gelfling6

I agree, the added info to the field notes is a bit overkill.. They also limited the number of child waypoints in the initial release, but you can increase it by editing APP/Atlas.ini , by scrolling all the way to the bottom, then about mid-point you should see the settings 'MaxWaypointsCount', and increasing it to 10000.. (honestly, I wouldn't push it beyond that, but only 500, for 10000 caches? Seriously?) Yeah, Fieldnotes is something I rarely do out in the field with the GC.. Usually, after I find a cache, I'll set it as found, then when it asks if I want to add a comment, I'll punch in a simple # of the caches I've found, then hand-edit the text file on my laptop before I upload it to the site.. (and edit out the excess info..) I may've commented years ago, of a ultimate caching GPS, would need a joy-button like the Garmin eTrex models, but this one has a few quirks.) I DO like it's faster response, and far more detailed map. (if you have Vantagepoint set up on your PC, You >>CAN<< import the base map from the GC, to the most recent version of VP, and it will give you a bigger, more detailed view!) It still would be nice, if there was a way to reverse engineer the maps, like people have done with the Garmins. I can think of a few trail maps I overlay on my eTrex & Nuvi's, that would help a lot on the GC!) It also, with that faster response, increased the battery appetite, but this is expected.. Still, wish the LCD was a little more viewable without the back-lighting.. (even dialed back, it still chews-up alkalines, even E2-Lithiums like they're candy!) Thankfully, I buy Energizer AA-36pk's when Home Depot has them. It's still a good device, though.. despite its short-falls.. Though, I still keep my eTrex Vista-HCx in the backpack, just in case.. Worse case, I have the compass to back-up the "Compass:".. Meanwhile, I seem to be needing a new button assembly.. no, not the switches, but the rubber.. I seem to have rubbed through the surface of the joy-button! 've had the case open, but didn't get too adventurous, but I wonder if there is a way to obtain the buttons without needing to send the entire device in? Some of us may not be rocket scientists, but simple repairs shouldn't require paying for a PHD!

That's the first thing I do with ANY gps that links to the computer as a flash drive, is I'll make a Whole Directory archive with 7Zip, to the hard drive on the computer, or, if you have access to a linux based computer, 'dd' a image copy of the device (raw copy the entire /dev/sd? device) as a back-up. I did this when I had difficulty with one of the first released 2.13 firmwares.. It took a good 1/2 hour to read (2GB over a USB 2.0 port/cable.), but just as a precaution.. I now, have back-up images of 1.7, 1.8, and 2.15... Each one, just raw-write to the flashRAM (long-detailed method, and definitely not for beginners! also available on MagellanInsider, back when the 2.13 firmware was released.) I also did this with the eXplorist 500.. As well as ALL of my Garmin NuVI's. 7Zip, you simply point the GUI to the Computer menu, and select the drive the GC becomes when you connect it. then, tell it to write the archive.7z file (can be another name) to the hard drive (C:\users\yourname\compass.7z as example.).. it'll take awhile (unless you set it to simply store, which will still create a 2GB file you can compress later on the HD.) Don't feel bad.. I accidentally wiped the Win-CE OS completely off a cheapy netbook. (Look for Sylvania Netbook, on any search engine.) .. I managed to find replacement image files which could be loaded off the SD card.. simply put.. Incase of the worse case, Always have a backup!

I used to run GSAK in the free mode, til I had the back-up battery in my laptop give-up the ghost, and it wasn't until I noticed the clock was running a the wrong time, and (gotta hate time travel) the wrong date (a good 3 years+ behind!) Then, I replaced the NiCAD pack, and reset the clock... Imagine waiting close to 15 minutes every step, before you can use GSAK? I figured it was time to finally pay the registration fee ($35.00 US) which, honestly, is fair. I used to use EasyGPS as well for loading/selecting/filtering caches but GSAK has made it so much easier (and a lot of the bells & whistles of EasyGPS have changed..) I still do a lot of what I used to do before I registered it, but I use GSAK for the main database handling & export to the GPS's. (especially with the eXplorist-GC.) Basecamp is good for putting a lay of the land, but as someone already said, it's best for track layouts.. I still haven't found a program which will display ALL map layers like my NuVI does, from selected map sections under MapSource. (I have the Topo-100K, IBYCUS-USA, and a few trail maps from off GPSFileDepot, which I would love to be able to view on my computer screen, instead of having to constantly switch between them & either IBYCUS or Topo. I want to be able to view them on the street or Topo!) I still haven't fully tested a Linux based program I put on my other laptop (which is running Ultimate Edition version of UBUNTU).. But, I imagine it'll chose above a certain number of caches as I've found both EasyGPS, and when exporting from GSAK to other formats via GPSBabel, anything above 20,000 records, and they choke!)..

Drawback, is the device does not have any kind of connection for an external antenna.. In another discussion, I snapped a photo of the inside of the GC, someone labeled some of the key components (minor errors, expansion Connector, center-left is the battery connector, Battery Terminals? is actually the base of the actual GPS antenna. the shielded area, is the SIRF-III receiver.)(Link to discussion, w/labeling) Have you brought it outside, and let it sit? Even though it is a SIRF-III, it does not work well inside buildings.. One suggestion, worse case, there is a way to warm-reset beyond the reset button in the connector area. can't remember what the button sequence is, though... I know some GPS' require knowing where you are 1st, to obtain an initial reading, mostly for setting the time clock, comparing it to the UTC clock from the satellites. Can't remember if the GC required this, or not.. Stephen (gelfling6)

Just a note, latest release is 2.15, which fixes a lot of the bugs with 2.13.. One minor patch, change (mentioned elsewhere) you need to change the Max_waypoint value in one file (Atlas.ini ? showing my age/loss of memory.) to more than 500 (it will swallow 10,000! which gives more than enough room for adding more waypoints out on the trail.)

Only a few minor mis-labels on your version.. the small white "Expansion Connector" is actually the battery connection.. (it mates to a 2-pin molex connector, to the battery holder in the case back), and where you have it labeled as battery connection, is actually the bottom & support frame for the GPS antenna. LOL! I wish it was as simple as the CSI header.. I have a model-B RPi, and the connector is a little wider.. And, I think they have begun limited release of the camera... the rest of the labeling is pretty accurate otherwise. The two expansion connectors along the top, slight right and right before the buzzer, are still a mystery.

Very odd that some are having trouble.. the Software self-extracts, then copies the contents of the unacked files onto the device. I had 1.8 running on min before the upgrade.. Whole process takes about a good 1/2 hour to complete. ( thought this was a USB 2.0 compliant? Why is it acting like a 1.2?) with the device off/not plugged in, start the software, it will prompt you to plug the device in, and place it in "Connect To PC" mode, then it will begin the transfer. Alas, I sympathize with the Mac owners.. Only way around this, since MITAC seems to be locked with Windows-CE, their development tools also seem to be limited to Micro$oft platforms. I've played both sides of the fence, until OS-X.3.. when my poor G3 wouldn't take anymore..

Google currency converter places it at $130.18 (for 100 Euro) If you get it, I highly recommend obtaining the 2.15 firmware upgrade. a better base map, easier to read display. Bonus found out, If you use Magellan's VantagePoint software for handling Geocache/Track handling, It will obtain base map from the GPS, giving VantagePoint a better base Map.

It's fairly large, but also, if you have MapSource to load them, include the Ibycus USA or I believe they also have a Canadian Topo. have a multi-layer map I keep on my NuVi, and on the SD cards for my Legend-HCx & my Vista-HCx. (which includes almost all of the local maps from GPSFileDepot, Ibycus-USA, as well as the Topo-24K, for the general area around my state. You basically have to select each section, on each map under mapSource, then when everything is selected, write them to the SD card for the device.. And... It shows EVERYTHING at once! (which, I wish MapSource did.. I'd love to see trails shown on the Topo map, that didn't come on the Topo.)

It's not impossible.. You can go as far as seeing the Google satellite map, get a general lay of the land, and do it.. But... Only if it's nearly urban. (with little or no ground clutter/trees.) If it's out in the middle of the forest, or up on a mountain side, You're looking for that needle in a haystack.. I've only found one cache, by going by a car GPS to get me to the trailhead, which had me about 200-feet from GZ.. I was able to walk onto the trail, noticed a log which had a flat rock laying over the end, found the cache. I've found about 5 so-far sans-GPS, but only because of the lack of clutter, and a few obvious hiding places. Not impossible.. I mean, look at Letterbox finders? a bare minimum of clues, a general idea what to look for.. No GPS.

When I got the notice that VantagePoint had an update, I downloaded it (Version 2.32).. When I restarted it, to download the track & waypoint data, It asked if I wanted to exchange the background map.. With the GPS's.. Yes, the base map that is loaded with firmware 2.15, transfers to VantagePoint. giving you a more detailed base map for VP!

Oh, I thought I had too many at five. I'll see your five, and raise you 23.. Call! Yes, I am serious! (My brag list here on GC.com) Minus from the list, Garmin eTrex Vista HCx & a Nuvi 40. .. Robert's probably had the access to hundreds in the development of GPSBabel. (can't blame him!) Stephen (gelfling6)

about 2 weeks ago, I downloaded the new 2.15 firmware for my eXplorist GC, and I've been quite impressed with it. But, I noticed the base map had grown Humongous! (1.8GB!) But, it had a lot more detail than the original map from the 1.7 firmware. Today, VantagePoint just downloaded the new version, 2.32. When it finished installing, and I ran it for the 1st time, It asked if I wanted to copy the map from the GC to it. Yes, IT WILL!! I am now looking at the relief map the GC has, on my Laptop! Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I gave it my latest set of tracks, and a few trail traces from a couple of Raster map to GPX conversions, and a recent track from a long hunt. It shows the roads! Finally!!!! So, If you've got the newest firmware from Magellan for the GC, and use VantagePoint, the newest version will download the new map from the GC!

EasyGPS still does, but you have to treat them as 'Import Geocaches' from the File menu, and selecting the GPX file (one at a time) you want to add.. The older versions of EasyGPS used to include a "Merge GPX Files" in the File menu, but for some reason, it was never re-included.

The >>ONLY<< way I've been able to display multi-layer maps created with MapSource, of various maps of trails, Topo, street, etc.., was if I load them into a garmin GPSr.. I have not been able to display them on MapSource, or Basecamp. Only as the separate layers as they were loaded via MapSource. Believe me, it would be nice to see the bigger picture, without needing to squint at the same on my NuVi, or the screen on my Vista-HCx.

According to the someone on the MagellanInsider forum, MITAC does not release beta versions of the firmware.. So... 2.15 is supposed to be an Alpha release.. It does have a few quirks.. the patch changing the maxwaypoints entry all the way near the bottom of the Atlas.ini file (to 10000, the default release sets it at 500.) DOES work! and I've had no problems with adding new waypoints in the field. the only other quirk I can't stand, I have 4 fields on the map page, but the placement of the central point/smart arrow, is right on the top edge of the top 2 fields. and likewise, it obscures view of a breadcrumb trail (which, when I posted the screen shot, it shows slightly through the (Ugh!) aero-glass fields. (Sorry, I never was a Windows Vista/7 fan. the curse of Win-CE, they brought the Aero-Glass view to the portable.) It works, DOn't get me wrong.. I brute-tested it on a series someone placed here in Connecticut, and it performed great. Not perfect, still the occasional Win-CE Lag, but it works.

Honest, the ONLY one magellan lists, includes a stylus (I'm guessing for the touch-screen versions.) (link to product page) But..... the item is $20.00 (19.95).. the ONLY thing I can see similar, is the bike handlebar version, which has a screw ion the center-back, (about where the twist knob to open the back-top) which you could attact a clip button.. the drawback, the handlebar mount is $32.00...

I, for one, will never give-up on hand-held GPSr'.. Mainly, because I can't afford the cost of, or the subscription rate of a smart phone. Mainly, because if you're out of the range of service for a smart-phone provider, You won't have the maps for the GPS.. With a hand-held GPS, you have the maps on the device (unless the device is like the classic Garmin eTrex., which had a blank screen except for the central point & breadcrumb trail.. ) Granted, phone coverage is improving, but there are still drop-out zones. (trust me, I live in the middle of one! 2 different phone service providers are absolute zero signal!) Besides, they have gotten to the point of integrating smart-phone technology into the newer cars, but once you end-up in the middle of a dead zone, You are out of luck.. but, the ones which do have navigation systems in them, have the maps pre-loaded.

I would tend to agree, side-by-side, it's dependent on the make/model of the GPSr to have any differences. (I've had magellan Vs. Garmin Vs. Lowrance off by as much as 20-30-feet each..) exact same make/models, should have absolute ZERO differences. (Umm.. yeah, +/- 5 feet.) As someone mentioned, these are strictly 'receive Only' devices, and thus should never generate interference to each-other, though, I will say they are also bound by FCC rules that say they (a) must never generate any interference, But ( MUST Accept any outside interference. But, (A) is not 100% golden rule.. You have to remember, there is a mini computer in the GPSr, which converts the received signal from the receiver, and displays it to the screen. CPU's require a frequency signal to operate (step from one command/function to the next,) This is usually a crystal controlled clock signal, and that, will generate a miniscule, but if you have something seriously sensitive to RFI, detectable RF signal. (which, is usually well out of the range of the GPS-Band signal range. (I.E. the satellites are at 1.2Ghz & 1.6 (actually 1.57)Ghz., most MPU's run at 700-800Mhz.)

side note, the link oobnuker posted, dead-ends with 'Content Not Found'.. simply go to the front page, http://maps4me.net The site still exists, but you'll have to navigate around. Also the site looks like you need to register to gain access to the files.

I just downloaded it myself.. have yet to feed it to the GC.. Already seeing a few minor glitches still exist.. I saw someone already mentioned a (at your own risk) patch for the maximum waypoints.. (something about the Atlas.ini file.) Took close to an even hour to download.. We'll see.... We'll see....

From an owner of a few past models of Nuvi, and a present-day 40, and a few other GPSr's, I'd put my 2-cents worth in as Possible, but, not exactly practical. Most car GPSr's are good down to 200-feet.. which is about 10X the average for most hand-helds for hiking. That's not saying it can't be done, There are a few other brands which are made ruggedized (with thick rubber cases around the back, and I would imagine the front screen was well sealed to prevent water/moisture getting into the works.) I usually use mine for navigating to the parking place, or as close as I dare to get on-road to the site.. from there, I usually rely on a hand-held to actually get to GZ, or, if I'm familiar with the site, I'll even leave the hand-held in the car and wing it by eye.. A few things to keep in mind.. #1, turn the snap-to-road OFF. turning this on, aids in the re-routing, but when you're off road, will hinder getting close.. (unless you keep it on the Satellite strength/status page, and go by the lat/lon values.) #2, don't expect to get exactly to GZ.. Most car units have the antenna facing straight-up (like a "T" above the main board.) so, keeping the unit flat like you do with a hand-held, you'll be facing the antenna in front of you, instead of straight-up at the sky. result, You'll only be receiving satellite signals from straight forward.. nothing above, to the sides, or slightly behind you, which defeats the 3D placement. Also, most car units have a short-life battery once they're removed from the cigarette plug. the battery is about the size of an average cell phone battery.. 3.7V, more than likely lithium-Polymer(LiPo), about 1/2 the size of a pack of stick gum. (reference Juicyfruit/Doublemint, etc.).. the car charger/cord usually drops the 12-15V down to 5.0V. These are mainly just to keep the device running when on the road, and the internal battery is for absolute last-resort incase the alternator bites the dust, and you're on your cell phone to call for service, Or, quick finding a route when standing outside the car. the battery, usually has a 1/2-hour to 45-minutes life without the charger. You CAN put cache locations on most NuVi's, using garmin's POI loader (Available here.) I would suggest putting them on the SD card, but be fore-warned, the device will ask if you want to load software/data that is on the card, into the device.. the average device, minus the SD card, only has about 2GB maximum space. a good 1.2GB is probably already chewed-up by the North American rout-able map. Don't Let it! Leave it on the card.. Then, when you go to find one, choose [Go To..], scroll down to the bottom, and you'll find Custom Items, choose it, and the filename should pop-up.. and it should point to the closest cache, 1st.. One suggestion, there is a custom macro out there for GSAK.. Sorry to snub Pilotsnipes, but it doesn't seem to work anymore with the newer versions of POI-Loader. a plain GPX, with little or no logs, fed through the POI-loader, will occupy a few MB.. as long as you keep it under 100MB, You should be fine. Again, not impossible, but just impractical. most Nuvi's, aren't water-proof.. It will seep past the screen.. and slipping/falling on the trail, you can guess the screen will get hit.. and the touch pad on top is thin.. the glass LCD screen, would not take much to shatter.

Is 2.15 out, replacing 2.13? Sorry, it's winter, and I've only found 3 caches in the last month. I'm afraid I haven't been paying any attention. Check out Magellaninsiders.com I'm sure they're talking about this, and can probably tell you whether or not there is a change log. It takes a day or two to get approved to post, but you should be able to read everything. Would be nice, hope they fixed a LOT of the problems .13 had.. LOL! Yes, but majority of those are ones who've retired, are the heads of whatever department they work in, or unemployed.. Some of us have to work for a living, and our hobby.. Just noticed on magellaninsider, they have put .15 out for download, and it's still got a few bugs.. Won't post the link here, because it's already slow downloading... (and took me close to an hour the last time with .13) Noticed someone else said that they won't put the password lock on downloading the file again.. So....... time will tell...

It took awhile, but I finally obtained the file.. (took going to a library which has a direct-to-LAN socket in one of their meeting/study rooms. Even then, it still took close to 1/2 an hour with lots of waiting/stalling.) Interesting??? Version 1.8??? It looks/feels like 1.7, was able to duplicate the image to my Linux laptop, just in case.. It ran fine at a recent meet & greet (a local caching group get-together) .. I am curious, though.. the method they suggest, seems to put the device into a Win-CE monitor mode (the power-up, holding the joy-button up.) pressing Menu, then choosing Flash Storage, seems to remove any restriction of the flash drive.. A further look, when I was making the image copy of the device.. they seem to partition the memory/flash drive similar to how other ARM devices I've been tinkering with (Raspberry Pi mini computer, Compaq iPaq 3970, Sylvania/chinese Win-CE based netbook,) with a base FAT-16 partition, then an extended partition which holds the actual Program/Data. The more I investigate the GC, the more hackable it seems. (hackable in the 'How much can we squeeze from it, not damaging it' method.)

They pulled the 2.13 update when too many problems cropped up.. (apparently, released before it was fully beta-tested.) The few who did manage to download it/install it were impressed by some of the new features, but baffled by the features taken out, and some that flat would not work. The Password is strictly for Beta-testers to download the revision.. and I think You'll need to get that from Magellan. Side note to gpsblake, the site with the GC_ROM.ZIP file, seems to be either over-taxed, or poor provider.. this makes the 3rd attempt to download the file, as yesterday it zonked at 813MB... (incomplete).. multiple tries have taken forever (okay, on a type "N300" wifi, reported to complete in close to 6 hours.. On a direct link to the local 10base-T/100 network, it said 22 minutes.. for close to 45 minutes.. then failed.) .. So,, apparently I'm not the only one after the file.. It appears, from the instructions to install, is the exact same as the party who modified the eXp 310 firmware to run on the GC, but wiht his own label. (or, as I did restoring my old 1.7 files to my GC.)