PATHer

We have looked for Geocaches in a number of states and we seem to have noticed the following with local geocaches: 1) Maintenance of some caches seems to be non-existant; i.e., cache is filled with water, log book full, missing entirely or repeated people reporting no-finds yet no update provided. 2) Placed geocaches seem to disappear faster than in other areas. We've hidden two off the beaten track but they lasted just about two months (others are still there). Has anyone else been frustrated looking for a cache that has been gone for a while yet still listed as active, finding a cache that is in dire need of maintenance (and mentioned in the logs) or placing one that disappears? Seems to be more of an issue in the Charlotte area than elsewhere . . . . just a general comment. WHat have your experiences been? Team PATH'er

I picked one of these up from Outpost.com a few months back to replace an older Magellan and don't regret it one bit. The base map detail is an issue to some as compared to the higher Meridian models but when you add MapSend Topo to the unit, there is no difference between them for what we use it for when you zoom in past the base map level of detail. If you shop around you can get the maps for around $60 to $80 and then add an SD card for $35. The $50 rebate from Magellan is still in effect (if you ever get it - I have been waiting for more than 2 months!), your total cost is under $200 for a phenomenal GPS system. Hope this helps. Team PATHer

Just go an E-mail flyer from CompUSA showing their price on a 128 MB SD card at $34.99 with shiping being $0.01 for the next week. If you need an SD card to hold those maps, this is not a bad price. The item number is 50205127 The link to the item is: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50205127&pfp=BROWSE

If anyone is interested, Comp-U-Plus is offering some excellent pricing on Magellan MapSend products. For example, I picked up a copy of MapSend Topo for $65. Add the $50 rebate from Magellan and the final cost works out to be $15. They have all of the MapSend products at similar savings. Hope this helps. Their website is at http://www.compuplus.com - - use the search feature to find Magellan products.

Kevin, Received the GPS unit and other items . . . . excellent condition. The scouts will be using it tomorrow on a 10-mile hike. Thanks for a great transaction . . . . . if anyone needs an endorsement, dont't think twice about dealing with this Geocacher! Team PATH'er

Just picked up a 128MB SD card from Tiger Direct for $24.99 after a rebate. The card is from Viking. The price is $39.99 (not bad itself) with a $15 rebate. Here's the link if you want more information: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=v98-2000%20p&SRCCODE=WEM454A

I went the same route and found that Outpost.com was selling the Meridian GPS for $109 plus $7.95 shipping. For a brand new unit, I would go that route . . . . . just one opinion though

I just picked one up from Outpost for $109 plus shipping and am extremely happy with it so far especially compared to the older unit I had been using. It does everything I need it to and runs on track with a buddy's Garmin this last weekend. As far as supporting the French, I would have to agree but considering the unit has a MADE IN CHINA sticker on it and the manual is printed in MEXICO, who knows who you are supporting. Since Magellan's office in the US employs US workers, don't see a problem keeping our people employed.

Just picked up a Meridian GPS model from Outpost to replace an older non-WAAS model I have been using. So far I really like it but have a question on upgrading the firmware in it. Going to the ABOUT option, it looks like it is running Rev 2.09 dated September 28, 2001. I seem to remember people saying that upgrading may not always be a good thing in terms of what you get. Any thoughts on upgrading to the latest firmware from Magellan? Thanks in advance.

I've seen this question come up several times and wanted to pass on an inexpensive source of screen protectors for GPS units. They come in packs of 15 and sell for $10 . . . cheap insurance against the typical scratches. I've added them to my Meridian and they don't affect the ability to read the screen even in bright sun. Not related to the company selling them . . . just thought fellow Geocacher's might find this information of value. If you do not see your model listed, send an E-mail and he will tell you what product # you need to order. I've ordered protectors for my GPS unit and two different PDA's and found them to be first rate and 1/2 of what you will pay elsewhere. ------------------------------------------- Bob Ulrich's SP1 Screen Protectors 15 pack http://www.bobulrich.com/rmu252.htm -------------------------------------------

Just upgraded to a new Medidian and it is a big difference from my old non-WAAS unit. Have a question on Waypoints loaded from EasyGPS. If I load say 20 local geocaches or benchmarks, they appear on the map and clutter the display quite a bit. Is there a way to not show them on the map but only select them using the GOTO option and then work on finding them that way? It would be nice to load all the caches / benchmarks in the area and have them on the SD card as needed. Thanks in advance

Thanks for all the input I received on upgrading from a Magellan Tracker to a WAAS unit. Opted to go with the Medidian GPS Green and add the SD card and MapSend Topo. The price at outpost.com was hard to pass up . . . $119 with 2-day shipping adding $7.95 to the total. The MapSend Topo comes with the $50 rebate so for under $200, I get the new unit, SD card and MapSend Topo. Now I won't have anyone but myself to blame if I can't find a cache!

I see that there are several types of basic Magellan Meridian GPS units on E-bay and advertised here for sale; however, when I go to Magellan's site, the only have one listed with a list price of $239.99. WHat are the Yellow and Green models advertised and are they for all intents the same as the one that is shown on Magellan's web site? Thanks in advance

I have decieded to retire my Magellan Tracker and get a new unit with WAAS. The two that I have narrowed the choices down to are: 1) Magellan Meridian Gold 2) Magellan SporTrak Pro Price wise they are about the same and many of the features are the same. One uses the SD card to load additional maps. Couple of questions: 1) Which model would you lean towards and are their any reasons why? 2) How much space is required for loading topo maps in from Mapsend Topo? I would be looking at smaller sections rather than chunks of a state. 3) Any other useful information in making the descion. Thanks in advance. . . . . .

I recently hid a cache and as I usually do, let the GPS unit average the position while I hid the container. Good a good signal and the coordinates did not vary. Well, after posting it, it seems that no one can find it. Everyone says their GPS unit starts actibg strange when they get near the site. There is a radio tower nearby (did not know it at the time), but I would not think that should affect the GPS unit. Here is the link to the cache page so you can see what comments are being left. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=38537 Ever hear of this before? Any tips (I guess I need to move it) Andy

My son has really gotten involved in Geocaching and it was interesting to see the latest issue of Boys Life from the Boy Scouts had a well written article on the sport. If anyone get's a chance to oick up a copy, it's worth the read. I've taken several scouts out on Geocache hunts other parents have put together for the troop and they really enjoy the outing. http://www.boyslife.org/

If anyone is looking for this program, I saw Staples is selling the latest version - 9.0 - for $29.99 as a special. Thought I'd pass it along.

Recently I took a spill down a gravel bank looking for a cache and my Magellan Tracker saved my fall. Unfortunately the face is really scratched. Does anyone know of something that can be used to buff out scratches from the face without ruining it completely? I seem to remember seeing something that could take scracthes out of motorcycle helmet face plates but I am not sure if the face on the GPS unit is made of the same material Thanks in advance for your input . . . . repair cost is $90.

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I was thinking about putting out a cache which encouraged Geocachers to bring along computer software to swap around. Looking for thoughts on a 'Software Theme' cache; i.e., pros and cons about starting a cache along those lines. Thanks in advance for the input

I was thinking about putting out a cache which encouraged Geocachers to bring along computer software to swap around. Looking for thoughts on a 'Software Theme' cache; i.e., pros and cons about starting a cache along those lines. Thanks in advance for the input

Try giving their Tech Support a call and describing the problem. I just had a problem with my Tracker and they gave me two options - fix it and told me upfront what it would cost or trade it in on a new model with a generous allowance. If it is something easy, they will tell you. If not, you will at least have some options to get a functioning unit again. The number is: 800 707 9971 Hope this helps.

I have been using a Magellan Tracker for geocaching; however, on one of my last trips, on a nasty slide down a gravel hillside, my GPS unit took the brunt and the face is really scratched. Magellan said it would be $90 to replace the unit or I could trade it in on a new unit. Here are the trade-in prices they sent me for my Tracker: GPS310 $72.25 GPS 315 $108.80 GPS 320 $115.60 Map330 $170.00 Map330M $183.60 Meridian Gold $191.25 Meridian Marine $199.75 Visor Companion $96.05 Palm M500 Companion $131.75 SporTrak $115.18 SporTrak Map $135.10 SporTrak Pro $182.75 I am looking at the Map330, Meridian Gold or the SporTrak Map & Pro models. My question is what unit would you recommend assuming I will use it primarily for Geocaching and would like to be able to upload Delorme TopoUSA maps to the unit for use in the field? Thanks in advance for your input.