jmundinger

Correct, except that the estimated probable error also applies to the cache location. If the user is interested in checking the accuracy of his gpsr, he should be comparing the reading against the coordinates for a benchmark, not a geocache.

Thanks for that tip. I just tried it for a hike I did today and it worked (actually, I had to right click on mapsource where it appeared in the tree under Points. I noticed that, if I set the scale of the icon to 0, all that shows is a line.

try 2.8/2.5 before you give up on it! The comment about "multi-path" is probably the correct explanation for what is happening. That said, I have yet to experience the issue with the combination of 2.8/2.5.

When I experienced drift, it looked different from that. Here is one typical example But, as you described, once the drift occurred, the unit was off by a few hundred feet - I don't think it would have continued to get worse, it just wouldn't get back on track without a reset. I am currently using 2.80/2.50 and have yet to experience the drift issue with that configuration. I briefly tried 3.0/3.0, but didn't like the look of the track log, so I reverted. That said, I suspect updating to 3.0/3.0 would still be a much better option than 2.70/2.60.

I think the "squares" that you describe are a feature in google earth, not mapsource. You can make the squares a little smaller, but I haven't found a way to change them. <tools> <options> click on the 3D view tab and, in that window, select "small" under labels/icon size. You can turn the track off all together: <view> turn on the sidebar - a menu will appear on the left of the screen. One of the items on the menu is "Places" and, in that panel is a tree that includes "temporary places" and, under that, "mapsource". Both of those will have a check mark in them - indicating that Google Earth is displaying data that it imported from mapsource. Remove the check mark from the box next to mapsource and the track will not display.

I suspect that you need to be talking with the folks from Garmin. I have a VistaHCx - which has a data card in it. With that unit, the interface options are either the unit or the card. I get the error message that you describe if I have the unit set to the card and then try to communicate with the unit from MapSource. To be honest, I don't understand why the "interface" icon even appears in your setup menu because you only have one option, i.e. Garmin. I also have a LegendC, which is essentially the same unit as the VentureHC - but with the older receiver. I don't seen an "interface" icon anywhere in the menus on that unit.

I've got a 260 which, except for the fact that it does not have a wide screen, is probably the same unit that you have. I don't cache with mine and, because the computer interface looks different than that with my other garmin gpsr's (i.e. it doesn't communicate with mapsource), I presumed that it also would not communicate with the "send to gps" function. But, I just proved myself wrong - I was able to download a cache and then was able to find it by the 6 digit code in the list of favorites.

I agree. Get one of the newer, i.e. H, models. The Summit HC is essentially the same unit as the Vista HCx except that it has a 24Mb internal memory and doesn't use a memory card. You should be able to get one for about $175 (or less??) at OffRoute.com. Or, you could get a Venture HC - same thing except without the electronic compass and altimeter - for about $130.

The combination that has worked best for me is: Software Version 2,80 Chipset (GPS software version) 2.50. If you have a copy of software version 2.80, you should be able to install it by simply connecting your gpsr to the computer and double-clicking on the file. Installing an older version of the chipset is a little more complicated. If you can find a copy, it will probably be a compressed file. When you unzip it, you should get two files - a *.rgn file (actually looks something like GPSChipsetTypeM2_RegionFile__250[1].rgn) and a file labeled updater. Assuming that you have webupdater installed on your computer, create a shortcut to update and put it in the same folder as the other two files. Connect the gpsr to your computer and then, drag the *.rgn file on top of the shortcut to WebUpdater. Updater should open and will then install the *.rgn file.

If you bought a Vista that connects through a serial port, it is a discontinued model - no longer top of the line.

I presume that you are building the map set in MapSource and then transferring the maps to the gpsr. Before installing a map set, save it on your computer. Do the same with subsequent map sets. Then, except for the time required to send the maps to the gpsr, it is pretty easy to switch among different map sets. The basemap stays in the unit, regardless of what you do with other map sets. I suspect it is stored someplace other than in the accessible memory that is used for storing map sets.

Go to the Garmin website and download a copy of the manual for the Vista C - look for it under discontinued models. It is essentially the same unit that you have except that it doesn't take a data card and it doesn't have the high sensitivity receiver. The important thing is that the functions are the same and the manual for the older unit is much more complete.

Go to the Garmin website and download a copy of the users manual for the Legend C. Functionally, it is the same unit as the Venture HC, but without the high sensitivity receiver and a different colored case. The older user manuals were much more complete than the manuals that come with the newer models and everything in the Legend C manual should also apply to your unit.

As a couple of other folks have suggested, my initial thought that there is an issue with the coordinate format. If you have corrected that issue, search for a few benchmarks. The coordinates for those likely will be more accurate than the coordinates for a cache. Also, with a consumer grade unit, you shouldn't expect accuracy any better than 15 +/- ft. And, if the guy who hid the cache was also using a consumer grade unit, the coordinates for an "accurately" placed cache is also have a probable error of +/- 15 ft. So, you could be standing on top of a cache and your gps could say that it is 30 ft. away and still be spot on. Getting the cable won't fix the problem unless it was a result of operator error with the data input.

One additional thought. If you buy the Venture HC, go to the Garmin site and look for the Legend C. It is a discontinued model that is functionally equivalent to the Venture, but without the high sensitivity receiver. Download a copy of the users manual for the Legend C. It contains a lot more useful information than the manual that comes with the newer model.

The upgrade thing is a software issue. You can do that online after you purchase the unit. I think you need a unit that accepts a memory card to do the points of interest thing. It isn't all that useful for caching and, if you have a unit with a geocache function, it won't treat POI's as geocaches and, thus, you wouldn't be able to read the note from the compass page while searching for a cache. Given the choice between the two units you mentioned, without question, I would purchase the Venture HCx. It is easier to use and has more functions. Also, if you are going to cache with the unit, you will want to be able to connect the unit to your computer. The Venture HCx comes with a USB cable. The eTrexH requires a seperate, serial cable and to use it, you might need to get a USB adapter unless your computer has a serial port that will accept it. You can currently buy a Venture HCx for about $110 from Amazon or about $130 from OffRoute. There also are other options for purchasing online. Get the Venture HCx! (unless you think you need an electronic compass/altimeter, in which case get the Summit HCx.)

I don't have a Venture HC. I have a Legend C and a Vista HCx. I have experienced slow/no start ups with both, although not frequently. When it has happened, turning the unit off and back on is usually sufficient. If not, turning it off/on and selecting new location from the satellite page does the trick. I'm not sure the cause. Perhaps someone who is a bit more tech savvy has an explanation.

Thanks for reminding me of the trick. I'm also have a Bravo 2 chip.

The last time we had a thorough discussion of the chip question on this board, I think the conclusion was that all of the Vista HCx's have Bravo 2's. I forget the method for getting that information, but I'm pretty sure mine has a Bravo 2.

I tried the firmware 3.0 update in my Vista HCx and, while I was at it, I thought I would give chipset 2.80 another try. Mistake! I took a short hike with it this afternoon and the resulting track log was bizarre - sort of like the old "drift issue" but without the characteristic jag in the middle of the log. So, I backed dated to firmware 2.80/chipset 2.50, which is the combination that has performed most consistently for me.

The eTrex Legend (unless you are talking about the Legend HCx) is a discontinued model. For the same amount of money, you can get similar functionality but with a color screen and a high sensitivity receiver with eTrex Venture HC - it comes with a USB cable. You should be able to purchase one online for less than $150. It's not the only option, but I have been satisfied with the service that I have gotten from OffRoute.com

Once you get your map selection down to the size that will fit on your card, be prepared to take on another project for awhile because 4 gb is going to take a long time to load.

Interestingly, at the moment, the Legend H is about $20 more than the Venture HC at OffRoute.

Go to the garmin website and download the user's manual for the Vista c, a discontinued model. The manuals for the older models are more complete than for the newer models, but the functions are about the same.

Get a Garmin Venture HC. You should be able to get a new one from OffRoute.com for about $130 plus shipping. It is a high sensitivity receiver, with a color screen and better functionality, including a basemap (although not much of a map) than the eTrex H. Plus, it comes with a USB cable. The cable for the eTrex H is an extra and, unless your computer has a serial port, you would also have to get a usb adapter. And, if you did that, you would have paid about the same as the cost for the Venture but would not have as nice a gps. The Venture HC has all the funtionality of the more expensive units except that it doesn't have an electronic compass or electronic altimeter. If you think you need those functions, you could spend a few dollars more and get a Summit HC. With either of those units, you could go for a long time and never have a need to upgrade.