jakiesfolks

Thanks everyone. I got the PQ to work but am now struggling to get them onto my new Garmin Monterra. I use a Macbook, does that make any difference?

I've never had success running pocket queries. I go through and make the selections and run it but always get a big zero results. Is there somewhere on the site to find definitive instructions on how to run one so I can figure out what I'm doing wrong? Thanks

I think you're right. Will have to head to Cabelas

UUUUUGH! I have been researching for this most of the day and have it down to the Montana 680t or the Oregon 650t. I would love the Monterra for the larger screen and bluetooth and wifi capabilities but there seems to be a higher level of dissatisfaction and I am worried about the android OS since we use Apple. So just when I think I'm leaning toward one or the other (Montana or Oregon) I read a few more negative reviews and back off. Frustrated!

Checked out pricing to put some topo maps onto the 550t and we are thinking that it makes sense to go ahead and upgrade to a newer, more readable (larger, sun readable screen) with maps already loaded. Any opinions on Oregon 650T, Montana or Monterra? We use Apple products but I have Windows on my Macbook, if that impacts anything. I would like the latest and greatest technology as long as we are going to be upgrading, this looks to be the Monterra, correct?

Sorry, this title is deceiving. I was thinking that ours was an Oregon 650t but then checked and saw it was the 550t. Would still like advise about possibly updating. Tx

We have been away from geocaching for some time and plan to get back into it this summer. Our current gps is an Oregon 550t that we have had for several years and have never updated an maps or anything. We are thinking about possibly purchasing a new unit but unsure if we can better the current unit or not. I went to the Garmin site hoping to compare models and the Garmin 550t is not available for comparison. Looking at the Montana/Monterra/Oregon 650t which one is best. It looks like the ability to access caches directly to the gps unit while out on the trail is not available on any unit at this time, is that correct? Any input would be appreciated. At the very least we need to update maps in the Oregon 550t right?

Thanks for moving the thread...thought it may belong here but wasn't sure. Not sure if we will end up in Ely or not...right now it's all open ended. Thanks for your suggestions!

Thanks for the great suggestions, just what we were looking for! We're for sure going to be in the Lutsen area on Saturday and thought about driving the Gunflint Trail, since I have never been on it, but we are keeping an open mind for the rest of the time. Any other suggested MUST do caches or places to see are appreciated. Thanks!

We will be in Northeastern Minnesota this weekend, no definate location...maybe Ely or where ever. Would like suggestions for caches with some historical interest or unique, out of the way locations that we can get to by 4 wheel drive truck and not too difficult climbing or walking. Thanks for your help!

Very helpful...thank you! I knew it should be simple but I was trying to make it hard (as usual).

Before I bought my new Garmin Oregon 550t I could swear that I saw in some posts that found caches could be logged automatically (or simply anyway). Now I can't figure it out and have looked on the Garmin site and this forum! Would really appreciate a run down of the process if someone has the time. Thanks

Thanks for your input...after looking at CN it's what I thought about it as well. We will be using it just for caching so will skip that. Can't figure out why the other cacher recommended it and said it was for out of the way places and back roading. Oh well, thanks again.

I got it registered but would like to get the appropriate map. I know it's pre-loaded with maps but heard that City Nav would be what i should get. Is that correct? I don't see that listing on the Garmin site, can someone help me out with that? Thanks

I have a new Oregon 500t and need to get it set up and ready to go before Saturday. We got this a couple of weeks ago but hubby was diagnosed with cancer and things have been crazy ever since. He had his first chemotherapy today and the doctor gave the okay for us to go on our planned vacation (we were supposed to leave today but will now leave on Saturday, providing he still feels alright). Now I'm scampering to get the 500t ready and loaded with CityNav and some caches so we can enjoy a few easy caches on our trip. I went to Garmin's website and tried to register the new unit but when downloaded the info and was then asked to disconnect the unit from the computer and wait for the unit to turn back on and return to the main screen I did that but the unit never came back on????!!!! There was a strong warning not to "manipulate" the unit or it may be harmful to it so I don't know what to do now. I'm in such a crunch. I hope someone can help me out with this asap. Thanks so much! I love to cache on our vacations and would hate not to be able to do a few at least. Rita I mean 550t of course...my brain is fried!

Good to know! Is the Garmin site the best place to purchase and download it?

Nope, no City Nav maps...really not acquainted with them either. We will be using it for geocaching mostly. When we travel we like to take backroads and find out of the way places would the City Nav be useful? I don't drive in Cities very much.

Just ordered our new 550t on Ebay and am hoping that I didn't screw it up for the 12% cashback! Very excited to get this! So I will need a micro SD - 8GB? Car charger? What else to enhance the experience?

Okay...message received! Was not aware that it can hold so many caches. We like to travel and that will be great to load caches in for all the different areas. Thanks for that input, 550t it is!

Yes, but thought, all other things being the same, MIGHT (or might not) be able to live with that. We are currently using an Etrex Vista Hcz.

We had out selection all figured out yesterday and planned to purchase the Oregon 550t then we started reading posts about the Dakota 20 and it doesn't sound that much different from the 550. We could save some $$ but want to make sure we aren't shorting ourselves and will have a woulda, coulda, shoulda later on. So you Garmin folks, will these two units do, essentially, the same thing or is the Oregon 550t $150. better? This will be our main gps for a loooong time so we have to make it count. Thanks, W&R

My 550t arrived today but I wasn't home to receive and sign for it. Bought it new from ebay and ended up paying $494 shipped (I used bing.com for 10% off $549). Still pricey but it was the best deal I could find. Heard something about Bing discount thing...can you tell us how to go about getting it? Would really appreciate it.

Typically we do have a pocket camera along, we'll probably use that on the rare occasion that we want to capture ourselves (not very photogenic). We'll probably just take snaps of the cache, benchmarks or the dog.

Okay, so I tried to add multiple quotes and failed miserably! )

You can associate a photo with a waypoint but not a geocache. The easiest way to do this is save the geocache as a waypoint, take a picture and then associate the picture with the waypoint. Keep in mind the photo also shows up on the map page and as part of searches so you can always search near a geocache for a photo or just look on the map page for the photo near the geocache. In general I've had very good luck with my 550t. It has become my "goto" GPS because of the camera. While it doesn't take great photos I use it instead of marking waypoints. The only problems I'm having that are a nuisance are: 1) Sometimes the 3-axis compass freaks and starts spinning. You either need to turn it off or power cycle to get it back again. Same thing on my Dakota so it seems to be a problem with the new 3-axis compass. 2) I'm seeing some cases where geocaches are getting loaded but are partially corrupted. I thought this was only happening when loading a large number of geocaches (like 5000) but I've seen it recently when loading about 1400. I've sent both issues to Garmin and they've been asking questions so hopefully they'll get fixed. Thanks for responding to everyone...I think we will enjoy it! We are planning a two week trip to the southwest (Northern AZ and Utah and who knows where else!) via old Route 66 from OK City in September. It'll be great to be able to load caches for the trip without printing off and then shuffling though a bunch of paper!!! Inevitably we would end up in the wrong place for the caches that I printed...frustrating. Thanks G O Cachers for the info on how to connect the photos to waypoints. Sounds easy enough. Hopefully, Garmin will fix those freaky issues. The compass (well, and the improved screen) is what really pushed us to the 550 over the 400. We use the compass on our etrex alot and thought it would be frustrating to have to make sure it's level all the time. You have a Dakota? We wanted to learn more about them but it was difficult to find information on it, even on the Garmin site! Not sure what's up with that. Now we're hoping to find a great online deal for the 550t. Keeping our eyes on Ebay and elsewhere.