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cliptwings

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Everything posted by cliptwings

  1. To get back to the author's original question, it sounds like the only issue they have is battery life of the phone. A much cheaper alternative to a stand-alone GPSr would be an external battery pack for the phone. I use one, it's cheap, and it works great. Then there would be NO learning curve either. Just a thought while you're pondering on the best GPSr to buy.
  2. I second the advice to go to maps4me.net. Very impressive detail for all regions of the world.
  3. Well, that must be the answer! My Oregon 600, with GLONASS enabled, was doing some real acrobatics during the aforementioned time period. These included loss of signal (with a clear, blue sky), and position changing miles in mere seconds. My display would blank out, then return in a totally different area! And I just thought it was the last update going bonkers.
  4. The sources above are pretty good, and I've used them often. However, they might not give you what you are looking for. Here in Arizona, we have lots of dirt roads and trails that have geocaches on them. I use a program called topofusion (topofusion.com) where you can download all kinds of topographic maps and photographic (google earth-type) maps. The program MOBAC (google mobac) does the same thing to a lesser extent. What these two programs do is take a slice of the map or picture you want and put it on your GPSr automatically. Finally, there's Birdeye, Garmin's paid service which puts photo-realistic (google earth-type) maps on your GPSr. That may be your best bet to see dirt roads and trails on your eTrex 20.
  5. Hey BigOpe, I live in Oro Valley and have done a few of your caches. I have an etrex 10, 20, and 30 and love them all. You are welcome to try them out if you're still looking around. Just give me a PM.
  6. You can buy cheaper GPSr's than the GC, but you won't get the paperless geocaching, really excellent basemap, and color display that the GC offers. Here are some good alternatives, though: 1. Explorist 310: About the same cost as the GC, but more capability for other endeavors (hiking, hunting, etc) 2. Garmin etrex 10: About the same cost as the GC, but minimal base map, smaller, and no color screen. 3. The cheapest, but still useable for geocaching: used Garmin etrex, etrex legend, geko 201. You can pick up one of these GPSr's for $20-$40 on ebay. They are older technology, but a cheap alternative if you are just "trying out" the hobby. Once you decide you like the sport (you will), you will definitely want something with more capability, and which costs a lot more. You may want things like loadable maps, bigger screen, SD memory card, electronic compass, touch screen to name a few. The choices are overwhelming.
  7. You can go to gpsfiledepot.com too. It has very detailed topo maps, free of charge.
  8. As far as U.S. maps for Magellan, I have not found anything free. However, maps4me.net offers 5 days of unrestricted downloads for about $7, and you can use PayPal. These maps are street/topographical, and they are outstanding! I highly recommend spending the few bucks to download them all. Although the new base map on the explorist is great, the added topo features of the maps4me maps are very useful. No, I'm not an advertiser, just a very satisfied customer.
  9. I have owned the Dakota 10 and 20, and the etrex 10, 20, and 30. Right now, I use an etrex 20 and 30. Any etrex or dakota you buy will be better than the old legend, simply because it has paperless geocaching, and a standard USB cord connects them to your PC. Personally, I like the etrex's toggle switch versus the dakota touchscreen because the etrex screen is brighter, and I always got the dakota screen smudged up with my dirty fingers. Now if you can afford $50 more to get a dakota 20 or etrex 20, go for it. The micro SD memory card capability in both of them really open up possibilities for you. For example, you can add lots of geocaches, and upload detailed maps onto the card. If you are patient and look around for a used model on ebay, I think you can get a Dakota 20 or etrex 20 for about $150. You really won't be disappointed with either GPSr. Their batteries last a long time, they are very accurate, and they're small and easy to carry. Hope this helps.
  10. To answer your initial question, I believe your Garmin is limited to 100 "tiles." I use two programs to effortlessly upload custom maps to my etrex 20 and 30. The first is Topofusion (topofusion.com). You can try the free version, but I think it's worth the money to buy the registered version. It sources servers that provide topo, aerial, satellite, and openstreet data. Great program. The other program I use is called Mobile Atlas Creator, or MOBAC. (mobac.sourceforge.net). This program is free, but has limited data sources in it's newest version. Both programs are compatible with your Garmin. Either program makes it really easy to select a map and an area and directly download it to your GPSr. I like the topo maps the best since they show a lot of detail and display well on the GPSr. Most aerial and satellite maps show up fairly dark on my etrex. Hope this helps.
  11. I will second what gpsblake has said. The etrex 20 is a great all-around GPSr for hiking and geocaching. Although it doesn't come with detailed maps installed, there are several legal and free sources for very good topo and street maps. gpsfiledepot.com is one, and openstreet maps is another. The etrex 10 is okay, but forget about any kind of extensive maps. Ebay is a good source for a used etrex 20, and $150 is a fairly good target. I own a 10, 20, and 30, so I guess I am sold on the thing. I have owned the dakota 10 and 20, but the etrex screen is brighter and I personally like the joystick control better on the etrex. Obviously, I am very happy with the etrex.
  12. Yeah, I love the ability to add different kinds of maps to my eTrex 30. Satellite, topographic, open street maps can all be added fairly easily with the right software programs. I use Topofusion and MOBAC. MOBAC is free, but types of maps have been limited recently. Topofusion costs something like $60, but I really think it's worth the bucks. Go to "topofusion.com" to find out more about that one, and google "MOBAC" to learn about that one. Basically, the process consists of selecting a map type, selecting an area and magnification, then generate a .kmz file download onto your PC. Then transfer this file to your "custom maps" file in your Garmin. You may also need to enable the map on your GPS. I like topo maps the best because they show a lot of data, don't take up too much memory, and are usually bright and easy to see on your GPS. Hope this gives you a start!
  13. Once you get it up and running again (think positive!) I highly recommend copying ALL the files on the GC to your computer. If your GPS crumps again, at least you have backup files to copy back to the GPS. Saved my GC from brick-itis once.
  14. Sorry to hear about that. Been there, done that. But I don't see how the base map has anything to do with uploading caches. You may have deleted some other files as well as the basemap. Anyway, you might try going to the magellan website (magellangps.com) and attempt a reload of the latest software update (2.15). It includes a new menu system and a full basemap replacement. Worth a try.
  15. Woo Hoo, it works! Just transferred about 2.6mb of map and 954 geocaches and I have 512kb of memory left! This much covers all of Tucson and some of the surrounding desert. Display is very readable. I'm getting a "memory low" warning, so I think I'll go down to 500 caches or less. This really makes the 10 a much more useable machine. Thanks again!
  16. I'm sure ExpertGPS is a very good product, but I have not used it. If you are looking for a free alternative to commercial topo maps, I think you will be very pleased with the maps in gpsfiledepot.com. I have downloaded their Arizona Topo and am very impressed with its accuracy and display. The best thing about them, if you don't like them, you haven't lost anything!
  17. Have you ever gotten to GZ, found the micro cache, only to discover you didn't bring a writing stick with you? I sure have. The micro container below solves this problem. Just cut the pen to length, plug the top with the top of the cylinder you just cut off, and add your favorite method of securing it. Simple.
  18. That's pretty slick! Thanks for sharing your discovery.
  19. I'll add my 2 cents. I agree with gpsblake. There is no comparison between these two models. The Garmin does everything better than the GC. I still have both of them, but the GC is merely a backup, hidden in my drawer most of the time. The garmin's menu system is easier to operate, the readability in bright sunlight is much better, and my batteries last at least 3 times longer than in my GC. You can load tracks on the Garmin, something you CAN'T do on the GC. Accuracy seems to be about the same, but the Garmin is much more stable as you approach the cache (not as much arrow swing). About the only things the GC has going for it is the price (about $50 cheaper than the Garmin), and the GC hac a really, really good base map. So, if cost is a major issue, the Magellan GC is a good alternative to the Garmin. The Magellan GC is specifically built for geocaching. It does very little more than find geocaches. The Garmin eTrex 20 can find geocaches, and do much, much more. Taken alone, it is a good, reliable, accurate geocaching machine. Compared to the eTrex 20, it can't compete.
  20. Did the conversion on my GC last night without a hitch. Thanks a lot, Savant9! Love the 310 menu system and the additional capabilities. Looked for free maps to put on it, and then I remembered that MOBAC (Mobile Atlas Creator) version 1.8 had an .RMP output. Worked like a charm! Now when I hike or geocache, all I need to do is upload the maps required for the trip. I've been using MOBAC for a while now to put custom maps on my eTrex 20, and so it's an added benefit to use this free program for my Magellan. If anyone would like to try it, just google MOBAC 1.8. This is an older version that still works with many of the online mapping sites, unlike the newest MOBAC version. I'm a happy camper, er, hiker!
  21. I have an eTrex 20. The first thing I did was connect it to my computer and copied EVERY file from the unit to a folder on my computer. In case your eTrex turns into a brick, you may be able to transfer the copied files back to the GPSr. Also, I put all extra files such as maps, caches, poi's on the SD card. If one of these files get corrupted, you can still use the GPSr by removing the SD card from the unit. Great unit!
  22. You can go to openstreetmaps.org to see if these free road maps will suffice. They cover North America as well as Europe. It is definitely worth a try, anyway.
  23. Here's my 2 cents. I think the etrex 20 is an excellent GPSr for geocaching. It is small, rugged, and easy to operate. It picks up satellites quickly, and the display is bright and easy to read in bright sun. Yes, my unit exhibited the "sticky" issue, but the latest firmware update has corrected it (in mine) and it tracks well to the cache. Negatives? The screen is small, but not too small for me. Let me get back to the positives. The AA batteries seem to last forever, or at least 18 hours or more on my hybrid rechargeables. I like the "joystick" control - it's easy to use. I use a Garmin Dakota silicone case to protect it, as well as a screen saver. It's one of the cheapest units to provide "paperless" geocaching. If you're considering both the 10 and 20, definitely go for the etrex 20. For fifty more bucks you get the ability to add maps via a micro SD memory card, and the color display can't be beat. I guess you could say I'm completely sold on the thing. After upgrading the firmware, it is an incredibly accurate, reliable, and useable GPS receiver. I say this after buying and using and selling over a hundred different kinds of GPSrs on Ebay. $160-$180 is a good price for this unit, and I really think you can't go wrong.
  24. No question about it - Dakota 20. I've got two of 'em. I have owned over 50 GPSr's over the years, and the '20 does everything I need with ease, accuracy and reliability. Yeah, no maps come with the basic unit, but that's easily remedied by the freely available topo and street maps on the 'net. No, I don't have stock in Garmin, but I have owned Magellans, Delormes and Lowrances - Garmin ain't perfect but it's the best of the bunch in my opinion.
  25. That's a nice case, but with the Dakota silicone case, you can actually USE the GPSr with it on. For me, that's the most important thing. I don't need to worry too much about it bumping into rocks while I'm crawling around like an idiot. Plus, you can use it with the standard Garmin bike mount. Used it today and it worked well.
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