Dale_Lynn

Its still a painted rock, no matter what the source is.... IF you want to follow the rules, its a no-no... Personally I WOULD RATHER NOT SEE IT... Dale

Not so.... All you have to do is be"registered" member to download cache information from geocache.com...

Most of the USB/SERIAL adapters use same chip set and drives produces by one or two differnet companies in China.... Brand name marketing is about only differnece I have found.... Dale

Here is quote from one site I visited after simple GOOGLE search.... In order to download charts to your unit the product must be activated . Once your CD is activated, MapSend BlueNav charts can be uploaded from your computer to a Secure Digital (SD) memory card for use with your Magellan Meridian GPS receiver or directly to the built-in memory of your SporTrak Pro GPS receiver. This MapSend BlueNav CD North America is ideal for mariners who wish to utilize a large number of charts interchangeably by over-writing new charts for each new journey... Think you may have misinterpreting how the application may be utilized.... Dale

I generally wait for quite a few replies to roll in and then kind of give a "blanket " reply like " thank you all, the information you have posted has helped solve my problem (or what ever)"... You do not need to reply to each individual... But some acknowledgement to people who have responded and offered help is very courteous. If someone when above and beyond to give very specific answers and really helped you beyond explanation its nice to thank that person specifically... Also its nice for the responders to know if you solved the problem or what ever... So sometimes its nice to respond with what specifically solved your problem... Kind of lets us know if our information was on track for the "next" time... Dale

It would depend if you want to commit to sending it in and possibly pay for any repairs... Dale

Both work ok for me. Dale

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Just what I was going to suggest after playing with EXCEL a bit last night.... Dale

As you already know Excel wants to see some sort of "delimiter"when it imports data... When you do a "import data" and Excel does not recognise the data format it should open a window and ask you how to proceed/process imported data... Some data streams use a comma (,) as a delimiter or some other form of delimiter. You will have to determine what the delimiter is (playing with Excel formats) to get individual data elements in each row/column... IF you want to break it down further as to degrees in one field and minutes in another (and so on) you will probably have to do a lot of copy/paste/delete to format data way you want... And after all that, what are you going to do with all the data "sub-elements"... You probably need to find better way to corollate your data and reevaluate you though process on what you are trying to do to match your "application" to existing data elements. Other option may be to create a macro to break data elements up and populate specific cells with your "sub-elements". Know anything about Visual Basic, Excel supports macros written in Visual Basic . In fact Excel is compiled from Visual Basic source code. That Is why it will support VB sub applications Dale

Simple tick removal.... Coat tick with a few drops of liquid dish detergent and cover with cotton ball. As tick backs out of skin because of detergent burn it become entangled in cotton ball and you have one live but captive tick.... Dale

Actually more complex units will probably get ignored most of the time (except by the "nerd" Joey).... Units for schools and clubs and scout groups probably should be all the same type and model. Just as much for the instructor as for users... Most people really aren't going to go real deep into the technology (except for the "nerd" Joey) and only want to play with unit and see what it can do.... Remember in most cases the instructor or person in charge is going to have to be proficient in all three units to help out the people trying to operate the GPS unit (except the "nerd" Joey).. Also in erasing and entering cache and other information its easier to setup one configuration in a PC and up/down load all data in one format and configuration (EasyGPS or GSAK or whatever software) than have multiple configurations for many different units...... Are you teaching GPS use and/or how to deal with the "physical" technology. I believe the thrust of your statement is to not be "leery of things that go beep" and "simple geocaching" should be the criteria for selection all one type of unit (except for the "nerd" Joey). Dale

YES!... I want to know too. Is "location screen" map capable or it just a proximity indicator. Dale

IF you are using USB/SERIAL adapter, it must be plugged into USB socket so systen "can see" adapter and assign port number... Also did you get a CD with adapter and did you load drivers off CD so adapter will work? Dale

Using a USB/SERIAL (RS-232) adapter if going to confuse issue some what.... EasyGPS needs to know what COM port number to use... Its probably going to be COM 5 or COM 6.... Here is explanation and help on how to get EASY GPS to recognize proper COM port and get you moving on linking PC to GPS for data transfer.... Also in EasyGPS, you need to use the "GPS" drop down to determining if you can "link" to GPS unit and sent to or retrieve from GPS any data (Display GPS Information). Finding Com Port It's quite possible your lap top or desk top machine can not "find" correct COM port!... Or your computer does not have traditional serial port. (they are slowly going away in favor of USB). A USB/Serial adapter may be the answer for you. If you have Serial/USB adapter and are not getting it to work, suggest you delve into what COM ports or USB/adapter ports your "systems" have available or how they are configured .... The major problem is usually identifying what COM port number the USB/RS-232 Serial Adapter was assigned by WINDOWS system. This is also valid for locating available hard wired serial ports. Port numbers can be verified in the "Control Panel" under "System" under "Hardware" under "Device Manager". Scroll down to “Ports” and it will tell you the “port number” and at what speed (baud) port is configured at. You can actually plug in and unplug adapter and see the "port" appear and disappear on ports field. Right clicking on "port" and selecting "properties" will tell you everything you need to know about port. This info is necessary to get EasyGPS and GSAK and “other” programs to communicate with GPS unit. Yes you do need to set baud rate on GPS to match computer COM port which may be set with whatever software computer is running. See instructions for GPS unit on setting Baud rate and other Serial Port parameters. Most software applications and hardware (modems) like to work with COM 1 ... Also if you have any "synchronize” software running for a Palm or other hand held PDA, it grabs COM 1 and will not let any other applications use it. You may need to disable any synchronization software it you have it as a running application to release COM 1 if you have to use that specific COM port. Also just plugging in a USB/Serial adapter to USB port may not trigger system to assign COM port number. In some cases you must have a valid device (GPS) on end of data cable from USB/Serial adapter and the device must be turned on for system to respond and assign a COM port number. Also having a loop back plug in USB/Serial adapter will trigger adapter/system to assign com port number if serial adapter requires a "valid" device on end of cable. Also be aware you will most likely need to load USB/Serial Port adapter drives from included CD to get adapter to work properly. This should be done before plugging in adapter for first time. Hyper Link Test Here is procedure to test COM/SERIAL/USB port. It will work with both hard wired serial port (COM) on older computers or with USB/SERIAL adapters if proper drivers are loaded. This test will require a “loop back” plug for serial connector that has pins 2 and 3 connected (shorted) back to each other. 1. Determine COM port number using the process above to find the port number (Finding Com Port). 2. Open HYPER-TERM the communications terminal program that is standard part of Windows supplied utilities. If installed it may be found under “Communications” on main menus. (or any other terminal program you are familiar with). 3. Establish a “new connection” file name something like “serialist” or “loopbacktest”. Specifying the specific COM port number (found in above procedure). Set ASCII options to NOT echo characters locally (Uncheck - Echo Characters Locally). 4. Plug in USB/SERIAL adapter and install “loop back” plug on serial connector plug ( if using hard wired port on computer that is where loop back plug goes also) . IF you can now type characters on key board and see them appear on screen the com port and path (and USB adapter) are good. If you unplug loop back plug and then type and characters do not appear on screen this further verifies port is working properly and adapter is working. If you type and get double characters (aa-bb-cc) for each key stroke with loop back plug in place it means “local echo” is turned on. If you only get single characters when loop back plug is removed then it still proves serial path is good. Hyper Terminal setup. Start Hyper Terminal and when “New Connection” window box is presented enter your file name (“looptest” or whatever) Click ok. Next box should say “Connect To:” In this box, at bottom it should say “Connect Using“ and there should be a com port number ( mine comes up COM 4 - Yours may be different). Click OK. Note: Hyper Terminal should only show you any valid COM ports available by system. IF you don't see and COM ports your adapter is not configured (drivers?). Your computers MODEM should also be listed if computer is so equipped and modem is “active”. With loop back plug in place try typing. Do you get characters? Answer should be yes. Remove loop back plug, do you get characters? Answer should be no. If you need to change “echo” settings. Go to File drop down menu and click on Properties. In properties box, click on Settings Tab. In setting box select ASCII Setup. Either check or uncheck “ Echo typed characters locally” (what ever you prefer). USB-PARAMETERS I think if you will fine that if you set up port parameters in GPS and Software (GSAK-EasyGPS) to same as "default" parameters found in "properties" for USB/Serial adapter you will not have any connection problems. Did you even know that there is a properties setting for COM port on control panel?. Try right clicking “Port" once you have hot swapped - plugged in USB/Serial adapter. By default mine are: Baud =9600 DataBits = 8 Parity = None Stop Bits = 1 Flow Control = None The driver "defaults" set in port parameters (Properties) in "hardware" can be adjusted and saved so every time you plug in adapter it will default to desired setting... You have to have software and GPS unit set to match. I still believe most of the "problems" is not having "port defaults" at (initialization- plug-in time), software, GPS all set to same parameters.... And boot up has nothing or very little to do with it. Though RS-232 Serial Ports are on way out, it would probably be a little beneficial for one to look up how they function and what parameters do.. <http://www.arcelect.com/rs232.htm> FINDING - PORT Here is how I find my USB/SERIAL adapter... Easiest solution to find COM port is to go into "Control Panel" >> Select "System " icon >> Select "Hardware" >> Select "Device Manager" >> Scroll down to "PORTS" (COM & LPT) and see what new "port" pops up when you plug in USB/SERIAL adapter cable Mine comes up as "Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port (COM5) " What ever Comm port number USB port is assigned by "system" (COM5 in my case) is Comm port number you need to use when setting up parameters/properties in your software used to communicate with GPS unit through USB/SERIAL adapter cable. Be sure USB drivers for adapter cable are loaded from CD FIRST (or off I-net) before trying to plug in USB/Serial adapter cable. Pretty much like other user described in previous responses.. In this cases you probably need to clean out drivers and reinstall them BEFORE you attempt to plug in adapter cable.... Even though BELKIN is brand name, Prolific makes about 90% of USB/serial adapters on market today... Next thing is to get cache coordinates from GEOCACHE site and download them to your PC then load them into EasyGPS and then view, edit, or just send them on to GPS unit.... But if you dont establish communications between GPS unit and PC nothing will "happen" for you... Dale

As a "guess" and I have done this with other applications in past, is "copy" all the CD files to a folder on hard drive and install application from the folder, not from CD. Usually an application will go to the drive it was installed from as a data source so it may just look at your "topo" folder on hard drive for its map data and not CD drive... Pay close attention to any prompts at installation time as to where installation program is to look for files and whatever to be sure it is looking at hard drive source and not CD's.. You will probably still have to use your "registration" codes to activate application even if you source it from hard drive so dont loose CD'd in case you ever need to reinstall... Try it, worst thing that can happen is it not work.... Dale

Get a couple of hard hats and safety vests carry a clipboard and GPS.... Pretend you are just another "drone" doing some "government" or "utility" work... Dale

One of the problem may have been tree cover..... There are plenty of tall trees and lots of obstruction by branches and such at Big Basin, GPS may have not had good signal strength to receive data from satellites... Did you let GPS acquire the almanac data before trip?... Did you let it sit out with clear view of sky for about 30 minutes so it would acquire all the important data from the satellites before you attempted to use it (befor leaving home)? When you said "from the valley" did you mean the "central valley"?... Did GPS have time to realize it was 150 miles from "home" before you tried to use it.... Dale

Usually any file data can be viewed in EasyGPS or GSAK or similar program when in "edit" mode.... You can rearrange names and data to some extent to suit your own needs BUT there is definitely a format that your GPSr wants to see the data in so there are limits.... IF you have MS EXCEL it may be possible to open a gpx or loc file and look at raw data, but its not much use as there are many fields that mean nothing to you but GPS unit what's them there..... All you really have to do is figure out what DELIMITER the file format uses when pulling data into EXCEL to see various "fields"...

Quite Franky I have yet to be more then 30 minuets away from car in all my searches.... I carry a simple day pack... A couple bottles of water in it, small first aid kit (pocket size) zip loc bag of cache swag a note pad and a few a pencil or pen or two and maybe a sweater maybe a few granola bars and a roll of lifesavers..... Most times its a casual stroll just outside suburbia and the biggest threat may be mosquitos.... IF pack is more the 10% of your body weight its to heavy... Dale

On my Magellan it mainly depnends on what screen one is using.... It shows the actual lat. & lon. and cache id (GCXXXX) and a cache name.... But then as I said, depends on what screeen I use and there are 6 to choose from... Dale

Actually one of the important things not mentioned here is found in this post... http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...t&p=2391045 It is not about a specific GPS and what is its best and worst features and what problems a user may have with it... Its about how to get a PC to communicate with GPS and how to test COM ports and USB/RS232 adapters to get them to work... Granted this does not come up often but there is never a real answer other than a few suggestions and hit and miss success... this is about the only comprehensive solution to be found here... It is truly "sticky" material... Dale

Maybe some relief in the data below.... Finding Com Port It's quite possible your lap top or desk top machine can not "find" correct COM port!... Or your computer does not have traditional serial port. (they are slowly going away in favor of USB). A USB/Serial adapter may be the answer for you. If you have Serial/USB adapter and are not getting it to work, suggest you delve into what COM ports or USB/adapter ports your "systems" have available or how they are configured .... The major problem is usually identifying what COM port number the USB/RS-232 Serial Adapter was assigned by WINDOWS system. This is also valid for locating available hard wired serial ports. Port numbers can be verified in the "Control Panel" under "System" under "Hardware" under "Device Manager". Scroll down to “Ports” and it will tell you the “port number” and at what speed (baud) port is configured at. You can actually plug in and unplug adapter and see the "port" appear and disappear on ports field. Right clicking on "port" and selecting "properties" will tell you everything you need to know about port. This info is necessary to get EasyGPS and GSAK and “other” programs to communicate with GPS unit. Yes you do need to set baud rate on GPS to match computer COM port which may be set with whatever software computer is running. See instructions for GPS unit on setting Baud rate and other Serial Port parameters. Most software applications and hardware (modems) like to work with COM 1 ... Also if you have any "synchronize” software running for a Palm or other hand held PDA, it grabs COM 1 and will not let any other applications use it. You may need to disable any synchronization software it you have it as a running application to release COM 1 if you have to use that specific COM port. Also just plugging in a USB/Serial adapter to USB port may not trigger system to assign COM port number. In some cases you must have a valid device (GPS) on end of data cable from USB/Serial adapter and the device must be turned on for system to respond and assign a COM port number. Also having a loop back plug in USB/Serial adapter will trigger adapter/system to assign com port number if serial adapter requires a "valid" device on end of cable. Also be aware you will most likely need to load USB/Serial Port adapter drives from included CD to get adapter to work properly. This should be done before plugging in adapter for first time. Hyper Link Test Here is procedure to test COM/SERIAL/USB port. It will work with both hard wired serial port (COM) on older computers or with USB/SERIAL adapters if proper drivers are loaded. This test will require a “loop back” plug for serial connector that has pins 2 and 3 connected (shorted) back to each other. 1. Determine COM port number using the process above to find the port number (Finding Com Port). 2. Open HYPER-TERM the communications terminal program that is standard part of Windows supplied utilities. If installed it may be found under “Communications” on main menus. (or any other terminal program you are familiar with). 3. Establish a “new connection” file name something like “serialist” or “loopbacktest”. Specifying the specific COM port number (found in above procedure). Set ASCII options to NOT echo characters locally (Uncheck - Echo Characters Locally). 4. Plug in USB/SERIAL adapter and install “loop back” plug on serial connector plug ( if using hard wired port on computer that is where loop back plug goes also) . IF you can now type characters on key board and see them appear on screen the com port and path (and USB adapter) are good. If you unplug loop back plug and then type and characters do not appear on screen this further verifies port is working properly and adapter is working. If you type and get double characters (aa-bb-cc) for each key stroke with loop back plug in place it means “local echo” is turned on. If you only get single characters when loop back plug is removed then it still proves serial path is good. Hyper Terminal setup. Start Hyper Terminal and when “New Connection” window box is presented enter your file name (“looptest” or whatever) Click ok. Next box should say “Connect To:” In this box, at bottom it should say “Connect Using“ and there should be a com port number ( mine comes up COM 4 - Yours may be different). Click OK. Note: Hyper Terminal should only show you any valid COM ports available by system. IF you don't see and COM ports your adapter is not configured (drivers?). Your computers MODEM should also be listed if computer is so equipped and modem is “active”. With loop back plug in place try typing. Do you get characters? Answer should be yes. Remove loop back plug, do you get characters? Answer should be no. If you need to change “echo” settings. Go to File drop down menu and click on Properties. In properties box, click on Settings Tab. In setting box select ASCII Setup. Either check or uncheck “ Echo typed characters locally” (what ever you prefer). USB-PARAMETERS I think if you will fine that if you set up port parameters in GPS and Software (GSAK-EasyGPS) to same as "default" parameters found in "properties" for USB/Serial adapter you will not have any connection problems. Did you even know that there is a properties setting for COM port on control panel?. Try right clicking “Port" once you have hot swapped - plugged in USB/Serial adapter. By default mine are: Baud =9600 DataBits = 8 Parity = None Stop Bits = 1 Flow Control = None The driver "defaults" set in port parameters (Properties) in "hardware" can be adjusted and saved so every time you plug in adapter it will default to desired setting... You have to have software and GPS unit set to match. I still believe most of the "problems" is not having "port defaults" at (initialization- plug-in time), software, GPS all set to same parameters.... And boot up has nothing or very little to do with it. Though RS-232 Serial Ports are on way out, it would probably be a little beneficial for one to look up how they function and what parameters do.. <http://www.arcelect.com/rs232.htm> FINDING - PORT Here is how I find my USB/SERIAL adapter... Easiest solution to find COM port is to go into "Control Panel" >> Select "System " icon >> Select "Hardware" >> Select "Device Manager" >> Scroll down to "PORTS" (COM & LPT) and see what new "port" pops up when you plug in USB/SERIAL adapter cable Mine comes up as "Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port (COM5) " What ever Comm port number USB port is assigned by "system" (COM5 in my case) is Comm port number you need to use when setting up parameters/properties in your software used to communicate with GPS unit through USB/SERIAL adapter cable. Be sure USB drivers for adapter cable are loaded from CD FIRST (or off I-net) before trying to plug in USB/Serial adapter cable. Pretty much like other user described in previous responses.. In this cases you probably need to clean out drivers and reinstall them BEFORE you attempt to plug in adapter cable.... Even though BELKIN is brand name, Prolific makes about 90% of USB/serial adapters on market today... Whether you are dealing with COM port or USB port issues some of this data should help. Dale

On my Magellan Meridian, it tells firmware version on bottom of initial "power up" (boot) screen... Also if you are using EasyGPS, under drop down "GPS" and "Display GPS Information" it should tell you firmware version. At least EasyGPS recognize my Meridian and displays information... Dale

Two "AA" batteries store in 35mm film container (plastic) just great... IF you don't use 35mm camera drop by any drug store that does 1 hour photo processing and see if they will give you some from the tons they seem to collect in a bucket or trashman behind counter... Dale