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Does this GPS unit exist?


pjs224

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I have a basic GPS unit (Garmin eTrex H) and it works just fine, but it's a real pain to print out each cache in hardcopy form (for clues, comments, cache info, etc.), put in the GPS coordinates manually into the eTrex H, then use Mapquest or Google to figure out how to drive to the approximate location of the geocache.

 

Is there a faster, easier way to geocache? Seems like paperless caching is the way to go, but I have a question (assuming I'm using something like the eTrex 20): After transferring the cache into the GPS unit and indicating that I am now searching for that cache, will it give turn by turn DRIVING directions, assuming I'm more than a few hundred feet away from the cache? If so, do I need to buy additional maps and load it into the GPS unit?

 

Basically, I'm looking to be able to go to geocaching.com, enter in a location I'll be visiting, load into my GPS unit however many caches that are in that general area that I choose, choose one of the geocaches I'd like to search for, then my GPS unit will tell me how to get there, including driving directions. Then once I'm there, the GPS unit will tell me how to get there on foot and give me access to the comments and hints as needed.

 

Assuming I can have this, what are my GPS unit options?

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The eTrex 20 is able to give driving directions, though it won't say it out loud like on other car GPS's. You do have to download a map, but there is a very nice free one at openstreetmap.org

 

Just about any new garmin can do this as well.

 

Thanks for the reply. I assume a driving map can be purchased from Garmin, as well?

 

You certainly could. Thought I'd recommend the free one any day of the week.biggrin.gif

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If by 'driving map' you mean City Navigator then yes, I have it installed on mine. Note though you still won't get spoken directions, if that was what you were thinking?

 

As long as it's the equivalent of Google or Mapquest maps (turn by turn directions on a sheet of paper), then that would be good enough for me.

Edited by pjs224
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Basically (at least on my Oregon 550), with the proper routable maps installed, it will show you the route on the map and then beep when you have a turn coming up. One beep means your turn is approaching and two beeps means turn now. But you won't get spoken directions.

 

Instead of the map, you can also select Active Route and get written directions for the route (similar to Google Maps)...Left on Main Street,,right on 1st street, etc. with the distance to your next turn shown at each stage and again the beeps letting you know when you have a turn coming up. At least this is how it works on the Oregon, I assume most Garmin units function in a similar manner.

 

Then of course,,once you have driven to the parking area, you can toggle the unit from On Road to Off Road directions for the final approach on foot.

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Basically (at least on my Oregon 550), with the proper routable maps installed, it will show you the route on the map and then beep when you have a turn coming up. One beep means your turn is approaching and two beeps means turn now. But you won't get spoken directions.

 

Instead of the map, you can also select Active Route and get written directions for the route (similar to Google Maps)...Left on Main Street,,right on 1st street, etc. with the distance to your next turn shown at each stage and again the beeps letting you know when you have a turn coming up. At least this is how it works on the Oregon, I assume most Garmin units function in a similar manner.

 

Then of course,,once you have driven to the parking area, you can toggle the unit from On Road to Off Road directions for the final approach on foot.

 

That's basically what I would want, thanks.

 

I now have the understanding that the Garmin eTrex 20 GPS is something I will be looking into that can provide me what I need.

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Basically (at least on my Oregon 550), with the proper routable maps installed, it will show you the route on the map and then beep when you have a turn coming up. One beep means your turn is approaching and two beeps means turn now. But you won't get spoken directions.

 

Instead of the map, you can also select Active Route and get written directions for the route (similar to Google Maps)...Left on Main Street,,right on 1st street, etc. with the distance to your next turn shown at each stage and again the beeps letting you know when you have a turn coming up. At least this is how it works on the Oregon, I assume most Garmin units function in a similar manner.

 

Then of course,,once you have driven to the parking area, you can toggle the unit from On Road to Off Road directions for the final approach on foot.

 

That's basically what I would want, thanks.

 

I now have the understanding that the Garmin eTrex 20 GPS is something I will be looking into that can provide me what I need.

 

It's a great little unit. I highly recommend it!smile.gif

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What some people will do is buy the cheapest Garmin Nuvi they can find, a lot of times under 70 bucks... Then load geocaches in it via either Favorites (max limit 1,000) or Custom POI(nearly unlimited). Then set the car GPS to drive to the cache, which will give verbal directions. Then use a handheld GPS after getting out of the car for the find.

 

Send the 10 or 20 extra bucks to the get the LM of a nuvi (lifetime maps).

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What some people will do is buy the cheapest Garmin Nuvi they can find, a lot of times under 70 bucks... Then load geocaches in it via either Favorites (max limit 1,000) or Custom POI(nearly unlimited). Then set the car GPS to drive to the cache, which will give verbal directions. Then use a handheld GPS after getting out of the car for the find.

 

 

Exactly what we have done for years now.....I haven't found a better way to cache.

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What some people will do is buy the cheapest Garmin Nuvi they can find, a lot of times under 70 bucks... Then load geocaches in it via either Favorites (max limit 1,000) or Custom POI(nearly unlimited). Then set the car GPS to drive to the cache, which will give verbal directions. Then use a handheld GPS after getting out of the car for the find.

 

 

Exactly what we have done for years now.....I haven't found a better way to cache.

 

Don't you loose the paperless features doing it that way though?

 

I know the OP is a regular member now, but he may want to upgrade.

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A good number of us also have a paperless handheld GPS. If you want the best of both worlds, the Montana can act like a Nuvi and it will speak directions for you. Since you don't need spoken directions, the new Oregon 600 series also has a "Nuvi" mode in which automobile navigation mimics a nuvi device. Otherwise, you can navigate with any other device, but the smaller the screen, the more difficult it becomes.

 

Nuvi's aren't true paperless devices. You can load caches as PIO's rather than waypoints and keep the description, but you lose the recent logs, hints, and ability to log finds and upload field notes. Thus, we often use a Nuvi to drive to the cache or parking area and a handheld with paperless capabilities to finish the job.

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A good number of us also have a paperless handheld GPS. If you want the best of both worlds, the Montana can act like a Nuvi and it will speak directions for you. Since you don't need spoken directions, the new Oregon 600 series also has a "Nuvi" mode in which automobile navigation mimics a nuvi device. Otherwise, you can navigate with any other device, but the smaller the screen, the more difficult it becomes.

 

Nuvi's aren't true paperless devices. You can load caches as PIO's rather than waypoints and keep the description, but you lose the recent logs, hints, and ability to log finds and upload field notes. Thus, we often use a Nuvi to drive to the cache or parking area and a handheld with paperless capabilities to finish the job.

Using GSAK, I can put the Owner, D, T, Size, and Hint into my Nuvi 50LM just using export to POI. I understand that there is a macro that is better, but I don't use it. I use an Oregon 450 to find the cache and record field notes. It has the full cache page and as many logs as I feel like loading. Other than the sheet of paper where I write the list of caches that I plan on finding, it's completely paperless.

 

On the 450, switching the Profile will make it a completely different GPS. I mainly use Geocaching, but it has an Automotive profile that functions as Mineral2 described above. That is my backup if the Nuvi bites the dust.

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What some people will do is buy the cheapest Garmin Nuvi they can find, a lot of times under 70 bucks... Then load geocaches in it via either Favorites (max limit 1,000) or Custom POI(nearly unlimited). Then set the car GPS to drive to the cache, which will give verbal directions. Then use a handheld GPS after getting out of the car for the find.

 

Send the 10 or 20 extra bucks to the get the LM of a nuvi (lifetime maps).

+1 to the principle. I've been loading up my various TomTom automotive units with *.ov2 (POI) files for years for 'gross navigation', paying close attention to where using coordinates is needed to avoid misrouting (e.g., parking lots closer to interstate highways than the surface road!). Then I have full advantage of a very large screen (my current favorite is a 6" that's easy on these old eyeballs) and turn by turn directions with spoken street names, etc. The Garmin 450 takes over once we've rolled as close as we're going to roll. I even separate caches into types, with icons to match, so that I can see all of that on the TomTom as well.
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