Great Birds

Once you select a custom POI, you can use the save button to transfer it to waypoints as a geocache. From there you treat it like any other geocache including marking as found and changing the icon. Just leave some room in the waypoints memory for the transfer.

I don't know that they are in big trouble, or any trouble at all for now. Garmin may well (probably does) have multi-year licenses with data suppliers that give it access to product for some time. That said, Garmin really does need to take more control of its products so it can set the license terms for its software products. After all, if the vendor changes in license terms adversely for Garmin customers, Garmin takes the heat. Over time GPS hardware is going to become generic and the physical and operating interfaces will standardize and become less of a selling point. For Garmin to stay on top, the company needs to control the major value added parts of the product, and maps are a big part of the value.

This appears to be an ongoing issue. I have several routes that I cannot delete and a number of PQs made from routes that cannot be edited. Many members are waiting on a solution from Groundspeak.

Thanks guys.

I have been experiencing problems making and deleting PQs that are along routes. Actually they are not on routes per say, but are specifically made KML files that have coordinates calculated to describe squares around the center of of my caching interest. When I created the PQs I got an error page, so I remade them and wound up with three identical entries. I ran one and it emailed the PQ to me but when I try to edit the extra, GC.com returns an error message declaring "Queue empty" so I cannot delete or change them. At the same time, PQs made from actual Google Earth routes have been working fine. Any ideas on what the problem is or how to be able to delete the extra PQs?

I've used my 60 csx on my bike many times. The mount from Garmin is quite secure, you wont have a problem with it. What I did find is that the metal handle bars threw the compass out of whack. So I have to turn the compass off when I ride. (Hold down the page button to switch the compass on or off)

As I zoom out on the City Navigator map on my 60csx to look at a projected route the airport icons start to take up a large part of the screen. I don't see any more need for airport icons than other POI so how do I turn them off?

It can take along time a lot of maps. If you really need that many, like for a trip, set it to load overnight then tell MapSource to turn the GPSr off after it the transfer. The next morning you will be ready to go.

The compass will also help when navigating in heavy tree cover when the GPS may not be updating fast enough to keep up with you. I have found it to be worth it for me.

So far I have never needed the Garmin POI displayed on my maps. They mostly clutter up the display and make it harder for me to use the 60scx for what I want to use it for, geocaching, hiking and other outdoor activities. So far I have never needed the GPS to find a gas station or ATM as both are available and generally easy to find in nearly every small town. My hope is that Garmin will at least give us a way to turn them off so I can search POI when needed but not be bothered other wise.

Mine has become somewhat touchy for power on, particularly. Thanks for the head up on this, I think I'll call for a warranty return.

In my car I carry a jacket that stuffs into a small pouch. By Columbia IIRC. If I am out chaching and it looks like rain, i put it in my geo-fannypack. It is good if I get caught in the rain but is not too breathable. If I am planning for rain, I have a Patagonia parka that can't be beat. It keeps me dry and holds back the wind on the toughest days.

That is a great macro.

Using GSAK you save the file as a GPX. Then you use the Garmin POI (Point of Interest) loader to transfer the GPX file to the GPSr as custom POIs. Using that technique, I have thousands of caches loaded at once. Custom POIs don't allow the use of the GPSr geocaching specific functions but do contain more information than loading as a geocache. You access them by using the find menu and scrolling until you see Custom POIs, then select.

These circumstances do happen and you need to know the secret code words. You walk up, GPSr in plain sight and ask “Looking for Something?” The response will be “No, I found something.” You will officially be geocaching friends from then on. After you have done this a few times someone will show you the Geocacher’s secret handshake. Later you will learn other secrets and eventually you will be given the coordinates to the special lodge from where the GPS constellation is really controlled. At that point TPTB will no longer mess with your signal causing those pesky DNF logs and missing so many first to finds by a just a few minutes.

I don't know the exact answer to your question... but I don't think it will overwrite user notes. Since you are rightly concerned, just copy your database and try importing the GPX file on the new copy to find out. Even if you loose your notes, the ability to get pocket queries is a huge jump in making caching easier.

That is one thing i hate about the whole GPS thing....you spend X ammount of dollars on a GPS and you still have to spend another 50-200.00 on maps that will actually make it use able in any real sense. Maybe its just me being cheap, but i do think that stuff should come with all gps units or at least be a small price. Heck even just a coupon to get the software cheaper with the purchase of a new unit would be fine for me, but geeze 150 for topo 150 for city routes 150 for this 150 for that...it all adds up REALLY fast. A good reason that the GPS doesn't come with the full map set is that it is costly to make them so the company must charge something. If you already own a map set and are upgrading your GPS you wouldn't want to have to pay for the maps again. If you are starting, and you need street level maps, then buying them is part of the cost of getting in to the technology. I cached for two years with only the basic maps. It worked OK. When I bought a 60CSX the auto routing made the purchase of the better maps worthwhile.

So you are suggesting that I should RTFM. Thanks guys for your help.

It seems that I can not load both the US Topo and City Navigator maps into my 60cxs. The problem is that loading maps of one type deletes other previously loaded maps. I gather that both of these should be able to reside in the GPS at the same time. What am I doing wrong?

I have had problems with my feet sliding forward in many boots, particularly ski boots. My ankles are relatively small and foot thickness less than average for my size. Sometimes lacing up the boots all the way would not provide enough support and my toes wound up a the front of the boots, jamming my nails. A great fitter at REI suggested a pair of Montrial boots. I have never had a better fit, with a snug tying, my feet stay in place. The boots are waterproof which is great for geocaching. Not all Montrails have the snug foot box, my Montrail cross trainer shoes that I use for most geocaching are much looser. That is OK because I don’t walk down long slopes most of the time. Go to a really good store explain your past fit problems to the fitter and be prepared to spend some time trying on boots. If you have any socks that you like take them with you.

Since the cable is good, then this may be a symptom of a defective connector on the computer. If you have a second serial port, try that one. If not, you might have to buy a multi-port PCI card. They are not too expensive and would certainly be better than transferring the waypoints through you laptop.

I am a golden god.

Usually nothing more than mosquito repellant. But when I go into some areas where there are wild boars I carry a snub nose 38 special.

I found a cache containing CD with photos of the last big flood in Houston. My young daughter really wanted it so we swapped for it and talked about where we were on that day and identified the places in the pictures. If the photos are good and well labeled then some people will be interested in it. Any personal narration of the photos would be better. One of the things I like about geocaching is the chance connections that happen. Crossing paths with someone else with a GPS in their hand and swapping stories, or finding some other small connection with a stranger.

Getting hit by another driver watching the GPSr rather than the road. We both can’t do it at once.