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Hey Bert...

Just bought myself a ETREX Vista HCX...

Any advice with these ?? I know that you live, breath and sleep GPS


I had a look at OSM and my brain pretty much imploded...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Hello Ted
I am not sure what you are asking but lets have a look see..
Your unit appears not to have any internal memory but it can accept micro sd card so ...

From OSM website, select the map tiles you want and make the request by entering your email address.
You'll be notified by email of request acceptance then with another when maps are ready for download.
Choose the IMAGE option- one single file that you just copy on your micro sd card.

1. Create a folder called 'garmin' on micro sd card
2. Copy gmapsupp.img map image in it (that OSM sent you)

Job done
next one on you! (where's my barrel BTW? !!)


max 1000 waypoints - that's a bit limiting BUT read re: custom POI below

electronic compass- that catches many out- remember to go through the calibration process each time you remove the batteries/travel with it switched off far etc etc
When I'm out there, it's a daily ritual to calibrate it while my engine warms up. It takes no time at all.

50 route storage
Track logs 20 with 10,000 points
Hunt and fish calendar useful if you enjoy fishing as it will give you good/best times to fish from your (or a projected) location.
Barometric altimeter- useful when watching out for weather changes. (or look above you and spot the dark cloud!)

Unit sealed to IPX7 - so no worries about the rain but remember that it doesn't float!

Custom POI capability- that is a very useful (IMHO) option as you can store a huge number of gps points of interest without using up the units own way point memory.


As far as micro SD cards (remember that one of your cards goosed in Africa... still waiting for that barrel of too....) I find it best to have a few small ones rather than the more expensive larger ones.
I use San Disk 4GB micro SD class 4

As the OSM maps are open source (no licence needed) you can always put the same image onto two separate micro SD cards in case one goes wrong -
(belt and braces!) or have it in your notebook or portable usb stick/hard drive if carrying one.

hope this helps- still unsure about the question
if not best pm me your telephone no.

Cheers Bert..

You really are a wealth of GPS knowledge.

My bar tab keeps getting bigger. I'll have to wear a disguise next time I see you at the bar lol.

I bought the ETREX as I'm taking a Canoe down the Yukon River and other exploring right out in the wilderness.

I'm hoping to find some free and detailed TOPO maps of the Yukon Territory...

They're £80 to buy

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

- I enjoy navigation- it's a hobby !
I looked it up- and yes there is one of the Yukon but do you really need it?
If in a canoe, I'm sure you'll get getting a local paper map showing , if any, where the portages are.
You could mark your paper one - should be enough then you'll need to waterproof it.
(book cover- self adhesive transparent roll from Rymans etc)

no need to hide- I can spot you a mile away just by following the bear's trail! no need to guess who my money is on!

PS make sure you update the software on your unit before you go and TEST IT!

PPS just read that that unit (sorry!) is quite prone to 'freezing up' rendering it useless. You might want to contact Garmin to ask them which keys to press simultaneously on power up to do a soft reset BEFORE you go....
Forewarned......

I don't need a map for the river really. It's more for planning and progress and we will probably want to get off the main water ways and go down some of the more complicated tributaries etc. Maybe do some hiking too.

It's wild wild country out there. Not really much to go on I don't think.

To answer your PM, I haven't bought the map yet. I'll only be out there for six weeks so don't really want to drop £80. I'm still on the look out for a free one.


The OSM map for the Yukon is practically none existent.

I'll look into the reset stuff....

On a brighter note, the unit came down to £89 on Amazon and they refunded me the difference. That's one CHEAP GPS unit. I wonder how it will work on the bike. My 2610 has really had it now. Ten years of serious abuse.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Thinking 'safety'
£80 could sound very cheap if things go sideways....