Miragee

Here is a little GSAK tutorial that might be helpful. I use a different "smart name" code for the Waypoint so I get the name of the cache: %smart=9 %con1%typ1%dif1%ter1 The information included is part of the Name, the Size of the container, the Type of cache (Traditional, Multi, Virtual, Puzzle), the Difficulty and Terrain (based on a 10-point scale). To get part of the hint, I use this code in the Waypoint Description blank of the "Send To GPS" dialogue box: %Name=8 %hint Since I have an 'x' GPS like you do, I use Garmin's POI Loader to get even more information in the POIs. For those, I use the same Waypoint code adding %By at the end so I get the Cache Owner's name. For the Cache Description, I use this code: %Hint %Code That gives me the GC code, should I need it depending on who I am caching with.

I'm not familiar with Memory Maps, but doubt if they can be installed on that GPSr. Garmin has their own Mapsource Topo and City Navigator maps. There are some free Topo maps, but not for your area that I am aware of.

Honk! Woodson, on the trail to Poway, etc.... Yup. Not too far from this . . .

When you send the Waypoints to your GPSr, there is an option to send the Child Waypoints at the same time. You will see those on the Map Screen, but they won't be in the list of Geocaches. They will be in the Waypoint list. You'll have to look for them there to do a "Go To," or do a "Go To" from the waypoint you see on the map.

It does if I am Navigating by Follow Road, although I've never used the "Procimity Alarms" specifically, like for a Red Light Camera or Speed Trap. I don't know what happens in that instance.

The Satellite screen, which can be in or out of the rotation of screens on the GPSr, shows your current location. I've never been concerned with that when looking for a cache. I just do a "Go To" and use the compass screen with the arrow. The data fields I have on that screen include the "Distance to Next," the Waypoint name, and the Accuracy. On the map screen, for Geocaching, I changed the Data Fields to give me the arrow and "Distance to Next." I changed the page sequence to only include the Compass, Find, and Map. When you hit the Menu button twice, you can easily get to the Satellite or Trip Computer page, two other pages I use on a regular basis. I hope this helps a bit . . . Edit for typo . . .

You can pick up the older Topo maps on eBay for a more reasonable price. It is nice to have some maps on the GPS unit, although they are not necessary. If you get the older maps, you need to download the Mapsource update and Patch from the Garmin site.

The Proximity alarm sounds are still working on my Vista HCx, but they are very, very soft now. I called Garmin and am going to have to send it back to get the speaker fixed. I don't know if that is what happened to your GPSr. I hope not. I have Unlocked City Navigator, but getting a new Unlock Code, if they send a replacement GPSr is not a problem.

The URL of the image you want to use has to be simple, like this: http:// www.hostingsite.com/ image.jpg If the link you are trying to use is not a straight, simple link to the image, but links back to the hosting site or does something else, it is "dynamic." Someone with more knowledge can explain it in detail. When I want to put a picture in the Forums, I use this page for the image.

The Legend that I have is the Legend HCx. I think that that is going to work well -- once I figure it out. But again, any help is appreciated. Thanks -- The Legend HCx is a great GPS unit and it will work well. The first cache I ever found was an ammo can hidden in a pile of rocks. Those are the kinds of caches I think every new cacher should start out looking for. Sometimes you'll spot the hiding place from 30' away. Those easy finds are still my favorite kind of cache. If you look for Regular-size containers in a park or trail setting, you won't be bothered by muggles and you'll get to see how the GPS unit works and how close it gets you to the container. Anything within 30' is acceptable, although I have found caches at '0'. Those are great! Someone else will have to give you tips on urban Micros. I avoid those.

These are some of my favorite Earthcaches: Tufa Towers That one is simply spectacular and shouldn't be missed if anyone is traveling in that area. Split Mountain Gorge You need high-clearance or 4WD to get to this amazing canyon wall. A Home of "Dragons" Earthcache Dizzying Display Earthcache The last two are located in the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in southwestern Colorado.

Welcome to the Forums! How do you know it was a cache? I have found "Peak Logs" and have signed those. I have also found other interesting items with "logs" in them that were not Geocaches, or Terracaches, or Navicaches; they were just things put out by one person for their own amusement or for sentimental reasons.

Here is another interesting thread that might also be helpful if you use GSAK and the "smart name" codes for customizing the name of the waypoint.

If you have a subscription through PayPal, you have to cancel it at the PayPal site.

You can use HTML to "fancy up" your page, although some codes are not allowed and will be stripped out by "HTML Tidy." When you are filling out the form, you can uncheck the box about the cache being active and edit and Preview the page over and over again until you get it just the way you want it. You can start the page before you even place a cache if you want to have the GC code for the logbook -- just make sure to state that the cache is not Active until the cache is in place.

I use GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) to send the Waypoints to my GPSr and Export the data for my Palm m515. By using the "smart name" codes in that program, I can get the same Waypoint names in Cachemate on the Palm as on the GPSr. I also have the Cache name in Cachemate. I'm pretty sure you can Export from GSAK for the Magellan.

Since you are a Premium Member, you can create Pocket Queries. The PQs have .gpx files which have more data than the .loc files downloaded from the "Search" page. After you get the PQs, you can use a program like EasyGPS or GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) to send as many Geocaches to your GPS it can handle.

Using GSAK, I load the caches as Geocaches (Waypoints) and as POIs. I have about 1700 caches in my "local" database in GSAK. I filter those down to fewer than 900 caches around the area I am heading towards and send those to my Vista HCx as Waypoints. I use GSAK's "smart name" codes to get a useful Waypoint name. Then, I cancel the filter and Export a .gpx file of all the caches in the database and send those to the card on the Vista HCx as POIs, using a little "treasure chest" icon for the Geocaching POIs.

It is true the POIs only show up when you are zoomed in, but I use the POI loader to put almost 8,000 POIs on my GPSr. This is what I have in my "Update" folder: Unfound.gpx Unfound.bmp (Treasure Chest icon) Found.gpx Found.bmp (Treasure Chest icon with Checkmark) FoundArchived.gpx FoundArchived.bmp (Little Tombstone) Benchmarks.gpx Benchmarks.bmp (Blue Dot) I just point the POI loader to that Update folder and it loads all those files at the same time.

Since you are a Premium Member, you can use the "Caches Along a Route" feature. When I traveled between Southern California and Colorado, I set up the PQs along my route for caches with Terrain and Difficulty ratings of '2' and under. If you are staying somewhere for a while, you can run another PQ for that area with different criteria. I put all my "Travel" caches in a different database in GSAK. I also took my laptop with me so I could update the PQs along the way at WiFi hotspots and then update the caches in my GPS unit.

Here is a great tutorial about Pocket Queries. And, here is how I set up one part of the PQ Form. If you have any caches on your Ignore List, you also have to check that box.

Help a newbie out here - how can I check the location of a cache with a location that is not published, short of doing the cache and finding it myself? You can email your Reviewer. That is what I did when I wanted to place a cache, the end point to one of my "Historic Multis," about 40 miles from my house. I checked out potential locations in Google Earth and then emailed the coordinates to my Reviewer, asking if those areas were clear. They were. I had the Traditional cache locations in my GPSr as I looked for the specific hiding place for my cache so I could make sure I wasn't too close to those. Edit to add appropriate quote.

If you become a Premium Member, you can get both Pocket Queries and "Caches Along a Route." As already recommended, the Legend HCx is a great GPS unit for the price. Some people prefer its small, convenient size as compared to the 60CSx and 76Sx. I have the Vista HCx and have it loaded with almost a 1000 "local" waypoints, as well as several thousand Custom Points of Interest.

Welcome to the Forums! You might check eBay and your local Craigslist. The most inexpensive GPS units don't have "High Sensitivity" receivers and either don't connect to a computer at all, or connect with the Serial Port, something many newer computers don't have. That means extra cost for a Serial to USB adapter, some of which work well, others of which don't work so well. Check Garmin's site and their "Comparison Page" to see which new "High Sensitivity" GPS units are available and what options they have.

I would recommend getting either the Legend HCx or Vista HCx and the City Navigator auto-routing maps. That will just about fit into your $300 budget. I have the Vista HCx and prefer it to the 60CSx.