phlatlander

"few" as in several. GoogleEarth can generally be used to confirm a location within a "few" feet but be aware that if the map tiles do not align, a few feet rapidly becomes more than, say 20 feet. BTW there doesn't appear to be an easy way to recognize when the map tiles are not aligned. As others have said, make sure both GoogleEarth and your GPS are using the same coordinate format.

1 - old Garmin Legend, have ordered a Garmin Oregon 550 replacement 2 - Garmin Nuvi 1350lmt

Thought I'd add I just ordered an Oregon 550 today.

Perhaps, but I can add notes, phone numbers, add an image, plan a route, pretty much view what we want to see by customizing gpx pois. I do quite a bit of research before we travel because as senior citizens we can't do day long tours etc. anymore so we prefer to go and see a couple of places we have researched rather than check out a map landmark. As they say in French, "chacun a son gout" (to each his own). I very seldom use the installed pois on my Nuvi.

I am using a "borrowed" 450 and have not used it to find a geocache as a POI, but the screens look the same as for "normal" geocaches. It seems that in addition to the many functions of the 450, it will do all of the things a Nuvi will do (minus Voice directions and perhaps a simulation mode). I have just downloaded several csv files for all the BBQs and A&Ws complete with descriptions so all in all it is a very complete and useful unit. Funny thing is I simply use the download methods I use for the Nuvi 1350 and voila! Very impressive!

I also make the text bigger, use colours to highlight certain items, and most importantly for me, cache attributes in text. If you want to geocache in Winnipeg in the winter, a WINTER FRIENDLY attribute is almost mandatory. Having spent some time and effort with GSAK, I have been able to use a Nuvi 1350 for "paperless" geocaching for some time. My reason for acquiring an Oregon is mostly battery life. A Nuvi is only good for 2 hours or less away from the car 12v charging system unit so charging the battery can be problematic - as opposed to carrying Eneloop spares. Thanks for the feedback so far - so much to learn.

Well I played around some more and using an older Poiloader I managed to download the same files as on my Nuvi. I also managed to re-jig the geocaches to (IMHO) better display the geocache data including text attribute descriptions. This is an impressive gps and does a lot more than paperless geocaching.

Perhaps my question is not clear. We are planning a trip to Europe next year and I am building a gpx file of interesting places to visit. I have built a small test file of 8 locations and my Nuvi 1350 will display the places on a map and I can "simulate" driving in Prague (for example). Can I do this with an Oregon? Another example, I have 2 different churches in the file, can I select one and then go from there to the second, perhaps by a route?

"When you connect the Oregon to your computer it functions like a USB thumb drive. You can see all the files on the Oregon and manipulate them with Explorer. The Oregon’s software only recognizes two filenames for the data; geocaches.gpx and waypoints.gpx." Does this mean that if I want to build a poi file of interesting places (not geocaches) I must name the file as above or add the individual points by hand? This relates to the Nuvi series and the ability to view/process multiple gpx files.

I'm going for coffee on Friday with a serious geocacher and he is going to demo his 450, which I suspect will make me want to replace my old Legend... I wasn't too keen on the 500 with camera but it likely performs as well as my old geocaching minolta 100 - and less batteries to carry around as well. Thanks for the feedback so far.

There is a good sale at gpscity (Calgary CA) and this week an Oregon 450 is $300cdn and an Oregon 550 is $330cdn. Reading Garmin info would infer they are quite similar except for the camera on the 550. Apparently the 550 does not have "Garmin Connect", and does not do automatic routing etc. Are there other differences that would make the upgrade more attractive? Opinions?

Well, I use my PC, Garmin Poiloader, and GSAK for all my needs. My Nuvi 1350 (with its micro SD card) does paperless geocaching and it has several maps on board but it has been a learning experience.

You can determine the format and output using different macros with GSAK.

You must learn to use your PC with your gps. Here is a posting from another topic which provides basic steps. from TXHooligans on another posting: "Set up a pocket query.. I have one that runs every other day and gives me all the caches I havent found. It puts it in a .gpx file that I can download this file from the website. Just drop this file in the gpx directory on your gps. Use the usb cable and plug it into your computer. It will be recognized as a flash drive. Find the gpx directory and you are good to go." The pocket query will download as a zip file. Unzip it and "drop" it into your gpx as per above.

You can download free maps from this site. They are not topo but would be quite suitable for everyday use. Do a search on this forum for specific instructions. http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

You can download free maps from this site. They are not topo but would be quite suitable for everyday use. Do a search on this forum for specific instructions. http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

This is Toby, a soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. This picture was taken a couple of years ago. He is now 9+ and I log his walks which total more than 5000+ miles. He is really good pet but would rather (unsuccessfully) chase rabbits and deer than geocache.

Thanks for the feedback. Turns out I had checked a video on Youtube that showed the difference between the screens of the 300 and 450 - the 450 is much more legible. As for the compass, being raised in the hinterlands and having a background in aviation I am quite comfortable using lat/long info for determining directions and have no problem figuring out my own headings, hence my remarks for a compass. I seldom use the compass/distance page on my Legend. I guess I would be closer to an equilateral Triangle. I must purchase "Flatland" to figure out this two dimensional world...

I think I most resemble a teepee... BTW I much prefer a "real" compass, easy to carry and never needs a battery.

I have used a LaCrosse charger and Sanyo Enerloops (the white ones) with good success. But I have found that my Garmin Legend screen goes blank around -15c or so which means that I keep it in an inner pocket and only take it out when necessary. I would simply carry an extra set of NiMH for every 4 hours of use. Phlatlander on the Flatlands

Thanks for the .img map info, certainly simplies things as I will be buying some kind of Garmin. A couple of minutes ago I went and checked gpscity.ca and the now the Oregon 300 is sold out??!! At $219cdn I'm not surprised. The Oregon 450 is on sale for $299 but as I will only use it for geocaching I don't see much advantage over the 300 as the screen, memory, etc are the same. I certainly don't need or want a 3 axis compass either.

A couple of weeks ago I posted a inquiry if the Etrex 20 can accept .img maps from openstreetmap.org.img. Responses said yes - great! Now the Oregon 300 has caught my eye as it has a much bigger screen and is not much more than an Etrex 20. So, my (newer) question is, has anybody downloaded and displayed a .img map from openstreetmap.org on an Oregaon 300?

Regarding automobile gps geocaching, you might want to check out this post. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=275772&st=0&p=4742881&hl=nuvi%201350&fromsearch=1entry4742881 I use a Nuvi 1350 for geocaching and with the exception of a compass rose and distance to cache it works every bit as well and as accurately as my old Etrex Legend. As I am quite comfortable with Lat/Long I don't need the compass rose. I might also add that using GSAK and selected macros, the 1350 does paperless geocaching. Original macro: GPX_by_Cache_Type_TourGuide.gsk (available from the GSAK forum). This macro outputs separate TourGuide.gpx files for various kinds of geocaches, an audible warning .wav file (which I have since replaced with a silent .wav file") and various geocache .bmp icons. I also use Original macro: Nuvi_Attrib_to_UserNoteLog.gsk (available from the GSAK forum). This macro copies geocache attributes to the user log for that geocache. I'm a senior so I have modified both macros to display different coloured text and larger fonts - anything to help older eyes. Typical geocache display on my 1350 1st "page" 2nd "page" 3rd "page", original size font on left. The original font size for all the text description are the lines "Last found" and "Poi Created".

Regarding maps on a Nuvi 1350. E: = my Nuvi 1350 G: = the micro sd card in the Nuvi 1350 An earlier post by me said the Nuvi 1350 could only use two maps, its own E:\.system\gmapprom.img and G:\garmin\gmapsupp.img. While this is mostly true, you can have many .img maps. On the 1350 you must create a g:\map\ subdirectory and you can load several .img maps there. Right now I have 2 different maps of Europe, Mexico, Aruba, Barbados and I can "go" there via my test .csv file. I have even simulated driving in some of the cities. I get all my additional maps from http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

Great presentation about GSAK from IkeHurley13. The only advice I would pass on is to try/buy GSAK and take the time to figure out the basics. Be patient and you will be pleased with the results. Figuring out which output macros work best is/was the hardest for me and my Nuvi 1350 but I am now paperless. I plan to replace my older Etrex Legend with an Etrex 20 in 2012 and I am confident I will be paperless with the newer unit as well. BTW, I'm a senior and still open to trying new programs.