appalachiancachin

Hi, I recently bought some NiZN PowerGenix batteries for my 62s and since I installed them my 3-axis compass has been acting goofy. By goofy I mean sticking on a certain direction no matter how I turn, then there are times I will move along a little bit and it seems to work OK. Could this be due to the battery change? Has anyone else seen anything like this? Thanks!

OK so it's still a manual process that way. I was thinking of just editing the GPX file to do the same sort of thing. I was hoping there would be an automated option. Ah well. Thanks for the response!

I've been trying to figure this out without much success. Usually when I solve a puzzle cache I will use the Personal Notes section to record my answer. Is there a way to include this or some other area where I can include custom text in GPX files from pocket queries? I am trying to have a paperless record for caches so after I generate and load a pocket query to my GPS my notes are there in the geocache listing without having to do anything extra. Does anyone have advice on the best way to do this? Thanks!

A little reading on this subject from AOPA. General Aviation is standing up against this change as well... AOPA Article

I've been using the Nuvi 500 for a year or so and it is a very solid GPS for geocaching and driving. It's also very rugged (dropped on concrete a few times and it works), and waterproof which is handy if you'll be in the woods or long hikes for unexpected rain or accidental drops in water (I have yet to do that, but it's gotten wet before and been fine). I recommend getting a decent screen protector (ZAGG InvisibleShield or XO Skins) as it's a pretty large screen compared to handhelds and it will probably end up in your pocket a few times while you're going after the cache. Also, the paperless caching feature is very nice and you'll hate to go without it once you get used to it. My biggest complaint with the device is reception under heavy cover, but it's still usable and will get you within 30-40 feet without an issue under cover. That being said I just bought a GPSmap 62s for increased accuracy and the electronic compass. But also I wanted a second unit because my wife and I always go together and I'd like for us both to be able to have a unit in hand. Anyways, for a hybrid unit I feel it's about as close as you can get. The handhelds are probably better in the woods, but that's their element.

Ah ha! That's what I'm looking for! If only I could just get the piece that slides onto the rail and not all of the extra stuff. I'm just glad to know it does exist. Maybe I can find one used on ebay or something, I'm really not interested in paying 50 bucks for it. Thanks!

So, I just bought a GPSmap 62s. I already own a Nuvi 500 and a host of accessories for mounting it (vent mount, handlebar mount). What I'm looking for is an accessory that I can slide onto the rail mount on the 62s that will give it a socket similar to the clip on mount for to Nuvi 500 so I can snap it into the same mounts (I would call it a ball and socket mount, but I don't know what the different types of mounts are called). Does something like that exist? Thanks!

Thanks for the replies. I think I might be leaning more towards the 550 then.

I'm torn between buying a Nuvi 500 and Nuvi 550. How much of a difference do the maps make? I regularly travel to the Lake Erie area and we go into Canada some, so I would use the Canadian maps, but only a couple times a year. The topos I would use for geocaching and trail walking, but I've read that there are better topos available than Garmin offers for free from this site... http://gpstracklog.com/2009/09/free-gps-topo-maps.html Can anyone confirm that these work well? If these maps are better than Garmin topos I might as well go with the 550 for the Canada maps and just load topos after the fact. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Yeah I'd hate to order it and be hung out to dry. What I'm referring to is garmin's nuMaps guarantee for Nuvis and Zumos, I pasted the link below. It says refurbs are eligible, but who knows if I'll order this thing and it will say the serial number has already been used or something. I did see a case where that happened and the user was directed to customer support, so it looks like if I can prove my purchase date and complain loud enough they'll give me a free update on it. Has anyone out there gone this route before? nuMaps Description

Thanks for the info both of you. It's looking like the best bet for what I'm looking for. I was looking at refurbs on ebay and they're going for 180 with a hard case, shipped. I'm pretty sure Garmin gives a free map update even if you're buying a refurb GPS, so I'm seriously considering going that route.

Hi all, I'm new to geocaching and I am in the market for a GPS. The only one I own is a Blackberry Curve 8330. I am looking for one that is made for the car but works well for geocaching. I am leaning towards the Garmin Nuvi 500 because it is durable and waterproof, has a decent pedestrian mode and topographical maps for North America, where I'll be doing the majority of my caching. I love going after the caches that are off the beaten path so I think the topos will be very useful to me. So my main requirements... 1- Made for the car, so a standard square shape that is dash-mountable. Nothing with the handheld shape. 2- Rugged enough to take in the woods. 3- Accuracy, even under trees, Garmin claims it is high sensitivity but I'm not sure if that's fluff 4- Pedestrian mode, routing to a point, compass mode would be great but not a requirement 5- Topographical basemaps would be nice Does anyone have any other recommendations, or is the Nuvi 500 my best bet? Thanks all!