Fuzzywhip

Thanks for the great post with pictures! I have been struggling to build a GPSr holder for my 100 (as the store-bought item doesn't fit my needs). Your pictures are great and the series from the scooter link has really helped me plan my building of a mount. Thanks again!

Forgot to mention that one of my criteria for a new GPSr (but not a firm rule) is that the unit uses rechargeable AA batteries. Because: - I have 5 sets of AA (10 total) plus the charger. - In an emergency, I can use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries (I always have several sets in my backpack and have actually had to use them). - Extra specialty battery packs usually cost a lot of money. - The AA rechargeable can also be used in my camera or a flashlight or ... (very useful).

Interesting discussion. I have been using a eXplorist 100 for over a year (with 154 finds) and find the unit very good as a basic or starter GPSr. I have tried a Garmin Legend but found the screen and numbers too small to ready easily (so did my caching partner and she is my navigator). I have tried a 210 briefly, but did not find the unit that much more convenient than my 100. Unless you live in a high-density cache area, or plan to go caching every day, I find the 100 very capable. Entering coords by hard really isn't very hard as I abbrev. the waypoint name to the last 2 letters. As the area I live in does not have an excessive amount of caches and I only go caching on the weekends, the 100 suits me fine. When I had the 210, I needed to spend another $109 to buy detailed maps (which was outside of my budget) so I decided to stay with my 100. As I said, the 100 is a very basic model (it actually does not have any basemap) but it is also half the price of a 210 around here (CA$99 to CA$188 for the 210). I am actually looking into upgrading my GPSr, but have yet to find the unit I like. P.S. My local Wal-Mart sells a Garmin package of a Legend and TOPO Canada (and the computer cable) for CA$199. Not a bad deal. As I live near the border and go caching in the US occasionally, I need to find an inexpensive TOPO US to make this package work for me.

I just tried to order an Invisible Shield, but they want a minimum of $54 to ship it to the UK. So how do you make your own then? I started by making a paper template of the screen. My first was for a eXplorist 100, so the template wasn't hard to design. For the curved parts on the top and bottom of the screen, I measured the arc then used a radius ruler to draw the curves. Once I had the template, I carefully marked the back of the Palm screen protector (leave the paper backing on). Cut the screen protector just a bit smaller than the template and carefully applied to the GPSr, following the Palm instructions. Wasn't a perfect install as there are a few microscopic air bubbles, but nothing in the area that is actually used on the GPSr. I have had the same protector on my 100 for about a year and it has done a good job!

I have been using a eXporist 100 for over a year with great results. Easy to use and larger lettering/numbers than a Garmin Legend. I just bought a 210 for the connectivity and maps (even though I haven't used these features yet). I turned both units on and placed them side-by-side to compare the readings. Although the readings on the GPSr units were very close (within a couple hundreds of a decimal minute) I would have expected almost identical readings. The reading would wander a bit due to satellite geometry but remain very close together (both lat and long). eg: 100 - 49-XX.xx2 119-XX.xx2 210 - 49-XX.xx4 119-XX.xx1 Is this normal? Since they are both Magellans, placed in the same location with the same exposure to the sky, wouldn't the readings be nearly identical?

I just bought a 210 and I'm envious of the $99 price as I paid double (in Canadian) for this unit. I have been using a 100 for over a year and really enjoy the Magellan design. Easy to use and larger lettering/numbers than a Garmin Legend. It seems the customer service issue is streaky. Some people have had real problems and some have had reasonable (abit slow) service. It seems emailing is better than calling.

Before taking the unit out for the first cache hunt, get a screen protector! I was lucky in that I didn't scratch the screen on my GPSr on my first few cache hunts, but I was lucky. I have been making my own protectors from Palm screen protectors (a friend got 30 with his used Palm so he was willing to share a few). So far, my homemade protector has worked.

I have read the forum entries about the poor customer service, and have worried that I picked the wrong manufacturer. So far, I have really enjoyed my Magellans. I bought an eXplorist 100 over a year ago and have done over 140 caches with it. Really enjoyed how easy the GPSr is to use. I had bought a Garmin Legend around Xmas but found the 100 easier to read as the screen and lettering is larger. Just recently, I bought a 210 for the connectivity and maps (although I don't use these feature yet). The 210 is as easy to use as the 100.

I see you are at 988 right now, so I'm not too late. I have done several caching holidays in the Puget Sound area and there are a few caches that are memorable. Don't know if they are on your "done" list, but here goes: Vashon-???? GCCCFF Not a difficult cache but it's memorable. Unique Upcountry Vashon GCG5N8 Another one on Vashon Island. I enjoyed this one because the location was picked arbitrary but the hunt was enjoyable as there are many possible hiding places (and under trees so GPSr readings can be wonky). Washington Pass Cache GC131C OK, this one might be a bit far but the scenary is great! Lime Kiln (series of five caches) start at GCMC14 I was able to do 4 out of 5. Had the return before reaching the end due to time. Terain is not too bad and the forest is beautiful. Hope this helps :-) Fuzzywhip

Whoa! Sounds just like me! Every weekend, I would usually surf the net for hours at a time (when I had free time). Now that geocaching has become an obsession, I spend a lot of time during the week on the net (researching caches, and understanding satellite technology and geometrics). Yes, a RASH (Recreation - Addiction - Sport - Hobby). I love the use of technology and the thrill of finding something that most people don't even know exists (both the cache and geocaching).

I sure can relate to this problem! I have a cache that I hunt for every time I'm in the Puget Sound area. Loci I have been to this site (can't miss it as it's right in Granite Falls, WA). I have searched this train several times and have poked and peeked into every possible spot a 'small' container can fit. I just can't find it! It's now a matter of pride for me to find this cache and mark it off my list!

Update: I have found that if I start my eXplorist 100 outside the vehicle to get my satellite lock, then when I place the GPSr on the dash inside, I still get a good signal. I find this strange, as I tried this in a Chevy Lumina (basically the same vehicle) and go poor reception inside. As far as I can tell, the Pontiac has the original windshield, so I guess I am lucky my GPSr works :-)

I found my eXplorist 100 really good as a beginner GPSr. I bought it on sale at a big box drug store for less than C$100 and it's been excellent for geocaching.

Interesting! I just entered the above entry, and the entry was timestamped 11:00PM, but it is 12:00 midnight and I'm in PST (same time zone as Groundspeak). Hmmmm.....

When I started with my GPS receiver (commonly referred to as a GPSr), I first stood in my backyard to get a satellite lock and read the quick guide on how to read the coordinates. The FAQ on www.geocaching.com is very handy on setting up the GPSr. Then I walked around my neighborhood, marking waypoints and being able to find the waypoint again. This taught me how POIs (points of interest) work and how to edit/delete them from memory. Then I printed out my first cache pages and manually entered the coords in the GPRr. As I knew roughly where the cache would be by the cache's description, using the GPSr to navigate to the cache was easier. From there it's just more experiments, trying the new features. Hope this helps :-)

When I started just over a year ago, I was in the same place. I wasn't sure if I should spend a lot of money on a GPSr when I didn't know if I would get hooked (I did :-) I bought an eXplorist 100 on sale at a big box drug store and found the unit easy to use and very accurate. With over 140 finds with this unit, I still like the unit. I am considering upgrading to a 210 (for the PC connectivity and maps) but I'm not sure as my 100 is still very functional. Loading coords by hand is not a big handicap unless you live in an area with a HUGE number of caches to work. Still, manual coord entry is not a difficult thing. I tried a Garmin eTrex Legend and it seemed to be an excellent unit. I just found the screen too small (actually, I found the numbers displayed on the screen too small). My Magellan has larger numbers. Well, that's my two cents!

I have been using an eXplorist 100 for over a year and it has served me quite well. The lack of a PC cable hasn't bothered me as I enter only a couple caches at a time, so manual entry is OK. I have found the larger numbers on the Magellan's display easier to read. I had a Garmin eTrex Legend for a couple days but found the display a bit small to read. I still like my 100, but I am looking at a 210 as a possible upgrade.

I have been looking at marine GPS chartplotters and considering a unit for my car. Has anyone used one of these units this way? How hard is it to get maps that aren't marine to work. I see a lot of chartplotters for sale on eBay. Some are quite cheap as they are older but have WAAS and usually quite a large display.

If you are planning a trip through Whidbey Island, you might want to check out the Naval Undersea Museum. Navel Undersea Museum I was there April 2005, check the photos on my personal website: Bender The Rubber Chicken At the time, entrance was free as this is a government (US Navy) facility, but it was closed on Mondays. I found the museum fascinating!

OK, here is the question. I would like to hear from anyone who has a vehicle with a metallic oxide windshield and what you were able to do to get your GPSr to work inside the vehicle. I am looking at a vehicle with this type of windshield and need to know my options. Comments please

Thanks for the tips. I found a pdf on the PIKEPASS website (Oklahoma Turnpike Authority) listing vehicles with special windshield issues. Darn, the Transport is listed! http://pikepass.com/pdf/Special%20Vehicle%20List.pdf Now I have to think what I am to do. My GPSr does not have an external antenna connection (eXplorist 100) so I either need a separate GPRr with external antenna while driving between caches, looking into a reradiator equipment, or ... (did I say that the vehicle is in good condition and good price). Darn! Fuzzywhip

Just received email back from several history sites in the Seattle area, but neither could answer what this is. Even the horse racing association had no answer. From the map views, it does look like an enterance to Longacres, but I have yet to confirm this. Please keep looking.

I am considering buying a 1993 Pontaic Transport (good price - good shape) but I am concerned about GPS satellite reception inside through that monstrous front windshield. I cannot tell if the windshield is metalized or not. It seems to have that strange color. I tried my GPSr in a 1994 Lumina. The unit seems to pick up the signals, but I did notice a marked decrease inside than from outside. Anyone have exprience with these minivans?

Sorry, I picked up the box in Seattle's chinatown a number of years ago. It was one of those small stores packed to the roof with stuff! I could go broke shopping in those stores! Fuzzywhip

Oops, I guess I forgot to include the coords to my picture I posted several days ago! N47-27.921 W122-14.413 Fuzzywhip