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Good to see. I flew American a couple of years ago. I checked online beforehand and missed any mention of their not being allowed. I asked the flight attendant as I boarded and she said to wait until the annoucement concerning electronic devices, then I could turn it on. It was fun for awhile. As I deplaned, the pilots were standing at the cockpit door and as I passed they asked how it worked. Don't worry, I always do. I will admit that I have never had to discuss the matter with the crew.

Did you take the SD card out first? No SD card installed.

Strange that everyone reports easy upgrades on this update - and I have a brick. I've been upgrading for the past year and not facing any of the issues reported in this forum. I was particulary concerned about the GPS locking up. After downloading using Webupdater, I got the screen instructing me to disconnect and start the GPS. It did not start and would not reset. I could get into the mass storage mode, and tried various methods to reload the software - no luck. Spent a lot of time this morning on the phone to Garmin - bottom line, my brick is on the way to Kansas. I would like to comment on customer support: They (two Outdoor unit tech support folks and one software technician) were very knowledgeable, very courteous, very easy to work with, and I "enjoyed" the experience. One even called back later to see if I was able to solve the problem with the person he referred me to. Just thought I'd throw that in because they also take some hits.

I was one of those who really missed the KML add on. I didn't post my displeasure in this thread because many folks expressed their concerns better than I could. Now that it is back up, I would like to say thank you. I have already used it to good end. Although there are some good alternatives, I find them useful but more cumbersome. Again, thanks for bringing it back.

I have been very lucky. I have been exposed to many of the pitfalls above (steep, slippery terrain; boulder hopping, etc) but came away relatively unscathed. A few problems however: Numerous bee stings (Note to self: When you hear the buzzing sound, do not accidently step on a beehive.) While making a "poor" stop while turning right on a red light, I received a HUGE hit to the pocket book. The pictures weren't even that good. During a CITO event I punctured my leg on a large piece of metal. Needed to visit the doc and update my tetnus shot. Several scrapes and bruises. We do not feel that a caching day is complete unless someone draws blood.

Yes you down loaded a kml file and a entery was made on the left panel. When it was active the caches would show up in the view area. Jim Download the KML once. You can then go to any area and, assuming the KML is active, the geocaches in that area will show up (up to 150).

Thanks for adding that. I just do it automatically and forgot to add that key info.

Not sure if I understand what you are doing. I don't think you need the degree symbol. Just leave it out. If you really need it - on a PC - hold down the Alt key and type 0176 You also may find it fonts installed on your computer - Dingbats, etc. I use the above method because it is quicker.

Our caching partner was asked to set up some caches for a Cub Scout mountain campout. Requirements: 2 mile hike and keep 'em busy for at least 2 hours. We went up a few days before and planned the route and cache locations. We also discussed how this would have to take place to accomodate 25 or so scouts. We set out 5 caches and used 2 real caches; one of which was a suprise to us when it popped up on the GPS. We varied the terrain and difficulty to find andmethod of hiding/camo. I could not partake in the actual event but later discussed the procedings. There was a short lecture/discussion on what Geocaching is and the concept of coordinates and the GPSr. "Short" is the operative word when you are dealing with kids. Then, on to the hike. First the scouts were broken up into 5 groups, each with a GPS and adult supervision. The groups stayed close together because no one else knew how use the GPS. Each group took turns leading the hunt with the assistance of our partner. Each cache held the coordinates for the next cache, but the coords were already entered into the GPS units to save time (that's the way it works anyway). The kids had a great time, hiked in the mountains, found some caches, signed some logs (even the 2 real ones), and got back just in time for lunch. Sounds like my kind of morning. Some of the terrain was steep. There was only one injury - our partner's pride was bruised when he slid a short distance down the hill on his butt. As to the rattlesnakes - there were many in the area; none were seen.

Good advice above. Personally, I seldom use GSAK since I got my Oregon. I prefer to just run another PQ, making sure the "I Haven't Found" box is checked. The PQ will filter out all caches you have logged online. I then connect the Oregon, navigate to the GPX folder, delete the old gpx file and copy in the new one. For other needs, I will generally use GSAK-but that is rare.

I do agree with this, but the only place to hide it and the GPS is in the trunk, IMHO. We have always moved our Nuvi or Streetpilot to the floor on it's mount when stopped. No more, after the incident described above. Fortunately, we took neither GPS with us (which is unusual). Unfortunately, my beanbag mount was in the bag that was stolen.

Last weekend one of our caching partners and I went up into the mountains in his off-road truck. We were planning a string of temp caches for a Cub Scout camping weekend. We could not get into the campground because the gate was locked so we parked there next to the gate. We walked back to the camp, and then made an initial circuit to test for distance and to scout spots. We ended up at the truck for a water break. We finished making a second circuit and came back to the truck only to find the driver's window smashed. We checked his truck for missing items and found that even though he had some fairly expensive truck related items, the only thing missing was my caching bag. I don't do swag, so it is small with about $60 worth of GPS cables and mounting equipment. I suspect they thought it was a purse and were disappointed. Truck window: $125 Caching bag: $60 Helping out the Scouts and enjoying a hike in the cool mountain air: Priceless

One of our first finds was an LPC in a remote area of a large, quiet parking area. When you lifted the skirt and pulled out the wooden container - the phone rang (at least it sounded like a phone). Almost dropped it.

Caching partner and I were in the mountains,boulder hopping along a small stream in a narrow ravine. At one point our GPSs said "turn right and go up the hill." The hint said something about the cache being a a rock crevase and we saw several from the streambed. There was a long rock shaped like a knife blade - sharp side up - going up the hill. I went to the left, partner to the right. He soon announced a find and I started to make my way across the steep, slippery hill. I had to cross that rock, so I put my hands on top of it and threw my right leg over the rock, hoping to then follow through with the left leg. Well, my left leg slipped and I lost momentum. I was now straddling the rock, on tiptoes with most of my weight on my hands. The top of the rock ended about an inch from where my inseam started. Soon my feet started to slowly slip on the pine needles. I was moving backwards down the hill, straddling that rock, when I discovered that the rock was now 1/2 inch from my inseam. About the time the distance narrowed to zero, adrenaline kicked in and I made a risky, but successful, effort to heave myself off the rock. All-in-all—a great cache.

Done Me 65 My wife ???

Also did the Road of Wells, but they have added some more since then. I spent the rest of the day doing a few caches as I drove to Vegas and some other non-caching activities there. We've had three days in the low-thirtys. All involved a series of caches along a road or trail. One was 72 miles along an old stagecoach route in the desert, another a 4 wheel drive along a mountain ridgeline, and the last was a 5-mile hike in the desert hills and an oasis. A lot of fun and great views and experiences. To me, it is the journey, not the numbers at the end—but I'm not afraid of the numbers either.

I bought my Oregon last August and had the same concerns as you. Brightness was a deal-breaker for me. I went to REI on a bright sunny SoCal day. I explained to the sales person that I needed to go outside and test it in the sunlight. I offered my wife for collateral, but they would only accept my driver's license. Maybe the local store would accept that type of guarentee rather than them going outside personally; or perhaps a manager could work something out. Other than that, I concur with the event idea - or, if you see log from a local cacher stating that he/she is using an Oregon you might email them and set up a meeting.

I flew to Panama a couple of years ago from the U.S. We had no problems at all. We had two GPSrs that were carried on board. I have never had a GPSr given a second look by airport security. If you are going by ship - the same should apply; however, I haven't done that personally. Panama has no restrictions on GPS use, though a lot of people will not understand what it is.

Me too - except that memory thing. I use the same method. Field notes work well for me; easy to do and the fact that it posts the comments to the cache page is gravy. I did use a 60CS and PDA for a long time. I did not add comments to the PDA, although our caching partners did and often beamed them over to mine. I kept notes for each cache on the bottom of maps I printed out. We still use the maps for planning and changing course in the field. They give a general overview of a number of caches. As we go along, we often revise our route. The GPS screen shows a number of caches, but there is nothing like a 8 x 11 map. Last weekend we did some wandering in an area with a number of trails branching off so I made some Google Earth prints as well. MM - We will be in LV next month and I hope to find some more of your fine caches.

It's pretty easy to change the coordinates of a Geocache downloaded through a gpx file. All you have to do is bring up the description page for that cache and press the button at the bottom of a flag overtop of an X. That will create a waypoint using those coordinates. Then you can easily modify it from the Waypoints manager. Granted it's a few extra steps, but with touchscreen, it doesn't take long. JetSkier I agree completely. It is much simpler to add waypoints in the Oregon than it is to change them in the 60CSx. Although they could have made it easier, it is still much faster using the Oregon. I really don't think this is anything but a very minor issue. As to GSAK. I'm a huge fan of GSAK. However, since I got my Oregon in August, I have not used it. I do see some reasons to use it, and I know I will need it in the future. Right now, this great program sits idle. I would not use it just to change waypoint coords., but that's my feelings. YMMV.

Crockett3663 - Hang in there. I'm 65 and have had two open-heart surgeries in the past 22 years, and I enjoy the hikes and climbs (some limits due to my back, however). Just keep at it and have fun. I found one cache where I had hiked several miles - all uphill - and looked down from the cache at the hospital where my surgeries took place. What a feeling! desertrvr - Great post! Recommend the Pushawalla Trail just north of Palm Springs. About 5 miles, lots of caches, and an oasis at the half-way point that is great for a picnic lunch. There is some easy climbing and a little rock scramble, but nothing like you described. Great views.

A cache neaby had 87 finds and, from the logs, appeared to be better than average. A few days ago I received the following archive notice in my notifications email.

I assumed you were using the google maps website http://maps.google.com Entering your home address or coordinates should work in both Google Maps or Google Earth websites. I, too, don't think you can do it from the GC maps. I could be wrong, I often am.

I'm not sure how you are entering your address. Just entering street number, street, city and state worked for me. If you are entering coordinates, use this format: 33° 57.461 -117° 29.201 This is a local cache. Note the minus sign. Without it you wind up in China. Hope this answers your question.

We cache with another couple and that is what we say following a long, hard search for a particularly clever cache. For normal, run-of-the-mill caches, we just step back from the cache, fold our arms, and wait to be noticed. One time I found the cache, pulled it out, signed the log, and put it back while all the others were engrossed in searching. I was busted just as I put it back, but it would have been fun to see their expressions when they opened the cache and found the signature. Large groups or late in a long day, "Found it" generally suffices.