SergZak

Go to the Garmin Geocaching website. On the right side of the page under "Geocaching links", click on the "myGarmin Geocaching" link. You will have to create a myGarmin account but it's free and after doing so will allow you to download the Communicator Plugin.

Addendum: I found another way to gauge performance between two units. You'd need to have a mapset loaded to the GPS that contains Tide Tables (both the original Topo USA and the updated 2008 version have this data...you can find a Tide Station using Find/Marine/Tide Station). Select a Tide Station & note the amount of time it takes to plot the graph using a stopwatch. Here are the times I recorded for the Vista C and Vista HCx: Vista C: 6.93 sec Vista HCx: 1.88 sec Using the above results, the HCx is approx. 3.5 times faster at this particular test. Also note that the processor was probably (I'm just speculating here) upgraded in the Vista Cx units of which I do not own so the difference between the Cx and HCx may be minimal. Edit: It appears that the HCx is still using a USB 1.1 hardware interface since map transfers to the memory card through the HCx were pretty slow, but still tons better than the old serial interface for those who remember those lengthy transfer times. I have a feeling that by the time Garmin implements USB 2.0, there will be an even faster updated USB interface spec. or different interface altogether.

I tried an impromptu "stress" scrolling test between the Vista C and the Vista HCx. The two units were set to the exact same map detail level of .5mi (I used Topo U.S. 2008) and both were set to the same coordinates with the GPS receivers turned off. Then I simply used the sticks on both units (started them both as close to the same time that I could get) to scroll the maps to a pre-determined location and noted the difference. The HCx got to the same pre-determined location approx. 1.5 times ~faster~ than the C. The HCx also seemed to be able to draw out more of the detail in the map tiles faster before the scrolling jumped to the next section...in other words, it was drawing out more of the map and scrolling ~1.5 times faster than the C (if that makes any sense). Garmin has definitely implemented a faster processor in these new units which is always a good thing.

The backlighting/display are virtually the same as my Vista C, both of which are better than the 60C and 60CS 1st gen color units that I have (they will likely be put up for sale after gathering up all package contents).

I was referring to the the back cover *only* as being some sort of cast alloy. On my original Vista and Vista C, they were plastic. I know that the main body of the unit is plastic...I've been around these things long enough not to make that kind of mistake.

I received my Vista HCx today from TVNAV so I thought I'd write up a mini-review and give some first impressions. Whatever comparisons I make will be to the Vista C unit (which I've owned since it's initial release) so if something carried over from the Vista C to the Vista Cx, I wouldn't know about it...so pardon the ignorance. The box along with the GPS. Whatever new "high sensitivity" GPS chipset it uses blows away the Vista C upon my initial comparison (in the house with a metal shingle roof). As can be seen in the above photo, I have a very good sat lock. The Vista C is unable to find/lock any sats in the same location (sorry, no direct comparison pics...I warned you that this was a mini-review). I have yet to use it in any kind of vegetation/trees so no comment on that. The back compartment cover is made of some type of cast metal alloy (likely aluminum...I doubt it's titanium but it sure looks like it...a "scratch-test" may be in order). The entire cover is made of this alloy with the exception of the rubber moulding/built-in gasket seal. As can be seen in the above photo, the mounting hole for the belt-clip attachment is threaded into the alloy making the back cover *very* solid. Button placement and feel are identical to the Vista C. As far as what adhesive is used to attach the rubber outer band to the unit, I really don't know but it seems very similar in strength to the one used on the Vista C. How long it will last right now is pretty much anyone's guess. That's about all I have time for right now...sensitivity seems *very* good and should please those that currently have poor performance with their unit. Quick edit: Just did a quick side-by-side comparison between the HCx and my nuvi 350 (SiRF III chipset) with the HCx edging out the nuvi by a couple of sats...

I expect some initial impressions/reviews to be coming in very soon now. Darrel at TVNAV got some of the first units off the line from Garmin sometime last week. Mine is hopefully shipping tomorrow when he gets another shipment from Garmin.

If you upload ALL the maps you are going to use in the same MapSource session, all the maps will get uploaded. If you already have maps on the GPS, then proceed to upload more, the mapset on the GPS will be erased and will be replaced by the mapset you're uploading. The key is to upload everything in the same MapSource session.

Did you load the route calculation data along with the mapset when you transferred it to the GPS? If you haven't done so already, be sure to checkmark the "Include route calculation data" option before transferring the maps. The option does not automatically get selected when using auto-routing capable maps so it's easy to overlook.

Wow, that's some sunspot! First I've heard of this problem. I'll have to watch the battery orientation extra carefully on my Vista C.

I'm using a Nuvi 350 which also supports custom POIs and the only way (previous to the lastest software version at least) to delete user-loaded custom POIs was to load in an empty POI list (or with one POI set to somewhere that you'd never encounter it, like in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean). You may want to give it a try on your 60CSx.

This is some interesting info, Geoff. Thanks alot for your hard work in doing this and keeping it updated.

Garmin Nuvi Garmin Quest (2 units, 1 for sale) Garmin GPSMAP 60C (for sale) Garmin GPSMAP 60CS (for sale) Garmin eTrex Vista C I've owned numerous others before these...I started off with Magellan but Garmin took over the addiction

I can confirm this on my Nuvi 350 which also uses the SiRF III chipset...you will never see a solid WAAS lock bar when viewing the satellite page. Hope you guys are enjoying your new x series GPSs with their awesome map storage capabilities. My Nuvi 350 has the full City Navigator US (NT) pre-loaded. And even with all that map data already on the unit, there is still ~750 MB of free memory (with even more if you delete the pre-loaded speech data in different languages) for map storage on top of having an SD card slot for more map data. With all this map storage capacity, I'm really having trouble just filling up the built-in memory, let alone using the SD card for additional. I guess this is where the built-in MP3 player comes into play. I'm really glad Garmin is finally giving us the memory we've been asking for & needing all this time.

I'm really starting to like this MicroSD(or TransFlash)/SD format. It makes the memory useful in alot of different devices...with the adapter in my Nuvi, digicam or Palm or without the adapter in the new Garmin X units or my mobile phone. I'm glad Garmin chose this format rather than creating another Garmin proprietary format like their data cards.

It would surprize me if Garmin included a utility within the GPS to do the formatting & file utilities. My Nuvi 350 uses an SD card and there is no option to format the SD card or do any type of file management. The MicroSD (or TransFlash) cards that you purchase come with an SD card adapter/sleeve. Since SD cards are becoming so popular & common with DigiCams and other devices, I suspect Garmin is assuming you have access to an SD card reader/writer to do the map transfers. Adding code to the GPS's firmware to do file management would be a bit much as far as tech support goes...I know of no Garmin unit that does file management within the GPS. BTW, the largest currently available TransFlash card is 512MB from SanDisk. I bought one to play MP3s on my Motorola E815 mobile phone and in anticipation of the expandable memory Garmin handhelds.

I don't know if THIS LINK has been posted so forgive me if it has. I'm a happy Nuvi 350 owner & this site may be Nuvi-based but it has links to the new Garmin SiRF III units/CES info for those who are looking for more info.

I have the Garmin Nuvi 350 but have not used it in any type of cacheing environment like tree cover. In my house though (with a metal tile roof), I am able to lock onto at least 5 sats and get a 3D lock consistently. This is something I have never been able to do before with any unit I've owned (and I've owned many). I believe these new SiRF III based units wll outperform pretty much anything out there...and hopefully in the area that needs improvement on all units (tree cover).

Sorry to say that there is no possible way to view GPS coordinates. I had the C330 for about 1 week and exchanged it for the Nuvi 350 (which I like MUCH better), but even the Nuvi doesn't have this ability. This is a big drawback for these units and Garmin should be ashamed for not including this ability. In their effort to make these units simple, they simply simplified them too much. How much extra code would be used to do this simple task of displaying GPS coordinates anyways? Write to Garmin and complain about this.

Check out the new Garmin Nuvi 350. This is IMHO the best *automotive* GPS out there. It's a bit pricey (~$899) but is worth every penny. It has a large touch screen with voice prompts with TTS (text-to-speech), pre-loaded City Navigator maps with ~790MB of free ram for user maps, MP3s, audio books and JPG photos (with built-in software to view & play them all). If you need more ram, put it all on an SD card and pop it in the unit. It uses the highly touted SiRF chipset for really amazing reception and it can even slip into your pocket (unlike the C3xx or Street Pilot 26xx series). This is one gem of an auto-nav...I love it!

Very odd. Sounds like you have a glitch in MapSource since you seem to have done everything correctly. Did you verify that the unlock codes are in fact installed in MapSource? Start the unlock wizard in MapSource, select "view my installed unlock codes" then press the next button. A box should come up with the installed MapSource regions installed along with the GPS that is unlocked for the region. Click on a GPS displayed and then click the "properties" button. Verify the region/GPS & it's unlock code are correct. If you don't have any displayed, then the problem may be within MapSource. If it was me, I'd try a full re-install of CitySelect & MapSource by uninstalling it, then deleting the Garmin folder & all Garmin related keys in the Windows registry and then repeat the install process. I'd wait though for Garmin's response to see what they say if you feel uneasy about doing this or editing the Windows registry.

Here's another thing to check...it may be obvious but check anyways. Did you actually install CitySelect v7? If you don't have it actually installed (or have only a previous version installed), you may be getting the error message since the unlock code is tied to both the GPS and the version of CitySelect. Let us know how this turns out for you.

You may have unlocked the units on the website but you still need to unlock them from within MapSource. In MapSource, select Utilities/Unlock Maps and continue from there.

The new Garmin nuvi automotive navigator uses the new SiRF technology and I can honestly say that the sensitivity is quite amazing.

I thought I'd mention the new Garmin nuvi 350 unit and it's use of SiRF technology...simply put, this unit's reception sensitivity and accuracy is really quite amazing. I can consistently pick up 5+ sats here in my house on the 1st floor (I cannot usually pick up even 1 with my 60C or Vista c) which has a metal tile roof on it. Used outdoors in a caching situation, I can see this new technology putting other handheld units to shame. The nuvi 350 has a *total* built-in memory capacity (according to Windows) of 1.87 GB & ~790 MB of free user RAM for additional maps, MP3s, JPGs etc. The pre-installed City Navigator 7 (full US coverage) takes up ~900 MB and additional sample MP3s & JPGs use up the rest. If you need more storage than this, you can also use an SD card for more. While the nuvi 350 is an automotive navigator (with a quite steep $899 price tag), I feel it's the best portable auto-nav unit out on the market, period. And if the nuvi 350 is any indication of the direction Garmin is headed with their handheld units, I'd say we're in for some really amazing GPS products in the future.