I actually find the interface on the Magellan easier. But that is only that I have used it for a long time. I have the same problem trying to show someone how to use their Garmin. It really comes down to what you are use to. A easy example on the differences is On the magellan 210 to put in a set of coords you just select the north coords toggle over to the number you want to change toggle up/downto change and then toggle to the next number to chang and repeat. Then there is a single enter when you are done with the north coord which will take you to the west coord On a Gramin you have to go through a number/key pad screen that you select your entry from and then have to hit enter. And you neeed to do this for each entry which is a lot more work. No wonder you need a interface.....just kidding. But entering stages on a multicache is a lot more work. Team Sand Dollar ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Stringham" To: Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 11:58 PM Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Am I missing something - Magellen 200s > Of course, B is the right answer. But, I feel bad. He and I went out > camping the other night with our scout troop. I helped the boys work on > the orienteering merit badge. That is not just map and compass work, but > rather, an understanding of competitive map and compass work. So, when I > set up the courses, did I really use my compass? No. I used my trusty > 60csx. With distances of 500-2000 feet between stops, (in the dark) I > wanted to get the angles and distances right. > > When I provided data on the course to the boys, I provided bearings and > distances, but also coords. > > Well, my friend then asked my for help on how to use his unit. It was a > pain to have to tell him I didn't have time right then, as I was getting > the boys out on the course. But, I told him I would teach him later. > When I finally got it in my hands, I found I was very spoiled by my > Garmin units. I have had the green Venture Etrex, the Vista Etrex, and > the 60cs and the 60csx. (I still have the Venture Etrex as well as the > 60csx). I am finding the screens clearer, and the interface easier on > the Garmins. He then handed my the unit to take home to learn on so we > could get some real quality time on how to use it. Bottom line, I don't > like it. Am I just so spoiled with the Garmin units that I am unwilling > to accept the other? And then with the lack of a computer interface > (which I use ALL the time), I think it is useless. > > He is not a cacher. But he does use his ski boat. And hunt and other > stuff like that. Those are times when a GPS can come in handy. Even > hiking with the boys, it is nice to have. Let alone needing to find a > cache. Finding the campsite, or the car at the end of the hike. And then > being able to upload the tracks and see them on screen over a map of > where you were. That is nice. > > And then the thought of having to manually enter every coord, it just > pains me to think of it. > > Well, I guess I need to approach him with B). And, I will need to be > honest with him. But, it may require some tact to do it right and not > turn him off to the technology. > > > > AZcachemeister wrote: >> We humans are remarkably adept at finding ways to get around hardware >> or software shortcomings. >> How much the lack of a computer interface affects your friends >> experience will depend entirely on how he uses the unit(s), and how >> much/often. >> You, I, and probably everyone else on this list are spoiled by the >> automation we have been enjoying, and can't imagine doing without! >> Your friend's GPSs are certainly good as backup units at the time in >> the future when he begins caching A LOT (if he ever does). >> So my recommendation would be B), with an explanation why. >> >> I was not impressed when the whole Explorist line came out due to the >> lack of a unit that fit my needs. >> Lower end units: no computer interface and no expansion card. >> Higher end units: Built-in Lithium battery. >> I recently discovered that the Lithium rechargeable battery IS >> field-replaceable, and spares are only slightly exorbitantly priced. >> Since then the 210 has been released, which seems to be the pick of >> the litter! >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> >> Steven Stringham wrote: >>> Ok. So I am not missing anything. >>> >>> But, even for hunting, or hiking. Why would you wish for a unit with no >>> computer interface. That does not allow you to preprogram routes, >>> tracks, waypoints, etc. except by hand. And, it does not let you >>> download any of them after an adventure for the after "introspection" of >>> the journey. >>> >>> Heck even the "lowly" yellow etrex has a serial interface and has for >>> years. (It just doesn't come with a cable - but that can be obtained >>> for about $15 bucks - no big deal). >>> >>> So, what should I recommend to my friend. He has two of these. >>> A) Toss the piece of crap and get ANY Garmin - and you will be happier? >>> B) It is OK, but I would not want one? >>> C) I am sorry, but you purchased a piece of crap. Too bad. >>> >>> The lack of the computer interface really kills it for me. I don't want >>> to sour his experience, but that is really really bad. >>> >>> Steven Stringham >>> StringCachers >>> >>> >>> Loran Wilcox wrote: >>> >>>> The Explorist 100,200 and 300 are no good for serious caching as they >>>> have no data interface. The 400, 500, and 600 have a data interface >>>> but also have rechargable batteries so again if your like me and cache >>>> alot your batteries might just run dom. >>>> >>>> I am now using an Explorist 210. This one they got pretty close on >>>> for caching. USB data cable for a very fast interface, regular AA >>>> batteries. and its mapping capable. And what I find as the best >>>> feature is multiple data sets files of 200 caches each with some of >>>> the cache info such as type, terrain, difficulty and my favorite when >>>> I am in a jam they also have the hints. Being that I may not know >>>> which dirrection my caching for a day will end up taking me sometimes >>>> I will load up to 5 sets of 200 waypoints with info. You will still >>>> need a palm for the full cache pages. >>>> >>>> The only extra I would have wanted in backlit color screen , but you >>>> can't have it all. >>>> >>>> Team Sand Dollar >>>> >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> >>>> *From:* Jared Ross >>>> *To:* listserv@azgeocaching.com >>>> *Sent:* Sunday, November 12, 2006 5:55 PM >>>> *Subject:* Re: [Az-Geocaching] Am I missing something - Magellen >>>> 200s >>>> >>>> It's my understanding that the Exporist 600 is the only unit of >>>> that series that has computer interface capabilities. So unless >>>> you really enjoy the greater margin of error when hand entering >>>> coordinates, I'm not sure why you would get one. >>>> >>>> Jared >>>> AZBliss02 >>>> >>>> ----- Original Message ---- >>>> From: Steven Stringham >>> > >>>> To: listserv@azgeocaching.com >>>> Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2006 3:03:00 PM >>>> Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Am I missing something - Magellen 200s >>>> >>>> Am I missing something. A friend just handed me his Explorist 200 >>>> to >>>> learn so I can teach him how to use it. But, I am not finding any >>>> computer interface on the unit? Am I missing something, or am I >>>> right. >>>> >>>> I am a long time Garmin user. I have never really explored the >>>> Magellan >>>> units. And then to find out that the 100, 200, and 300 units do >>>> not have >>>> any (serial, usb, etc.) computer interface. >>>> >>>> Does anybody on this list really use any of these units for caching >>>> regularly? Help me out! Why? >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >> > ____________________________________________________________ > Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com > To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: > http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching > > Arizona's Geocaching Resource > http://www.azgeocaching.com > ____________________________________________________________ Az-Geocaching mailing list listserv@azgeocaching.com To edit your setting, subscribe or unsubscribe visit: http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching Arizona's Geocaching Resource http://www.azgeocaching.com