geofry25

Wait...I'm confused. Downloading a PQ to your device doesn't add any map functionality, it just puts caches on any existing map you have on the device. That "dotted line" along the trail...have you zoomed in real close to the "dots"? Are they actually caches? Sorry for the confusion. After I downloaded the PQ and was still unsure of what I was looking at I zoomed in and saw these dashed lines mentioned aka the trails that the "my trails" map I downloaded contained. I hadn't zoomed in previously where above I said I only had a yellow block.

im getting smarter by the minute over ere. I think the map was so crappy because it was simply a trail map so it didnt have any detail on it except for trails? I'm downloading a FL topo now and putting it on the device because that seems to be the only way I can view it, its not showing up in the basecamp drop down but it was recognized as one available to install.

Maybe im just not as smart as I think I am? So I managed to get my premium membership setup and after fumbling through doing a PQ and overlooking the obvious I downloaded a few hundred caches to my garmin folder and when I opened up the "map I can now see a dashed line for a trail here and there. Is this what is considered a topo map? I'm lost. Seems pretty s***ty I guess my expectations were higher. So is there where that bird's eye comes in? Buy that and it overlays on this "map" to give it some value?

I received my Oregon 550 and am going to return the T i also purchased based on advise from others in these forums and that advise is appreciated. However I am trying to load these free maps and I have to be something wrong. I downloaded two different FL topo maps 250-2276-trail_100k_install & 53-9111-My_Trails_install. I see them both in base camp and when I select them, i get basically a yellow square with text that says created with http://cgpsmapper.com A little help please? This isnt rocket science as vest as I can tell but something is escaping me here. Thanks in advance Jeff

Thanks, I'll check the version when I get it and go from there. Ordered a 500 and will return the "t" when it gets here. I'm pretty sure I can figure out the adding of the maps, formats, etc on the sites mentioned. Going to go with the premium membership and see how that works too. Thanks for everyone's input

Thanks again splashy. With the oregon being around for a while should I expect to have to update firmware or anything such as that? Will it be ready out of the box minus maps and adding caches?

Found this thread for reading over my morning coffee. Thanks everyone... http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=227334

Wish I could head out today. It beautiful here in Tampa today. Unit arrives this week. Regarding the sd card, I'm getting that, I see it's value. I'm also clear on the premium membership. The question I'm staring at this am is the value or even need of the topo maps that come with the T. Do these free maps from gpsfiledepot effectively replace those? It sounds like they do or at least can? Are they more accurate or something? The extra 3GB is negligible I suppose as far as on board storage but 100 bucks is 100 bucks.

Read up on the premium benefits, thanks. I'll check out Birdseye. I'm entering into the gps indecisive zone now,even though I have pulled the trigger, lovely

Premium affords what extras if ya don't mind? What's Birdseye?

No software*

So it sounds like and extra hundred for the t bought me maps in don't need and internal storage I technically could live without? Car kit not that fancy, car mount, power cable, something else, no secrets though

Afternoon, I tried dedicating time to reading reviews, varous forums, comparing models, etc bt I gave up. I pulled the trigger today on an Oregon 550t. Seems to have the maps, card slot (not sure what that would store but I assume off device storage for caches and waypoints I add?, if I figure out how to do that of course). I havent done much caching the last couple years and was using a droid when I started a few years back. Tried getting back into it using my bionic but my GPS on the phone just isnt working (for anything) so i grabbed the Oregon. I bought a hard case, card, & car package. Amazon had a pretty decent price but like every other lazy n00b out there I wanted to know your thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to read or reply in advance folks. Any Oregon users with any high level hints who woul dlike to share would be appreciated as well! Edit:I cant spell either apparently, sorry...