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Well I thought I would add my comment. I own 2 Axim PDA's one is an X5 and the other an X51. The X5 has a pharos Compact Flash GPS. It was good but if not used regularly it would drop the GPS and I would have to reconfigure it. Not that big of a deal but when I needed it, it was an issue. Also it took at least 2 minutes to loc-on. I consistently used Delorme Topo and Pocket software bundles. I started in 04 and i'm now on version 06 topo and 07 street. My current configuration is the Dell Axim X51 with the blue tooth logger. I chose the logger since sometimes I don't need the mapping but would like to track my bike rides or my hikes if there on a trail that is well mapped. The blue tooth locs-on in seconds and never needs to be reconfigureed unless you hard reset the PDA. Any way the new Topo software is good but I noticed that the zoom levels have changed over the years due to the addition of new products attached to the software. In 04 the zoom was down to 38 feet. That was the best in the market., 06 went to 78 feet and now in 07 its out to about 276 feet. Thats fine for driving but not for Geocaching. The further the zoom the more searching your doing. It may be look like your on the spot but in reality you could be 100 or so feet off target. Since I just started with the new software i'm now testing and contacting Delorme and there forums on this. The paperless is awsom. Everything is in the PDA. The down side is the battery life is a trade off. Get a 12volt charger is my suggestion. Also in Topo 06 it will translate the gpx and loc formats in geocaching. My moral to all of this is either way you spend alot of money and you're never satisfied, but then again thats technology for ya. I love the outdoors and technology on my hip while i'm there. Geocaching is a blast even if you're 100+ feet off target. I'm not trying to discourage you in any way against any setup because in reality to each there own and i'm sure someone will say i'm wrong. Good luck in deciphering all the comments and the "this is the best" posts.

GixxerUT I don't use an Etrax. I use a CF gps unit. I download either by transferring to my SD card from my PC or I go online with the axim and just veiw the page from Geocaching. In the feild this page is veiwable since IE will save it in the memory. I just pull it back up.

Hello all Do you know you already have a html veiwer on your pda no matter what OS or version of PDA you use. Its IE. Most times I just use the pda to go online and veiw the page. Then when i'm in the feild it's held in memory of the IE. Therefore allowing me to veiw it even if i'm not online. You don't even need any new adapters. While your syncing or after its done leave it open, pick up your axim and go to IE and type the URL into the URL window. login or not and pull up the cache you want. Once its veiwed its saved into your IE. I see so many people get cought up in buying software that already exists on the PDA. I just don't get it. I could copy and paste the coordinates right into my mapping software and there I am. However I too will try the GPX Veiw to see if it is better or just more steps to get the same results. What ever floats your boat or sales on your mast..either way get out and Cache'.

I run a PDA with Delorme both Pocket streets and Topo 3d V.5. The maps are completely uploadable to a PDA and can interact with Garmin products. There is a transfer option to move it to the PDA or GPS. Or you can save it and then copy it to the device. I use mostly the Topo wich works great as a street planning software as well as a Geocaching product. No switching maps, no switching computers or laptops. Just drop a waypoint find the closest street and plan the trip from start to finish. Its that simple. It allows me to track my hikes, gives me voice commands on the road, and if i'm out and about and someone says "lets go caching" I just punch in the waypoint coordinates and it puts me ontop. I started reading this forum to see if there was anything better for me out there, but after 3 hrs of scanning this forum i've come to the conclusion that I have the best option. No problems transferring waypoints, maps, even someone elses log files. I can plan on the fly. Just the other day my boss asked me to go to a conference that was starting in an hour. No problem punched in the address of the hotel, started a trip plan from finish to start and reversed it and off I went. A half hour later I was walking in the door of the conference. With time to chat and get coffee and snacks. I read the isssues with standalone gps units and I just don't see the reason for having a unit that only does one thing. I can jump on the net and get waypoints from Geocaching.com or even if it was e-mailed to me or as in the past given to me over the phone. The only downside I have is weight. I use a Dell Axim X5 wich is probably one of the heaviest PDA's out there, but it offers 2 memory card slots. One for the CF gps unit and one for maps, waypoints and even downloaded html files. I don't think any other PDA can say that. I also use a OtterBox for outdoor protection. I can hang it from a belt loop or a pack strap or mount to my bike. Its still lighter than a laptop. Sorry its a long winded response but I thought you might want to know this guys opinion.

I have a Pharos CF with a Dell Axim X5 and it works great. It occasionally takes some time to get a fix if I'm moving but not too bad when starting stationary. I had to play with the settings a bit since there was not instructions and I did not use there software from Pharos. I run Delorme topo V5 and love it. It lets me zoom down to 35ft. I know some go closer but its good. Taking a PDA out into the weather is not a good idea. I picked up a Otter box wich is extremely rugged. It becomes heavy in the hand but I usually hook it to my pack or give it to the porter (my son). Its been dropped kicked a couple of times and not a problem. You may want to check your settings before shopping around. You may have inadvertantly checked something that uses the external antenna only. Just a thought.