fratermus

A used 60- or 76-series would be worth looking at. They are not better interfaces, but may be different in a way that works for Dad.

I will assume you''ve already done a google search on free garmin topo and researched it that way. You can also look here.

Yes. Installing the mapsets makes them available/visible in MapSource. Then you select the areas you want in mapsource and upload to the GPSr.

So, what maps did you purchase seperately to load on the GPSr? MapSource is a data manipulation program (maps, routes, tracks, waypoints). It does not provide maps in the normal sense. But if you do install maps MapSource will be the tool to install them with. Here is some basic info that may or may not be useful, particularly the Learn From the Mistakes of Others section.

Waypoints, including caches, are loaded to the GPSr's internal memory. The usual situation here is that all the caches are loaded but you are not able to see them in the view you are using. Try downloading them from the GPSr into software like mapsource or easygps ; this will tell you whether or not they are raelly in the GPSr. They usually are.

Upload something else.

The Garmin zumo line is specifically made for motorcycles. Bring a wheelbarrow of money. I went the cheap route and use a bar-mounted ForeTrex 201; works great for my uses, but probably not for slab runs like the OldWing folks do. :-P

Yes, maps are expensive. No, you don't need them for geocaching.

Of the 60-series handhelds, I think that only the 60cx and 60csx have the high sensitivity receiver. I have a 60cx and love it.

If this is really a cs then I'd say the maps aren't uploaded correctly, aren't in the current area, or aren't turned on in the map settings in the GPSr. If it's really a cx or csx I would say that either the maps aren't loaded correctly to the microSD or the microSD isn't seated correctly. t

Did the package or the Garmin website indicate this model came with maps other than a basemap?

Q. Ram or Garmin? A. Garmin A. Garmin A. Garmin Q. Ok, which Ram then? :-)

I've used the garmin handlebar mount on both mountain bike and motorcycle. Looks flimsy, but works fine.

Yes, I think that is the exact situation.

Please let us know which maps you have purchased and installed on the GPSr. If the answer is "none" then the GPSr is autorouting on the basemap and there are no local roads available to route on.

I would say it's not a problem, not inhibiting your ability to cache, you don't have to enter an elevation when you enter coords, and it is not a concern that is very familiar with most cachers. Other than that you're right on the money. :-) Counting on a non-sensor GPSr for accurate Elevation information (DEM notwithstanding) is an exercise in futility. Ignore the ELE and have fun caching. If you are using your GPS within 30' or 12' anyhow then you're probably not using your caching spidey sense. Ignore the GPS within 50' and you will likely be happier.

My instinct is that it is routing on the basemap and there are, in fact, no routable roads near your location. If you have purchased and uploaded routable maps, pls list them so we can make better guesses.

EasyGPS works fine, is free, and is safe. You can mark locations with the 530; I don't know that you can edit coords after doing so but that is how it is usually done.

I would suspect, in order of likelyhood (and based on the given information): * expectation that the supplied basemap is more accurate than 500' * Datum, * lock on road turned off * etc. See one of the stickied FAQs for more ideas. This is a Frequently Asked Question. It is very common for new owners to think their GPS is inaccurate. It is very rare for it to be inaccurate.

Routes are handled differently on autorouting handhelds (particularly when mapsource is involved, but that's not your question). I think you will have to pick "off-road" routing so it will not attempt to route you over the basemap or other routable mapset. The route may or may not have the name it was given in Nat Geo. I don't own it.

Good point, and I appreciate the clarification. It is only worthless in the "something happened to the card" scenario the OP posited.

You can copy it, but since you can't put it on another card it is a worthless as a backup.

Why is it odd? The NatGeo does not claim map upload ability. You can upload maps/routes/waypoints to the Geko like you would any other Garmin handheld.

I'd buy a couple sets of NiMH, a good MAHA (or similar) smart charger, and some cut-to-fit screen protectors. And a dash mount if you intend to autonav with it. Or a handlebar mount if you intend to mountainbike/motorcycle with it. The rest, imo, is gravy.

Although it may be true, I do not think that it necessarily logically follows. MG is updated about 1x/yr, behind CN. No commercial map product I know of is going to be up-to-the-month correct. How would you get stuck with old maps? If the CN gets updated and you want it, buy it. It's not like your MG will vaporize, or that you are locked into one map product.