[How did you serve?]

US Army

Active duty from November 1990 thru November 1994.

 

I spent the bulk of my enlistment at Fort Knox, Kentucky. I went thru basic there then went back to work in the Reception Station. I served my last year in the 304th Signal Battalion, Camp Colbern, South Korea.

 

I was a 75B, Personnel Administration Specialist.

[Experience with the Garmin GPSmap 62?]

I don't know why you are entering caches manually. I have an Etrex Legend HCx and an aged Venture, only a basic membership and yet I can send caches to them with no trouble using the "Send to my GPS" button.

 

I don't have the USB adapter cable for mine. It came with the serial plug in. Money being tight, I haven't bought the adapter cable.

 

(I only have a premium membership because of a gift that included one month free.)

[any of you like mountain bking?]

I started mt biking back in the early nineties while I was in the Army. I rode a Paramount with a Girvin Cross-link fork. My son now rides that. I ride my brothers old Trek ####??. It has a Manitou 4 elastomer shock on it. The guy at the bike shop calls them the "Old Timey bikes." I loved riding off road! Looking back I can't believe some of the crazy rides I made it through.

 

I haven't ridden much in the last ten years. The kids are interested more in riding now. I'll probably get out more often this spring.

[Experience with the Garmin GPSmap 62?]

I don't know anyone who has one. I seriously lust for a 62S. Maybe this coming year I can upgrade from my Etrex Legend. Don't get me wrong, I love my Etrex. It is however a bit tedious inputting caches manually, and reception is jumpy to nonexistent under cover of heavy foliage. The 62S has two advantages. The first is the antennae. The design gets better reception (under trees in particular). The second is going paperless.

 

From the info I have read, any of the Garmin 62 series would be great.

[Hiking poles - any particular brands to get/avoid?]

REI.com had their brand for a bit less than the name brands. At the time I was shopping for some theirs were made by Komperdell. I think the flip locks might be a better idea than the twist locks. It seems everything I have owned with twist locks have become problematic after moderate use.

 

Currently I use either a walking staff made by a friend of mine, or a shepherds crook from England (a Christmas gift).

[Magellan eXplorist GC PLEASE HELP?]

Glad to hear you are getting used to your GPS.

 

 

I could be wrong now, but it used to be the eTrex units needed a serial connection

 

Jenischmeni you are correct about the connection cable. I don't have that port on my computer. A USB adapter is available. I just don't relish forking over the $40 to $50 dollars for it. Manual input is tedious, but it works.

[So, What caching gear did Santa bring you?]

I recieved some REI gift cards. So I ordered a starter kit that included "The Idiots Guide to Geocaching", GPS lanyard, clip pen, geocoin, travel bug, cache in trash out bag, and a 30 day free premium membership to geocaching.com. I also ordered several nano caches, several travel bugs, and several microcache containers.

[Who Are The Lurkers? Introduce Yourself.]

Hey all. I am Matthew. I am a fairly new geocacher. I have my two oldest kids (14 and 12) interested in geocaching. My daughter has pretty sharp eyes and spots most of them first (much to her brothers chagrin). My wife is also interested and may join in more this coming spring and summer. We live in Northwestern Ohio.

 

We are getting ready to put out a few of our own caches. A few of them will be micros and nano caches. I also have a few lock & lock boxes for larger caches.

[Magellan eXplorist GC PLEASE HELP?]

Good info folks. I have been considering this GPS as a replacement for my older Etrex Legend. The Mag GC is in a favorable price point and has ease of use when downloading all the info. I have never downloaded anything onto my Etrex. I don't have the connection on my computer and don't relish the thought of buying the USB adapter cord (a bit pricey).

 

The Etrex does a great job, but can be jumpy at times too. It is very tedious to type the coordinates in and it gives you limited space for the cache name.

 

For now I will stick with the Etrex. I believe some better GC dedicated units will show up on the market within the next year or so

[Ohio Cachers]

Grand Rapids in Wood county.

 

I'm originally from the Ross and Highland County area of southern Ohio. My longtime friend, college buddy, hunting partner, and best man at my wedding got me started in this a few months ago. Thank you cmaille.