fetched, but if it happens to be so, and the unit has essentially rebooted, the default search mode for waypoints is Find Nearest, which only shows 50 waypoints nearest to you, and only those within about 110 miles. Its a long shot, but while you are waiting to call Garmin, try hitting MENU from the waypoint list and select .Find by Name

Until they fix the glitch, just change the symbol on the caches you download to a closed treasure chest, and they will show up as geocaches again.

Garmin units with built in rechargable batteries (e.g., Quest, Nuvi, etc) charge when plugged in. Units with replaceable batteries do not. Recharging standard AA bateries can be very bad. Garmin tries to avoid fire, death and distrcution with their units whenever possible.

I also believe that in earlier days, when GPS memory was at a premium, the memory overhead to store all the time zone info was thought to be not worth the candle. They could add this to the firmware on x units that have plenty of unused base memory, but it probably isnt very high on Garmin's list of priorities.

Lots of 76S users have griped about not being able to change the size of the data fields. This is true on both the 60C/76C series and the HCx units. Too bad Garmin can't seem to offer this ability on color units. I would be surprised to learn that you can't cycle through pages forward and back on the HCx. I have never heard that issue raised before. Can anyone comment on that? One the 60C series, you hit PAGE to go forward and QUIT to go back. Not very intuitive, but it works.

I think the real question is, "Where does a guy find a wife like you?" What a great idea! I've read the other posts. I don't like the letting him pick one for himself or for you. I would buy the 60CSx (actually, I don't like the S version because it doesn't give the correct altitude when I fly in a pressurized cabin, so I would get the 60Cx). Then I would tell him after he opens it that you were really torn between that one and the Vista. Tell him that before he uses it too much, he should check out the Vista and that it won't hurt your feelings at all if he changes units. The only reason I would buy the 60 first is that it costs a bit more, so he won't have to ante up more $ if he wants to change units. He will love either unit.

I got my directionally challenged daughter a Quest. She uses it for auto nav, and she and her husband also cache with it. In my opinion, it isn't as rugged as my 60C in the woods, but it does fine for them. She loves getting voice directions when it is plugged in while she drives. Check the FAQ thread pinned at the top of this forum for a link to the Ensiglia Family's FAQ on the Quest. It is very useful.

To add a new waypoint, you simply press MARK to mark your current location. Then cursor up and change the coordinates to those of the next stop in the multicache. You can also change the name and symbol. Then press Goto. Not at all intuitive, but pretty simple when you know how.

If you have MapSource, you can download the tide tables used in the GPSMap 162 or 168 and load them into a Legend or Vista. The Garmin tide information can be found here. Neo Geo's thread gives instructions for loading them on the Legend C and Vista C. Same steps for a Legend or Vista HCx.

The main difference between Legend and a Vista is that the latter has an electronic compass and an altimeter built in. Some find the electronic compass helpful to point your direction when you aren't moving. Others find it to be a pain to keep calibrated. If you are getting along well with the 12 (that is what I started with!), you won't miss either of these features. The base map is about like the old state maps you used to get in gas stations (I guess you can still buy them there). They have freeways, highways and major roads throughout North America, but virtually no local roads or streets. If you live in an urban area, you already know the highways and major streets. You need City Nav maps to get any real details. The H chipset gives better accuracy in marginal conditions. The x units have expandable memory (the regular Legend and Vista have very limited build-in memory). If you save your pennies until you can get it in all, I would go with a Legend HCx (around $220 on line) and City Nav Maps (another $100).

There are several GPS "dongles" that allow you to get GPS data to a PC. The Garmin 18 is one, but it ususally comes with detailed maps and in that configuration is likely to be priced higher that you want. The 18 comes with serial or USB connectors. There are also bluetooth dongles (is it still a dongle if there isn't a wire?) like the Freedom mini bluetooth GPS. Again, the price is a stretch just now.