Re: [Paddlewise] GPS Question, the next one

FoldingBoats_at_aol.com wrote:
> (My only bug
> bear is the apparent fact that you have to buy a whole relatively expensive
> Garmin software package even if you only want the little bit that allows you
> to download "tracks" from the unit to the PC.)

If that's all you need, then there are several free software packages
available for download. One is EasyGPS
(http://www.easygps.com/default.asp) and another is G7toWIN
(http://www.gpsinformation.org/ronh/). If you also want to display your
tracklog superimposed on satellite photos of the US (very neat) - you
can download Doug Cox's USAPhotoMap program free of charge at:
http://jdmcox.com/ . 
I would only recommend getting Garmin's MapSource products if you have a
Garmin unit that supports maps since no 3rd party software will let you
download maps to your GPSr.

> Over the last two weeks I
> noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in
> full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the
> screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common
> problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin?

Probably worth discussing with them while it's still under warranty.
I've never noticed any signs of internal condensation in my GPSr and
it's a model that's not even rated as waterproof. (I keep it in a
waterproof pouch for kayaking but it's been through a few showers while
hiking and bicycling.)
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