+TeacherTrekker Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Hello everyone.... Just bought a new eTrex Hcx and spent more than I wanted to. Did I do the right thing? I feel like I am way over my head with this thing. Cant make much out of the piddly manual either. I have 30 days to try it out. HELP..... T Quote Link to comment
+huskerrich2000 Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 should be a pretty good unit, if you got a problem check in with your local caching group Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Thats a very good handheld GPS, and you won't get one for much less that you really wouldn't regret soon. Used ones are not going to be as sensitive and very likely won't have a USB connection (most computers no longer have serial ports like the old GPS receivers used). You did good. As for learning to use it, it wouldn't hurt to try to get some help from an experienced cacher, if possible, but it can be figured out from the manual too. Quote Link to comment
fizzyarrows Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 Hey, don't freak out yet! It'll be okay. If nothing else, when I come home I'll try and help you with it, if you want the help. I know I'm just as inexperienced with GPS as you are, but there's loads of stuff online giving suggestions for how to set up GPS optimally for geocaching, and I'm sure between the two of us, the manual, and online resources, it won't be so hard. Just don't let it overwhelm you. Quote Link to comment
+W7WT Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 (edited) I have been Geocaching since 2001 and have owned a lot of GPSs and I think the Etrex Vista HCx is the best I have had. But it took me a while to get use to it. I also have the 76S and 76C which have the Quad Helix antenna and need to be held upright. The HCx with it's patch antenna works best horizontal. With the compass activiated I was holding it vertical and the needle was crazy. Now that I hold it horizontal it works perfect. I have never had the HCx lose a satellite lock. I have all of North America on a 2 GB chip. This is the GPS I have been waiting for. I am learning things about it from the forums every day such as the back light and how to keep it on. You made the right decision and will learn how to use and enjoy it. Dick, W7WT Edited December 4, 2007 by W7WT Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 I assume you mean either the Vista HCX or Legend HCX. You will be hard pressed to find a better all around unit. Stick with it and use the quick start manual to learn the basics. Marking and editing waypoints and navigating to them. Then as you become more comfortable you can learn the more advanced features. Quote Link to comment
+S-charm Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 I think you'll be happy, in the long run. Vista HCX was my 4th upgrade, and that's only in a year of caching. Others just weren't up to par. It can be a little tiddiest to learn, but, well worth it. scharm (Donnie) Quote Link to comment
+smcpeaknkids Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 I just upgraded to this gps and I am in love. I spent quite a bit of time just playing with it to familiarize myself with the way it works. Just give it some time it is a great machine. If you can spare the bucks it is a huge advantage to add the US Streets and maps software. I did this and the possibilities are endless. Quote Link to comment
+TeacherTrekker Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 I just upgraded to this gps and I am in love. I spent quite a bit of time just playing with it to familiarize myself with the way it works. Just give it some time it is a great machine. If you can spare the bucks it is a huge advantage to add the US Streets and maps software. I did this and the possibilities are endless. Would Garmin City Navigator (North America) be eqivalent to the US streets and maps? (p.s. thanks for the encouragement!) T Quote Link to comment
+TeacherTrekker Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 Thanks to everyone who gave much needed encouragement! I am glad it is not just me (about the manual)...I was feeling pretty dumb. I am so anxious to get started but dont know exactly how to work the thing yet. I am obsessed with playing with it! Husband is giving me strange, worried looks... It is quite a change from the car model I had before I exchanged. Special thanks to my new geobuddy and daughter (Fizzyarrows) for her encouragement. She is a whiz with electronics and I cant wait for her to come home from college (Memphis) for Christmas so we can play! I love you Fizzy! T Quote Link to comment
+W7WT Posted December 4, 2007 Share Posted December 4, 2007 quote: Would Garmin City Navigator (North America) be eqivalent to the US streets and maps? (p.s. Yes, you want to get Garmin Mapsource City Navigator DVD, North Americs NT (010-10816-00). I bought mine from Amazon.Com.$117.44. You will also need a 2 gb microchip which will hold all of North America. With that map you can get turn by turn routing for all of North America. It doesn't have voice like your car GPS but does alert you to turns etc. I also got the Gaarmin Carrying Case for $10.99. Good Luck Quote Link to comment
+TeacherTrekker Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share Posted December 4, 2007 quote: Would Garmin City Navigator (North America) be eqivalent to the US streets and maps? (p.s. Yes, you want to get Garmin Mapsource City Navigator DVD, North Americs NT (010-10816-00). I bought mine from Amazon.Com.$117.44. You will also need a 2 gb microchip which will hold all of North America. With that map you can get turn by turn routing for all of North America. It doesn't have voice like your car GPS but does alert you to turns etc. I also got the Gaarmin Carrying Case for $10.99. Good Luck Thanks so much! I will check it out! T Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 I just put my old Vista on my pack straps and now I'm in love with the Legend HCX that I just upgraded to. Its awesome, accurate and the bells and whistles are fun to play with. The micro sd maps should be here tomorrow and I'm waiting for those with anxiety. Believe you will love it when you get used to. Quote Link to comment
GeoPirates2007 Posted December 5, 2007 Share Posted December 5, 2007 just get out there and play with it till your comforable, then play some more Quote Link to comment
+TeacherTrekker Posted December 5, 2007 Author Share Posted December 5, 2007 Thanks all.....much needed advice and support! I am liking my new Garmin more and more! It is very handy that caches can be downloaded straight to Garmin gps's from this site.....nice bonus! T Quote Link to comment
+Annie & PB Posted December 6, 2007 Share Posted December 6, 2007 Thanks all.....much needed advice and support! I am liking my new Garmin more and more! It is very handy that caches can be downloaded straight to Garmin gps's from this site.....nice bonus! T Hi there - a fellow teacher here - (the Annie half of Annie & PB) We have had our eTrex Legand HCx for six days now, and we are really happy with it!! The quick start guide was useful and a brief demo from the assistant at the shop where we got it. Mostly though we have just played with it and got more and more idea of what we and it can do as we've gone along. I've glanced at the main instruction book, but it doesn't really seem too easy to follow, so I haven't really bothered with it that much. Read one of your other threads too - an apple type signature item would be cool - we have polar bears for ours (For hubby - the PB half of Annie & PB!) Quote Link to comment
+Ryan&Michelle Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Is there any easy way to download all, or at least more than one at a time of the geocaches in your area off the site? I'm quite new to geocaching and have also just bought an etrex vista hcx and wanted to download all the 100+ geocaches in my area... Quote Link to comment
+whitecrow Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Is there any easy way to download all, or at least more than one at a time of the geocaches in your area off the site? I'm quite new to geocaching and have also just bought an etrex vista hcx and wanted to download all the 100+ geocaches in my area... Go here & click on getting started Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 When you become a Premium Member for only $3.00 a month, or $30.00 for an entire year, you can create Pocket Queries. Each of those can have up to 500 caches and you can get five per day. To handle all that data, many people use GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). You can send the waypoints to your GSPr from GSAK, and, if you have a PDA, you can Export the cache information from GSAK in the correct format for your Palm or PPC device. Quote Link to comment
+Ryan&Michelle Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Go here & click on getting started The getting started is not helpful in the least, I have read through much of that and I didn't see the answer. The pocket cache part mentioned in the other reply is helpful, I'll have to look into that part. 3.00/month is well worth it. Quote Link to comment
+Rosenguns Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Go here & click on getting started The getting started is not helpful in the least, I have read through much of that and I didn't see the answer. The pocket cache part mentioned in the other reply is helpful, I'll have to look into that part. 3.00/month is well worth it. I am not finding much love on the getting started area either...well, or Im just that clueless! Just bought the Vista HCx. And I found the manual seriously wanting. I got the premium account on here. I downloaded Google Earth (someone told me I could see all the caches next to my house if I did that -haven't figured that out either). Did manage to download a waypoint to my GPS but its just a symbol in a big yellow field -no topo definitions or landmarks, etc! Do I have to download a topo map or something to my GPS? I thought the Garmin would come with "basemap?" Someone mentioned the 2GB microchip but how/where do I get the maps to download it to the chip?? I went to Garmin and they had DVDs but were $100. Anything cheaper!? I thought this would be a good thing to do with my boys and with our Scout Den. Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 Welcome to the Forums! Now that you are a Premium Member, you need to learn about Pocket Queries. Then, check out GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). With its "smart name" feature, the waypoint on your GPSr can have useful information, like part of the cache name, the Type of the cache, the Size of the container, and other information. You can even put the Hint in the comments section of the waypoint. The maps need to be purchased separately. Topo maps do not have Unlock Codes, so you can get those used on eBay for less money. The City Navigator auto-routing maps do have Unlock Codes and can only be put on one GPS unit. Sometimes you can get a better deal on those in a combo package with the beanbag auto-mount and cigarette-lighter adapter. This will be a very good thing for you to do with your boys and the Scout Den. Quote Link to comment
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