Software version 2.50 is the latest version for the Vista which also
has a click stick.

Nigel Angold

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, "HJ van Toorn" <hjvantoorn@h...> wrote:
> I think its the latest version (2.34).
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: Peter Wilkins [mailto:wilkinsp@o...]
> Verzonden: dinsdag 7 januari 2003 22:41
> Aan: etrex@yahoogroups.com
> Onderwerp: Re: [etrex] Click Stick
>
> On Wed, 08 Jan 2003 08:38:29 +1100, Peter Wilkins
> <wilkinsp@o...> wrote:
>
> >On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 11:01:43 -0000, "Rudolf Hess"
> ><rudolf.hess@v...> wrote:
> >
> >>My problems started when I moved up to the latest firmware (V2.50)
> >>Are those people that say they have no problems running the latest
> >>version ?
> >>
> >Well I'm only using 2.34 on my Venture - didn't know there was an
> >upgrade to that.  I will check and get back.
>
> Well I checked and there isn't.  Are you sure you have a Venture?
> --
> Regards,
> Peter Wilkins

Here's a handy place to look for any Garmin software/firmware update:
http://www.garmin.com/support/download.html
Best,
TerryS

  -----------------------


I think its the latest version (2.34).

  -----------------

On Wed, 08 Jan 2003 08:38:29 +1100, Peter Wilkins
<wilkinsp@...> wrote:

>On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 11:01:43 -0000, "Rudolf Hess"
><rudolf.hess@...> wrote:
>
>>My problems started when I moved up to the latest firmware (V2.50)
>>Are those people that say they have no problems running the latest
>>version ?
>>
>Well I'm only using 2.34 on my Venture - didn't know there was an
>upgrade to that.  I will check and get back.

Well I checked and there isn't.  Are you sure you have a Venture?
--
Regards,
Peter Wilkins





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sorry I have a Legend, but its interesting that someone else mentioned
that thay had a problem after upgrading !
I will phone Garmin today and let you know !


Well I checked and there isn't.  Are you sure you have a Venture?
--
Regards,
Peter Wilkins



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Since the click stick is just like five buttons in one, it's not
likely to be dependent on your firmware revision. However, the design
seems rather delicate, and does cause trouble now and then. This
seems to be more related to age or bad luck than whichever firmware
you are using.
The fact that you upgraded also means that the unit is older than it
was before, of course.

There is a test screen where all buttons can be checked. Hold the
click stick pressed (assuming that works!) while turning the unit on.
Then you can see a little symbol at the bottom of the screen, where
parts will go black as soon as the corresponding key press has been
detected.

Don't use this function where you have satellite reception
(outdoors), since it's said to set the calibration of the unit wrong,
if you don't get the particular satellite signals as Garmin produces
in their testing facilities. The calibration will repair itself again
when you keep on using the unit in the ordinary manner, but
performance may be more or less degrades until the tables are
properly regenerated.

Anders

hes right
  i cant seem to find version 2.5 for venture either


--- Peter Wilkins <wilkinsp@...> wrote:
> On Wed, 08 Jan 2003 08:38:29 +1100, Peter Wilkins
> <wilkinsp@...> wrote:
>
> >On Tue, 7 Jan 2003 11:01:43 -0000, "Rudolf Hess"
> ><rudolf.hess@...> wrote:
> >
> >>My problems started when I moved up to the latest
> firmware (V2.50)
> >>Are those people that say they have no problems
> running the latest
> >>version ?
> >>
> >Well I'm only using 2.34 on my Venture - didn't
> know there was an
> >upgrade to that.  I will check and get back.
>
> Well I checked and there isn't.  Are you sure you
> have a Venture?
> --
> Regards,
> Peter Wilkins
>


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Anybody know where to get a cable to link etrex summit to sony clie SL10??

all ideas gratefully recieved.

Richard

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, Pramod Pal Singh <mailtopps@y...> wrote:
> He's right.
>  I can't seem to find version 2.50 for the Venture either.

All eTrex units have their own firmware. Normally the version numbers
aren't synchronized, although right now both the Legend and the Vista
happens to be at 2.50, at the same time.

Suddenly there is a new version for the Vista again, and the numbers
will differ once again.

Anders

I order my GPS - Palm cable at http://www.icarussolutions.nl/
I don't know if he takes orders from the UK, but you can always send
this person an e-mail and you get an answer anyway.

Henk-Jan.


-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Richard Gott [mailto:richard.gott@...]
Verzonden: woensdag 8 januari 2003 13:14
Aan: etrex@yahoogroups.com
Onderwerp: [etrex] etrex summit to scony clie SL10

Anybody know where to get a cable to link etrex summit to sony clie
SL10??

all ideas gratefully recieved.

Richard

http://www.egroups.com/group/etrex
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
etrex-unsubscribe@egroups.com



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year!!
I have to admit I was surprised to find a healthy-sized group for
etrex users.
That's great!!
OK... here's the story: a good friend of mine was showing off his
GPS... an
etrex Legend. Of course, I went out and got one just like it.
Considered a Vista,
just for bragging rights, but it's not worth the price hike just on
account of that.

This is my first handheld GPS that doesn't hook up to my PalmVx. As a
Mac
guy, I have no problems getting maps into the Palm, but I have no
idea how to
do this on the Legend. I've read it can be done by using VirtualPC
(which I
have) and a modified Palm-to-Serial adapter (which I also have). The
question is: what are the modifications necessary to make the serial
adapter
work? I don't want to take pliers to it before knowing it will work.

Second question: Obviously, Murphy strikes as predictably as ever.
Two days
after I ordered my Legend, my friend's stopped working. It powers on,
the
menus all work, nothing has been lost from memory, but the unit
doesn't "see"
any satellites. Any idea how to get it to work again? Can I expect
this to
happen to mine somewhere down the line?

Again, it's been a great surprise to find this group.

John
fivedown@...
http://profiles.yahoo.com/fifteencount

Hi group
Here's my first post here, Santa also brought me a new Legend for Xmas.
I'm also a Mac user (actually its an old Powercomputing clone with no USB
ports).
I just made myself an adapter to hook up my Legend to the Mac's serial
port, that was quite easy and it works just fine.
Just go to your nearest electronic parts store, and buy a DB9 socket, a
MiniDIN-8 plug and some wire. (or you can also use an old printer or
modem cable and just buy the DB9 socket) There are only 3 wires to
solder. You will need an ohmmeter to check for continuity.
This link provide the correct pin layout to use on the MiniDIN-8:

http://clover.se/maccable.html

You only use pins 2,3  and 5 on the DB9, and pins 3,4 and 5 on the
MiniDIN-8.
DB9 pin 5 goes to DIN8 pin 4 (Ground).
I can't remember wich pins between 2 and 3 are "Transmit" and "Receive"
on the DB9, to make sure simply use your ohmmeter and the plug schematic
at the end of your Legend Manual to figure it out. As shown on the web
page above, Data IN on the Garmin goes to DIN-8 pin 3, Data OUT goes to
DIN-8 pin 5.
(I've seen different web pages with the DB9 pin schematic, and sometimes
they mix the In and OUT pins. I guess what is Transmit for the Garmin is
also Receive for the computer, so its easy to get it wrong. But with the
Legend manual schematic and the web page above you will figure wich goes
where.)

To only problem I had with my adapter was I had to disable my fax driver
because it would not let GPSy use the modem port.
Also I had to trim a bit of the plastic on the edge of my MiniDIN-8 plug,
this plug is slightly larger than those found on Mac's cables and the
plug wouldn't seat properly in the socket.
I've found some info on GPSy web site, where you can download the
"Getting started" pdf manual for GPSy where they have nice wiring
schematics for homemade Mac adapters. Thay also sell Garmin-to-Mac
cables, and they explain why your Palm adapter cable will not work with
your GPS:
http://www.gpsy.com/cables/making.html

Another Mac vs Garmin site:
http://www.klostermaier.de/gps/

Hope it helps

Carl
etrex Legend
N46 45.3
W71 22.5


>The
>question is: what are the modifications necessary to make the serial
>adapter
>work? I don't want to take pliers to it before knowing it will work.

Carl,


WOW!! That is MORE than enough information!! Actuelly, a little too much for
me, so I'm going to wind up taking these instructions to the electronics shop
and see if they can't put it together for me. The links you sent were pretty
incredible. I'm happy I can make my etrex and my powerbook talk like they
actually liked eachother! :-)

Thanks a bunch!

John

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, Carl Veilleux <veilleux@v...> wrote:
> Hi group
> Here's my first post here, Santa also brought me a new Legend for Xmas.
> I'm also a Mac user (actually its an old Powercomputing clone with no USB
> ports).
> I just made myself an adapter to hook up my Legend to the Mac's serial
> port, that was quite easy and it works just fine.
> Just go to your nearest electronic parts store, and buy a DB9 socket, a
> MiniDIN-8 plug and some wire. (or you can also use an old printer or
> modem cable and just buy the DB9 socket) There are only 3 wires to
> solder. You will need an ohmmeter to check for continuity.
> This link provide the correct pin layout to use on the MiniDIN-8:
>
> http://clover.se/maccable.html
>
> You only use pins 2,3  and 5 on the DB9, and pins 3,4 and 5 on the
> MiniDIN-8.
> DB9 pin 5 goes to DIN8 pin 4 (Ground).
> I can't remember wich pins between 2 and 3 are "Transmit" and "Receive"
> on the DB9, to make sure simply use your ohmmeter and the plug
schematic
> at the end of your Legend Manual to figure it out. As shown on the web
> page above, Data IN on the Garmin goes to DIN-8 pin 3, Data OUT goes to
> DIN-8 pin 5.
> (I've seen different web pages with the DB9 pin schematic, and sometimes
> they mix the In and OUT pins. I guess what is Transmit for the Garmin is
> also Receive for the computer, so its easy to get it wrong. But with the
> Legend manual schematic and the web page above you will figure wich
goes
> where.)
>
> To only problem I had with my adapter was I had to disable my fax driver
> because it would not let GPSy use the modem port.
> Also I had to trim a bit of the plastic on the edge of my MiniDIN-8 plug,
> this plug is slightly larger than those found on Mac's cables and the
> plug wouldn't seat properly in the socket.
> I've found some info on GPSy web site, where you can download the
> "Getting started" pdf manual for GPSy where they have nice wiring
> schematics for homemade Mac adapters. Thay also sell Garmin-to-Mac
> cables, and they explain why your Palm adapter cable will not work with
> your GPS:
> http://www.gpsy.com/cables/making.html
>
> Another Mac vs Garmin site:
> http://www.klostermaier.de/gps/
>
> Hope it helps
>
> Carl
> etrex Legend
> N46 45.3
> W71 22.5

This is all new to me also (I made my adapter cable last tuesday!), so
please share any tips on using your mac & etrex!
I've done a few trials with GPSy, but I don't have any map of my cabin
area I could use. I'd like to give MacGPS Pro a try too but I can't find
a demo version.

Carl
N46 45.3
W71 22.5


>Carl,
>
>
>WOW!! That is MORE than enough information!! Actuelly, a little too much for
>me, so I'm going to wind up taking these instructions to the electronics
>shop
>and see if they can't put it together for me. The links you sent were pretty
>incredible. I'm happy I can make my etrex and my powerbook talk like they
>actually liked eachother! :-)
>
>Thanks a bunch!
>
>John

Carl,

Sadly, we don't have much of a choice where maps are concerned. Garmin's
or nothing. They could've at least offered up a relatively easy way to upload
your own maps. Oh, well!!

I've heard really good things about MacGPS Pro, but I've never played with it
for pretty much the same reason. If I could, I'm fairly sure I'd wind up buying
it.

For sure, as soon as I have the cable made and everything hooked up and
working, I'll figure out a few ways to play with my Mac and Legend. :-) Right
after that, I'll post here and see if I CAN indeed come up with new stuff. :-P

About the software... what have you heard about GPSy? That one was made
specifically to make Macs and Garmins play nice.

Now that I'm at this, I'll ask the same question I asked over on the Etrex
Legend group: what are THE MOST ORIGINAL/WIERD/USEFUL things
you've ever done with your GPS?

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, Carl Veilleux <veilleux@v...> wrote:
> This is all new to me also (I made my adapter cable last tuesday!), so
> please share any tips on using your mac & etrex!
> I've done a few trials with GPSy, but I don't have any map of my cabin
> area I could use. I'd like to give MacGPS Pro a try too but I can't find
> a demo version.
>
> Carl
> N46 45.3
> W71 22.5

many thinks
i'll give it a go

rg

On Wednesday, January 08, 2003 7:57 PM, HJ van Toorn [SMTP:hjvantoorn@...]
wrote:
> I order my GPS - Palm cable at http://www.icarussolutions.nl/
> I don't know if he takes orders from the UK, but you can always send
> this person an e-mail and you get an answer anyway.
>
> Henk-Jan.
>
>
> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: Richard Gott [mailto:richard.gott@...]
> Verzonden: woensdag 8 januari 2003 13:14
> Aan: etrex@yahoogroups.com
> Onderwerp: [etrex] etrex summit to scony clie SL10
>
> Anybody know where to get a cable to link etrex summit to sony clie
> SL10??
>
> all ideas gratefully recieved.
>
> Richard
>
> http://www.egroups.com/group/etrex
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> etrex-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
> http://www.egroups.com/group/etrex
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> etrex-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

When connected to my PC, it would be nice to have the etrex powered
externally.

It appears to take a 12 V external power input based on the fact that they
supply a cigarette lighter adapter.

the RS-232 port on any computer has a 12 V signal line on it.

Would it be possible to power the e-trex from the rs-232 cable when it is
connected to the computer?

If not, does anyone have any other creative suggestions for powering the
e-trex remotely when connected to a computer?

The voltage for the Etrex is 3V, use no other voltage!  12 volts will
most likely toast your Etrex.
Take a look in our (Etrex) messages. There has been a lot written about
voltage convertors/power supplies.
Douglas

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Grotheer" <stevegrotheer@...>
To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 6:44 AM
Subject: question on etrex cable


> When connected to my PC, it would be nice to have the etrex powered
> externally.
>
> It appears to take a 12 V external power input based on the fact that they
> supply a cigarette lighter adapter.
>
> the RS-232 port on any computer has a 12 V signal line on it.
>
> Would it be possible to power the e-trex from the rs-232 cable when it is
> connected to the computer?

     12v will fry the eTrex in about 1.5 sec.

> If not, does anyone have any other creative suggestions for powering the
> e-trex remotely when connected to a computer?

     The easiest way is to use the cigarette/PC interface combo cable. We have
them in
stock for $35 plus s/h. Thanks.


                  Darrel Goheen
                  GPS@...
                  http://www.tvnav.com
                  Voice 785-625-3546/FAX 413-383-8800

>About the software... what have you heard about GPSy? That one was made
>specifically to make Macs and Garmins play nice.

Yes I'm using GPSy right now. I'm not sure I like the user interface
tough. All those little windows... This is the only GPS software I've
seen so far so may be it's not too bad. I'd like to compare with MacGPS
Pro, its got some different features, and could be more "Mac like".
My first goals with the computer are:
-creating a backup of all my wapoint/tracks/routes (that seems to work
fine with GPSy).
-being able to print out a topo map of my cottage area, with gps tracks
of our trails and specific spots.
Some of these tracks and waypoints are already in the etrex. I only have
the paper 1:20 000 topographic map of the area, its not scanned yet, so I
haven't used the user's map calibration feature or GPSy. I hope it will
look good!

Carl
N46 45.3
W71 22.5

But I don't have a cigarette lighter connection near my PC in my house.

Any creative ideas where to get the power from on a typical PC so that I
don't have to have yet another transformer sitting around near my PC?

----- Original Message -----
From: "tvnav.com" <GPS@...>
To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:57 AM
Subject: [etrex] Re: question on etrex cable


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Grotheer" <stevegrotheer@...>
> To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 6:44 AM
> Subject: question on etrex cable
>
>
> > When connected to my PC, it would be nice to have the etrex powered
> > externally.
> >
> > It appears to take a 12 V external power input based on the fact that
they
> > supply a cigarette lighter adapter.
> >
> > the RS-232 port on any computer has a 12 V signal line on it.
> >
> > Would it be possible to power the e-trex from the rs-232 cable when it
is
> > connected to the computer?
>
>     12v will fry the eTrex in about 1.5 sec.
>
> > If not, does anyone have any other creative suggestions for powering the
> > e-trex remotely when connected to a computer?
>
>     The easiest way is to use the cigarette/PC interface combo cable. We
have them in
> stock for $35 plus s/h. Thanks.
>
>
>                  Darrel Goheen
>                  GPS@...
>                  http://www.tvnav.com
>                  Voice 785-625-3546/FAX 413-383-8800
>
>
>
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etrex
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> etrex-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

I use NiMH batteries, which are rechargeable.

Glenn

--- Steve Grotheer <stevegrotheer@...> wrote:
> But I don't have a cigarette lighter connection near
> my PC in my house.
>
> Any creative ideas where to get the power from on a
> typical PC so that I
> don't have to have yet another transformer sitting
> around near my PC?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "tvnav.com" <GPS@...>
> To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 7:57 AM
> Subject: [etrex] Re: question on etrex cable
>
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Steve Grotheer" <stevegrotheer@...>
> > To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 6:44 AM
> > Subject: question on etrex cable
> >
> >
> > > When connected to my PC, it would be nice to
> have the etrex powered
> > > externally.
> > >
> > > It appears to take a 12 V external power input
> based on the fact that
> they
> > > supply a cigarette lighter adapter.
> > >
> > > the RS-232 port on any computer has a 12 V
> signal line on it.
> > >
> > > Would it be possible to power the e-trex from
> the rs-232 cable when it
> is
> > > connected to the computer?
> >
> >     12v will fry the eTrex in about 1.5 sec.
> >
> > > If not, does anyone have any other creative
> suggestions for powering the
> > > e-trex remotely when connected to a computer?
> >
> >     The easiest way is to use the cigarette/PC
> interface combo cable. We
> have them in
> > stock for $35 plus s/h. Thanks.
> >
> >
> >                  Darrel Goheen
> >                  GPS@...
> >                  http://www.tvnav.com
> >                  Voice 785-625-3546/FAX
> 413-383-8800
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/etrex
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > etrex-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>
>


__________________________________________________
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>But I don't have a cigarette lighter connection near my PC in my house.

But surely you *know* where your house is, and it isn't moving?

All you need to do on the eTrex is to upload/download the waypoints etc.
Not going to take long, so why not just do it on batteries, then turn the
eTrex off while you manipulate all the waypoints etc?

I assumed you were going to use the GPS for some kind of mobile mapping app
on a laptop.

>Any creative ideas where to get the power from on a typical PC so that I
>don't have to have yet another transformer sitting around near my PC?

Since 9-pin RS-232 doesn't have the +12v and -12v pins, just 25-pin, which
is rarely found on modern PCs, it's all a bit academic, but if you
genuinely do have a serial port that gives out +12v and ground, then why
not get the soldering iron out, and feed the +12v to the +ve pin of a ciggy
lighter socket, and ground to the -ve pin, then plug the cable Darryl
suggested in to that?


Adrian Chapman
adrian@...

Hi all,

For some time now I've used a combination of a basic yellow Etrex plus a
basic Casio altimeter watch for hiking. Since neither has a digital
compass, a good compass is also a requirement.

Well, a family member lost the altimeter watch & reimbursed me. My first
thought was to spend a bit more money and get a Casio altimeter/digital
compass watch for around US$120. But it occurs to me that I could also
simply buy an eTrex Summit (GPS+altimeter+compass) and sell the old eTrex
for about the same total outlay of money. (The Summit is available new for
$200 or so.)

I'd be interested in opinions from people who are familiar with the
performance of Casio watches vs. the Summit as far as accuracy and
reliability go for the altimeter and compass functions.

DS

----- Original Message -----
From: <dbtreg@...>
To: <etrex@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 5:24 PM
Subject: Firmware and Battery life


> Hi all.
>
> Have just joined the group as I am planning on buying an etrex basic
> (yellow) as a first GPS.
>
> After skimming through the posts here, i have 2 questions:
>
> Firmware: Can you "downgrade" firmware to a previous version?

     Yes you can but unless you buy from very old stock it will come with the
current
version.

  eg. if
> you upgrade and are not happy with new version, can you go back?

     Yes.


                  Darrel Goheen
                  GPS@...
                  http://www.tvnav.com
                  Voice 785-625-3546/FAX 413-383-8800

Hi all.

Have just joined the group as I am planning on buying an etrex basic
(yellow) as a first GPS.

After skimming through the posts here, i have 2 questions:

Firmware: Can you "downgrade" firmware to a previous version? eg. if
you upgrade and are not happy with new version, can you go back?

Batteries: Garmin quote c. 20hrs battery life. Given my
understanding that the unit's performance may not be as good in
battery save mode, what sort of battery life can I expect without
using battery save? I plan on using NiMh rechargables (1850mah). How
would these compare to alkalines?

Thanks for any advice supplied.

Dave.
Australia

DS,

As I said a few posts ago, I'm a bit of a newbie to the Etrex line, but I did do
my
research before deciding on the Legend. My first comment is that you should
be able to find the Summit for less than $200. The prices for those two models
are about even and I paid around $170 plus shipping for mine (new, not
auction). I'll look for the link to the online store where I bought it. I went
with
the Legend because of the mapping and higher-res screen. I have no real
need for the altimeter and electronic compass.

As for the altimeter and compass, those probably work as well as they do in
the Casio watch, if not better. Kind of sucks that Garmin makes you go all the
way to the Vista if you want a mapping unit with altimeter, compass, click stick
and the higher resolution screen.

Good Shopping!

John

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, David Sewell <dsewell@v...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> For some time now I've used a combination of a basic yellow Etrex plus a
> basic Casio altimeter watch for hiking. Since neither has a digital
> compass, a good compass is also a requirement.
>
> Well, a family member lost the altimeter watch & reimbursed me. My first
> thought was to spend a bit more money and get a Casio altimeter/digital
> compass watch for around US$120. But it occurs to me that I could also
> simply buy an eTrex Summit (GPS+altimeter+compass) and sell the old
eTrex
> for about the same total outlay of money. (The Summit is available new for
> $200 or so.)
>
> I'd be interested in opinions from people who are familiar with the
> performance of Casio watches vs. the Summit as far as accuracy and
> reliability go for the altimeter and compass functions.
>
> DS

Very simple, use your ps2 port, it supplies 5 volts, place 4 diodes in series
(.5 volt drop per diode, I think or was it .7 volt ??? just start with 4 and
measure)

Or you could use your USB power, its also 5 volts with the diodes as a voltage
drop.



Or if you want to get fancy look for a schematic for a LM317 adjustable voltage.
Then you can use any voltage from 3-36 volts to supply your gps but be cautioned
this sucker can get quite hot on the higher voltages.

your ideal voltage is 3 volts to the gps, anything more than 3.2 and you could
hurt your unit, anything less than 2.4 and it wont turn on, the reason why I
don't like using nickel cadmium, they don't work (expects to be flamed with this
remark)


good luck !!!
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Steve Grotheer
   To: etrex@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Friday, January 10, 2003 2:44 PM
   Subject: [etrex] question on etrex cable


   When connected to my PC, it would be nice to have the etrex powered
   externally.

   It appears to take a 12 V external power input based on the fact that they
   supply a cigarette lighter adapter.

   the RS-232 port on any computer has a 12 V signal line on it.

   Would it be possible to power the e-trex from the rs-232 cable when it is
   connected to the computer?

   If not, does anyone have any other creative suggestions for powering the
   e-trex remotely when connected to a computer?




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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Are u using your (yellow) etrex for 20h? I do not.  I'm allmost allways capable
of charching my spares. Ofcourse you can figure out what is cheaper or last
longer but I bought a 4 batteries and a (special) charger in one buy and I never
had to worry.
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: Dave <dbtreg@...>
   To: etrex@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Saturday, January 11, 2003 12:24 AM
   Subject: [etrex] Firmware and Battery life


   Hi all.

   Have just joined the group as I am planning on buying an etrex basic
   (yellow) as a first GPS.

   After skimming through the posts here, i have 2 questions:

   Firmware: Can you "downgrade" firmware to a previous version? eg. if
   you upgrade and are not happy with new version, can you go back?

   Batteries: Garmin quote c. 20hrs battery life. Given my
   understanding that the unit's performance may not be as good in
   battery save mode, what sort of battery life can I expect without
   using battery save? I plan on using NiMh rechargables (1850mah). How
   would these compare to alkalines?

   Thanks for any advice supplied.

   Dave.
   Australia


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>Have just joined the group as I am planning on buying an etrex basic
>(yellow) as a first GPS.


Hi Dave
I would suggest you spend just a little more a get a Legend or Vista
etrex. You won't regret it.
I just got a Legend and I'm very happy about it.

Check this for some interesting info on various types of batteries:

http://michaelbluejay.com/batteries.html


Hope it helps

Carl
N46 45.3
W71 22.5

DS,

As I said a few posts ago, I'm a bit of a newbie to the Etrex line, but I did do
my
research before deciding on the Legend. My first comment is that you should
be able to find the Summit for less than $200. The prices for those two models
are about even and I paid around $170 plus shipping for mine (new, not
auction). I'll look for the link to the online store where I bought it. I went
with
the Legend because of the mapping and higher-res screen. I have no real
need for the altimeter and electronic compass.

As for the altimeter and compass, those probably work as well as they do in
the Casio watch, if not better. Kind of sucks that Garmin makes you go all the
way to the Vista if you want a mapping unit with altimeter, compass, click stick
and the higher resolution screen.

Good Shopping!

John

--- In etrex@yahoogroups.com, David Sewell <dsewell@v...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> For some time now I've used a combination of a basic yellow Etrex plus a
> basic Casio altimeter watch for hiking. Since neither has a digital
> compass, a good compass is also a requirement.
>
> Well, a family member lost the altimeter watch & reimbursed me. My first
> thought was to spend a bit more money and get a Casio altimeter/digital
> compass watch for around US$120. But it occurs to me that I could also
> simply buy an eTrex Summit (GPS+altimeter+compass) and sell the old
eTrex
> for about the same total outlay of money. (The Summit is available new for
> $200 or so.)
>
> I'd be interested in opinions from people who are familiar with the
> performance of Casio watches vs. the Summit as far as accuracy and
> reliability go for the altimeter and compass functions.
>
> DS

On Sat, 11 Jan 2003, John <fivedown2003@...> wrote:

> DS,
>
> As I said a few posts ago, I'm a bit of a newbie to the Etrex line, but I did
do my
> research before deciding on the Legend. My first comment is that you should
> be able to find the Summit for less than $200. The prices for those two models
> are about even and I paid around $170 plus shipping for mine (new, not
> auction). I'll look for the link to the online store where I bought it.

That would be nice--I don't see it listed for less than $190 on the sites
I found.

DS