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A few days ago I downloaded the upgrade for Mapsource 5 from 4.13. All my discs are copied onto my hard drive so my maps load very fast and I have not needed to carry them with me, all I need to do is select a different product from the product drop down list. I have always used Mapsource in this method since I purchased the program quite a while ago. After installing Mapsource 5 the shortcut I have in my task bar discontinued working. I attempted to download tracks from my previous adventures, but I got an error indicating the GPS is not responding. I could still download maps, waypoints and use the satellite tracking, but downloading tracks is no longer possible. After several attempts to download my tracks, I received a different Mapsource error with some code in the error requesting I report the error to Garmin Technical support. I miscopied the tech support address and wound up sending the same error 2 times to two different tech support addresses. I received the exact same reply word for word indicating that some of the Mapsource products require the CD’s to be installed in order to function. I replied to one of the addresses indicating how I have my system set up, how it always worked this way, and that several people have the exact same set up. The latest reply was a huge disappointment. They do not offer any support if not installed where the discs are required to run the program. Garmin apparently wants us to carry the discs everywhere we go resulting in slower uploading times and possibility of damaging / losing the discs. I know I can make a copy of my discs and carry them, but I should not need to make a copy of my discs. In all my previous dealings with Garmin I have been thrilled with their response, but this latest turn is a huge disappointment. Specific replies to problems, not coined pre written responses that are not specific to the correspondence, but generic replies to general issues. Not even attempting to offer any solution other than to install it where the disc are required. Has anyone else had any issues installing Mapsource 5? I intend to uninstall the program and reinstall it starting with my Metroguide 5, upgrade that to Mapsource 5 then reinstall all my other mapsource programs. I only hope it works so I can continue to use the program in this efficient way. I will submit a reply later with the results of the attempt, but I wanted to let others know that there may be a problem upgrading to 5.0 English. Or it may not be a problem in Garmin’s perspective, but a way to have more control and make their product more cumbersome. Definitely the same type of service I have grown accustomed to from the Garmin hardware support, or the software within the unit. The Mapsource issues must be handled in a different manner than their own Garmin products. Paul

I Hike, bike and Kayak. With my Vista, I have a waypoint called "Jeep" When I get to my next adventure I select the Jeep waypoint and "reposition here". Works great and I do not need to keep retyping. I do the same for "Beach" when I put in the Kayak. This way I know where I parked and where I entered the water... Not always right near each other, but usually pretty close. I do not reposition the Beach very often, but the Jeep Waypoint bounces all over the place. Paul

I only have experiences with Garmin. I do have about all their maps for the US. The metroguide 4 and Roads and Rec share the same road database. It is fairly accurate, but Metroguide5, very recently released, is VERY accurate. There are some roads (mostly dirt roads and 4X4 only roads) that were left off MG5, but the roads most people travel on are spot on. I live in a area where the roads have changed to meet peoples driving needs, and MG5 has most of the new additions and changes.

The only time I have had mine shut off when not jarred was when I was flying and trying to get a signal out a little window. It would try for a while then just shut off. I inquired with Garmin if they had incorporated an auto shut down after a period of time without a signal and they indicated there was no such feature. Paul

I emailed Garmin about this a while back. They said they had to use serial ports to coply with some government regulation that I think was marine based. I can not locate the e-mail that gave specifics, but they said they had no choice. Why they can not have both was not answered. Paul

Thanks for the quick answers to the port question. I have a Dell that has both serial and USB ports and was hoping I could speed up my mapset uploads. I did not see how it would work since it still went through a serial connection, but I had my hopes. Paul

Stupid question as I am not quite as computer saavy as some others. Are you getting higher transfer speeds using a USB converter, or are you using the converter because you do not have a serial connector on your laptop? Thanks, Paul

I do not have a Platinum, but my reply may help those that have an etrex. The suction cup windshield mount offers many position options. The top of my kayak is very smooth and the suction cup from the windshield mount offers a very stable and sturdy mount without any damage to the kayak. I keep the lanyard attached to the unit and tie it to one of the deck tie downs, just in case it gets whacked or just comes loose. Works fantastic. Paul

Well I have gone through a lot of batteries in my RC Cars, and other various electronic devices. I have found the best Alkaline battery is the Duracell Ultra. If you look for sales, or buy in bulk, the price is comparable to normal Alkaline. I am looking for 2 sets of rechargeable Lithium Ions for my uses. I have not been successful in my search. I have not been happy with the results from various cell phones over the years with NMH. I see them as needing to be replaced within 2 years of use. Currently my cell phone and laptop use Li-Ion, and both are over 2 years old with no sign of battery degradation. So until I find Lithium Ion, I will keep using my Alkaline. I just got back from a camping trip where I used my Vista with 1 set of batteries for the whole trip. I know I used at least 5 hours of hiking/traveling, and inadvertently left the unit on overnight in my tent. The overnight was a good waste of 7 hours. Upon arriving home, my Vista still had 1/2 battery indicated. Paul

Well I live in an area that is experiencing heavy population growth, and therefore new roads are being added all the time. After looking at VersionV viewer, there are several new streets added (including the street I live on). Some streets were in the wrong location, and appear to be corrected. There are also new businesses added. The inability to perform auto routing is of no consequence to me as my Vista would not be able to use it anyway. The data on old metroguide was just that OLD. I would go to businesses that were no longer there, "new" businesses that would not be in the database. I for one am looking forward to the arrival of my VersionV. It should get today, possibly tomorrow. My only concern at present is that I can replace the metroguide data on my laptop so I do not need to carry around my VersionV disc. Presently I have all my mapsource discs on my hard drive, so I need not carry any discs when I travel. Hopefully it will be easy to figure out, because I never download data from just one program, presently I have data from Metroguide, Roads and Rec, as well as Topo on my vista now. Will be using world map soon, but I think that will be a big disappointment, as there is not much data there. It has taken a while for the Version V to be available. The viewer is slow, but it will eventually show you what you are looking for, and you will be able to see the differences, as long as you know what is incorrect, and how it should look, Version V looks like it should in the areas I looked at. Paul

As I understand it, the altimiter operates off barometric pressure readings. So if you head to your benchmark and calibrate it on Monday, and return on Tuesday, your readings will be based on the barometric pressure from Monday. Unless the pressure is identical the readings will be different. I find it better to leave it in auto recalibrate, or calibrate it by way of GPS altitude. Paul

Well there certainly are numerous definitions for waterproof. I can not complain about my Vista's waterproofness. I do some Kayaking (not white water, but on lakes and slow moving rivers). My Vista regularly winds up in the drink. I tie the lanyard to the deck straps, and the vista can really only get about 6-8 inches deep, but it definitely has been fully submirsed MANY times. I had the rubber outer grip strip replaced, so I got to see what it looked like under it, and it also got submerged with that strip no where near fully atached. So I can say that it definitely does nothing for the water tightness. I never even opened the back to drain the water, just shook it off and kept on going. It does in no way float by the way, kind of like dropping a Cell phone (I would imagine ), just straight to the bottom. Paul

I kayak with my Vista (not white water, but on lakes, rivers, creeks and streams). It has been under water many a time. Presently it is at Garmin to have the rubber gripper strip replaced. The rubber strip does nothing for the water resistance. It is sealed under that strip. It has been under water the length of the lanyard, but never any further. It has been rained on, been in my black Jeep on Hot Georgia days (I suspect that did the glue in on the rubber) and has never faltered. The electronic communication posts under the flap are deeply embedded into the plastic case and will not be leaking, the same goes for the battery compartment power leads. The unit is built solid and will not go dead if submerged as the IPX7 minimum standards. Paul

I am still learning about 4.07. The track editing is a huge improvement. You can now edit a track on a point to point basis and even merge tracks now. So if you lost reception, or changed batteries, turned off your gps etc... when you download the active logs, you can merge them through the copy and paste function. Very nice feature. Paul