cliff_hanger

We need more information. How are you trying to d/l the coords to your GPSr? Send to GPS? Do you have the Garmin Communicator Plugin installed?

Try this: on POI Export dialog box, change Name Format from %smart to %drop2

Sorry I left you hanging. I was out rock climbing today. Did 5 routes, self belayed solo. Not bad for a 54 year old dude, eh? I'm not sure why, since the Vista will manage literally thousands of POIs. It just displays the ones that are closest to you. As I said, if the name of the bitmap symbol (ie Traditional) matches the name of the gpx file and is in the same folder as the gpx file, then the correct bitmap is assigned to the POI when you run POI Loader. However, there is no need to run separate gpx files for each type of cache. The beauty of the POI macro is that it handles all of that for you. It looks like Miragee runs one export for each type of cache. I run ONE macro for all of Connecticut. The macro sends 18 different csv files (instead of gpx) to my POI-NEW > Caches folder. The names of these cvs files match the bitmaps in that folder. (Note that capital and lower case naming is important!) Hence, when the POI loader does it's thing, it "attaches" the correct bitmap to each POI. Make sure you download the bitmaps from here Since I point the POI loader to the "root" (POI-NEW instead of Caches) it creates one non-selectable database named "Caches". All the different POIs are in that one database with correctly assigned symbols. If I was to point the POI Loader to the "Caches" sub-folder, it would still create one file for transfer to the Vista. HOWEVER, within that one file would be 18 selectable "databases" such as: multi, found, traditional etc. And, I believe, you can only select one at a time - not sure, though. They might be additive. You don't have to switch from one database to another. (Unless you have a reason that I can't see) That idea is a holdover from the way your Merigold worked. I fell into the same trap. Trust me, put all the POIs into one file by pointing the POI Loader to the "POI-NEW" root. Ahhhhh....... You don't have to "find nearby POIs" procedure. You want to see them on your map. From your map page, click the page button. Do Setup Map > Points and then set Map Point and User Waypoint to something like 500 feet. The points you want will then show up on your map when you are zoomed down to 500 feet. And it will show all types with the correct symbol if you followed the procedure I wrote above.

Doesn't that send the info to the GPSr as "waypoints"? Maybe I misunderstood. I thought the OP was asking about POIs. I think we are limited to 1000 waypoints but POIs are limited only by the memory of the SD card. I don't follow. Do you use the Garmin POI Loader at all? Or are you only loading "waypoints" & "geocaches" to your GPSr?

I use GSAK, POI Macro, POI Loader. GPSBabel would probably do it since that is the translation engine behind GSAK. But, I don't know how to do it with just GPSBabel No, not if you use the POI macro. The macro will sort them out for you. Did you d/l the custom icons? I think it depends on WHERE you point the POI Loader to read from. Use the "Please Select the directory where the data files can be found" and browse as follows: Try it once pointing to your "POI-NEW" and see what happens. Check it out on your GPS. Then try it pointing to your "Caches" subfolder to see the difference. Read carefully my last post in this thread. Especially the numbered items "Here's a folder structure with "Bill's POI" as a main folder, "Caches" as a sub-folder and some individual files: <Bill's POI> ..<Caches> ......multi.bmp ......multi.gpx ......Trad.bmp ......Trad.gpx ......owned.bmp ......owned.gpx 4) Running POI loader and pointing it to <Bill's POI> folder will create one database named "Caches". It will actually be named "poi.gpi" but will show up in your GPSr as "Caches" database. Multi caches will have the multi symbol, Trad caches will have the Trad symbol, etc. 5) Running POI loader and pointing it to the <Caches> folder will create 3 different databases: Multi, Trad and Owned. Each will use the correct symbol. Multi caches will have the multi symbol, Trad caches will have the Trad symbol, etc. You can load them individually by "select database" on your GPSr. The strange thing is that they will also show up as a single file named "poi.gpi" but will show up in your GPSr as selectable Multi, Trad and Owned databases. " But, read the whole thread. Let me know if you need further explanation. It took me a bunch of tries to figure it out.

I went the exact same route as you: Merigold to Vista HCx. (Actually love them both. But they do work very differently) I currently use Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK), the POI macro for GSAK and the POI loader from Garmin. I download PQs for the whole state and import the 3000+ caches into my Vista in just minutes. Here is a thread about how learning about POIs evolved for me after I bought a Vista HCx. I stumbled around a bit by experimenting but learned quite a lot. Also, this thread about "Silly Garmin POI Tricks" may help you

Might you consider two smaller (medium sized) tents? Dunno how big your kids are but, as they grow, some privacy for mom and dad could be welcome. If you ever go without the kids, a smaller tent might be just the ticket. And, sometimes it's easier to fit two smaller tents on a campsite where one big tent seems to find all the rocks and roots. For family camping, I currently have a Eureka Sunrise 10. It's serviceable with plenty of room and good ventilation. Only used it in one torrential downpour with high winds and it stayed dry inside. The fly has plenty of additional tiedowns. Tall enough that I (6'2") can stand up in it. Supposedly the 10 x 10 will sleep 5 but I wouldn't count on it. Since our son isn't interested in camping anymore, it's a bit much for just the wife and I.

Well, I import them as POIs and they show up as names instead of GC numbers. Looking at geocaches, unlike Cachemate, I don't see any place to toggle names/numbers. So, I think it goes back to the selection you make when loading them into your GPSr to begin with. Some more information would be helpful. How are you getting the cache information? As a pocket query? As .loc file or .gpx file? How are you importing the geocaches into your Vista HCx now? GSAK? EasyGPS? Mapsource? Send to Garmin?

Acetone from Home Depot removes the yellow marking in seconds. It also "dulls" the green paint but does not remove it. Just pour a little acetone on an old rag. I started repainting them but now I just rub off the letters and leave them green. Except, if they're going inside some place dark, I'll paint them flat black.

My Vista HCx has exact same behavior with the micro card except it makes good contact. It really doesn't "lock" in place, but stays detented in the down position. Usually, I push-click it out. Glad that you have a replacement coming

My winter bag is a goose down North Face "North Col" Something else to consider when sizing a winter mummy is where do you keep your boots? We've been winter camping the White Mountains of New Hampshire when it was so cold we put our boots in a plastic bag and kept them inside the sleeping bag overnight. Else, they were frozen in the AM and difficult to put on. We've also put boiling water in 1 qt naglene bottles and snuggled next to them overnight. Just don't mix it up with your pee bottle. You might also consider a Vapor Barrier Liner for the inside of your bag. Some folks don't like them because the think there is too much humidity. But my experience has been that you reach an equilibrium inside the VBL at some point - and your bag stays dry. The VBL, mummy bag, closed cell pad and an overshell make a great winter bivvy option.

Anybody have any experience with the North Face Rock 32 or Marmot Limelight? Added links NF Rock 32 Marmot Limelight 3

another paperless caching tutorial in WIKI form http://ctcachers.com/wiki/index.php?title=Paperless_Caching

Since USB standard is 5 volts, don't you think that Garmin put a voltage regulator circuit inside the GPSr between the mini USB port and the internal electronics? Or that the GPSr is designed to operate within the available voltage range of battery power to standard USB power? I use a generic 12v cigarette lighter to USB converter plug. USB output is 5v because there's a voltage regulator built into the cigarette lighter converter plug. Else, it would not meet the USB standard. I use the cable that came with my Vista HCx OR the cable that came with my Cannon A620 camera. No difference. There is no attenuator built into the USB cable, so a generic cable would work just as well. Question was previously asked in this thread

I currently use Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK), the POI macro for GSAK and the POI loader from Garmin. Here is a thread about how it evolved for me after I bought a Vista HCx Since GSAK uses the GPSBabel shareware as the translation engine under the hood, you may be able to convert the gpx files from your pocket query into a file that you load to your GPSr via card reader. I used to do that with my Merigold. Also, this thread may help you ****** Edit, OK I should have seen that you have an Explorist. Try GPSBabel and convert the .gpx file from your PQ to "Magellan SD files (as for eXplorist)" - Sorry about that. Since sooooo many folks here use Garmins........ Well, I should just read better.

As Miragee mentioned, you could use Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK). But, GSAK uses GPSBabel as the translation engine "under the hood". GPSBabel is shareware, but Mr. Lipe accepts donations. So as Miragee mentioned, you could get a group of 500 waypoints as a pocket query and use GPSBabel to translate the .gpx file into a Mapsource .gdb file Pocket Query Tutorial

oops sorry

After working for an RLS for a number of years, I agree that Cardinal Red is right on the money. The only thing I'm thinking is that the bearing is based on true north, not magnetic north. But, the OP definitely needs to find the coords of the starting point and then project waypoint(s) (using both magnetic N and true N just in case - although 54 feet is not gonna make too much difference) if he wants to use a GPS. Or he could buy a theodolite

On your PDA, you can prevent "duplicate" records in Cachemate by choosing "Merge import file records" and "Preserve old item category" under Cachemate > Option > Preferences I do something similar. I have databases based on states: CT, MA, RI, VT, NH. I have a "Found" database and a "Logged" database. The "Found" database keeps track of the caches I've found on a cache run. As I log them online, I move them from the "Found" into the "Logged" database. So, I guess the "Logged" database is really "Found and Logged"

On a big belay ledge would be good, instead of in the middle of a route. This one is actually signed by more rock climbers than geocachers.

Best to ask your reviewer before placing. I had one reviewer tell me the (s)he had leeway on the 528' guideline down to about 100'. BUT, that was for a rappelling cache relative to an existing regular cache. The logic being that there was no possible way that a cache where you had to rappel to a ledge on a 100' cliff could be confused with a cache at the top of the cliff. Hope it works out for you. I, for one, am looking forward to your caches. Do you think they'll be up before May 22?

I dunno. I have alarm clock on my cell phone, PDA and wrist watch. I'd rather have longer battery life on my GPSr than have it on all the time to run the alarm clock and barometer.

Wow. After Merigee, did nobody read what the OP wrote? "I was told my operating system wasnt compatible which I am running XP media center." XP MCE is not XP-pro, not XP-home and not Vista. As Merigee correctly stated, There are KNOWN issues with Palm and XP Media Center Edition http://forums.palm.com/palm/board/message?...essage.id=31768 http://forums.palmone.com/palm/board/messa...;query.id=75852 (There are known issues with Vista, too. But Palm has posted an updated patch that supposedly fixes the problem) Wee Be Team, You may very well find that the best option is the one you already mentioned: "just insert the SD card into the pc and load the info then place in the Palm and completely skip the hot sync all together." The .pdb file generated by GSAK, or GPSBabel or CMConvert could be transferred to your SD card via card reader. The correct directory for cachemate would be "Palm > Launcher". My hotsync woks very well, but I actually prefer this method. After putting the SD card back in your PDA, start Cachemate and, if you are not prompted, do Option > Rescan Memory Card. Close and then restart Cachemate and you will be prompted to select a database for your Cachemate files. Please post back here if you find a different workaround so that others with the same conflict can resolve it.

Besides "A", "C" "D", what other drive letters are being used by your pc? I've had an SD card in a reader not get recognized because of interference with other drive letters (from other partitions and mapped drives) If you have drive letters other than A, C or D - like for another partition - try reassigning (NOT A, C or D) them to something else and see if your card is recognized. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/fin...-on-windows-xp/ http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.ht...ssageID=1719434 http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=400 Do you have a regular USB card reader you can try?

Have you loaded USB drivers for the GPSr on your computer? Though written for Mapsource, this may answer your question http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/home/support/searchsupport Drivers are downloaded here 60CSx drivers Comments about size of SD cards http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=137396