[hogrod]

one of the newer mapsource updates did make the waypoint & POI icons bigger on the map. I looked around but couldn’t find a way to make them smaller. I am running mapsource 6.11.6

[hogrod]

Another thing to look at is which way you are hooking up the cable. I no longer own an explorist but if I remember the plug on the back of the gps looks like it hooks up one way but it actually hooks up the other way.
maybe someone with an explorist can chime in and say which way it hooks up….. cable down the body of the gps or cable up.

EDIT: I think the cable goes down

[hogrod]

There is another advantage to having the dvd over the preloaded cards. If you own a laptop you can download garmin Nroute software for free and then hook your gps to the laptop for gps signal and use Nroute for turn by turn directions on a much larger screen(also with voice prompts).

in my car I have a line input on the front/back of my stereo, I hook the laptop right in and get my voice directions through the cars speakers(I also play all my mp3 music off the laptop the same way).

The more storage you get the better, just remember as of right now garmin limits map segments loaded to the card to 2025, so if you are loading topo maps(small segments) that gets used up pretty quick. you can pick up a 1gb microSD card on newegg.com for around $30 or a 2gb for $75

1gb micro SD – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820171141

2gb micro SD – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820171142

[hogrod]

after a day of caching I go into gsak and delete all my finds for the day. then I export a new GPX file and put it in the POI folder(in my documents). then I use the POI loader program to send the updated file to my gps.

so it’s pretty eassy, just three steps.

I also will export a new gpx file after my weekly pocket query, then drop it into the POI folder and use the POI software to send to my gps.

EDIT: you can also put the unit into usb mass storage mode and delete the POI file, and leave your map file the same.

[hogrod]

It would be nice if garmin would update the unit firmware to mesh the POI ability with normal waypoint features. that way one could easily upload unlimited waypoints and have much more room for comments/name.

[hogrod]

@Team Deejay wrote:

Hogrod, I only seem to be able to use 20 character waypoint names for Waypoints. Do POIs allow for longer names?

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=149214&hl=poi+loader

Taken from that thread(don’t know how accurate this info is).

Waypoints:
– Amount limited by firmware
– Sorted by icon only.
– 14 characters in name and 30 in comment field.
– Can be viewed at any zoom level
– Can be deleted and added from the unit.
– Can use the “Geoaching” feature.

Custom POIs:
– Amount limitted by card space only.
– Sorted by file name.
– 44 character in name and 88 in comment
– Can be viewed up to 200 meter (or is it 300 meter?) zoom level only (at the moment).
– Can not be deleted from the unit. Waypoints, however, can be individually created from a POI on the unit.
– Can have proximity alarms built into each POI from the computer files.

[hogrod]

I should also say there are many topics on the groundspeak forum about using the POI loader, Most are in the GPS Units and Software section.

[hogrod]

Getting waypoints onto the micro SD card isn’t all that bad. I have different databases setup in gsak for geocaches, benchmarks, waymarks, ect. All I do is export a gpx file for each group(also name the GPX to reflect each group) and put them in the garmin POI loader folder(the POI program creates this folder in my documents). Then just use the POI software to load them to the card.

There is the added advantage of being able to have longer waypoint names and more space for a note. You can download/create a gsak macro for your POI.gpx export, but I just use the standard export: File, export, GPX/LOC and modify it to my needs.

here’s a screen shot of my gpx export, this is the only complicated part of setting up your gpx export.(good thing you only need to set it up once)

I think I changed the name format to
%name-%code with 44characters, and the cache description format to %con1-%hint=86 (%Dif/%Ter). There is more info about these special tags under the help section of the GPX/LOC export.

Here’s an example of how a waypoint looks on the 60cx with these settings.

[hogrod]

garmin will replace your gpsr if it takes a fall and is showing damage, it will only cost you the price of shipping it to them. They have very good customer service.

[hogrod]

I own the 60cx, with is the exact same thing as the 60csx except for no electronic compass or barometric altimeter. I don’t mind the 60cx needs to be moving fo the compass to work(I also carry a real one), or that my altimeter isn’t exact(it’s usually within 50ft or better of actual elevation).

The reason I didn’t get the 60csx besides saving me $50 was I used the 60csx and wasn’t impressed with the electronic compass. the unit has to be held VERY level for the compass to work and all, and requires recalibration quite often.
I really like having the microSD/transflash card for maps, and if you use garmins free POI loader software you can store unlimited waypoints on the card separated by category’s if you do it right. waypoints loaded with the POI software are listed under custom points of interest, so you will still have 1000 regular waypoints to use.

[hogrod]

@LightningBugs Mum wrote:

I would even be happy with allowing only virtuals and earthcaches in SNAs – like the National Parks. It seems like a good compromise.

And we should definitely push the “CIIO” event idea (Cache In / Invasives Out). It’s kinda fun pulling garlic mustard!

I agree, and the cache pages could include info about invasive plants. that way anyone who would be visiting the area because of geocaching could be educated about what these plants look like and what can be done to stop them.

[hogrod]

Archiving a virtual or earth cache doesn’t make sense. There is no container for people to seek so there is NO trail formation from the traffic.
This all boils down to wanting to stop some traffic & since there is no way to discriminate against most groups of people, geocachers make a great target.

I was planning on doing this cache over the thanksgiving holidays, with the small number of earth caches in the state it’s sad to see one go. I’m still going to visit the area so the environmental impact of my visit is still going to happen.

A permit with a time limit and location review by the land manager seems like a better idea, especially when an earth cache is really about teaching people the reason these lands are special.

[hogrod]

@Buy_The_Tie wrote:

In discussions with the DNR, the caches inside of the State Natural Areas came up. As I understand it, the DNR is looking to reduce the quantity of traffic coming to SNA’s, primarily because of invasive species problems.

I do believe that Invasive species is a great reason to want to reduce the traffic to state natural areas, if you think that hiking is the main cause of the quick spread of this problem. I think the DNR is over looking the real contributor to the spread of these plants….. our states climate change in the last 15years.

I see another SNA with a cache located in it (I omit name because it’s not archived yet), since 2001 its had 55 logs, and only like 30 finds…. ya I bet this is considered high traffic. I do have an issue with Gibraltar rock being archived, yes its a SNA, but its also a county park. being a county park there is no way they are ever going to stop the traffic, even if they remove the cache. also you walk a old road all the way to the top so your never off trail.

What can I do to voice my opinion and cause some change on this issue? nothing, but I think I won’t buy a state park sticker this year so I can help stop the spread of invasive species.

[hogrod]

This cache is a prime example of why I question the DNR policy banning all caches in SNA’s. The area in question gets 20+ non-cachers a day visiting during the warmer months, you can’t tell me the swimming and climbing on the cliffs isn’t doing more damage than just hiking with a gpsr and enjoying the beauty. I guess it makes sense to them to ban a group of people who actually would treat these area’s with respect.

check out the Alphabetical Listing of Wisconsin State Natural Areas, notice that SOME of these areas have a star next to them. if you read the bottom of the page it states “Indicates areas not suited for visitation by the general public”. I can understand SNA’s contain special plant or animal life that we need to protect, but even the DNR’s own site says there not all off limits/so sensitive none can visit.

I make it a point to visit these areas every chance I get, this ban won’t ever stop my foot traffic.

[hogrod]

I can think of a few caches I would recommend, although some will take more time than others.

GCYQAX, GCD68B, GCGQRB, GCNVC1, GCRPXN, GCQ759

In rock county I would say to goto magnolia bluff, there is 5 caches in this park & all of them are good. here is one of the caches GC65B

[Author]

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