[hogrod]

why not get both? online you can get a nuvi 200W for around $250, and you can pick up a new color etrex VistaHCX with its high sensitivity receiver for under $230.

http://www.tigergps.com/garminnuvi200w.html

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=6015174

A huge advantage of a color handheld is battery life, its almost double what you get with an older greyscale gps. You didn’t say what maps you have for your eMap, but you could probably load those maps to the VistaHCX.

The garmin Nuvi models are always in the top 10 of most consumer reviews, you can check out garmins comparison page to see what model best suits your needs.
http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/us/ontheroad/nuviseries

[hogrod]

@lonesumdove wrote:

If you work with paperless and it is working well with your computer and Palm hardware, don’t get Windows Vista – at least not yet. I am hoping to find someone who has made it all work so by the time the mountains of snow melt, I can be a free and happy cacher again.

Like I said before I don’t have a palm so I can’t verify that this works, but here is a link to windows vista version of palms hotsync manager.

http://www.palm.com/us/support/windowsvista/#palmdesktop

[hogrod]

I’ve never used a palm but used to use a pocket pc for caching. I was wondering, does a palm have a web browser? The reason I ask is because when I had my pocket pc, in gsak I would just go file menu, export, HTML files. I could then load the folder it created to my pocket pc and view all my caches in it’s browser, that way I didn’t need to download & pay for any other software.

I no longer have a pocket pc but have been using the web browser on my Sony PSP, and it works great! I’ve included a screenshot of how it looks in a browser, so you can see it filters your caches nicely. you can also have multiple files for the different databases you have made.

[hogrod]

I agree with Miata, when I used my LegendC with Lithiums it didn’t have the right battery meter setting so I would get 50hours and the meter would never come off full…. then bang it was dead in 5minutes.
Garmin added a lithium setting to the newer color units, but later removed this from the current firmware because these batteries could damage the unit from their high initial power level.

You didn’t say which Ifinder you have, but I do know that the newer h20C, and expeditionC manuals do say you can use lithiums(this is how you can get the unit to float). also how much battery life do you get?

If your only able to get the unit to work for a short time the power circuit may be damaged or the battery contacts are loosing connection with the main board.

[hogrod]

looks nice, can’t wait to see the rest of the Colorado series with full specs(there is a picture of a 300 model on the geocaching.com forum and some more info)

EDIT: added link http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=179373

[hogrod]

I’m sure this has been brought up already in this thread but I’m to lazy to look…. anyway I have two caches that were placed prior to the DNR notification form and was wondering if I should or need to submit a form for my caches?

[hogrod]

@Team Bear Bear wrote:

I submitted ours right after i saw this thread, we received our Bronze Earthcache Master pin in the mail on Thursday.

I also tried to get a bronze pin(again) soon after this thread started. Just like before I have never received anything.

[hogrod]

I have used a 2gb in mine, that could hold all of metroguide V7 and a few states of topo 2008.
If I were looking at newer maps, I would get the NT version of city navigator. It’s compressed differently and uses less map segments, this allows you to load the whole US onto a 1gb card. This would leave 1gb free space on a 2gb card so you could load even more topo maps then(there is a 2025 map segment limit).

[hogrod]

I have a 60cx, and when moving it does take a bit longer to get lock than when standing still. I’ve never had it not get lock, but have heard of others having issues.
here’s a trick to try. From the satellite screen if you click menu and select new location you get the option of automatic or use map. if you select use map you can tell the unit where you are, I guess this must tell it what satellites to look for overhead.

What unit software are you running? The most current is 3.50/chipset 2.90. you can check your version of unit software here: main menu, setup, system, hit menu and select software version.

I believe garmin would tell you to reset the unit, it’s a special key combo and resets it to the factory defaults. I can’t remember the key combo of the top of my head, but I’m sure someone else can chime in.

[hogrod]

I always laugh when reading about these meth labs located in the woods, Most are located on secluded properties/farms or even your neighbors house.
Since all geocaching should be done on Public land I doubt you have anything to worry about. Most of the time if you find a mess in the woods it’s probably just a homeless camp.

This doesn’t mean everyone shouldn’t know what to look for, but all should realize this isn’t something you really need to worry about. Your more likely to stumble onto a marijuana grow or people smoking weed than finding a meth lab.

[hogrod]

I don’t currently own a car gps unit, but I will say that any garmin nuvi model over 350 usually is on top of consumer test reviews.

here’s some pretty current info about auto gps units in many price ranges.
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2006/05/automotive_gps_.html

[hogrod]

I noticed a huge electric savings when I switched from a desktop to a laptop for my main computer. When I flipped over the power brick on the laptop I seen why.
The laptop is only using a 60watt power supply for everything, and thats only when I have it plugged in. A normal desktop uses 250-450watt power supply just in the tower/case, then you have speakers & a monitor sucking power too.

I also noticed a big difference in power use when I switched the whole house to compact fluorescent bulbs.

[hogrod]

@GrouseTales wrote:

I much prefer my 60Cx. I’ve had several Etrex units, and I’m not too crazy about button layout. I’ve also had problems with the rubber trim on all my Etrex units. They all have torn rubber and held together with tape.

I agree that the learning curve for using the etrex is much harder, but the button layout isn’t bad after you learn it. one major advantage is the Etrex you can easily use it with one hand.

I totally agree about the stupid rubber surround on the etrex. I sent in my legendC once before and it’s again coming loose. This is the only thing stopping me from buying another etrex, when garmin redesigned the etrex with the newer chipset they could have easily came up with a better design.

water can easily get behind the rubber gasket of the etrex and once it does all the glue will loose hold. another way the rubber gasket fails is the glue becomes dry and fails. NEVER leave an etrex unit in a hot car or you will end up with a failed gasket.

I bought a Lowrance ifinder H20 about 6 months ago to try, I took it back within three days because it was also experiencing the failed rubber surround(it has a similar design as the etrex). I really liked the Lowrance, but thought that aspect of the unit seemed cheap.

[hogrod]

@RSplash40 wrote:

Check out the 60csx for a few bucks more(ok more than a few), loved mine so far and know of 5 others who will agree.

If you buy the vistaHCX online its about $100 cheaper than the 60csx. both units now have great receivers and all the same functions, its really down to which unit layout you prefer.

I own both a 60cx and a vistaCX…. even though the vistaCX doesn’t have the great receiver of the new vistaHCX or the 60cx I prefer my vistaCX size to the 60series when hiking.
The 60 series is much better to use in the car, the buttons are on the front and all are labeled and back lit. Also the screen is slightly bigger so it is a bit easier to read.

here is some info about the vista HCX.
http://gpsinformation.us/vistacolor/etrexvistacolor.html#HCx

[hogrod]

@elfdoctors wrote:

I bought their MetroGuide Mapsource program to install into my GPS and I can’t seem to be able to get the unlock code for the software.

I also praise garmins customer service, But their email support could be much better. if you even get a response via email its usually a canned response, you’ll get much better support if you call.

Metroguide is fully unlocked software, you can install on as many receivers as you own. Are you sure you aren’t having issues with city navigator? City navigator is garmins auto-routing map product, and it has the silly unlock codes/single gps receiver install scheme.

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