cargodog

It is not the cable since my computer reads it as an extra drive. I did download GSAK since I have been hearing about this and was curious. The software can do more than I know how to make it do at this time, but I did find a solution to my problem. I just import the GPX files into GSAK ... Then go to export and scroll down to Magellan. GSAK will creat a new .gs file with all included waypoints saved to desktop. I just drag and drop to my GPS. Life is good again!!

A few years ago I got tired of entering all those coordinates manually so I bought a Magellan Explorist 400 that included geocaching manager software. I loaded this into my old computer which was a windows XP based machine. Life was good!! It worked great and I was happy. Then I decided to buy a new laptop which came preloaded with Vista. Now I am having problems. I have read magellan's "work-around" solutions and have implemented them. I can now read the geocaching manager and import GPX/LOC files to the software. My computer reads my GPS under "devices" So what's the problem?? When I try to use the "send to GPS" feature, I get a message that the GPS cannot be found. I have the latest driver installed and the most recent firmware update. I'm guessing this is a Vista compatibility issue. Anyone else encountered this.. and how did you overcome it? FWIW ... My new computer has a SD card slot that I could use as an alternative to the USB cable. The problem I have had in trying this is when I drag and drop a GPX file .... The GPS will not read it when I put the card back in.

I am looking to mount my Explorist 400 to my Road bike's handlebars. I have a Gilsson neopreme case that was supposed to be usable on handlebars. However, the velcro strap on the back is too short. I looked at the Magellan bike mount, but it looks too bulky. I need to be able to remove/install this quickly. Preferably without any tools after the initail installation. It is OK if the base piece remains on the bike. Any advice?

Thanks everyone.... I decided on the exporist 400. With the 50$ rebate it was hard not to get one. For now, I am not getting any mapsend software. Maybe in a month or two. Your information was very useful. thanks

Hi all, I have a magellen 200 and it works fine. Probably the most accurate GPS I have ever used. I am getting tired of manual waypoint entry. So I am considering buying the Exporist 210. The reason for this choice is easy.. I already know how to use it and I already have a Gilsson neopreme case for it. I am also considering the topo CD. My questions are... 1. Does anyone have one and how do you like it? 2. Are you using the Topo CD? 3. Does the magellan geocache manager work and if so, how easy is it to use? 4. Is the 22MB of memory adequate? Should I consider going up a notch or two to the 400 model? Thanks..

Thanks for all your help....it has been useful

Thanks for all the replies. Basically, you told me what I knew... The Etrex or GPSmap60. Having to buy the mapsend program is new...I thought they came with the database already loaded like my magellan did. To answer a few questions from above... 1. The Explorist does not have any fitness types of pages, nor time, speed, and distance function. 2. Just a suggestion, but has anyone tried using their wrist strap as a handlebar mount? I use an old heart rate monitor mount on the handlebars (sigma's) then wrap the Forerunner's wrist strap around that. It works better than Garmin's own mount. Has never been bumped off an it easily transfers between bikes.

Hi all... I'm a realtively new geocacher with only 50 finds and two caches hidden. But I am a big time road cyclist that does almost 5000 miles a year. Presently I have two GPSs. One is a magellan Explorist 200. This is the one I use for backcountry work and Geocaching. The other is a Garmin Forerunner 101. The primary purpose of this unit is as a time, speed, distance computer. I use it in my speed walking and as a cyclocomputer on my folding travel bike. Although navigation is not the forerunner's primary function, there is a way to do it. In fact, about 15 of my "finds" are with the forerunner. Both units have to be manually programed. Well, I'm getting the urge for something newer and better. I would like to be able to link up to my computer and enter wayponts directly from geocaching.com. I also want better map data than my exporist 200 presently offers. OK, there are a lot of GPSs that can all the above. Here's the catch, It also has to be useable on my bicycle. It has to have either a wrist strap or a bicycle bar mount. There has to be a navigation page devoted specifically to Time, speed, distance, and other fitness type functions. Auto start/stop would be desireable. Although I don't intend to replace the cyclocomputer on my primary road bike, this unit will be the "only" computer on my folding bike. I want better map data so I can navigate the lesser used county roads in areas I'm unfamiliar. Oh yea..It is not unusual for me to geocache from the back of my bicycle. I've been reading a lot of online manuals (PDF) and it seems some of the Garmin units can do what I want. Units such as the GPSMap60, Etrex Legend, and Etrex Vista for example. Does anyone here use a GPS on their bicycle? Do you use one of these units? How does it work for you? Any Recomendations? Thanks in advance

I have two... But my absolute favorite is the Zenix by Black Diamond. Mine is the regulated version. I use the one watt LED for walking in dark places and the two 5mm Leds for close up work. The other model I have is a black diamond Gemini. This light is a hybrid with LED and incadescent bulb. It too is a very nice light. But I like the zenix so well that I use it more. I may give the gemini to my dad. To be honest, in this day and age I see no need to go with any incadescent. Just stick with LED.

To RykoalaTeam Yes, altoid tins do make good micros. One of my caches is a altoid tin. They are not waterproof, so I wrap the logbook in plastic. I also wrap a rubber band around the outside to help keep it closed. One more thing ... They will rust in time. But they are cheap enough that you can replace it when that time comes. cargodog

For Micros....magnetic key containers Altoids Tins 35mm Film container For Small ... Large Vitamin bottle Military De-Con container Old Peanut Butter Jar (plastic only) For Standard ... Ammo can Paint Ball ammo can Large Peanutbutter Jar Plastic shoebox container. For Large ... Five Gallon Bucket Large kitty litter bucket. My first attempt at a cache was mistaken for a Bomb and blown up. No kidding.... It was not only discovered, but then relocated a half mile away and deposited in a playground. I just wish that person would have stolen it instead. After that I became a big believer in clear or translucent containers. I HIGHLY recomend that you mark the outside as a geocache. The stickers sold at Groundspeak are worth the money. I have gotten my hands on a ammo can recently. I plan to deposirt that in a deep woods area and no where near an urban area. I have already affixed a geocache sticker to the outside. I'm taking no chances this time. Good luck to you....

I have been drawing my 1000 meter grids myself. I agree that UTM makes using a paper map a lot easier. I really need to look into that natl geo software ... Looks like something I can get into.

As a Pilot I use GPS a lot with lat-long and as a hiker/outdoors type, I have been using UTM with my topo maps. So I was curious do you prefer to use Lat-Long or UTM. UTM seems more friendly once you understand it. So I just wanted to hear other opinions.