raybonz

Ray, can you give the numbers -- the original DMS and the converted decimal? Seeing an example might help a lot in figuring out the problem. Thanx for the offer I am going to try a few things on my own before I take this any further. If I am still having trouble I will do as you asked. Ray

Hi Fizzy thank you for the software! That should be just the thing I need. Ray

I think your problem is that you're trying to convert from degree/min/sec, and the coordinates in geocaching aren't in that format. They're in degree/decimal minutes. Wow I think you hit the nail on the head with that one! Feeling pretty stupid right about now. Thanx for pointing that out.. Ray

Thanx for the reply. You would think that the JEEEP translater would not put you 12 miles off course. I will try what you said and see if the numbers jive. I know the geocaching standard is wgs84 and jeeep lumps that with nad83 . From what I read at Garmins's site my i3 uses nad27 and even then it should only be off by 200m from wgs84. Something just doesn't make sense that JEEEP would be that far off that's what bugs me about this. One thing I would also like to know is if I were to buy a VentureCx and also use that for navigation can wgs84 formatted #'s be input for driving coordinates? That sure would simplify things and reduce errors like this. Ray

This is driving me crazy. When I find a cache I want to visit I convert the coordinates to decimal so I can load them into my Garmin Streetpilot i3. I am using JEEEP.com translation and for some reason the coords it gives me puts me way off course. Today I tried doing this and my i3 had me 12 miles off course when I arrived at destination!! This doesn't make any sense to me. I tried both map datums(NAD27&83) and same results both times. The GPS is fine and I am copying and pasting plus dbl. checking and all data is entered correctly into the poi file I'm creating yet it throws me WAY off. Does someone have a better way to translate deg.\min.\sec. to decimal ? I have absolutely no problem getting decimal coords from addresses ONLY the conversion problem. My handheld is no good for navigating so I must use my i3 to get me in the ballpark.Any insight greatly appreciated. Thanx, Ray

The trouble with typed communication is it's hard to convey tone. I think the owner of the cache took offense to something you typed even though you meant no harm. Personally I would not appreciate being talked to in such a way. On the bright side at least they replied. Recently I posted a DNF and 2 others behind me did the same and I never heard anything after a week. The 2 behind me were veteran cachers with many caches under their belts so I knew it was a stolen cache.. Ray

Go to system setup and disable proximity alert and see if that fixes it. Ray

What I think you're seeing is a an alert that is part of your poi's. The alert is set to go off at 4mph. Did you load any custom poi's on your gps? If you did then you have to tell poi loader to not set speed or proximity alerts. If you get stuck call Garmin tech support they are very good. Good Luck, Ray

Boy, ain't that the truth. Hope nobody has the ammo can lid slam down on their head while they're drooling over the non-sharp, rounded corners, plastic toys inside! Come to think of it, many items in a cache are also choking hazzards! But on the serious side, we can joke about it, but the rules are there for a reason and should be respected. Driver Carries Cache (madmike) Hey Mike, That's some funny stuff with some truth to it! I thought of leaving shoelaces then realized some rocket scientist would either hang themselves with it or worse yet strangle someone else instead lol.. Nail clippers would be another handy item now I think of it. Do you think that would be a bad idea? My feeling is if you can't leave something other than broken pens, pencils or sticks then perform a TNLN or just add something so the next cacher gets a reward. Mostly kids enjoy finding a treasure (I'm a BIG kid). Creative caches enhance the hobby eventually I'll get it right. Ray

If I'm reading the Garmin product comparison page correctly, the only difference between the two is that one comes with a 64MB MicroSD chip, and the other does not. For the money that you would spend on the Legend, you could get the Venture, and spend the other $30 on a 1GB chip on that online auction site, and have more than adequate room for maps. Either GPSr should make a fine addition to your arsenal, though. Hi Bud, How are you doing these days? A while back I bought a 1gig microSD (Kingston) with SD adapter for $10.00 after rebate shipped to my door. Just recieved the $10.00 rebate 2 days ago. If you shop around you can get that deal pretty often. Someday I would love to get the Venture Cx so I can use it to navigate to the cache location then use it to find the cache. For some reason the handhelds are still pretty expensive when you consider you can get an automotive unit with touch screen for $200.00. I think there is less competition in the handheld market keeping the prices and profit margin high. Ray Hi Ray! Yeah, I've seen some of the automotive units for low clearance prices, but would be concerned whether they've got a fixed mapset on a chip or could be upgraded. With Mapsource v8, which just came out last year, I still find a number of neighborhoods that aren't on there yet, since it takes a few years to get them on to the update. Also, the handhelds are ruggedized and waterproof, which I'm sure you couldn't say about most of the auto units. Hey Bud, Back in October 06 I bought a Garmin Streetpilot i3 for $236.00 shipped and it included City Navigator NT ver. 8 on DVD, usb cable and 12vdc lighter cord. Mainly I use it to get around to the different jobsites but it does a decent job getting me there. It definitely is not waterproof and does lack the function of a handheld but there is much competition with automotive gps companies and many competitors. In the handheld market there is only a handful of companies in the market with Garmin the big leader followed by Magellan and the rest are a small percentage. One good thing about the car gps I bought is I have a full unlock from Garmin to use the mapping on another of their units such as the 60Cx, 60CSx,76CSx,VentureCx etc. The Navteq maps that Garmin uses are as good as it gets for navigation and as current as you can get at this time. Eventually I would like to get a Venture Cx and install my mapping to a 1gig microSD so I can use the Venture for all my geocaching. I work with many police details and they tell me that automotive gps's are the hottest stolen item these days. Thieves look for the telltale suction cup marks on the windshield and break into cars for that alone looking for a gps. With the Venture I can stick it into a cupholder for the ride there and take it with me so it's always safe plus no suction cup mark to worry about.. Boy that was longwinded LOL!!! Ray

I have found small, inexpensive multi tools without blades. These would be great trade items. Like you, I also leave rain ponchos and batteries (though there are some people who think batteries should not be in caches). Some other inexpensive adult type things that I've left: Mini spray cans of WD40, insect repellent wipes, individual travel packs of Wet Ones, eyeglass repair kits, waterproof match containers, small Lock n Locks and office supplies such as small boxes of paper clips, push pins and packs of Post Its. I feel we think alike on cache items. I just picked up 4 decks of playing cards another good cache item for parents and kids. Funny you mention it but I picked up an eye glass repair kit and decided not to get that. I also looked at magnifiers another great item. I'll bet someone would say wd-40, magnifiers etc. are also bad. You can protect people from many things but you can't protect them from themselves! If you have any other ideas please lemme know I can always use the info. Thanx, Ray

Hi Brian, Thanx for the response. First let me say I will not do anything to jeopardize geocaching. While I feel they are safe public opinion varies on this matter therefore I won't leave these items. While I think it's OK to leave toys etc. I would like to leave items that an adult geocacher would find useful with this hobby. For instance I have left rain ponchos, batteries etc. that can help someone while they are at the cache. What I want to do is reverse the trend of leaving useless junk items and leading by example is the best way to do this. Believe it or not there are many decent items that can be had for $2.00 or less that would come in handy for a geocacher. Just hoping this post gives me ideas so I can enhance geocaching. Ray

I was thinking that an inexpensive pocket knife or multitool would be handy items for a geocacher. Would these be considered to be "safe" items to leave in a cache? Ray

Where did you get an adapter for 99 cents that works? Thanx, Ray

If I'm reading the Garmin product comparison page correctly, the only difference between the two is that one comes with a 64MB MicroSD chip, and the other does not. For the money that you would spend on the Legend, you could get the Venture, and spend the other $30 on a 1GB chip on that online auction site, and have more than adequate room for maps. Either GPSr should make a fine addition to your arsenal, though. Hi Bud, How are you doing these days? A while back I bought a 1gig microSD (Kingston) with SD adapter for $10.00 after rebate shipped to my door. Just recieved the $10.00 rebate 2 days ago. If you shop around you can get that deal pretty often. Someday I would love to get the Venture Cx so I can use it to navigate to the cache location then use it to find the cache. For some reason the handhelds are still pretty expensive when you consider you can get an automotive unit with touch screen for $200.00. I think there is less competition in the handheld market keeping the prices and profit margin high. Ray

Lee you're killing me here. Do you really want me to spit beer on my laptop? Thanx for the chuckles!! Ray

They both have a basemap. The Legend is pc connectible so you can download coordinates, the 300 must be entered by hand. The 300 comes with an electronic compass and I think altimeter. I advise you check out both Garmin and Magellan websites for complete specs.. Ray

Great site for topo maps http://www.topozone.com/ Ray

New it's about $200.00 so that's a good deal.Thing is the deal is only good for 24 hrs. (ends at midnight I believe-pls. ck. at the site). I heard they are accurate, at least as accurate as the Legend if not better. Plenty of info in the forums on it. Did you check your email? I sent an email through the forum. Ray

Someone posted this deal on a refurbished Magellan explorist color gps with a 90 day guarantee from Magellan for 129.99 ... That's a great deal I would buy if I could. Good Luck, Ray

The only cable I have is the serial cable. Since I would guess that any GPS I buy will come complete with a cable I see no reason why I can't send it to you. Let me know. The Venture is the same unit as the Legend. The differences are that the Venture is yellow and DOES NOT INCLUDE the cable or software. I believe you need a USB cable for the venture not a serial cable. Ray

The only cable I have is the serial cable. Since I would guess that any GPS I buy will come complete with a cable I see no reason why I can't send it to you. Let me know. Please check your e-mail Ray

If it doesn't include the cables I'll pass on it. Thanx for the offer. Ray

Sorry server hang-up please delete duplicate post.

I'll take it , could you also send cables etc. Do you take paypal? Thanx, Ray