[Az-Geocaching] Am I missing something - Magellen 200s

[Steven Stringham]

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 <mailto:jaredmross at yahoo.com>
>>>     *To:* listserv at azgeocaching.com <mailto:listserv at 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 <sstringh at stringham-family.org
>>>     <mailto:sstringh at stringham-family.org>>
>>>     To: listserv at 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?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>