I need a car GPSr.

I'm planning on buying a car GPSr, probably a Garmin, but open to suggestions. Currently I have street maps loaded on my 400t and use that to navigate. What I would love is to be able to load a car GPS with geocaches and use that to navigate by street to the GZ. So...

Can you load any car GPS with caches? Are some brands easier than others?

Are there any that wouldn't require me use GSAK? The ideal would be if I could download my PQs directly like I do with the Oregon.

Will certain models hold more caches than others?

Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone. :)

I think the Nuvi 500 series is the only Nuvis you can dump a GPX file directly into.

Not sure how good they are...

we just bought a nuvi 1300 and kev loads caches as points of intrest on it

GSAK isn't all that confusing to use. I dump all the waypoints into it and use the Garmin POI loader to dump them all into my cheap Nuvi 250 using the pilot snipes macro. Works just fine for me.

Hiram357 and Maniac1957 use a TomTom and swear by them. I am not sure if they use GSAK. I have a Nuvi but use GSAK.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hollora

Hiram357 and Maniac1957 use a TomTom and swear by them. I am not sure if they use GSAK. I have a Nuvi but use GSAK.

---

I like Aaron's and Brad's TomToms . . . the voice they select sounds has such a velvet smooth sexy voice . . . .;):D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by firefighterjake

I like Aaron's and Brad's TomToms . . . the voice they select sounds has such a velvet smooth sexy voice . . . .;):D

---

Oh wait a minute . . . that was the Hiram Hiram that I was thinking about with that velvet smooth sexy voice. ;):D

I have a Tomtom 330XL and absolutely love it. I do use GSAK to load it and it is very easy to do. I also use a GSAK macro to take advantage of the itinerary feature on the 330. It allows me to plan my route and which caches I want at home and then it just goes from cache to cache on a preplanned route instead of going to nearest. Which as you know isn't always the closest. I does spoken directions and is very easy to use. Call me if you'd like any more info and I'll be glad to help you out.

This
http://www.igomyway.com/android/en/

running on this
http://www.slashgear.com/htc-evo-4g-hands-on-2378816/

:)

So a GSAK lesson is going to have to be in my future? Ugh. I tried it when I first started caching, but it seemed way too involved the few times I looked at it. In fact, that was the single reason I chose an Oregon, so I didn't have to use it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trick or Treat

So a GSAK lesson is going to have to be in my future? Ugh. I tried it when I first started caching, but it seemed way too involved the few times I looked at it. In fact, that was the single reason I chose an Oregon, so I didn't have to use it.

---

Do you not like to use your Oregon to navigate to caches? I recently heard a cacher say he used his with a dash mount and was happy doing that. With the right maps, you can use the Oregon to navigate just as you would with a Nuvi.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brdad

Do you not like to use your Oregon to navigate to caches? I recently heard a cacher say he used his with a dash mount and was happy doing that. With the right maps, you can use the Oregon to navigate just as you would with a Nuvi.

---

I have City Navigator on the laptop and you can navigate with that. TRF has the same program on the handheld and we have used that to navigate before.In one instance it was better than the nuvi!

This is a topic I have been dealing with for a while now. With my memory problems and complete lack of direction or should I say uncanny ability to go completely opposite of the way I should be going, I rely on my car navigation tremendously.

I have had a Nuvi for two years now and with the help of Lexmano I use it to go paperless. It is amazing how a device that cost only $100 is able to hold all the caches in New England and beyond paperless. I really like the way it operates the maps and the accuracy. The down side is it is expensive to upgrade the maps and way harder than it needs to be.

I also had Tom Tom. It was a good unit. The big plus is that the maps update free and every time you plug it into the computer. I just like the Nuvi better.

Now as far as GSAK goes, that is something that you should get even without the Car navigation system. It is a wonderful, versatile, easy to use program. I use it more and more every day. I can give you help with setting it up and working it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brdad

Do you not like to use your Oregon to navigate to caches? I recently heard a cacher say he used his with a dash mount and was happy doing that. With the right maps, you can use the Oregon to navigate just as you would with a Nuvi.

---

I've loaded the street maps on there and it works great; I've used it to street navigate since I got it. But it would be nice to be able to navigate with the car GPS while reading about the cache on the handheld (all single handedly of course ;)) so when I get to the gz I'm ready to jump out and find the cache in record time! Looks like I'll be taking someone/s up on the GSAK lessons.

So final question just to clarify, would there be any advantage or disadvantage to getting a TomTom or a Garmin when I use a Garmin handheld already? Or does one have nothing to do with the other?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trick or Treat

I've loaded the street maps on there and it works great; I've used it to street navigate since I got it. But it would be nice to be able to navigate with the car GPS while reading about the cache on the handheld (all single handedly of course ;)) so when I get to the gz I'm ready to jump out and find the cache in record time! Looks like I'll be taking someone/s up on the GSAK lessons.

So final question just to clarify, would there be any advantage or disadvantage to getting a TomTom or a Garmin when I use a Garmin handheld already? Or does one have nothing to do with the other?

---

Are you folks going to make it to Relay this year??? If so - I am sure with a couple of laptops Brad could show you the ins and outs. He has the TomTom - I have the Garmin.........etc. Unless of course you want to make a choice earlier.

Can't wait to see you - ooh, lahhh laahhh I wished I knew the laps already.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trick or Treat

So a GSAK lesson is going to have to be in my future? Ugh. I tried it when I first started caching, but it seemed way too involved the few times I looked at it. In fact, that was the single reason I chose an Oregon, so I didn't have to use it.

---

Trust me if I can figure it out eventually, anyone can since I am pretty close to being a technological idiot.

We have a Nuvi 1300 and I was able to find out how do use it for paperless caching in an evening. There are pages out there about the macros you can use on GSAK for this. Now the only pages I print out are puzzle ones that I need to write notes on. We have a database that has all of the caches we have not done within about 20 miles. Just keep in mind that if you keep your alerts on, you will get an annoying BING! everytime you go by a cache. However, you do have the option of turning alerts off or setting the distance. OR you can say "I am going to keep getting these BINGS until I get some of these caches." Now trust me, that is motivation. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Team V3

We have a Nuvi 1300 and I was able to find out how do use it for paperless caching in an evening. There are pages out there about the macros you can use on GSAK for this. Now the only pages I print out are puzzle ones that I need to write notes on. We have a database that has all of the caches we have not done within about 20 miles. Just keep in mind that if you keep your alerts on, you will get an annoying BING! everytime you go by a cache. However, you do have the option of turning alerts off or setting the distance. OR you can say "I am going to keep getting these BINGS until I get some of these caches." Now trust me, that is motivation. :)

---

You can also shut certain caches off by using the flag option in GSAK. I live in the "Puzzler's" territory, so there are many mystery caches that will not be done right away. I flag these and when I run the macro, those will not show up in the Nuvi.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Team V3

OR you can say "I am going to keep getting these BINGS until I get some of these caches." Now trust me, that is motivation. :)

---

If I left that feature enabled in Dawn's car, she'd never make it home at night. Who knows where she'd end up following that?

I have a Nuvi 1300 for simple day to day navigation and for FTF runs..... however for the best road navigation, gotta go the laptop route. I have a RAM LapTop mount in the Jeep with my Netbook hooked up to a power converter for juice, and running a Delorme LT-40 on the dashboard through Delorme Street Atlas 2010 Plus, and Delorme TOPO 8.0, and GSAK running as well. I keep a GZ file of every cache in Maine in the mapping programs and get a nice wide view of the surrounding area as I drive so I can gauge where to head for the caches....

Barry has a similar, but better set up in his rig as I am sure you know. He runs Garmin software on his touch screen tablet PC which is quite impressive in person....

I gotta tell TorT, I'm a MAC user so the whole Gsak thing, total bummer for for me. But, the little I have used it, I can't wait to use this database to it's full potential. I have some friends down in PA who have host events specifically to do demos with this and other tech as well. (hint, hint Lex).

Oh, and loading into the GPS; piece of cake. ;-)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by merenner

I gotta tell TorT, I'm a MAC user so the whole Gsak thing, total bummer for for me. But, the little I have used it, I can't wait to use this database to it's full potential. I have some friends down in PA who have host events specifically to do demos with this and other tech as well. (hint, hint Lex).

Oh, and loading into the GPS; piece of cake. ;-)

---

Maureen, as you know I am a Mac user as well... actually, it was all I would use until recently.....I hate PCs, but I bought a little netbook PC for a little under $300.00 at Best Buy just for caching and it really is worth it...

GSAK has been known to run quite nicely under "Virtual PC", "Parallels", and "Boot camp" on the Mac.

From the GSAK FAQs, I can't verify the claim...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brdad

GSAK has been known to run quite nicely under "Virtual PC", "Parallels", and "Boot camp" on the Mac.

From the GSAK FAQs, I can't verify the claim...

---

I hesitate to load any windows boots on to my Mac, does it open you up to all the window viruses?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CARoperPhotography

Maureen, as you know I am a Mac user as well... actually, it was all I would use until recently.....I hate PCs, but I bought a little netbook PC for a little under $300.00 at Best Buy just for caching and it really is worth it...

---

Ug, the thought of one more electronic in my house is overwhelming to me right now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by merenner

I hesitate to load any windows boots on to my Mac, does it open you up to all the window viruses?

---

Honestly I don't know for sure, I have never owned a Mac and have made use of one for maybe two hours of use.

What I looked up and found quick suggested that it would be susceptible to Window's viruses, but that if the virus was designed only to harm Windows, it would not harm the Mac directly. However, any files in folders shared by both operating systems could be corrupted. If I were you I would definitely do some homework before going through with it.

Of course, if you have to purchase all the software and set it up, it may be just as cheap to purchase a netbook or a cheap notebook just for GSAK.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by merenner

I hesitate to load any windows boots on to my Mac, does it open you up to all the window viruses?

---

You normally don't get viruses unless you visit "questionable" sites: porn, audio/video sharing sites, geocaching sites, etc. As with any computer - MAC OS, Windows, etc., you need to be protected.

:D:D

(And like Brdad says - a netbook for geocaching is a good investment, and available for under $300 in many places.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brdad

GSAK has been known to run quite nicely under "Virtual PC", "Parallels", and "Boot camp" on the Mac.

From the GSAK FAQs, I can't verify the claim...

---

Yes it does run under Boot Camp and even under WineBottler which is a cool free ware program for converting PC programs into Mac, BUT.... I for one find that I cannot get my USB ports to be recognized on my Mac when in Boot Camp or any other similar program.... which means GSAK is worthless because I can't transfer over caches to the GPSr

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WhereRWe?

You normally don't get viruses unless you visit "questionable" sites: porn, audio/video sharing sites, geocaching sites, etc. As with any computer - MAC OS, Windows, etc., you need to be protected.

:D:D

(And like Brdad says - a netbook for geocaching is a good investment, and available for under $300 in many places.)

---

I visit a lot of Porn sites.... GEO PORN!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CARoperPhotography

I visit a lot of Porn sites.... GEO PORN!

---

Naked micro's?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shuman road searchers

Naked micro's?

---

Watching naked smalls and micros is sick :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by merenner

I hesitate to load any windows boots on to my Mac, does it open you up to all the window viruses?

---

Whole windows installation would be contained within virtual environment and could not interfere with its host environment. If you don't want to pay for another Windows license you can install linux into VM and run GSAK under WINE. Or maybe there is something similar to WINE under Mac.

I found it was cheaper and more practical to just buy a 300$ netbook
in the end.... As much as I hate PCs it also allows me to use Delormes software now as well for navigation right in the vehicle.

Overall though, the monthly cost of a netbook to have the net on the go may not suit everyones budget whereas the one time charge of a unit would be easier to handle. Of course, if you are just using it to wardrive for your net access, I guess you'll be ok.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cano

Whole windows installation would be contained within virtual environment and could not interfere with its host environment. If you don't want to pay for another Windows license you can install linux into VM and run GSAK under WINE. Or maybe there is something similar to WINE under Mac.

---

Well that's interesting. If there's no risk to my mac, then that's the best option for me. I just don't have it in my to add a third platform and as cheap as pc's are these days, 1 more gadget or gizmo may just throw this girl over the edge.

Thanks for all the info.

-M