MeisterCrew

I have recently started bicycling again and I'd like to attach my Vista to my bike. I have found the Garmin handle bar mount available through Rei.com {$18} and Cabela's has a "Ram" mount available for the Vista also. The Garmin mount looks to be a much better and lighter setup. The "Ram" brand looks heavy and cumbersome. Has anyone used either of these types of mounts? Does either of them work okay? Any problems? I'll be mounting it on a road bike, not a mountain bike. Thanks

Mine came from some kids playing a phone prank while I was at work. I work in a retail/wholesale automotive repair facility. When I first started I was doing telephone sales to other garages. These kids kept calling our 800 number which used to belong to "Meister Tire". For some reason every time they called, I would be the one who answered. Apparently they had an old Meister Tire ad with our phone number on it. They would call and just yell, "Meister Tire" over and over like Rob Schneider would say Meister on SNL. I thought it was hilarious{having been a phone prankster myself at one time} and kept repeating it to my co-workers. That led to some of my co-workers calling me "Meister".

Opinions are like elbows. Most people have one or two and here's mine. As recent beginners in geocaching, we appreciate all types of caches. The simple mini's are nice when the kids are along and want a "quick-fix". The more difficult ones that require some hiking, more thought, etc. are fun for myself. The kids don't see the fun in hiking a mile or two one way to find a cache yet. When we go out for the day geocaching, I try to tie easy and hard ones together so all are happy. Also, I am not a rocket scientist, but I sure can tell if it's going to be easy or hard just by the map on the Geocaching website. So if you really don't enjoy the easy to get to ones (i.e. parking lots), do a little investigating and don't go if you don't want to. Keep all those caches coming! BIG, small, whatever, wherever. We'll decide if we want to do them or not. That's my 3 elbows worth.

I'd just like to say thanks to Clyde and Mr. Lipe and all the others "behind the scenes" developing this software to work with the GPS'. I am fairly new to Geocaching and very new to GSAK. A lot of what I read here is over my head yet. For now I was just looking for a faster way to get the coordinates into my Vista. But after a day of working with negative employees and ignorant/rude customers, it is pleasing to read some of the very helpful replies to the questions and problems that some of you have come across. This "family" of Geocaching is a relaxing break from the day-to-day crap.

I started Geocaching about a month ago. My wife got me an eTrex Vista for my anniversary present. I am therefore somewhat biased towards it. It has all the bells and whistles I could ask for. The barometric altimeter is cool to look at, but has not played a roll in any of our adventures yet. The compass has been a definite plus. It would be nice to compare my Vista to a higher end model to see if it gets better satellite reception under light tree cover. I would not want one with a radio feature. The only thing I want to hear when Geocaching or hiking is the wildlife nearby or the kids yelling with excitement because they found the cache. Hope that is of some help. Good luck.

Thanks for ALL your help! That is my primary reason for wanting the topo software and didn't want to buy it and find out it didn't contain info on the trail. FYI: The name Loyalsock Trail comes from Loyalsock Creek, which comes from the indian phrase, Lawi-Saquick, meaning middle creek or flowing between Muncy Creek and Lycoming Creek. Most of the trail covers old logging roads and rail beds. One section follows the Towanda Indian Trail which dates back before the coming of the white man. Most of the above info is from the Loyalsock Trail Guide book. T.M.I., I know, but I felt compelled to write it anyway.

We've only found 3 caches so far. We're just starting. The first was an ammo-can. The second 2 were plastic. There's just something different/special about the ammo-can. If and when I make up a new cache, it'll definitely be with an ammo can. There are some surplus stores here in my area that have them, and I know I've seen them at every gun show I've been to.

Here's some more info on Loyalsock Trail. The trail head is roughly 10 mi. NE of Montoursville. It starts directly off of Rte 87. The trail goes roughly 60 miles East{in a round-about way} to Rte 220. The trail passes through Worlds End State Park. Hope that is a help.

I have an eTrex Vista and would like to get the topo software. I saw in some advertisement that it contains trails. Can anyone tell me if it contains the Loyalsock Trail in PA. It is in Lycoming and Sullivan Counties. Thanks for your help.

I recently received an eTrex Vista as an anniversary present. My wife got one for me because I take the kids hiking a lot and usually come back later than I tell her. I think she's thinking my ETA's will be closer. Then I stumbled upon Geocaching.com on the internet. Anyway; on to the question. My Vista shuts itself off every now and then. Is this common? It has happened while I had satellite lock on and without. Battery status {alkalyine} was more than adequate. It will turn right back on without any problem also. Any suggestions? Having fun geocaching!

I have an eTrex Vista. I regularly get 5-6 satellites. Usually 7-8 on clear days. Most of the time I have no. 35 WAAS. Before I got my GPS, I read some very useful information on the Trimble website. It goes into great detail explaining the GPSystem. My manual for my Vista says that the WAAS is still experimental, and may not be fully functional. When I have that no. 35 locked on, my GPS has had an accuracy reading as low as 14'. Does anyone know if the WAAS is now fully functional?? I am in NE Pennsylvania.

I received my eTrex Vista about 2 weeks ago as an anniversary present. I had not had one prior to that. My wife got me one because I regularly take the kids on hikes on the weekends. I stumbled upon Geocaching by accident on the internet and that has put my new GPS to hard use. Since I got it, we have been out about 5 times searching. It's amazing how many caches there are out there!