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jacques0

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Everything posted by jacques0

  1. This page on the DeLorme website compares features with version 5.0 and previous versions. There are a lot of new features. They do have mapping to 1:24,000 scale, but perhaps the contour intervals aren't as fine. Lots of neat 3D stuff though. I'm just thinking that if I can get it for $12 after using my dividend it would be a good deal. Thanks for all the good information, folks.
  2. There is a Guide to Using MapSend with eXplorist available in PDF format on the Magellan website, using the hyperlink in this sentence. I don't know how long it's been available but I think it's pretty recent.
  3. You definitely would find it helpful to download the full PDF version of the owner's manual. The little booklet that is shipped with the units only gets you started. Here's the link: http://www.magellangps.com/assets/manuals/...orist600_EN.pdf There is also a guide to using MapSend with the explorist. Here is that link: http://www.magellangps.com/assets/manuals/...pMSGuide_EN.pdf Other language versions of the owner's manual are available, as well. Good luck!
  4. I have some dividend dollars to use at REI and they presently have TopoUSA (Eastern or Western regions) on sale for $37.39. I could knock $25 off that with my dividend, so I'm tempted. I have two questions about the software that I couldn't get answered from DeLorme's website: 1. When moving the cursor around the maps, is there a display of Lat/Long, such as seen on USA Photomaps and some web-based apps.? 2. When printing maps, is a UTM (or Lat/Long, for that matter) grid overlay an option? I figured if anyone would know, you folks would.
  5. Thanks vagabond. I appreciate the info.
  6. I don't have one of the newer eXplorists, so you'll have to bear with me a moment. I've seen this issue mentioned on numerous threads. Does not the geocache manager itself have a delete function for the POI's it created? Or, when the gps is hooked up to the computer, can't the files be deleted by normal Windows file functions, since (I think...) the SD card is recognized as a removable storage device? Or am I totally wrong? (and if I am, you can be blunt: I can take it) Is there anything in the PDF owner's manual that covers this?
  7. Just speculation (I have a 200, but not a 400)... I wonder if, when a POI is loaded from the SD card, if it's sort of like a computer, i.e. it loads the file from the SD card to the built-in memory. Then, if you delete the POI it deletes it from the built-in memory, but it still resides on the SD card. Does that sound consistent with what you're experiencing? If so, then I wonder if the POI can be deleted from the SD card by using your computer, which should recognize the card as a removable drive (I think). I've seen other posters discuss the "not able to delete POI's" on other threads, but I can't recall the details or the resolution.
  8. Magellan's press release about the eXplorist 210 makes it sound sort of like the 210 has the same battery setup as the 4/5/600 series: My gut feeling all along, however, has been that the 210 is essentially a 200 with some extra features....sort of a 200/400 hybrid. Even though Magellan does not have the specs listed on their website yet, this REI page lists the specs and shows the power source as AA's. So, does anyone know for sure? Perhaps Team Perrito Blanco can ask his friend who already has one.
  9. Thanks for posting the info. There is another thread that began a couple weeks ago about this, if you want to see the follow-up posts: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=109746
  10. You should be able easily to get WAAS in IL unless you are in a valley or something. I live in N. Minnesota (i.e., more central and farther below the horizon from the WAAS sats) and get WAAS almost 100% of the time. The people I go geocaching with also get WAAS easily. What gps are you using?
  11. Baking a 60cs: 15-20 minutes in the upper 1/3 of a pre-heated 400 degree oven. Using parchment paper helps to prevent getting melted plastic on the baking sheet and makes clean-up easier. Cool at least 10 minutes on a wire rack.
  12. I called them once, and I had the same impression as you: it sounds like Dallas.
  13. Unless you're commited to following your exact backtrack, you could also just wear a small headlamp and check the gps from time to time to verify your position. This would save the gps batteries, as backlights are notorious for draining them (but you do have extras along, right?). On the other hand, the backlights are there exactly for the situation you describe. I just turn it on/off as needed to check my position.
  14. At least you're doing the right thing by studying the manual. I think a lot of folks never get all the benefits of their equipment because they learn by just playing around with it (which is fine too, to a point), rather than methodically learning each function and testing it out.
  15. Keeping in mind that your body can block signals, I would try (if you haven't already) repeating your experiment---always making sure the receivers are held close to vertical---and then rotating your body 90 degrees or so at a time, to see if a different view of the sky gives any additional information. As a previous poster said, keep your arms apart to avoid errors from having them too close to one another. Otherwise, have you checked for updates to the firmware for both GPSr's?
  16. For what it's worth, and just by way of example, I used to sell photographic equipment. At that time, if all we sold were cameras and normal lenses, we would be out of business in a hurry, because we would price them at or below cost in order to stay competitive with mail order houses. Then, considering our salary costs, space costs, utilities, etc. it would be a huge loss. BUT, we would always try to sell accessories, film, processing, then later darkroom equipment, frames, albums, etc. The entire business model worked just fine, because the overall package, or mix, was profitable. I can easily see, however, where an individual big ticket item---when sold at 30% off---may be at or below cost.
  17. You must turn a few heads at the beach when you use your GPS as a speedo!
  18. Are you referring to TigerGPS.com or Tigerdirect.com? I don't think that TigerGPS even sells computer equipment. Don't defame the wrong company.
  19. This will a be an interesting discussion thread to follow. Some good info coming out already (thanks, Peter, for your input re: delayed signals). Presently, I think only the eXplorist 200 can receive the new frequency (OK, just kidding. Wishful thinking. I guess I'd better begin saving for a new GPSr).
  20. The launch of the satellite, as well as a discussion of its benefits, is also discussed in this article. I'm intrigued by these paragraphs: The third new signal will be a second frequency for civilian users, reducing the navigation errors caused by the layer of charged particles in the Earth's upper atmosphere. "This is a pretty huge step," said Air Force Colonel Allan Ballenger, head of the GPS programme office, speaking to the Associated Press. "The military has been using two frequencies from day one of GPS. This will be first time that we are adding a second frequency for civilian users." Often, on these forums, the question comes up of whether solar flare activity affects gps performance. Just recently, there were several questions posted about erratic readings and these coincided with the eruption of an X Class flare on the Sun. I wonder if the second frequency referred to in the quoted paragraphs, above, will address this?
  21. Just to reiterate, I would definitely recommend looking at the Brunton 54LU, though. You get the same prism sighting mechanism (the Brunton is made by Silva), plus you get all the advantages of a baseplate compass.
  22. I use the Brunton 54 LU, which combines the best of baseplate type compasses (the easiest type to use with maps) and direct-sighting compasses (enabling very accurate and precise bearings in the field). It is accurate to 1/2 degree when using the direct-sighting feature. It also has UTM scales on it (although I wish the 1/25,000 scale was, instead, a 1/24,000 scale). Here is the PDF file that describes its use. Another excellent compass, designed especially for use with the GPS and UTM grids, is the Brunton 8096 (although the length and shape would make it not quite as suitable as the 54LU for taking bearings off of maps). Here is the PDF file for that one. Have fun!
  23. I would NOT be angry about the choice of antennas. If you look around these forums you will quickly learn that the eXplorists are among the best performers in this department. The patch vs. quad issue has been discussed ad nauseum, but I think the general feeling is that the combination of antenna and processor is what's important and, in this regard, the eXplorists have acquired a great deal of respect.
  24. I sort of regard the XL as a larger-screen version of the 500. In terms of "performance" I wouldn't expect any greater performance than the later explorist series, especially in its primary function: determining one's position on the face of Earth. In retail, having diverse ways to attract consumers is a tried and true method of increasing revenue. If one can re-package a product in a slightly different form, then market it to an expanded consumer base, greater revenues can be realized. Think of XL as "eXtra Large" and you'll get the picture. As a very satisfied owner of an eXplorist 200, I'm looking forward to the 210 as something that will probably do all I need for the foreseeable future.
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