[Paddlewise] eTrex

I had been using a Garmin GPS II+ with data cable and PCX5 software for a couple of years.  It allowed me to upload tracks, routes and waypoints to a PC, convert them to CAD files (.dxf), import them into GIS projects (I use ARCView), where I could convert them to shapefiles and integrate them into mapping projects.  Great way to document trips, prepare presentations-- only your imagination is the limit.
When I added an eTrex, I got a $70 credit as a PCX5 user towards the purchase of MapSource CDs.  I got the US Topo package.  Very nice, easy to use, but lacking the CAD conversion.  I like being able to create waypoints and routes with a mouse click, and download them to the eTrex, then later to upload track log data and superimpose it on the topo map.  That's the feature you omitted in your post-- the ability to graphically display "where did I go" on a real map, not just a little LCD "breadcrumb" track.
I'll probably get the forthcoming CD featuring aids to navigation.  But for serious mapmaking, I'm keeping the GPS II+.
Dan Harrison

>Steve Posti wrote:
>Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 11:57:43 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Steve Posti <steveposti_at_yahoo.com>
>Subject: [Paddlewise] eTrex

>I bought the Garmin eTrex GPS over the weekend and
>really like it.  One question for those of you using
>it....Is the data cable really useful for anything? 
>Yes, I know that I would need it to download the new
>software from Garmin, and that I could use it to
>download waypoints from the Mapsource CDs.    

>I understand the data cable's necessity with a GPS
>with map capabilities, but don't see a real compelling
>use with the eTrex. Am I missing something?  I figure
>I can just manually enter in waypoints when I'm
>actually there, or from the long/lat numbers from a
>website like http://www.maptech.com/.  Are there other
>sources of (free)data out there that would make it
>worthwhile?  
>[snip]


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