[pct-l] Garmin Oregon 450T On Sale

Tue Jun 29 19:10:37 CDT 2010

Yeah, but that doesn't really interest me.  I could make it work. (I spent about 6 hours hacking the iPhone/iTunes backup process last weekend. That DID interest me.)  I could put in the hours to twist and tweak and tune it and it might not even bite me in the butt on a hike or road trip when I least expect it.  But it might.

Like the last time this topic went by, someone said "if I spend the <$100 on the maps, it will just work".  So, I could just do the "nose to the grindstone" on my current consulting contract for an additional hour and have it "just work".  

Some people either can't/won't spend the money AND have the capability and the time; but they better have BOTH - and not as many of them do.  Sadly, when they can't get it to work the way it should (and COULD), after trying "free maps" and other corner cutting things - they blame Garmin.

But it's not just GPS's.  I took a Sierra Club class with a very nice person who just could not get their mind around the use of a topo map and a compass.  A GPS is harder to use (well) than a map and compass.  With what we expect to do with a GPS is "load waypoints", "add tracks", update maps", etc. and now users have to know about USB, SD, computer software, installation, and a whole bunch of stuff that is way beyond "hey I got a GPS!". 

I love my GPS('s - I own 6 of them). GPS's are easy to carry and will answer the question "where am I this instant" with more confidence for the majority of users than that same user with a map and compass.  When you know how to work with a map and compass, the GPS becomes a nice convenience instead of a replacement for the confidence that a user should have without it.  As people have noted, they are more valuable when everything is covered in snow and/or when visibility makes compass sighting difficult or when you'd rather not take your map out in weather like that! ;-) You can carry hundreds of pounds of topo maps in one 6 ounce GPS.  You can add little references (waypoints) to make memories (we camped here!) or tell other people (bad water here).  I love 'em.

BillB

On Jun 29, 2010, at 4:31 PM, Yoshihiro Murakami wrote:

> Dear Bill
> 
> If you want to save money, you should not buy the DVD at the same
> time.　With a little study about folder structure of your Oregon 450T,
> you will be able to use many Garmin compatible free maps.  As I had
> previously posted May 27:
> 
> I put a Garmin compatible map at my server for you and for someone,
> who have a Garmin GPS. You can download from
> 
> http://psycho01.edu.u-toyama.ac.jp/Garmin/gmapsupp.img
> 
> I combined the free routable maps(
> http://garmin.na1400.info/routable.php ) and the topological map of
> California (  GPSFileDepot:   http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ ) , so it
> will be beneficial for the PCT hikers.
> 
> Your task:
> 1. Download the file.
> 2. Make a "Garmin" folder in your micro card.
> 3.Copy the gmapsupp.img in this folder.
> 4. Put the micro card in your GPS device.
> 5. Set the world geodetic system to WGS-84.
> 
> I had used sendmap20.exe to combine image files.  The combined map is
> not indicated at the computer, it is indicated at GPS only.
> 
> The folder structure might be different from my Map60Csx. But if you
> send the file in the adequate folder, it will work.
> 
> I am at job now, so I cannot confirm file structure exactly. But I
> think:  If you want to use Hallfmiles waypoints, your task is to copy
> *.gpx files into the root of the micro SD card. That's all.
> 
> Do not manipulate the micro SD card by Mac, Mac makes invisible files,
> and some troubles were reported.
> 
> When you failed to use free maps, then you should buy the DVD maps.
> 
> 
> 2010/6/30 Bill Burge <bill at burge.com>:
>> 
>> With little looking, the best price I could get on the Garmin 24K Topo West DVD (has complete PCT coverage):
>> 
>> $83.59 + shipping
>> 
>> https://www.antonline.com/p_Garmin--010-11314-00--Garmin-010-11314-00-Mapsource-Topo-Us-24k-West-Dvd-_614650.htm
>> 
>> BillB
>> 
>> 
>> On Jun 29, 2010, at 11:45 AM, Bill Burge wrote:
>> 
>>> 
>>> I've been wanting one for a while and was going to get one at REI during the sale, but the 20% off cannot be used on GPS's!
>>> 
>>> So I was just going to get one and wait for my 10% at the end of the year, and my 5% for using an REI credit card, but decided to Google around a bit.  (It sounds crazy - but you can find an awful lot if you search!  ;-)
>>> 
>>> http://www.cabelas.com has the Garmin Oregon 450T https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=63350 on sale for $370!  Down from $500!  It also looks like they did not charge me sales tax here in California (don't know why).
>>> 
>>> So, for those who are not math majors! 28.9% after factoring in sales tax savings and shipping costs!  Even if you factor in the $75 I'd save with REI dividends, it's still a 17.7% savings over THAT!
>>> 
>>> Get them while they are still accepting backorders!  Yes, they are out of stock; but they are still taking backorders on the sale price and expect to ship in about a week...
>>> 
>>> BillB
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Sincerely
> --------------- --------------------------------------
> Hiro    ( Yoshihiro Murakami )
> HP:http://psycho01.edu.u-toyama.ac.jp
> http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/CompleteWalker/
> Backpacking for 30 years in Japan
> 2009 JMT, the first America.
> ------------------------------------------------------