GoBlue!

Can anyone tell me how to find previous firmware versions for the Garmin 60CSx? My GPSr is acting up, and I'd like to try to reverting to older versions. I only see the most recent on Garmin's website.... Thanks! Jim

I haven't gotten back to how my unit was behaving, but I've discovered a few things. 1. "Map Points Max Zoom" deals with custom POIs & generic POIs. "User waypoints max zoom" deals with waypoints. To add to the confusion, if you go to the next tab for setting text sizes, "User waypoints" text size sets the size of waypoints and custom POIs. 2. "Map detail" sets when the generic POIs disappear as follows: MOST detail - generic POIs are visible at <= 0.5 mi MORE detail - generic POIs are visible at <= 0.2 mi NORMAL detail - generic POIs are visible at <= 800 ft LESS detail - generic POIs are visible at <= 500 ft LEAST detail - generic POIs are visible at <= 200 ft ......as long as the "Map Points Max Zoom" distance doesn't trump the "map detail" distance. E.g., if "Map Points Max Zoom" is set to 0.3 mi, generic POIs will be visible at <= 0.3 mi even when the map detail is set to MOST. 3. "Map Points Max Zoom," then, sets the level at which custom POIs disappear. As an example, if map detail is set to MORE and Map Points Max Zoom is set to 50 miles, custom & generic POIs will be visible at <=0.2 miles, then ONLY custom POIs will be visible from 0.3 to 50 miles, then nothing will be visible above that. Previously, I had my custom POIs visible at <= 800' and my generic POIs would become visible somewhere lower than this. My custom POIs would disappear above 800'. Using the above, I can make this happen by setting my map detail to LESS and setting my map points max zoom to 800'. The problem with this, though, is I know that my map detail was NOT set to "LESS" for the last two years, as my default range has been 800', and all the streets of my neighborhood disappear on the LESS detail setting. That's something I would've noticed. Argh.

My maps recently disappeared from my Garmin, which really confused me. I did a hard reset, but then figured out that the problem was the memory card had become a bit loose during a battery change. They're back, but I had to re-setup my Garmin the way I had it before.... Here's my problem. I used to have the custom POIs showing up at 800' and the generic POIs (restaurants, etc.) showing up somewhere below that (120', I think). Now, they all show up at the same range. In map setup, my Map Detail is set to "most", although I've tried all the settings without success. I had Declutter OFF before, so it's off now. On the "flag" tab of Map Setup, I've tried all sorts of things. It seems that at whatever range the "Map Points" is set to, the custom & generic POIs all showup. The "User Waypoints" seem to be tied to my waypoints (not POIs), which makes sense. So, 60CSx users, I know this is possible. I used to have it setup such that the custom POIs and generic POIs were treated differently....but I can't figure out how to get it back. I just called Garmin tech support, and they couldn't figure it out either. I have recently upgraded to the most recent software for the unit, but nothing re: the POIs should've been affected, they tell me. Help! Jim

The Key to the Cryptonomicon can theoretically be solved completely from your computer. I've found multiple levels to this incredibly well-put-together puzzle cache, and have had a blast solving several parts of it. Unfortunately I've been too busy to continue as of late, but can't wait to get back to it. Jim

I have the bottom one, and love it. My wife liked it because it was far less bulky and had a sleeker appearance. Vibration is not an issue if you mount it in such a way that the bottom of the GPSr just barely touches the dash. I don't get any wiggle/vibration whatsoever. If you are in a situation where the GPSr would have to be completely dangling, it's probably not the best option, but I doubt many would have this issue. Jim

This is a very, very impressive puzzle cache: GCXBFC. Although it's been a couple months since I've been able to work on it, I'm eager to get back and dig through a few more of its stages.... Jim

OK, after doing some digging, it seems this is a common problem. I reverted to firmware 3.10 and will sit tight for awhile. The only thing I didn't read to try before I reverted was fussing with my Map Detail settings (currently on Most). Perhaps if I would've dropped it down to "More" or "Normal" I could've worked around the problem. Oh well, back to what I'm used to. Jim

Perhaps I'll find the answer to my question shortly, but now that I've upgraded to firmware 3.30, I can see my custom POIs at all ranges depending on the Map point setting, but all the non-custom POIs (gas stations, restaurants, etc.) all come with them and clutter everything up. I read in another post that "User Waypoints" sets the range for custom POIs to be visible, and "Map Points" sets the range for all the other garbage, but that's not the case with firmware 3.30 it appears. Anyone have a solution to this? If not, how do a go back to a previous firmware setting? Jim

Ah! nice. That's a great idea. Appreciate it. Jim

So are you updating your "most recent" PQ each week to include the previous week's caches? This is an interesting approach I hadn't considered before (but a quick search shows me that this is a fairly common way to use PQs....) Jim

My intentions starting this thread were purely innocent. Not sure why it struck a nerve with some (nor do you need to explain). I'm fine letting it rest...there is clearly far more history here than I'm aware of. Have a good day, Jim

I count two feature requests: 1. 2. My original post happened to include that I am using GSAK, but it was more of a confusion about how the PQ worked. Jim

Great suggestions, briansnat! A couple I definitely wouldn't have thought of. Thanks, Jim

After 130 finds, I'm starting to think about placing a couple caches of my own. I've hunted several that are on really cool pieces of land, that I would've never thought were accessible to the public, but apparently are. How do you all search for new great spots to put a cache (NOT urban micros here....I'm wondering how to find public areas of the wilderness that may be good hiding spots). I'm not referring to established parks, etc. that you just need to seek permission from the appropriate folks, but some of the less traveled plots of land. Suggestions? Jim

Thanks for the tips. I'll give it a try. Jim

I'm using GSAK, and have just noticed that when I drop in my latest pocket query results, caches that have been archived (NOT temporarily inactive) don't get changed to an archived status. It doesn't seem to be a GSAK problem -- I just created a PQ 20 mi from my home coordinates with only the "is not active" filter on. It only generated 8 results, all of which were temporarily disabled. Some of the caches that have been archived did NOT show up. So, I think that when a cache goes from active to archived, it just disappears from my PQ list and GSAK doesn't see that it's "status" has changed. How can I get around this? Thanks, Jim

Argh, they didn't fix that in 2.4.0beta? It's the whole reason I haven't moved to custom .bmp files for my POIs. I HATE the magenta background! I know Garmin is aware of the problem, and I was hoping 2.4.0 would've fixed it. Guess not. Jim

I use my Garmin 60 for both auto-routing & handheld. It doesn't talk to you, but I've got it mounted right by the steering wheel, and it's very easy to auto-route (needs additional software, e.g., CityNavigator to do this). Can't compare it to the Nuvi as I've never used one. (My wife, who primarily wanted the GPSr for getting around town, loves the 60 as well.....) Jim

Wow, didn't think to try that. I'll definitely give it a shot next time it happens. Jim

I've been using custom POIs, instead of waypoints, on my Garmin 60CSx for caches. I use GSAK to export to .gpx & POI Loader to transfer. I always check after the transfer to make sure all went as expected. On a few occasions (the last time was today, therefore this message), I'll go to Find -> Custom POI and will see the list of caches as expected, along with the direction & distance at the bottom of the screen. In addition, the dots appear on the map in the proper locations. However, when I select a POI and hit "Enter" to view the data (or select "Go To" etc.), the data has been wiped completely clean, and the bottom of the screen just has blanks where you would expect it to give you the distance away, select "Save" "Go To" etc. I'm left with no option but to just re-load the POIs.....which is no big deal at all, but annoying when out for a day of caching & suddenly *poof* I have no more data in the POIs. At first, I thought this was happening after I would hit "Clear Track," so I shut off the tracking feature. I used it today, but after clearing my tracks, I checked the POIs & they were fine. Today, it happened after I navigated to a restaurant that was in the POIs loaded from CityNavigator. After that navigation, my custom POIs were gone. I tried to reproduce this, however, by reloading my POIs & navigating to the same restaurant, but that time my custom POIs didn't vanish. It's weird that some of the data stays (e.g., title & coordinates) since it still shows them on the map & lists them as custom POIs. It's only when I *select* a POI that I see NOTHING (not even the title). Any ideas before I attempt Garmin customer service?? Jim

I got the flex-arm (drive a honda pilot) and love it. Suction cup has been on strong for a few months now without any budge. It's very easy to take on & off if you want. Some complain of vibration, but I just curved the flex-arm into an S-shape, such that the bottom of the GPS mount just touches the dash -- no vibration at all. I love it. It's a sleek look, and it sits right off to the side of my steering wheel where I can see it without moving my head when driving, and the flex-arm isn't so bulky as to be annoying. Jim

Ah hah! I figured it out. Thanks to TeamCNJC for the suggestion to open up the .gpx file in a text editor. Turns out the strange POIs were additional waypoints ("reference waypoints") to the GCXYRE cache (hence the notation "R?XYRE"), which is a puzzle cache.....that's why they didn't fall within the 5 mile radius I specified in the PQ. Another mystery solved..... Regards, Jim

Yep, I've deleted the file on the memory card & regenerated the .gpx file. The .gpx file is the only file in that particular folder on the computer as well. When I exported the file to a .pdb for cachemate, it did NOT add these strange POIs....only when I export the .gpx. In addition, it's only when I exported a San Diego database for a trip I took last week....NOT when I export my usual, home database. Weird. Anyway, I'm back now, so I probably won't have to deal with this problem for awhile. Not that it really affected me at all, since the POIs that it added were hundreds to >1000 miles away from the coordinates that the PQ used to generate caches within a 5 mile radius. Strange ghosts in that 60CSx. Jim

I do sort of like the compass, especially when walking & getting close to the cache. I don't use the altimeter at all. (Honestly, I could do without the compass....it's just a bell & whistle that I use because it's there, not necessarily because I need it. You'd be happy with either I'm sure. At the time I bought, there was so little price difference between the two I just said "what the heck") Jim

I put all my caches in custom POIs, as my wife uses the waypoints to autoroute & doesn't want to see 500 caches in between all of her stores. I also like that I can have the entire name of the cache (usually), as well as lots of cache info (waypoint ID, difficulty, terrain, travel bug yes/no, last 4 finds, etc.) all in the description. I have my custom POIs listed by cache name with a "*" automatically added to the front if there is a TB in the cache. I like the system. I only wish that the POIs would show up beyond the 800' scale. I also wish that the customizable symbols for POIs would support transparency instead of that silly magenta box around everything (hence, I don't use them at all - just stick with the little silver dots). Jim