wingryder

I have not received the Garmin 18 yet but one concern. The Mapsource software I want to do real time tracking with seems to only like a serial connection for this. At least that is way I read it. It will do usb for uploads and downloads to the gpsr but I think it has to be serial for the real time tracking. Hope I am wrong about this because it is the Garmin 18 usb model I have on the way. Maybe it will still work with a usb to serial adapter. Or might have to download newer Mapsource version with their freebee nroute program. (last resort) wingryder

Took your advice and picked up a ebay special garmin 18 used. Will report my likes and dislikes in near future. thanks wingryder

Right now I am using my Garmin 76s to feed my laptop for live tracking on mapsource topo maps. Works great but I have to unplug all day long as I leave the vehicle. What is out there that I can leave connected to the laptop via serial or usb that will provide my real-time tracking position to the laptop.? I have seen some basic receivers of this type in the past but have not paid much attention to them. Or maybe even just a cheapo garmin that allows for computer connection. thanks wingryder

There are many ways to do this This is one that is pretty straight forward. 1. Obtain gpx files from your pocket query I do the max 500 and ask for not founds. 2. Convert that file to a html file with a program called gpx2html. 3. that provides a easy gps file to download to your gps and a html file to put those cache descriptions on your palm. 4. The second needed file provided in step two is "index" convert that file to Plucker. (its free) 5. Hot sync resulting plucker file to your Palm After the first time this becomes easy and slick. Only takes a few minutes and you end up with up to 500 caches on your gpsr and the full descriptions and logs on your Palm. (Watch those Palm batteries however when they go dead between caching trips.. you lose your data. But then half the fun is downloading it again. wingryder ps the only bumpy spot in this is getting plucker working right.. but after a few false starts it works ok.

I was not getting my p.q. so on a hunch checked my deleted files. Sure enough there it was. Sometimes my spam cruncher gets a little carried away. It's a good habit once a week to scroll through those deleted titles to see if they really all should be in the trash file. wingryder

Well I downloaded spinner again and with all the files present it worked just fine. It seems to be the easy way to change those silly gc numbers to something useful. Thanks to all suggestions. wingryder

Please remember... I have the waypoints on my mapsouce topo map (500 of them) All I want to do is see the waypoint name when I click on a cache not the gc number. Going out of mapsource and back to easy gps is too cumbersome. wingryder

When you say "edit" them.. I hope you don't mean one at a time. The only thing I do with caches one at a time is find them. My pocket querys are always maxed out. As far as gsak goes.. I tried that a few years back and found it did way more than I need. I don't really manipulate my waypoints. I download 500 at a time" not found.". ignore the ones I dont want to look for.. and a couple of weeks later do the same thing again.. picking up all the new ones. (I also change my center for the 500 depending on time of year. ) But if that is the answer to changing those names to something sensible I will look at it again. PS I think this can be done with spinner. I have used that program a little when it was on the website but I don't follow the instructions very well in the version you download. thanks to both of you for your suggestions. wingryder

My first thought would be contact Garmin. A new back couldnt be a whole lot. Good Luck wingryder

I download 500 plus caches at a time and after converting the gpx file from pq, I merge these html files on my laptop using mapsource topo maps. It all works sweet with one drawback. When I hover the mouse over the geocache on the map it gives me the GC number which I think is pretty much useless. If the name was there instead I could quickly decide why I have not gone after that cache before. (my pocket query only gives me caches I have not found) How can I change the GC number to the real cache name or an appreviated name?? wingryder

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2000 software for sale. Two original cds, one contains the setup software and the other is the run cd. More information can be found with a quick Google or on the Forum here. They are in good shape and in their original jewel cases. Make me an offer including shipping from 84720. thanks wingryder

There is a nifty free simple program called Gpx2Html. It converts your gpx files that you get from your pocket query and provides html files (thus the name). Those files will open direct on your laptop. Full cache descriptions and logs. All ready to reference at any time. A file is also generated to quickly download all those caches to your Garmin or whatever. wingryder

Well here is the conclusion. I know how to read a version number. Even without a picture. Mine says 3.02. Or at least it did.. And yes it worked just fine with this one exception. I downloaded an update.. that was still older than version 6.5. Works perfect now. Thanks to everyone that offered help. wingryder

You are correct in that you need nRoute if you update to MapSource 6.5 or higher. Your confusion is with version 3.02 of the maps and version 6.5 of the MapSource program. They are totally separate entities. MapSource is the program that handles the maps, tracks and waypoints. It will deal with all the map packages you have installed on your PC. Start MapSource, look under Help/About MapSource. There you will find the MapSource version Klatch.. My version of Mapsource Topo Usa is the same as everyone elses before they hit the Garmin site for upgrades. Its Version 3.02 I stated that in the first post. My maps are 3.02, my program is 3.02. Garmins website indicates live tracking will work from version 3.02 all the way up to and including 6.5. Mine does not .. this thread is to find out why. wingryder

The mystery deepens. On another forum a user had the same problem with no "gps tab" when he loaded "Waterways and Lights" (which is a Garmin marine product I guess) on his laptop. But when he loaded the same software on his desktop, the gps tab was there. It also might have something to do with the installation of the program by copying all three cds to the harddrive and installing from there. I might have to uninstall.. do the regular install (insert cds to use) and then change the registry as has been outlined in other posts. Really should not be this hard wingryder

By staying with a version older than 6.5 you should have the gps tab. If you download their update after 6.5 you have to go to that nroute program . As far as the 3.02 topo being newer than the 6.5 Mapsource.. that is a bit confusing. As far as I know the only version you can buy is 3.02. Then you update as desired. (And as far as desired) Thanks wingryder

Remove

Installed Mapsource Topo Version 3.02 on my laptop using the hard drive method. Everything ok except I do not have a "gps tab" in the side panel. Which means I also do not have real time tracking. I am aware that the last Version to have this feature in Mapsource was 6.5. Did I miss a question in "Setup" or what? In a related question what update version would you go with if real time tracking in the back country was your main use? thanks wingryder

I am not much on gsak either.. too complicated. This works for me and it is nearly free. 1. First step to making multiple caches appear on your gps receiver is become a premium member and download "pocket queries" in gpx format. This will cost you 3.00 per month. 2. Run that gpx file through "GPX2HTML" (free software google it) 3. Download results with " Easy GPs" to your gps receiver. (yes you need a cable) 4. Go Geocaching you just loaded up to 500 fun caches on your gpsr. (yes you can merge for even bigger numbers.) And when you are ready to go paperless with a Palm Pilot , Step two provided the file you will need to put every cache complete with description on your Palm. wingryder

Thanks to all solutions. wingryder

Well I do thank you for the step by step but no.. getting maps on the gpsr is not the goal. Forget I even own a gpsr. The goal is to make mapsource topo run on a laptop. thankyou for your interest wingryder

I don't understand what that means. Perhaps it means you mean only to view the map sets and not send them to the GPS. If so, I will not be of any help. If you are trying to upload the maps to your GPSr without a successful MapSource install, just make sure your .img files are on the box you want, connect the GPSr, and start sendmap20. Select the maptiles you want and upload. Ok I need to explain myself a little better. About three years ago I bought Mapsource topo.. installed it to my desktop complete with all map files so I didnot need the cds for use. Then I downloaded a giant chunk of my state to the Garmin 76s, decided the maps were pretty much useless on that small gpsr screen. Lost interest in Mapsource, and misplaced the disks. Then I bought a laptop and thought it would be fun to do active tracking on the many jeep roads and trails in my area. I have a great working Mapsource on the desktop.. but cannot get the same program to install on the laptop because yes you guessed it... no cds. I found the extension cord a bit short to use the desktop (where the program works great) in the jeep. I have moved files.. and fussed and fussed. The best it would ever do it open and then shut down immed. I am not a high tech computer guy but I can follow instructions. wingryder No mapsource install is needed. Sendmap20 is a free download out there.

I don't understand what that means. Perhaps it means you mean only to view the map sets and not send them to the GPS. If so, I will not be of any help. If you are trying to upload the maps to your GPSr without a successful MapSource install, just make sure your .img files are on the box you want, connect the GPSr, and start sendmap20. Select the maptiles you want and upload. No mapsource install is needed. Sendmap20 is a free download out there.

If you get desperate you can copy the data over to the laptop and use sendmap to send maptiles to your GPSr. Fratermus.. I do not need it for the gps.. I have it there already and also on the desktop. I just cannot find the orginal disks for the install to the laptop. And I have tried to install it from the desktop to the laptop and without the disks I am just not smart enough. If you could walk me through this I would try again. thanks wingryder

Not a taker anywhere? Someone has got to have an old 3.02 version just collecting dust. I have the software on my desktop but now need it for a laptop and cannot find the disks. Do I have to go to the "bay"? Wingryder