EScout

For almost the same price as a 10, an Explorist 110 has color and full maps of the USA installed. I have seen these for $110 and got one for $115. With the Vantage Point software you can load a PQ with cache images in seconds and be ready. It is the best value in a beginning GPSr.

There are 2 drives in your 500, the internal memory and the SD card. They have the same folders. All data is moved into and out of the unit in the form of a file. So, if you create a file of geocaches, it should be created by a program that can make a .gs format file. And then put into a Geocache folder. Then you go into menu and search for the drive,folder, and file you want to activate. If you cannot get the cable to connect and show you the files, take out the SD card and load the file on it. Try Vantage Point program from magellan to create your .gs files.

If you have an SD card, put your maps on it, and all the internal memory is open. You will never run out of room for track log files in archive. Track log files are small, about 10 track points per KB file size.

If it is like earlier Nuvi models, there is one track file (and automatic archives of past tracks when the current file gets too big.) You cannot load individual track files and access them like a handheld GPSr. But you can modify the current track file and add to it so that you will see the blue line for all the track points in the file.

My triangulation cache starts with a tag that gives the direction/bearing to the cache and the coordinates to the next tag. This second tag gives the bearing to the cache and the coordinates to the next tag. This third tag gives the bearing to the cache and a hint about a landmark close to the cache. There is an easy way to solve it in this park with just your GPSr and a piece of paper. You enter each tag location as a waypoint in your GPSr, and note the directions from each to cache, and then write down the reciprocal bearing. Head towards an area near the middle of the three waypoints, and pull up the waypoint screen on your GPSr. When the bearings to each waypoint equal the reciprocal/opposite bearings you are at the cache. It has been solved by someone using only two waypoints. Reciprocal bearing is adding/subtracting 180 degrees to the bearing (if bearing is 270, reciprocal is 90.) Or, in this case I used mils for more precision, so add/subtract 3200 mils (half of 6400 mils.) I specified true north reference. The tags are thick aluminum punched with number and letter stamps, then camo painted. I chose the cache location first, then set the tags. At all four locations, I used two brands of GPSrs, and visited on multiple days to get accurate coordinates. All the tags are on trails, but the hills add to the challenge because you cannot site from each tag to the cache, and you cannot bushwack from each tag to the cache; you have to find the right trail.

In that range for beginner for ease of use, the Explorist 110, for about $130. It has maps installed, easy to loan caches with the free Magellan program: Vantage Point. Only negative is limit of 500 caches. If you want to load more caches, and give up the 110's nice tracklog features, then the GC, about $135. As was mentioned earlier, if you can find a PN40 for $125, that will work well.

This looks correct. You have 600 caches loaded. The first page will show 1/142. This means that there are 142 "pages" of 4 to 5 caches each. They average about 4.25 caches per page, so, 4.25 X 142 = about 600. I have 295 pages showing on 1250 caches, averaging 4.24. Use the zoom buttons to go to the end or start.

Perhaps the better comparison is between the Magellan 310 and Garmin Etrex 20. They are very similar in price. The 310 has all the features of the GC plus more. It comes loaded with maps of USA, has a better screen resolution, and, arguably, better buttons than the Etrex 20. You can load additional maps to the 310, but it does not have the SD card slot. The 310 has better geocache sorting features. The 20 does not come with maps, but free maps are easy to find and load. It has more ability to customize, including which screens you want to use. The 20 also receives the second satellite system, which might help in some locations. Either of these will work well for you. (I own the Etrex 20, the Magellan Explorist 110, and the GC and have used the 310)

From camping with Scouts as a leader, I learned to mark everything. With my GPSrs: I register on the site, which when you connect a Garmin, pulls the SN number from the unit. Start-up screen lets you customize with name and phone number. I add a text file to the internal memory, containing name and phone. (Owner info.txt) I stick a label inside the battery compartment, with name and phone. I keep a backup of the waypoint file. If you have this, print out and show the police so that they can see it matches the waypoints in the unit. See if you can describe any of the saved track-log locations.

What does that do? I'll be covering 5 countries in 17 days. It will break up your track into daily pieces. You may want to geotag your photos by the day's travel and embed them into the track log in a KML file. Depending on how many time zones you travel through, you might want to set your GPSr to UTC especially if you are near Europe. Use the Western Europe time zone with no Daylight savings time for UTC. Then you can use your GPSr time to sync your camera's time. For your track log interval, I would not use one second. It is not necessary and will make the logs too big. Use Auto, Most Often. Try it before you leave. And if you are new to tagging, use GPicSync. It works well and is much simpler.

Good tips above. In the settings for Tracks, you might want to set it to Auto Archive Daily if you are traveling long distances daily. If you are traveling across many time zones, you might want to set your camera's time to UTC, time and date. Track logs record in UTC, so you will not have to remember the offset in the tagging program you use.

The 310 has a better screen, good case and buttons. It comes with detailed street maps that include parks and other things. The 20 does not come with maps, but free maps, both street and topo are easy to find and install. The 20 also can use a micro SD card for more storage. The 20 receives both the GPS system and the Glonass system. This may help in getting a better position fix in some specific difficult locations. They both use GPX file formats for moving data. The 310 has better sorting of caches. As for track logs, they both do a good job. The 310 has more statistics on each track log, but the 20 will let you save more and archive them on the memory card. The 20 is more customizable, letting you set what screen pages you want to show, and in what order, and has different profiles. The 310 has the free interface software: Vantage Point, and the 20 has BaseCamp. Overall, for beginners, the 310 with Vantage Point is probably the best choice. For more advanced users, the 20 is the better choice.

Pup gave you the answer because your settings are DDD MM.mmm, which is degrees and decimal minutes. You are trying to enter decimal degrees, DDD.ddddd, which is a different format. The reason we know that is 96782, which cannot be entered as minutes because 59.999 is the most you can enter for minutes.

The 110 has a full featured track log function. You can create, save, export, or import tracks to show on the map. You can see full statistics on your track, vertical profile, and backtrack. The 110 has hunt/fish times, sun/moon rise/set, and routing. It only holds 500 caches (and 500 waypoints), compared to the 10,000 caches on the GC, and the GC has full sorting ability, compared to the 110 only has distance and name sorting. So, if you are out doing more than just geocaching, and want to have more navigation features, the 110 is better.

C: geo works for additional waypoints on multi caches. The android app GPS Essentials will let you put way points on the map and edit the coordinates.

Any discussion of what to buy has to have the money question: how much do you want to spend. I have a Magellan GC, 110 and did the GC conversion to 310. They are excellent units, with nice screen, built in detail maps, and easy to load geocaches. With built in maps, and free Magellan Vantage Point software, a beginner can hit the ground quickly with these. They are solidly built with good buttons. The 110 and 310 have nice track log features, not found in the GC. The 310 holds more geocaches (limited to 500 on the 110), can take additional maps (like topo)and has more geocache sorting options (like the GC.) I recommend the 310, or the 110 if you want to spend less. Since it was mentioned above,the eTrex 20 is also a nice unit. It does not come with maps, but with not much effort, you can find free maps and load them in. I did this with my 20. Full featured, with lots of customization options. Can take a micro SD card to hold huge amount of maps. There has been some discussions on the position "lagging" issue with these, but I have not found this to be noticeable. This is a GPSr that you can grow into as you move from beginner to more advanced GPS user.

I have not noticed the issue you describe. Is this in different conditions, such as open, or under tree cover? For tracking, Auto continuous works well. If you are stopping often, try the distance setting at 50 feet. In your other post, you mention switching between the dashboard and geocache info. Try using the compass activated on the map screen to point you to the cache. When you have set a "goto" a cache, and are on the map screen, just push the Menu button, and you can choose the cache details or mark it found, etc.

I have had the GC since it was introduced, but was not my primary GPSr. Planned on selling it and getting the 310, but got a 110 for $115. I did the GC conversion to 310 -- Thanks Savant. Tried to load the map from the 110 but it would not work. The 110 and 310 have very similar file and folders and the 110 map is a mgi format. The 110 works very similar except the 310 holds more geocaches, allows loading of maps, and has more sorting of geocaches options. Used the converted 310 in the field and it works well. Did a 3 mile hike and the track log on GE was beautiful, one of the best I have seen.....except, the date of the track points was recorded as one day later, exactly 24 hours. It appears that the auto Time Zone setting was setting it incorrectly, so I am using manual Time Zone setting.

There are several ways to do this. Very easy is using Vantage Point. Use the Exchange (import) and select waypoints, KML format file. Then use the Sync (PC to GPS.)

I have had the 9 inch hot laminator from Harbor Freight for about 4 years and it works very well. Price is $25. They also have a pack of 25 laminate sheets 9" X 11.5" for $7; a good deal. For many uses, I prefer the luggage tags: 2.5" X 4.25" 10mil thick on each side. These are very thick and strong. I use them for business card briefcase tags, Munzee tags, Travel Bug tags, etc. Sometimes I add a brass grommet for strength. Buy the tags from eBay sellers.

The Etrex 10 is Grey screen, and I have not used it, but comparing color units: The fonts are larger on my Etrex 20, but the contrast and screen resolution is better on my Explorist GC and 110, so they are easier to read. Back to the original post, the issue is ease of use. They all require spending some time learning how to use it.

I have had the same thing happen with a Nuvi 255 using GSAK macro. It really only happened in one location. I believe that there were 3 caches within the radius I set when running the macro. It happened because I stopped in this location often. I did not want to find these caches, so removed them from GSAK before doing the macro. As was mentioned earlier, set your radius lower.

Some of the newer handheld GPSrs keep your track log in GPX format, which is what you want for the geotagging programs. So, look at the Delorme 60, Garmin 20 or 30, Magellan 110 or 310. If you want to spend more, look at other Garmin models. For road trips in your car or vehicle with 12V power, the Garmin Nuvis keep a good track log. They work off road also, but battery is only 3-4 hours. Depending on your smartphone, they can keep a good tracklog. For my Droid X, I use "My Tracks" which does a decent job. If I were looking for all day use, I would get the extended battery. This app saves your track in several formats including GPX and lets you save and/or email it at the end when done (end of day). So, you can have back up immediately.

This topic should mention the Vantage Point Software from Magellan. It works well. It will connect to Geocaching site and show you the list of your PQs. Check the ones you want and they will download, and then you sync them to your GC. It will load images for those caches with images. After you get back from caching, and you connect your GC, Vantage Point will list the caches you found so that you can log them.

There is only one thing I am afraid of: the domestic dog. Yes, pet dogs. I hike in suburban park trails over 300 miles a year and am attacked, cornered or bit several times a year. Every member of my family has been bit by dogs, doing nothing more than walking or skateboarding. I have tried ignoring, staring, not staring, growling back – nothing works because they are unpredictable. I have encountered bears, moose, coyotes, and they are more predictable. One of the worse experiences of my life was being double-teamed by two pit bulls. They were very skillful in their attack. Today I did a 3 mile exercise hike on my favorite trails. I came across 8 people walking their dogs, 4 not on leashes, ignoring the leash law. Most dogs are nice, but maybe one out of 20 is not, especially when they get ahead of their owner on the trail. And some dogs are stupid – I saw one chase a rabbit through cactus and get hundreds of thorns in its face and body. Perhaps there are too many bad dog owners here. So, regarding what I carry for self protection, in order of what I might use: 1. Dual trekking poles. This baffles some dogs and I practice some “windmill” techniques hoping to scare. Since I have these in hand this is what I rely on. But they are thin aluminum and would bend if used as a club. 2. High decibel screaming alarm with flashing light. I stopped a charging dog once with this small but loud device. 3. 350,000 volt stun zapper. A dog once stopped with the noise and sparks. I have been told that this is often effective as they do not like the noise. I have not touched it to a dog, and do not want to get that close. 4. 3.5 inch folding knife. Again, do not want to get that close, so have not used this. 5. Pepper spray. I have this deep in my pack because the frequent breezes will probably blow it back at me. Never used. I had a metal rod 15 inches long, ½ inch diameter, but was told this is probably illegal to carry so I do not. And of course, no one can get a firearm permit in Calif.