doggity

I started using GPS for logging long-distance motorcycling, running different stats off a low-end Street Pilot and a V at the same time. Back then, the V was top of the line for some of the autorouting and tracking features. When I wasn't on two wheels, I was hiking the White Mountains back in NH, but I wasn't an early adopter of GPSrs in the woods. Too many silly stories of silly hikers with a false sense of security. Eventually, however, I heard of this geocaching thing and the stars aligned. The V was light enough and versatile enough to make the transition nicely between the two worlds. I still use it for both applications and, while I'll admit to some gearhead qualities, I haven't yet been able to justify an upgrade (though the newest receivers are pretty nice). It does everything I need it to do really. A question to the gallery: I've heard there is a way to override the initial boilerplate screens that you have to ENTER through each time you power up the unit. Anyone know how to do this? doggity

I imagine that a few years of such abuse could damage a unit. I have an old eTrex Venture that has problems, but I think it was due to moisture, not biking. My wife and I each have handlebar mounted GPS units, with no known problems to date. We ride some pretty rough stuff. Crashes are worse IMHO. Hi, I used to do a lot of long distance motorycycling and adventure touring on my dual-sport motorcycle, and I would typically run two RAM mounted GPSrs on my bike (common practice among hard-core mileage hounds). My travels took me thousands of rough miles off-pavement, from Labrador to Alaska, through large remote stretches of North America. The GPSrs seem to have been unaffected by weather and vibration, although I hear adjustable antennas can be a bit of a weak point over time. One of my units was badly damaged in an accident with a car, however (screen was cracked) but I sent it to Garmin for repair and they replaced it. doggity

Just because they're not hangin' with you doesn't mean there aren't any. amen, brother

As tough as it may be, I hope you can see that your search probably needs to include some actual time trying on boots to learn more about yourself and what's out there - and any well-stocked outfitter will do for that purpose. After that, you will be a much, much better mail-order consumer, should you decide to go that route and it will make web comparison shopping a lot easier too. To concur with briansnat, Sierra Trading Post can have phenomenal mail-order deals - I've just about stolen gear from them, the prices were so good - BUT I always knew exactly what I wanted before I looked through their inventory.

ya mean like this one johnny? lame cabela's micro

Recreational Equipment, Inc and Eastern Mountain Sports, two large outdoor retail chains that typically have good selections, excellent customer service/return policies and well-trained staff. Cabela's (the huge hunting/fishing outfitter) also has a retail store in Hamburg, PA. All have websites and online ordering.

Where are you in PA? REI has two store in your state and EMS has eight (mostly in the east), though their "mall versions" tend to be heavy on sweaters and light on technical gear.

The best boots for hiking are the ones that fit your feet best. Individual manufacturers use different shaped lasts in their construction and you will need to try on many types to learn which bootmaker suits your pods best (for example, some are known for being wider through the ball of the foot, others are better for "low volume" feet, etc). A good outdoor retailer should have a nice selection to choose from as well as a knowledgeable staff to help you winnow down your options. Before you whip out the cash, wear your final choice around the store for a half an hour or so and, if possible, try them out on a ramp, both uphill and downhill. You have already discovered the woes of heavy boots. Backpackers claim that a pound on your feet is equal to at least 5 pounds on your back. The old waffle-stompers of yore are no longer necessary or desireable, even for rugged packing, though a substantial shank will help support your feet over rougher terrain. Vibram soles wear like iron but can be a bit slippery on wet rocks. If you have odd bumps and knobs on your feet, note that leather can be spot stretched to account for your unique tootsie topography. Fabric and leather boots are lightweight and versatile and should need almost no breaking in, but all the extra stitching can be a weak point over the long haul. Weatherproofness is an essential feature. To me, well-treated leather is still the ultimate in waterproof, breatheable footwear, but gore-tex linings have many fans. If you opt for gore-tex boots, you will still want to maintain the DWR (durable water repellancy) of the outer material (something sales reps usually don't know or mention). Fabric & leather dayhikers can even be made fairly waterproof with the application of Nikwax, a water-based polymer that doesn't reduce breatheability. To echo the comments on the previously posted thread on this topic, you can do alot to customize a good fit further by lacing creativly, working out a good sock "system" for yourself (I use wicking liners with a midweight merino blend sock) and swapping the insoles (most stock insoles are of minimal to poor quality, even with expensive boots - they expect you to switch them if you are serious). Good luck - hope this helps! Cache on, doggity

No accidents yet, but like everyone else who uses gps for road navigation, I've been distracted enough to appreciate the potential for one. I first started using gps for long-distance motorycling, and the cognoscenti would always tell a newbie to remember that a gps is especially useful for reliably pinpointing the exact spot of an accident that totaled a bike because the owner was staring at the gps. doggity

NICE scoot, MS! Caching is a great excuse for a spin, although with gas prices these days, just about anything a great excuse to leave the cage at home. Hear Me Roar, doggity (Lisa) PS: Does this bike make my butt look fast?

Okay - here's a good (bad) one . . . ! I heard that taxi cabs in major cities use gps to coordinate those TV-type advertising monitors on their roofs, for "location sensitive" marketing. For example when you get withing a certain radius, the advertising will change content and say something like "You are only 1 block from McDonalds" I suppose its handy if you are lost in a city and in need to pick up some cache swag . . . Carry On! doggity

Hey Streaker, What kind of a bike do you have?! I actually got interested in gps because I was into long-distance riding. (this geocaching thing was just a lucky coincidence that combined my love of hiking with the technology I already posessed) For Iron Butt type endeavors, I used to run two gps units at a time, each with different stats (a common practice among 2-wheeled mileage hounds). So to answer your question, yes, there are some great mc mounts out there! RAM mounts are both simple and versatile. You will need a mount (a U-bolt type clamp for your handlebar), a stem (lengths vary to suit your cockpit set up and configuration - 3" is a probably good for most set-ups), a cradle (specific to the 60C), and a cradle ball adaptor/compact base (to put it all together). I've found RAM mounts to be pretty secure overall - tighten the stem well and check it after you've been on the road a bit. If it is loose, it can quickly loosen more, and if it flops over or moves at all while you're riding it can be (at best) an unexpected distraction you don't need. I've never had one come off, but it is common practice to use the wrist leash that came with the unit (or something similar) to tether the receiver, just in case. The nice thing about this set up is that you can remove the stem easily to bring the all the sexy hardware inside for the night. If you are not overly anal about appearances, you can leave the U-clamp mounted to your bars until the next time you want to use it. I typically wrap my bars with sturdy tape before installing geekware of any kind (known to ld riders as "farkles") both give me a slightly more forgiving interface and to minimizes any minor scarring from reefing down on the bolts. Direct-mount kits that take advantage of your bikes existing frame configuration and bolt patterns are available for many BMWs and other popular touring models as well. And I believe there may be strap-on and clamp-down variations to replace the universal handlebar U-bolt but, in practice, I have never seen them used and would avoid them myself. If you get into the habit of using your gps on the road, consider getting a 4-pin power cable you can hardwire directly off your battery. To keep everything looking neat, route it under your tank, up the front of your steering head/triple tree and zip tie any excess slack to convenient stationary points along way, taking care (of course) that it doesn't interfere or bind when you steer. Or alternately, you buy a kit to quickly install a power outlet that lets you use your car adapter. Of course, many late-model touring bikes these days come with factory installed integral power outlets, as they are so handy for running electric vests and charging cell phones. These two motorcycle companies offer complete 60C specific RAM kits (~$39) that will narrow down your choices, along with an ulimited array of toys to help you farkelize your ride: http://www.cycoactive.com/ram/ram60.shtml http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/RAM/r...?prod=RAM-GPS60 I have a dual-sport 900cc Triumph Tiger that I have pounded off pavement from Alaska to Labrador and along rugged dirt roads throughout western North America. My RAM mounts have functioned very well and the garmin units I use seem unaffected by vibration and weather. Adjustable antennas can be a bit of a weak point over time but that shouldn't be an issue with the 60-series. Hard-core adventure tourists, however, swear by Touratech gear, and their gps mounts are beautifully made and terrifically secure (they even lock) but they are pricey (~$95–$115). Considering how well my system has worked in the conditions I've tested it under, I can't really justify the price, but I can admire them for the highly functional art they are. http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/navigati...93E2774680E442D I hope this isn't more infomation than you bargained for Have fun and let me know how it works out! And remember that motorcycle gps units are especially reliable for pinpointing the exact location of the accident that totaled the bike because the owner was staring at the gps unit! Shiny side up, rubber side down! Carry on! doggity