NickMackz

Almost any pda will do what you want but if you think "paperless caching" is the only advantage to the new generation of gps, you're missing the other 75% of the improvements. Here's a few: + higher resolution display + better map handling - maps can be uploaded individually - no need to make it all one file + Wireless transfer + Chirp capability + 3D compass + simple, fast Pocket Query handling - just put the file in the right place on the gps and you have paperless caching This is just off the top of my head. There are many more advantages. I am considering upgrading to premium membership but I want to find out about PDAs or other paperless solutions before upgrading so I know whether or not I want to. I know that paperless caching is not the only advantage to newer GPSs but none of them are features that I think are good enough to be worth the upgrade. I don't think they are big improvements because: -higher resolution display - I would upgrade to 62s as I like the form factor of the 60csx and the easy to read daylight display and the 62s keeps both of these as it keeps the same resolution display. GPSs with higher resolution displays also loose some of there sunlight readability. -better map handling - it only takes about 5 minutes or less to transfer about 1GB or maps onto my MicroSD card using my laptops card reader and a SD to MicroSD adapter so the better map handling isn't a huge improvement. -Wireless transfer - I don't think I would use it. -Chirp compatibility - This is a feature I would like but there are other ways of communicating with Chirps under development and Chirps are still fairly rare. -3D compass - is it that hard to hold it flat? It is better if the unit is mounted i guess but I only mount my unit in my boat and there are too many electrics around it for a compass to work accurately. The compass I have mounted on the dash demonstrates this. -simple, fast pocket query handling - it's not much of a bother to load pocket queries into Basecamp and then transfer them onto the GPS. I like to be able to view caches in Basecamp anyway. The 62s does have other advantages but they are not huge or ones that I would make much use of. These include: -better colour screen - doesn't really make that much difference -slightly better battery life - I use rechargeable batteries and carry spares -1.7GB built in memory - I have a 4GB MicroSD -2000 waypoints instead of 1000 - I can use POIs if I have too many waypoints -200 routes instead of 50 - I never need 50 at once -200 saved tracks instead of 20 - this would be quite nice but I don't often need 20 at once -photo navigation with geotagged photos - I don't think I would use it and I don't need it -custom maps - I can still make my own with OSM data or with MOAGU. I use OSM maps that I create using mkgmap as my main maps -tide tables - my watch does this Thanks for everyones suggestions. I will have a look at the palm M500 although I might end up continuing to use my ipod and use maccaching to convert pocket queries. Any other suggestions are welcome!

I own a reasonably new Garmin GPSMap 60CSx and I have been trying to think of a good paperless solution without upgrading my GPS. I do not want to upgrade my gps because I don't think that having built in paperless caching is worth the cost of the upgrade as the GPS does absolutely everything else that I need. I currently copy and paste cache descriptions into .txt files that I view on my iPod nano or I just print them out. This solution is usable but I would rather get a cheap PDA that can do the job a lot better and without the hassle of copying and pasting the cache descriptions. Can anyone recommend a good PDA that is not to expensive and is suited to geocaching?

Don't worry about losing anything as on these units the only thing that is stored on the SD card is the maps and optionally a copy of the tracklogs although these can only be used with a computer and not on the GPS. The option to store a copy of the tracklog is designed so that you can have a complete record of all your tracks that is only limited by memory card size. I use this to just record everywhere I go so that I can look back at it on my computer. Hope the card works. The worst case scenario is that the GPS just doesn't recognise it so don't worry about damaging your GPS or anything.

I don't believe it was around then but the 60csx was released in 2006 I believe and support for SDHC was added later in a firmware update. I believe the hardware is the same for SD or SDHC, it is just how it is interpreted/read by the device that is different meaning that support could be added with a firmware update. I do not know if it is the same for the 76csx but I would have thought that it would be. I can't find anything in the user manual for either GPS that says a maximum card size or specific type of card.

I think the 76csx is the marine version of the 60csx. If it is then it should be able to take Micro SDHC as the 60csx now can as the the feature was added in a firmware update. I use a 4GB Kingston Micro SDHC in my 60csx without any problems. I have heard that it will support up to 16gb but there is not point going over 4GB as a single map cannot be larger than 4GB as the card is formatted as FAT and a single file therefore cannot exceed 4GB and all the maps are stored in a single .img file. The only way to be sure is to try it or try and find someone else with the same unit who has tried it. Good luck getting it to work.

Fair enough. I haven't actually encountered any yet but I was curious about them as someone mentioned them to me recently.

Anyone got any ideas?

Could you please share how as I for one would be interested - though the opensea maps don't seem to really cover the UK or am I wrong? Certain areas of the UK are covered. I am currently working on charting all the buoys, posts, and navigation lights in Poole Harbour using my boat and GPS. So far, I have covered the the North Channel and the Main channel. The Solent is also covered in quite a lot of detail with most buoys marked. The way I did it was to download the area I wanted (poole harbour) using Java Open Street Map editor. I then saved it to my computer and copied it to the directory where I have mkgmap installed and renamed it data.osm. To convert it you need to tell mkgmap to use the marine style although you do have to modify it slightly to make it show lights. After I convert it, I then install it in mapsource using map set tool kit. The settings I put in a setup file for mkgmap are (you would need to change the style-file directory to where you put the modified marine style)(if you want to copy the map directly to your Garmin GPS, add "gmapsupp" on a new line to create a gmapsupp.img file): route net drive-on-left check-roundabouts style-file=/applications/gps and mapping/mkgmap/resources/styles/marine2 generate-sea: extend-sea-sectors max-jobs input-file: data.osm (leave a blank line here or it won't work) To get mkgmap to include lights, you need to add these two lines to the marine style points file. Add them below "seamark:light:1=* [0x010100 resolution 20]" seamark:type=light_minor [0x010100 resolution 20] seamark:type=light_major [0x010100 resolution 20] If I have time, I will create a youtube video showing the whole process. I'll post a link if I do. Just ask if I haven't explained this very well. I have explained how to do it in a youtube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EysU67Tjy-w I have removed the video as I noticed that the audio was out of sync making it very difficult to follow. I will re-upload asap.

I use a 60csx with my Mac and Basecamp. Works fine. Some people say that they have had problems with mac hidden files messing up the GPS after using it in mass storage mode but I believe a firmware update has fixed this as I have never had any problems. Definitely use Basecamp over Roadtrip as Roadtrip is unbelievably slow at panning and loading maps for some reason.

This may sound like a stupid question, but are there any ways to receive data from a Garmin Chirp using a device that isn't one of there GPSs. If the data is sent using a standard type of wireless connection (for example 2.4 GHz wifi) then there are probably ways to hack/modify another device to receive the data. Has anyone managed to find out how the data is transmitted or a way to receive it? My other question is whether you actually need to be able to receive chirp data to find a chirp cache? As I understand it, you need to be less than 32 feet away to receive the data so the coordinates must bring you this close and you should be able to find the cache from this distance without the help from the chirp anyway. I geocache with a Garmin 60CSx. I have no intention of upgrading to 62s or similar as my GPS is only 2 weeks old and I bought it instead of a newer alternative because other units were out of my budget by a long way. I had a budget of £170 maximum and got the 60CSx new off eBay for £130. Newer units such as the 62s are not available in the UK for less than about £240. Apart from the lack of chirp compatibility, I am extremely happy with the 60CSx and the lack of paperless caching doesn't bother me because you need a premium account to use that. I know that it is only $30 / £18 but I am at school so I don't have much money. It is not that difficult to copy and paste the cache details to a txt file and save them to my phone or iPod. Thanks in advance for any help.

Make sure you have Garmin Communicator plugin installed for your web browser, plug in your GPS with the included USB cable and turn it on, turn GPS off if you want by selecting menu on the satellite screen and then use with GPS off. Put the GPS down. Find the cache you want to send to it on the computer, click send to GPS, select Garmin, make sure it has detected your device, click send and wait for it to complete (2 seconds max normally). Once it has sent, press find on you GPS and either search by nearest or by name to make sure that it is there. You do not need to remove the microSD card or put the GPS in mass storage mode, you just need to connect it to the computer and turn it on.

If you are downloading the mac version of the Georgia topo, the installer that you download does NOT install the map onto your gps but installs it onto Basecamp/Roadtrip on your mac. If you don't already have one of these, I recommend downloading and installing Basecamp as I have found it to be faster than Roadtrip. This will also install a program called map install. This is the program you need to actually transfer the map to your gps. Once you have installed Basecamp and then the map, open map install, choose your gps from the list (it will probably be the only one), then select the tiles you want to install from the map by dragging over them so that they become highlighted, then click send maps to install them onto your gps. When your gps restarts, the maps will be installed and should be visible on the maps page. If not make sure they are enabled my pressing menu, selecting setup map, selecting the "i", pressing menu and selecting show all. Hope this helps.

How are you trying to transfer the maps to the GPS. If you are just copying the map to the memory card with the GPS in mass storage mode then you must place it in the Garmin folder with the name "gmapsupp.img". It must have this name for it to work and you can only have one of these at a time. If you are installing the map into Basecamp/Roadtrip (I recommend Basecamp as it is much faster to load and pan maps) then you need to install it onto the gps using map install which will be installed when you install Basecamp/Roadtrip. You should not have the gps in mass storage mode if you are transfering the map using map install. What format is the map when you download it from gps file depot and what is it called?

i dropped my oregon several times already, on concrete no less, and it survived all of that. the oregon's screen is recessed while the 62's screen isn't, honestly i think that gives the oregon an advantage over the 62. same with the touchscreen: it's a myth that it's hard to use with gloves, i'd rather say it's the other way around. You could be right as I have never actually used an oregon but I am merely going from experience of similar devices with resistive touchscreens. I would have thought that it would be very hard to drag maps on the screen with rubber gripped gloves on as they would stick to the screen and not slide, is this not the case? I agree that having the screen recessed is definitely an advantage to protect it from scratches and impact. Both are very good units though so it really comes down to preference over touchscreen and screen visibility.

I am also in the UK. Free contour only maps are available from gpsfiledepot.com but if you want routable road maps, then you can download them from http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm These maps are updated about every two weeks to keep up with the constantly updating open street map. The maps are available with and without contours and include a lot of point of interests and mark most footpaths. They also support routing and include most UK roads, although a lot maybe lacking names. If you do notice a mistake in these maps though, you can correct the mistake on the Open Street Map and it will be corrected next time the updated map is released. I use these maps on my 60csx and they work very well, including the routing. Although lock on road doesn't work for some reason but that doesn't really matter as most Garmin's are accurate enough for this not to be needed. Lock on road just locks the map pointer to the nearest road to compensate for any GPS inaccuracies that may show you just off the edge of the road. Hope this helps.

what exactly makes the 450/550 less rugged? Larger screen, more chance you are going to hit it and break it if it is dropped or bumped badly. Not much difference though. I just think that the 62s is better for harsh conditions for this reason, and the easier to see screen, and it is easier to use with gloves.

You say it was cheaper than a GPS but I managed to pick up a brand new unopened Garmin GPSmap 60csx off ebay for £124! It is so much better than my old eTrex Legend and EXTREMELY accurate and sensitive. I mean it gets a fix on the ground floor of my house when it isn't near a window! Thats cool, but my reason for needing a phone is, im caching on the run,and never know where Im going be trying to grab a cache. If a phone works for what you need and is accurate, then great. I was just pointing out that it is possible to get a gps for that sort of price.

You say it was cheaper than a GPS but I managed to pick up a brand new unopened Garmin GPSmap 60csx off ebay for £124! It is so much better than my old eTrex Legend and EXTREMELY accurate and sensitive. I mean it gets a fix on the ground floor of my house when it isn't near a window!

It depends how you are going to be using it. If you need a rugged, easy to use with gloves on, easily seen screen, very slightly more sensitive antenna - go for the 62s. If you need something that isn't so rugged and that you won't be using with thick gloves on, then go for the 550 or 450. This has a higher resolution screen but it is slightly harder to see without the backlight. Don't go for the 450t or 550t or 62st as you can get very good free maps from gpsfiledepot.com and save yourself quite a lot of money. Alternatively, if you hate touch screens then get the 62s and if you love touch screens then get the 450 or 550. If you don't need the camera, get the 450.

Do you mean Lyme Regis? If you do, I don't think I'll be able to map that area as I think it would be interesting (to say the least) to go that far in my open 12ft motor boat! You can always map it yourself though using your GPS, JOSM and the open sea map plugin. That is how I am mapping Poole Harbour.

Glad I could help. Ask me if you have any problems. I would also like to thank Talkytoaster as he has to do even more work to produce full UK maps as it is more difficult to download the full UK, then you have to split the map, then convert it and merge it with the contour data, and then test it, and then upload it. He also has to convert it and produce multiple different versions for Windows or Mac or Garmin, and produce versions with and without contours! Another thing to note is that if you want to use open sea map data easily alongside Talkytoaster's maps then you need to produce a transparent map with only the marine data. To do this you need to use a filter in JOSM to disable the other items, then you need to copy the marine items to a new layer/document and save that, then use the same method but with different commands in the setup file to make the map transparent and draw over the top of other maps. The filter text you need to enter into a JOSM filter is: "seamark:type"|"marina"|"slipway"|"breakwater"|"pier"|"sailing_club"|route=ferry Make sure that "add to selection" is selected from the options and none of the others and click "submit filter". This will disable all the objects covered by your filter. To disable all the objects but the ones in your filter, you need to tick the box in the filter pane on the right under the I column and if you want to hide all the other objects, tick the box under the H column. You then need to drag a box around all the objects to select them and copy them into a new document by clicking edit and copy, then deleting the current layer and creating a new one from the file menu. Paste all the objects into this layer and save it as data.osm in the mkgmap directory. The rest of the process is the same accept for the commands you need in the setup.txt file. These need to be: style-file=/applications/gps and mapping/mkgmap/resources/styles/marine2 max-jobs gmapsupp transparent draw-priority: max input-file: data.osm (leave a blank line here) If setting the draw-priority to "max" does not work (it did for me), just use a high number to make sure it draws over any other maps.

Could you please share how as I for one would be interested - though the opensea maps don't seem to really cover the UK or am I wrong? Certain areas of the UK are covered. I am currently working on charting all the buoys, posts, and navigation lights in Poole Harbour using my boat and GPS. So far, I have covered the the North Channel and the Main channel. The Solent is also covered in quite a lot of detail with most buoys marked. The way I did it was to download the area I wanted (poole harbour) using Java Open Street Map editor. I then saved it to my computer and copied it to the directory where I have mkgmap installed and renamed it data.osm. To convert it you need to tell mkgmap to use the marine style although you do have to modify it slightly to make it show lights. After I convert it, I then install it in mapsource using map set tool kit. The settings I put in a setup file for mkgmap are (you would need to change the style-file directory to where you put the modified marine style)(if you want to copy the map directly to your Garmin GPS, add "gmapsupp" on a new line to create a gmapsupp.img file): route net drive-on-left check-roundabouts style-file=/applications/gps and mapping/mkgmap/resources/styles/marine2 generate-sea: extend-sea-sectors max-jobs input-file: data.osm (leave a blank line here or it won't work) To get mkgmap to include lights, you need to add these two lines to the marine style points file. Add them below "seamark:light:1=* [0x010100 resolution 20]" seamark:type=light_minor [0x010100 resolution 20] seamark:type=light_major [0x010100 resolution 20] If I have time, I will create a youtube video showing the whole process. I'll post a link if I do. Just ask if I haven't explained this very well. I have explained how to do it in a youtube video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EysU67Tjy-w

Could you please share how as I for one would be interested - though the opensea maps don't seem to really cover the UK or am I wrong? Certain areas of the UK are covered. I am currently working on charting all the buoys, posts, and navigation lights in Poole Harbour using my boat and GPS. So far, I have covered the the North Channel and the Main channel. The Solent is also covered in quite a lot of detail with most buoys marked. The way I did it was to download the area I wanted (poole harbour) using Java Open Street Map editor. I then saved it to my computer and copied it to the directory where I have mkgmap installed and renamed it data.osm. To convert it you need to tell mkgmap to use the marine style although you do have to modify it slightly to make it show lights. After I convert it, I then install it in mapsource using map set tool kit. The settings I put in a setup file for mkgmap are (you would need to change the style-file directory to where you put the modified marine style)(if you want to copy the map directly to your Garmin GPS, add "gmapsupp" on a new line to create a gmapsupp.img file): route net drive-on-left check-roundabouts style-file=/applications/gps and mapping/mkgmap/resources/styles/marine2 generate-sea: extend-sea-sectors max-jobs input-file: data.osm (leave a blank line here or it won't work) To get mkgmap to include lights, you need to add these two lines to the marine style points file. Add them below "seamark:light:1=* [0x010100 resolution 20]" seamark:type=light_minor [0x010100 resolution 20] seamark:type=light_major [0x010100 resolution 20] If I have time, I will create a youtube video showing the whole process. I'll post a link if I do. Just ask if I haven't explained this very well.

I found out how to do it using mkgmap.

I have recently discovered open sea map (http://openseamap.org/index.php?id=18&L=1) and I was wondering if it is possible to include open sea map data in these map? The open sea map data is stored on the open street map database but just hidden on the open street map website. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get it to display on the GPS or convert the open street map data in a way that gets it to display?