GARMIN Nuvi GPS & GC GPS suggestions GSAK & Windows 7 Options

[zoisrus]

Several questions.

Looking for a Garmin Nuvi for use in our vehicle. Thinking about the 200 series-such as the 265 WT. Unfortunately there a dozen or more Nuvi modesl to choose from. We want the larger 4.3 inch screen, audio prompts (with ability to mute) along with all the US detailed maps loaded. Someone suggested shopping at Sam's Club (we are members) to get the best prices on a Nuvi and free map udates for life. Not sure if Garmin still offers this or it was a Sam's Club Membership Benefit.

Also folks looking to upgrade or replace your Garmin Geocaching GPS or folks who have already done so-I have a question for you. Would you go with the new Oregon series or still with the Map 60CSX (a product I'm familiar with). I was reading a lot of cons regarding the Oregon-with regards to using it in inclement weather and so forth. I know the Map60CX is very rugged and durable and weather protected.

Also wonder how things were working with GSAK and Windows 7. I have GSAK Version 7.6.2 on my old HP (XP OS) Computer. But just got an HP Touchsmart 600 ( Windows 7 OS) for Christmas and downloaded GSAK to it, but haven't tried it with the new technology since I have yet to download Outlook Express so I can get e-mail Pocket Queries on the new machine.

M

[MrDotOne]

I cannot help with selecting the best Nuvi for you, there are a few chums here that use them so hopefully they can point you to the better selections. And i can only recommend models of GPSrs that i am familiar with (GPSMap 60CSx) but i know several chums have Colorados and Oregons, so hopefully they will chime in on those units. As far as Win7 and GSAK, there are no problems running GSAK on Win7 at all i have been doing so for many months now, and have had absolutely no issues. In fact, Win7 is far more stable than Vista, so i would recommend 7 over Vista any day As for OE, i would suggest getting or using a gmail account since its highly portable and no need for additional software installations outside of a web browser. And you can have geocaching.com send to the gmail email address, and leave everything else the same.

[Timeage]

I have an oregon and so far I have not had problems in the cold but I have only had it since April. It has been used extensivly in the rain and hot weather with no problems. Ill give it a snow test this week. So far I can say that hands down its the best GPS i have ever owned. I was a previous Magellan user and although my explorist was great the new triton series took a step back so I went with garmin. The oregon works well with Vista so windows 7 should be the same. I would be more concerned to see if GSAK runs ok with a 64 bit OS. The Oregon can hold up to 2000 geocaches with the full cache page minus pictures and the last 5 logs and includes the full hint. It totally replaces the need for a PDA. I dont use GSAK because there is no real need for me since I put the pocket query on the Oregon just as I recieved it from the website. I set up the pocket query to do what ever filtering I need. I mark the caches found and and upload the field notes to GC.COM and it makes looging the caches I found or did not find very easy and in the order i found them.

As Michael said I also have a gmail account that I use and i can acess it from any where. I can even go into a coffee shop with my laptop in a town that I dont have caches loaded for and load up my GPS on the road.

I hope this helps.

BTW what have you heard about using the oregon in inclement weather ?

[Signal]

We purchased the Oregon 300 over a year ago and love it. We have not had any issues with it since Garmin upgraded their firware. Sabrina jsut used it at the zoo in yesterdays snow filled, blustery environment and did not reprot any issues.
I have no idea about GSAK or anything since we only download using EasyGPS. We get all of the information we need that way.

[MrDotOne]

Just as a point of additional information, Win7 is NOT necessarily a 64-bit OS, one has to purchase and install a specific version on specific hardware for this capability...besides MOST apps we use day to day are NOT 64-bit compiled...so this is really a non-issue

[2trux]

Check this Garmin nuvi comparsion chart to see what's included with the various models. We're in SamsClub every other week or so and I don't believe they've had any nuvi's with lifetime map updates. The 265WT model you mention includes "lifetime traffic updates", but since it uses MSN Direct, "lifetime" runs out on Jan 1, 2012.

One can purchase a nuMaps Lifetime subscription for $119.99 that allow you lifetime map updates (for one device). (Note: if you have City Navigator NT and a supported handheld, like the 60c(s)x, you can purchase this subscription too.)

We bought a 255W from Sams back in August and have used it to to augment our 60csx for routing and caching. We also use a GSAK macro, along with Garmin's POI loader (free) to load caches (and the rest of the GPX data) on the Nuvi. There are other ways to load the data, but using the method above, allows you to load 1000's of caches.

If I were choosing between the Oregon and the 60csx, I'd go with an Oregon. While the 60 series is still in the model lineup, firmware updates are few and far between. On the otherhand, for the Oregon they are turning out fixes and enhancements regularly. See the Garmin Oregon Archives (GPSFix) for more information.

As far as email/Win 7, you could go the gmail route for your gc.com needs or possibly access your current email via a web browser. For example, I can access my RoadRunner account and/or accounts at 2trux dot net, via the web, when we travel.

[Sileny Jizda]

The 265WT actually uses a FM traffic receiver for the lifetime traffic. The MSN is only an available option. The Garmin version of traffic updates looks good but it is only available on one model right now.