Team Forest Freaks

Ack! Having a few smaller cards seems to trump the manual move and larger card. Oh well. I bought (online) the 2gb at the same time I bought the Vista (few days ago) and it's not worth trying to return it. Thanks for the heads up!

Ah, that would make some sense since it seems to me that the map set name makes no difference and is a bit of a redundancy when a single .gdb file contains only one uploadable set. 2gb, yes. Thanks for the file structure pointers. I guess it's ok then to upload via a card reader rather than through the GPSr. I've read here that you could, but since I didn't know the file structure I decided my first upload should be through the GPSr (albeit sloooow). Not that flash cards are expensive, but I was beginning to think a 2gb was a waste because I could only upload a single map set with a 2025 segment limit that wasn't close to 2gb. The ability to store multiple map sets and fill the flash card soothes the frugal side in me. Thanks!

1) That's what I thought. The whole separate "map set name" threw me off though. 2) Check. That's exactly what I saw in my GPSr. Seems strange they included a separate map set name when it doesn't show up anywhere but Mapsource, and Mapsource uses a different .gdb file for each uploadable mapset. Therefore basically each separate .gdb file is a separate map set. Any reason then to rename the map set from the automatic default of a map segment name? I have already renamed the .gdb file to Southeast US (from untitled.gdb), I guess it just bothers me to see the map set name of "ATLANTA, GA (WEST - NE)" or the like when it really covers so much more. Thanks for the help!

Send them at the same time. I already know how to do that, I was using that as a preface for my questions about file naming and separate map set names. Thanks though!

I'm trying to figure out the file basics in Mapsource (Topo US 08). After searching, it appears I can only send one map set to my Vista HCX, otherwise the new map set overwrites the old. I know I can add/remove map areas, but in Mapsource I can't create more than one map set per Mapsource file (ex-untitled.gdb) right? So I guess if I want to make other individual sets, say a few based on single states, then I will create new Mapsource files (ex-FL.gdb, GA.gdb)? If so, then why a separate "Map Set Name" feature? I understand you may not want "ATLANTA, GA (WEST - NE) TOPO U.S. 2008 460 KB" as the map set name (automatic naming) and would rather use "GA maps" or the like, but why have another naming feature if the .gdb file has to have a unique name because it's a separate map set? Am I making any sense? And where will this "Map Set Name" ever show up? It seems that in the GPSr all the map areas still had their proper names even though I changed the set name.

I just received my Vista HCX and US Topo 2008. I've already installed the drivers manually (downloaded latest from Garmin) and used WebUpdater for the GPSr software. Do I need to install T&W Manager? Doesn't Mapsource US Topo have all the same features? I know Mapsource Topo has more features (mapping obviously one of them), but is it missing anything that T&W Manager has? I like a clean PC. I just hate extra, unused software that sits around for nothing.

Thanks! Is it a major process? Any additional software ($$) needed?

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I couldn't find anything via searching. Poor choice of keywords maybe. I'm going to be purchasing a Garmin soon (probably a Vista HCX) and want to know if I can transfer information from GE to the Garmin. Here's what and why: Any Garmin map will not match what has been changing recently in our National forest. Our local Forestry Service has been changing the forest roads recently, adjusting what can be driven on and not. Many of the roads are not labeled on any maps, they are old fire and 4x4 roads. I can actually see all the possible trails (2 track "roads") with GE, and can easily trace them and make them a track (or route, whatever I should call it). I cannot do this with other map software, since it doesn't include actual satellite images. I just want squiggly little lines running through the forest marked as a trail/road. I don't care to transfer anything else or even use them for auto-routing. I know I could go out there and actually track them with the GPS, but doing so before hand has it's benefits. Thanks for any help.

I couldn't agree more. I'm not going to knock electronic compasses, especially if all you do is city and park geocaching, but it always amazes me how many folks will head out into the wilderness without such an inexpensive and invaluable tool. Or don't know how to use one! [off topic] Enjoy your trip! Heading out there is on my "must do" list, so I'll be there one of these days.

There is an arrow on my map screen (explorist 210) showing your heading and a line showing your bearing. If he's talking about the compass screen, so be it. I was thinking of how I use my GPSr, which is on the map screen and rarely on the compass screen. Well, where I hike and cache I can't walk in a straight line, so a few degrees off doesn't make much difference, not to mention it's a little difficult to sight with any GPSr compass, electronic or not. I understand your point though.

I think he meant that the arrow would still point to the target on the GPSr itself (map screen), and not the actual target. Regardless, I wouldn't try reading my GPSr "sideways" any more than turning my computer monitor on its side.

Well that's somewhat good news. I assume VantagePoint is Vista compatible, but I really would just like some drivers and a software update so I can use what I presently have. I do understand that products don't offer unlimited updates to changing technology (new OS's/hardware), but I also think that new drivers and software updates would be a great way to show concern and care for customers, and not really be that costly to produce.

While this is true, it's not that type of customer service I gripe about, but the kind where they don't update their drivers, software, and firmware. The Tritons do look cool though!

I really don't think you could have gone wrong either way. I'm liking the idea of saving the $30 and getting more socks! That's 2 pair of Smartwool right there!

looking at the fun toys on the Garmin site I am thinking that I will bring back the 210 and go with garmin. what I need is about the same cost but what I want is ... well a bit more. Dang time to hide the Visa bill again . I don't want to sound anti-210, I actually think the 210 is a quality GPSr, sure there are a few quirks I do not like, but overall I've been happy with it. Don't base your decision just off of my crazy opinion! Unfortunately, Magellan doesn't seem to be Vista friendly right now, hence my opinion. I've done a bit of research, but have not tested it for myself. Once I get my new Vista laptop, I'll certainly test everything to see for myself if I'll get the same problems as others. And from what I've read here, Garmin seems to run well with Vista, but once again, I haven't tested this personally. I'm sure you'd be happy with either if they were bug free and Vista compatible. But as I said, that doesn't seem to be the case ATM.

My understanding (I have not tested this personally though) is that Garmin does. There may be others too, I just haven't researched other companies. Maybe dmoes should find out for sure if Garmin is Vista compatible. Since he's in the position of a new buyer and the ability to return, he could test it out without much worry.

I can only comment on TOPO 3D USA, but it was a massive improvement over the basemap. I have a 210 also. It not only had all the great topo information I needed, but also included every local road, even our Forest Service roads. Not knocking Garmin, but their topo maps I have viewed, actually had less road information than the Magellan maps. See my thread inquiring about this: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=170373 From what I have gathered on these forums, there is a basic work-around, but that some features still don't work. I am getting a Vista laptop this week actually, and have posted and searched about this very topic. I'm not holding my breathe for a release/update. I'll probably test my 210 on the new laptop, but I have a feeling I'll be buying a Garmin in the next few weeks. I'm sorry, I purchased my software long ago, and don't recall any type of activation more than typing the code on the box when prompted by the software. Since I have a 210 and TOPO 3D USA, I'm hoping for an update, but as I said earlier, I have a good feeling I'll be moving to Garmin. Even with Magellan's new Triton product line, they'll have to prove to me there are going to support their products. So basically that means I'll either stick with my 210 (and use an old computer maybe) or go Garmin. But I will not be investing any more money into Magellan. It will take a whole product line cycle to earn me back as a customer. Unless they release Vista drivers tomorrow! If I were in your shoes, with no real investment yet, I would return the 210 and go with a product that you know has Vista support.

@scaber Thank you for the information. I don't have much to compare to, but the Magellan TOPO 3D maps had tons of road information included. From what I was told (key word "told", since I have not used any of their street software) getting their TOPO maps was like getting their street maps, plus topo information. From my use, it certainly seemed true, since it had all sorts of little back roads and forest roads from several states I've traveled through. Hence my confusion when I was testing out the Garmin topo maps and noticed "missing" information.

While I agree to some extent, here's my take on it... If you don't need either function, you could use that money towards something else , like maps. Also it's just one more thing to go wrong. I'm considering both of these units, and I'm leaning towards the Legend. Why? Well I live in Florida, so 95% of its life will be in flat terrain. I have no need for an altimeter. I like geocaching and hiking deep into the forest. I always carry a compass. They never lose a signal or run out of batteries. A built in compass sounds useful, like pointing to the cache, but I always have to search the area anyway so any GPSr will get me close enough. Does the Legend have an arrow on the map screen to show the direction of travel? If so, that would be good enough for me. My explorist 210 has that, and that is all I use. It has a compass too, one that works only with movement, and I never use that screen.

I believe I will be doing the same, moving to Garmin. I may go back to Magellan, but they will have to prove they are going to offer proper support. I'm in the market for a new GPSr now, and it will take Magellan some time before I'm willing to commit to their products again. Basically that means I will not be buying a Triton, but will be getting a Garmin (most likely an "H" series etrex).

Um..ok. So is this a standard for Garmin? (Not labeling roads in their topo software)

No one can comment on the issues listed with Garmin's mapping software?

Are they and their included software Windows Vista compatible?

I've seen all the problems and work-arounds listed in these forums, but does anyone have any more information to a Vista driver release date? All I've seen for months from Magellan's customer support people is "we are working on it and have no projected date".

I have an explorist 210 at the moment, will have a new Windows Vista laptop any day now, and have given some serious thought to moving to a Garmin basically because it seems that Magellan will never get Vista drivers. So...I was testing out Garmin's software via their web portal and I didn't like what I saw. Basically, using TOPO US 2008 all of our Forest Service roads were shown, but not labeled (Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, FL.). Using City Navigator they are labeled, excellent, but of course I loose "outdoor" type information like many streams and rivers. Magellan's Mapsend TOPO software seems better in this regards, since it has all our FS shown and labeled and of course has all the outdoor items too. Am I missing something here, or is this normal with Garmin's software? I guess I could live without the FS labels, but I just don't understand why they are not in the TOPO software.