Having recently switched from an eTrex Vista to an eXplorist 500, this is the biggest improvement I've noticed as it makes entering/modifying waypoints much, much quicker, IMHO. David - AZTech > ------- Original Message ------- > From: "Loran Wilcox" > To: listserv@azgeocaching.com > Sent: 11/12/06, 10:30:49 PM > Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Am I missing something - Magellen 200s > > 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 > ____________________________________________________________ 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