RuthieK2ZQ

Hmm...I have the 60 csx which I purchased last September and have not had this problem. If I remember correctly there is an internal battery so that you don't lose anything during battery changes or if your batteries go dead. I'd say check your manual or Garmin's site if no one here can confirm this.

Well, well, I saw your avatar pic earlier and DID admire that hat, and the mustache under it. And now I see why, it's a WY hat...and mustache! Not REAL far from where we used to live ... of course nothing is FAR in Wyoming...just one small town with really looooong roads. I was southeast of Jackson but visited often. Sadly, my hats aren't nearly as nice as yours. But I have some nice boots! Sorry... waaay OT now.

I'll add my two cents here. As a brand new geocacher but someone who has been paying some attention to the tech as it evolved, our first handheld unit we bought in the mid-90s, I finally found someone who was interested in REALLY getting into the hobby of geocaching. She just purchased a Garmin Etrex Venture HC. I have a 4 1/2 year old Garmin Etrex Venture that belongs to the hubby. We went out my first time yesterday with both units. Hers was by far MUCH nicer than mine, much easier to see and also easier to use. Especially since I don't have a cable for my unit to connect to the computer. I manually entered a waypoint in mine and then used hers for the other two caches. I honestly feel that the Etrex Venture HC, from my newbie point of view, is a nice unit and quite capable. All that said I had it in my head since last week or so when I first started looking at units that I wanted one that had a sensitive receiver, as best as I could get for the money I could spend. I also liked the feature of being able to plug in a SD card. I kept coming back to the Garmin 60CSx and tonight I finally bought that one online. Amazon.com had the best price on the 60CSx but newegg.com was just about the same, even with shipping. For me it was $5.00 more at newegg.com. I also note that newegg.com isn't charging NY state sales tax but honestly didn't notice if amazon.com is or isn't now as I ordered from newegg simply because for $5.00 difference I knew I'd have it a lot faster. newegg.com has awesome fast shipping to me. The newegg.com package includes a carrying bag. Amazon has the actual protective case, which I'm not crazy about personally. Newegg.com has the Etrex Venture HC with a carrying bag for $129.00, which my friend said is a good price. She paid $145 for hers just recently. Hopefully these newbie comments will help someone.

This is my first posting on any of the Groundspeak forums. Although a neocacher I've been around GPS units for some years, the hubby got his first handheld one in the mid-90s (ancient history now) plus we have one of those DeLorme computer units w/software from years back, and in 2004 I bought the hubby a Garmin Etrex Venture while we were living out in WY. As a Ham Radio operator and all around nerd along with being a cartographer I think in another life, I've been watching the "sport" of geocaching since early 2001 when a couple friends got into it but at that time I was unable to walk much due to some health problems. I joined geocaching.com some time ago and read the forums off and on but I never could find anyone interested in doing this with me, now that I'm back to being able to move about. Now that we've moved back east I found that my best gal pal is getting into it so that did it for me! I borrowed the hubby's Etrex Venture and yesterday went out with her and her brand new Etrex Venture HC and found my first three caches. I'm hooked! Of course I want my OWN unit so I started reading up on them and of course turned to the Groundspeak forums too. When I found this thread started by Drooling Mongoloid (no comment on THAT handle) it really spoke volumes to me. I agree with some here that it does sound a bit like you're just dying for a new and shiny toy but hey, I most certainly understand THAT feeling! But it was good to hear the positive comments about the 60CSx and combined with everything else I read in this thread it was just enough to push me over the edge and I ordered the unit this evening. I just couldn't quite go for the Colorado or Oregon models pricewise but I think I'm going to be pleased with the 60CSx. Reef Mapper, I LOVE your assistant's hat. Even though her Mom made her wear it she looks quite wonderful in it and I now have hat envy! Thanks again everyone and I look forward to many good times with my unit, my friend and a few new friends I'm making here locally in the geocaching scene. I also know this is going to be tons of fun on our next trip to WY, where we still go all the time (I just can't LIVE out there....and have a hubby who understood that, thankfully). I'm also looking forward to a weekend trip next month to visit my dad who lives in the Adirondacks of NY state.