n4grt
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Posts posted by n4grt
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I'm very frustrated with mine. I've had it for 18 months now. Even after a recent software upgrade it does weird things. I think I have a lemon. I've had multiple quirky problems including not getting as accurate readings as I used to get with my 60. Never got complaints about my coords when I averaged with my 60. I frequently get complaints about my coords being anywhere from 10m to 40m off. My compass often points in the wrong direction so I end up following the numbers (meters) instead of the compass pointer, if the meters to the cache are declining then I'm going in the right direction. I don't understand the Profile settings. If I choose the geocaching profile shouldn't it automatically choose a direct route instead of a road/driving route?
The other thing that's a problem with my 62 is the keypad....it's eroding:
The keypad wear issue is puzzling....after a couple thousand finds and lots of poking mine look virtually mint. My unit has seen lots of extreme heat but no temp. below about 45 deg or so.....I wonder if its a cold weather issue ?
Must be a different lot number. I bought mine in Canada in the summer of 2011. For those that are interested, there's a forum topic that talks about the problem which looks like it's been happening since 2010: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=264941
My 62S looked like some of the above. I talked with Garmin about it and they told me to send them a picture of it. I did and they sent me another 62s. I believe the gps was still under warranty at the time. The one they sent me was refurbished but looked like a brand new case. Ive had it probably a little over a year now and the keys still look new. So maybe the issue has been fixed.
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OK....i've now pretty much been able to emulate the Meridian GOld on the 62s - i've now set my Routing to 'Direct Routing' and there's a pink line constantly and ACCURATELY pointing to the waypoint all the time. So as long as i follow the pink line it'll take me to the waypoint. I'm actually quite stoked now...for the first time since getting the 62s in the last few days....OMG....that goto pink line is a no brainer.....it'll point straight to the waypoint no matter how u are moving. Stop mucking around with that dadgum compass screen & wasting your time trying to make it work (it is completely useless).....just use Direct Routing and ride (best u can) on to the Pink line to take you to your waypoint!
i've removed the compass screen. i hate looking at something useless. I also recall there were some discussions about Compass issues with the Meridian Plantinums - maybe it's all these techy 3 axis compassess.....the Meridian Gold used the basic compass and it was spot-on, as long as u were moving the compass would point to the waypoint and also show u the location of the sun/moon at that present time.
So i think we've resolved this issue.....i'm relief as i will not return the unit now.
I own multiple units of all the Meridians including Golds ( the Gold does not have an electronic pointer / compass ). The true top of the line was the Platinum which had a three axis compass ( best ever made ) just like your 62S does. I have two 62S units and like them better than any I have ever used. On my first unit when the firmware reached 3.90 my compass and unit worked perfectly. I bought a second unit for my wife and didn't like the performance with the latest firmware so I put 3.90 on it as well and now it works perfectly. I also use the Eneloop 2500 batteries.....they are perfect for that unit. I use the compass screen in the Geocaching Detail Dashboard when walking to a cache....it doesn't get any better in GPS land then this.....if you abandon the compass screen you're taking the heart out of the unit. Its best to calibrate the compass after every battery change ( takes about 20 sec )although with the Eneloop 2500's 90% of the time the unit still reads perfect after a change. Remember, you had to be walking for your Gold to continue pointing to the cache.....you're 62S will ALWAYS point at the cache...even if standing still.
Unless you have a faulty unit the 62S works great.....it is a big difference from the Meridian line ( what a wonderful unit !! ) but once you have the proper firmware and learn how to set it up and customize it you won't want to go back....my 2 dozen Meridians are in storage.
For the compass function I believe i've done all there is to be done - set battery type & calibrate compass. But the compass performance is still a 50-50% thing. There'll be times when it'll snap to the waypoint like a bloodhound - then there are times when it just doesnt.
Are u suggesting then that i have a faulty unit? it's now 1 week old and i think i could still return it to the store (i think).
I would try installing firmware 3.90....the link below has the firmware and instructions :
http://garmingpsmap.wikispaces.com/Versions
Set up the geocaching profile so all settings are the way you want them....I set the compass to Dashboard = Geocaching Detail.
Use your fresh charged Eneloops and set battery type to Rechargeable, NIMH.
Load geocaches ( I use GSAK )
Calibrate the compass.
You should be good to go with no compass problems....if problems continue I would get them to give you another unit.
I was having problems with the compass on my 62 using 4.60 and went back to version 3.90 as suggested. After one time out the compass responded much better. Thanks for the suggestion. For now I will stick with 3.90.
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My unit (21F044917) looks worse than Maingray's. I had a 60 before this and used it for years without a problem. Garmin is going backwards in quality.
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I went out yesterday after reading this thread and got one. They still had it marked at $399 at the Raleigh REI, but they matched the web price. Thanks for sharing this. I have been looking at upgrading my 60CSX. The Price was right.
Garmin GPSMAP 78s
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
Thrak, I wonder if your problem with the 78S could be coming from a setting that you have it on. I was out caching a few days ago with the 62S and decided I wanted to change the auto zoom from auto to off. After I did the gps became very unstable and sluggish. It wouldn't update the caches and several other problems. I first turned the gps off and back on several times but at first it would work fine than back to the unstable problems. I switched the zoom setting back to auto and it started working ok again. I know your gps should work with any setting, but this was a problem I was having.