[Lostby7]

@Vegas Gamblers wrote:

See I was hoping you would have left it at the store so I could get it. 😆 Keep us (me) updated as to the function of the unit and how accurate the unit is. I wish there was a jealous emoticon so I could use it here. Soon my friend I will have one I hope.

Are you kidding me? I flew to the store so there would be no chance you’d be able to talk them into giving you my unit. I will report on accuracy and other items (routing, battery life, etc) over the next couple of days…..for the most part it is likely going to be the same in most ways as the other Oregon series. I will be reporting on the items unique to the 500 series.

[Lostby7]

@cheezehead wrote:

So can you add your old Mapsource like CN & Topo t it via cards?
I see the 550T comes pre loaded with topo maps for an extra $100.

I have a store bought City Nav NT SD card installed in the unit (I have the 550 with no topo). That mapping software works great. If you have NT maps on SD cards which you purchased they should be able to go from unit to unit (I’m not sure if other versions will work or not).

[Lostby7]

Screen:
The Oregon’s before this one (200, 300 and 400 series) had a screen which was a bit opaque. The 550 has a very clear screen making the unit appear brighter…though I wonder if its very glossy finish will make it more susceptible to scratching.

Compass:
Very nice the 3-axis electronic compass works pretty much like a real compass. Even holding the unit straight up you get a pretty good read as to the correct direction. Calibration is done once on each plane (three times total).

Battery:
I’m not sure yet how long the batteries last in this unit but included in the box are two NiMH batteries and a 4 slot charger.

Unit:
The door on the back of the unit has been retooled a bit with a spring closure added. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not as springs are known to fail at some point.

Camera:
The unit also allows for three modes of Resolution: 3.2, 2 and 1 Megapixel. You can also choose a low light setting. The above images were shot with the 2MP daylight setting. The images can be stored on the unit or on an SD card.

[Lostby7]

@Mathman wrote:

…I agree sometimes there is waaaaay too much verbiage on a cache page…

[LB7 Waves his hand as if to indicate that he is often guilty of this.]

[Lostby7]

The Vista is also now sold.

[Lostby7]

I deleted one of two EarthCaches a cacher logged a couple of days ago…it was clear by the photos that he was in the park, but he didn’t answer any of the questions on one of the caches and had all incorrect answers (which were posted on a sign) for the other listing. I allowed one log as I could see he was in the park…but I disallowed the other as just being in the same park doesn’t qualify as a find….its really up to you….but in general deleting folks finds tends to irk them….

[Lostby7]

I have in the past listed about 20 caches on a single page of paper then read each listing online; I recorded important information on my crib notes….so I have 2 or three pcs of paper for about 50 caches.

When I got the Oregon the paper went away but I still previewed the caches I would be looking for online (though my main reason was to see if the last finders had any trouble…if so I skipped the cache).

My next two numbers outings will be on the new Garmin Oregon550 which I ordered yesterday (I believe it holds 5,000 cache listings BTW). On those trips I do not plan to preview the caches online first, but rather look at them on the fly as I don’t have a planned route.

So I guess long story short: I do read the listings…..most of the time. If I plan a route I read the listings before I leave the house….if I go wandering I read the listing on the fly (if at all).

I do (maybe 5% of the time go searching blind) but those trips tend to tally up a large number of DNFs.

[Lostby7]

Last time I was on a plane both me and the guy next to me had our GPS units at the window…..

[Lostby7]

@zuma wrote:

Great post OPS. I nominate it for Post Of The Month.

zuma

And then some…I think I will make it required reading for my kids….

[Lostby7]

I use NiMH Rechargeable batteries for my 60CSX and they work great….

http://www.all-battery.com/freeshipping24pcsofaa2600mahhighcapacitynimhrechargeablebatterieswith6freeholders.aspx

They are about three years old now and I still get about 8 hours per set of batteries each time…but get more than you need. I have swapped these into just about all my electronics which need AAs….

[Lostby7]

@K0rpl wrote:

You know Gary, all you have to say is Lance Armstrong was on that bike, and it would of sold in a heartbeat!!!!!

Go Lance!!

I actually rode one of his bikes. He got off it and I took it for a spin…I have pictures and everything…his name is even on the down tube…and I held in my hands his 1999 TDF winning bike….

[Lostby7]

@Todd300 wrote:

Well, almost a month has gone by. Did you survive the experience? 😛

I have….but each time we go out I forget the camera. It has hit the water about 6 or 7 times at this point…along with our other singles. We are having a great time…only one issue so far when a centipede was in the back cockpit and my daughter about capsized us…

[Lostby7]

Welcome.
You are right about Lateral Thinking, it’s a fantastic puzzle. I too solved it….several years ago but haven’t gotten around to finding it…

[Lostby7]

@Bushwhacking Queen wrote:

Now that I ran my query 😉 has anyone else noticed that the website is up and all is good. ❓ 😀

The boards said that the queries are not turned on yet..there may be some delay.

[Lostby7]

Here’s crossing my fingers that I’ll get the query!!!!!
I was just about out the door for a bike ride too…I had given up hope.

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