Tutor for Oregon 450?

[paulhubbard]

I just got an Oregon 450 (not the 450t), and while I consider myself pretty literate in things with no instructions, I'm feeling like a dummy with this unit... I have the Garmin SW 24k topo maps and I installed the Arizona portion only and filled the memory of the unit.

Question one: Do I really need the whole map or should I add/remove the sections needed prior to an outing? Or should I rely on HAZ tracks/routes?
Question two: Once installed, how do I remove a map? I *think* I can see the map files installed in Windows explorer (they take up a lot of space, I.E. 500+ mb)
Question three: Anyone want to play teacher on a hike (short or otherwise) to help me get started? (I live in NE Mesa, Red Mountain Ranch/Las Sendas area)

Thanks in advance for any tips or places you may know to find tips - can't wait to start posting GPS Tracks!

Paul

[joebartels]

1) do you have a memory card?

2) you can turn maps off and on, think of them as layers

3) You're so far away from me
So far away from me
So far I just can't see

[paulhubbard]

Ans 1: No memory card yet (just realized they're available) - any suggestions? Looks like a 4 gig card is the *norm*?
Ans 2: Looks like I can just delete the new map from the internal memory
Ans 3: This coming from a guy who's hiked (or will have in the near future) the ENTIRE AZ Trail?? ;)

[JimmyLyding]

I have an Oregon 400t, and just uploaded the Topo U.S. 24K West maps (central and northern California only) last night so I'm right there with you. Definitely get a memory card, and it looks like you can get a 4 GB MicroSD card for far less than $20 online.
I would recommend using the BaseCamp software to manage the maps on your handheld. Even though the Base Camp program sucks, it's probably best to stick with it once you've used it unless you're an advanced user. I base that on the assumption that you used MapInstall to install the maps on your handheld.
Also, register for the (free) Garmin WebUpdater. Most importantly, don't forget to back up all of your files. The BaseCamp software is definitely not cool, but it's probably the best interface we're going to get unless we want to spend a lot of time on the issue.

[paulhubbard]

Yeah, they make BaseCamp look really cool by the pictures on the packaging, but just like the fast food burger on TV, it looks nothing like that in reality. But from what I can tell, it IS pretty detailed. Interesting that the pre-loaded map didn't even recognize the Catalina Hwy up Mount Lemon even though it had Summerhaven listed as a POI.

I've definitely got some learnin' to do...

[DarthStiller]

I uploaded the serbia topo maps into my 450t with some other program (mapsource20?), I can't remember the name of it. It was way easier to use than basecamp.

Question three: Anyone want to play teacher on a hike (short or otherwise) to help me get started? (I live in NE Mesa, Red Mountain Ranch/Las Sendas area)

I live in east mesa and I'll probably be hiking local this weekend. thinking about McDowell Mt. park, if you want to tag along and can get your maps loaded.

[paulhubbard]

Cool, Stillernator, I'll let you know. GF bought us a hot air balloon ride for Sunday morning, but no other plans for the weekend. Should be pretty cool to use the GPS on the balloon ride!

[DarthStiller]

Sunday morning is my only available time to hike (sorry, I shoulda been more specific). I'm going to be hiking the next 3 weekends, then no hiking until Nov. ( ) since football season starts ( )

[paulhubbard]

Is Garmin behind the technology curve? Installed a 8 gig memory card and using their BaseCamp software to install the SW Maps (AZ, CO, NM, UT) and it says 2.5 hours to go... every other USB transfer utility I've used can do that in a fraction of that time...

[joebartels]

Did it really take over an hour?
Sounds more like pushing data through USB 1.0 instead of 2.0. Though that wouldn't be the case if everything else is fast. Could be a really lousy 8 gig chip too but I don't think they make 'em that slow anymore. I'm on an old computer with linux and it's screamin' fast transfer to a three year old 4 gig card.

BTW... you are not tied to offline software anymore. Oregons are not like eTrex, you can plug it in and access the files like a hard drive in about five seconds after it syncs. Route MGR does everything I need (I do a fair amount of hiking)

[big_load]

I don't think it's the data transfer rate. I think it's doing some kind of processing on the map data.

[paulhubbard]

I think Big_Load may be right. In any case, I just went to bed and let it finish. This morning the map is loaded and usable, so it's time to go see if I can get lost!