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TheHillWalkers

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Posts posted by TheHillWalkers

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    The photos on the new Oregon 650 are pretty amazing. I actually compared them to my iPhone and they are at least as good in bright light and better in low light in my opinion. Way out in front of the Montana series. A rather dramatic improvement.

     

    The focus speed, image processing, and shutter lag are impressive for it's class. I often became frustrated with my Montana when taking photos because it was difficult to tell when the photo actually took. The Oregon 650 is very quick.

     

    I'm also happy to report the color distortion from the center to the edges of the photo, as experienced with the Montana, is completely gone in the new Oregon.

     

    I took macro shots of a bee today and you can count the hairs on its tiny back. With flower stamens you can actually count the tiny grains of pollen and see details that would wash out on the Montana.

     

    The LED flash is very effective at freezing subjects in low or no light. I only wish the Oregon came with a countdown timer so I could set the GPS on a rock and snap a group shot (with myself included).

     

    Highly recommended.

    Yogazoo. Brilliant review. Thanks for that. Can't wait for them be be available in the UK.

     

    Cheers

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Really?? You own a Garmin handheld in the past 5 years? 6xx software is refined and already has fewer bugs than some models on the market for years now.

     

    Well I bought my Oregon 400t in September 2009, when it had been out for about a year, and got used to adding bug fixes until Garmin gave up on it in May 2011!

     

    I prefer the sound of the 650 to the 600, and won't bother with the Topo map models this time, so hopefully will be ready to splash out by the summer. :)

     

    Chris

     

    I agree with forgetting the Topo Maps as you can get them free with a little effort, and there's some really nice routable OSM maps that get updated on a monthly basis as well. The base maps shipped on the unit are total crap, but once you install a uSD card and download some good maps then you're set. I'm using the OSM Maps of North America from here http://garminoregon6xx.wikispaces.com/Maps - it's a 2.5GB download and takes up about 3.6GB of a uSD card - but it's really quality maps.

     

    I've only used it to go around and check a couple of my caches so far, but I've uploaded 3 GPX files w/ 10K+ caches in each - no problems. I generated a single GZZ of 30K+ waypoints using GSAK macro. No problem. I've added multiple .ggz files. No problem.

     

     

    How do you download 30,000 geocaches? I'm puzzled as a pocket query is limited to 1000.are you generating 30 pocket queries at a time ?

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by TheHillWalkers

    Really?? You own a Garmin handheld in the past 5 years? 6xx software is refined and already has fewer bugs than some models on the market for years now.

     

    Well I bought my Oregon 400t in September 2009, when it had been out for about a year, and got used to adding bug fixes until Garmin gave up on it in May 2011!

     

    I prefer the sound of the 650 to the 600, and won't bother with the Topo map models this time, so hopefully will be ready to splash out by the summer. :)

     

    Chris

     

    I agree with forgetting the Topo Maps as you can get them free with a little effort, and there's some really nice routable OSM maps that get updated on a monthly basis as well. The base maps shipped on the unit are total crap, but once you install a uSD card and download some good maps then you're set. I'm using the OSM Maps of North America from here http://garminoregon6xx.wikispaces.com/Maps - it's a 2.5GB download and takes up about 3.6GB of a uSD card - but it's really quality maps.

     

    I've only used it to go around and check a couple of my caches so far, but I've uploaded 3 GPX files w/ 10K+ caches in each - no problems. I generated a single GZZ of 30K+ waypoints using GSAK macro. No problem. I've added multiple .ggz files. No problem.

     

     

    Taz

     

    How do you download 30,000 geocaches? I'm puzzled as a pocket query is limited to 1000.are you generating 30 pocket queries at a time ?

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Really?? You own a Garmin handheld in the past 5 years? 6xx software is refined and already has fewer bugs than some models on the market for years now.

     

    Well I bought my Oregon 400t in September 2009, when it had been out for about a year, and got used to adding bug fixes until Garmin gave up on it in May 2011!

     

    I prefer the sound of the 650 to the 600, and won't bother with the Topo map models this time, so hopefully will be ready to splash out by the summer. :)

     

    Chris

     

    I agree with forgetting the Topo Maps as you can get them free with a little effort, and there's some really nice routable OSM maps that get updated on a monthly basis as well. The base maps shipped on the unit are total crap, but once you install a uSD card and download some good maps then you're set. I'm using the OSM Maps of North America from here http://garminoregon6xx.wikispaces.com/Maps - it's a 2.5GB download and takes up about 3.6GB of a uSD card - but it's really quality maps.

     

    I've only used it to go around and check a couple of my caches so far, but I've uploaded 3 GPX files w/ 10K+ caches in each - no problems. I generated a single GZZ of 30K+ waypoints using GSAK macro. No problem. I've added multiple .ggz files. No problem.

     

     

    Taz

     

    How do you download you pocket queries? I'm puzzled as a pocket query is limited to 1000.are you generating 30 pocket queries at a time ?

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    So...

     

    What is the Bluetooth link to mobile basecamp like, what does it do, and does it have any benefits ? I can't find any answers on this feature yet, so hopefully someone here can help.

     

    Also how do you physically put thousands and thousands of geocaches on, when you can only get 1000 in a pocket query. ( without using gsak, as I have a mac)

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

     

     

    What is the Bluetooth link to mobile basecamp like, what does it do, and does it have any benefits ? I can't find any answers on this feature yet, so hopefully someone here can help.

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

     

    Also how do you physically put thousands and thousands of geocaches on, when you can only get 1000 in a pocket query. ( without using gsak, as I have a mac)

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

     

    Well I expect you will be able to store several PQs (with different names) in the GPSr... but Garmin's marketing people will be selling this as a reason for you to use their site of course. IF that actually has any caches anywhere near where you live of course!

     

    Chris

     

    That's my problem.

     

    In the sw of England there are say 100 as opposed to 1000's from geocaching.com !

     

    Know one has answered my queries so i'll try again.

     

    Please can someone tell me how do you physically download and load up tens of thousands of geocaches onto the 600, when you can only get 1000 in a pocket query. I can't believe that you have to make 100 pocket queries to get the 100,000 loaded ???? ( and do this every week !!!!)

     

    Chris above suggested he used Opencaching.com but on the basis that we are all chatting on Geocaching.com's forum i assume that you all use this like me.

     

    i've never used Opencaching because its useless in the UK. So how's it done.

     

    PS i cant use GSAK as it doesnt work on a mac.

     

    thanks in advance.

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

     

    Also how do you physically put thousands and thousands of geocaches on, when you can only get 1000 in a pocket query. ( without using gsak, as I have a mac)

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

     

    Well I expect you will be able to store several PQs (with different names) in the GPSr... but Garmin's marketing people will be selling this as a reason for you to use their site of course. IF that actually has any caches anywhere near where you live of course!

     

    Chris

     

    That's my problem.

     

    In the sw of England there are say 100 as opposed to 1000's from geocaching.com !

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    So...

     

    What is the Bluetooth link to mobile basecamp like, what does it do, and does it have any benefits ? I can't find any answers on this feature yet, so hopefully someone here can help.

     

    Also how do you physically put thousands and thousands of geocaches on, when you can only get 1000 in a pocket query. ( without using gsak, as I have a mac)

     

    Thanks

     

    Nick

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Do you think you guys should start a new thread about the new darned file format? I keep checking back here hoping to see new information about the Oregon 600 series, release dates, pics, review links, features, etc. I'm not saying the new file format isn't part of it but it's become such a focal point that perhaps a new thread would serve the discussion better?

     

    Thanks

     

    HERE HERE. It's getting pretty boring !

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    If the 600 won't accept GPX files I won't be getting one anytime soon......dang, it looked pretty good.

    According to this Garmin blog (see section "Unlimited Geocaching"), GPX files will still be supported.

     

    Garmin are not stupid enough to stop the new Oregon 6xx series from importing GPX files. Why would they ?? Just because they have come up with a clever way of zipping and importing 1000's of geocaches from their own Opencaching website ( and why shouldnt they) doesnt mean that non Opencaching user will be able to use it. If they did they wouldnt sell any.

     

    I have a Etrex 30 and it doesnt import photos from the pocket queries from Geocaching.com. Appartently this feature only works with Opencaching.com. Its annoying but not the end of the world.

     

    Garmin are just trying to get more people to use their own website.

     

    So.. LOOK forward to this new device and stop slagging it off until the facts are found out. Why doesnt someone ask Garmin to do a English video review then all might be revealed.

    New Garmin Oregon 600 Series

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted · Edited by TheHillWalkers

    I've got an Etrex 30, and sometimes I can be stood right on top of a cache, BUT if the person who put the cache out uses a GPS without glonass, or worse still an iPhone, then however good your gps is, the co-ordinates won't match exactly !

     

    Anyway. I'm looking forward to the new Oregon 600. It looks great. Pleased I didn't rush to get a Oregan 400. I nearly did last week !

    dropping off GC's

    in Trackables

    Posted

    Hi

     

    Please can you help me.

     

    i've just got back from holiday, where i had no internet connection. And i am just uploading field notes etc. i wanted to state i had dropped off a GC and a TB but they arnt on my list anymore because someone has already picked them up and logged them. ( i know this because i was sent and email as being the holder)

     

    how do i state that ive dropped them off, or doesnt it matter.

     

    many thanks

     

    Nick

    Maps onto Garmin Etrex20

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hi

     

    i've downloaded the talky toaster maps and they are really good.

     

    i also managed to buy the southern half of GB in 1:50,000 half price from Cotwold Outdoors for £40. You can get them off ebay cheap too.

     

    i find though that the Select maps 1:25000 are the best though. 600sq km is enough to start with. i just download the bits i want.

     

    hope that helps a bit.

    Loading a pocket query on to a Garmin eTrex 20

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    i though these Garmins call themselves paperless !

     

    what about StressLESS. That would be nice..

     

    This whole issue seems so complicated from a beginners point of view.

     

    Where do I find newbie instructions for adding Geocaches to my Etrex 30.

     

    When i originally decided on getting a Garmin i was told it was easy to add Caches because you just chooseyour cache, then just click on the 'Send to my GPS' button and it finds your Garmin and then sends it. Easy !!! i did that.

     

    So the major problem i guess is because we all want to download a 1000 caches at a time.

     

    SO isnt this issue something that we should all try and badger Geocaching.com or Opencaching.com to change this website, rather than getting Garmin to update their software to import them a rather out dated type of way of manually unzipping, copying and pasting files into a location the device.

     

    or am i completely wrong ??

     

    Nick

    Loading a pocket query on to a Garmin eTrex 20

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    FYI-

     

    No problems adding PQ's to my etrex 30. I received my etrex 30, upgraded the firmware to 2.30, loaded some gpsfiledepot maps using basecamp, and then loaded 2 500 cache PQ's by dragging and dropping.

     

    baker

     

    BTW, I'm having problems adding PQ's to my etrex 30 now. I can no longer add PQ's, including small ones. If I go back to my original 2 PQ's from about a week ago, they work fine.

     

    Patiently waiting for Garmin to release an update for the unit...

     

    baker

    Etrex 20 or Satmap

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Nick, as I posted in another thread I am used to using a 3.5" Androi phone for caching so yeh when I opened the etrex 30 I was not happy initially

     

    Having done 2 days caching with it thought found the screen nice and clear, interface easy to work around and it is very readable even in strong sunlight. The fonts are crisp and easy to read, maybe at the weekend I can upload some video of it.

     

    I love mine :)

    Etrex 20 or Satmap

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Did what you said eventually. Tried the satmap out and didn't like it. Felt like you needed two hands to operate it. Nice big screen though.

     

    I want a good gps for geocaching, and was shown the garmin gpsmap 62s. This is very nice, but I am still contemplating over the Etrex 20 or 30.

     

    Question now is to theose that have the new etrex. How do you find the size of the screen. Is it big enough. ? Everything looks so small on it. Can you read it without putting addition right up to your face ??

     

    Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

     

    Many thanks

     

    Nick

    Etrex 20 or Satmap

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Garmins can use OS (Discoverer Maps)

     

    Garmins are made for caching, SatMaps are mapping devices, that have been adapted to caching use...

    (Some of the lads at SatMap do cache, so are interested in developing that side of the device!)

     

    Best advice? Try to get some 'Hands-on' with both units... It may come down to personal preference.

     

    edit to add.

    Not too sure how well SatMaps work with Macs, Garmin do at least provide Mac compatible software)

     

    thanks Bear.

     

    Easier said than done though.

    i havnt seen an Etrex in the flesh yet, so might have to wait another couple of weeks.

     

    i thought there might have been a few more youtube videos of the Etrex. I expect everyone is out caching !

     

    Nick

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