mojomoto

Started with an Etrex Legend C. Now have an Oregon 450. I've been happy with both.

OSM is another source for maps. It stands for Open Street Maps.

Remove your garmin from the computer, turn it on and there it is. You can enable or disable your various maps from the setup- maps screen.

You must export your maps into your unit. Mapsource and Basecamp create .img files from the tiles you choose from your map product, which you then export to your SDMicro card. If you already have .img files you just move the file (drag and drop/ cut and paste/ whatever)into the MicroSD folder.

Which software are you using? It must have a help menu.

I still had to consult the Basecamp's Help menu to find out how to install maps. I believe it said to "left click on the drive you wish to install your maps on" but you actually have to right click. Don't get discouraged, it's O.K. I actually like being able to access the drives on the Oregon, it allows you to install custom backgrounds and put your ID on the start up page. The Garmin Oregon Wiki has great info, much better than the crappy manual.

Yes. If you have high speed, it should be no big deal. Windows .Net framework also needs three small updates that you will be prompted to install also. Just more time but you'll need these tools eventually.

You shouldn't have to update Windows for Mapsource. Garmin's Basecamp is similar to Mapsource but is updated to allow the installation of "Birdseye".

No, they didn't include them with the unit. they come with the maps. They are available for free, just hunt around the Garmin site. Use the new version of Basecamp, but you may have to update your Windows Framework. The prompts will help. Also check my edit on the above post, you must rename map files to avoid overwriting them with multiple map installations.

Don't put any maps into the internal (Garmin) memory. Space there is at a premium with only 24 megs available. Put the maps onto your SDMicro card. I used to have a Or200 and could not update the firmware as I had no room left after having loaded maps into the internal memory. I had to remove those maps to update the firmware. Use Windows Explorer (or My Computer) to access the garmin internal and MicroSD card drives. The maps are .img file extensions. Just remove (or move to Micro SD drive) the "supp" map. Leave the other .img as this is your base map.. Mapsource or Basecamp has a drop down menu that will expose the MicroSD drive. You should rename any .img (map) files once on your unit (but keep the .img file extension), so you don't overwrite the maps when adding new maps.

Gave my Etrex Legend C to a friend, great unit but limited memory. I've only noodled around with geocaching so far, used it some for hiking, but mostly used it for car. I almost got an Etrex Legend HCx untill I saw the Oregon series. Originally purchased an Oregon 200 which I really liked, but it had a shut down problem (even with firmware upgrades), so I returned it. I now have an Oregon 450 on the way. I plan on getting more involved with geocaching and will become a premium member soon.