Does anyone know whether the eTrex 10 mounts as a drive when connected to Windows? I was looking at one but I want to make sure that I can retrieve saved tracks with the time information in the tracks. I tried using BaseCamp on another GPS (GPSMAP 76Cx) that I have but either the GPS doesn't store the time information when you tell it to save the track OR BaseCamp eliminates the time information when it exports tracks. I suspect it is the latter but have no way of proving it since BaseCamp is the only way I know to get the track off the GPS.
It does. How it stores/handles track information though I have no idea. On my Etrex 20 (having just checked) it retains all the track info when you import them into Basecamp, so I suspect the 10 would be the same :confused:
Does anyone know whether the eTrex 10 mounts as a drive when connected to Windows?
It should. Most newer models either connect in mas-storage mode or can be put in that mode (i.e. nuvi's that use MTP mode by default).
I was looking at one but I want to make sure that I can retrieve saved tracks with the time information in the tracks.
My bet is that the eTrex 10 does. My Oregon 450 does (saves tracks in GPX files). As you know the 60Cx/76Cx models do not which is why I save tracks to the SD card on my 76CSx.
FYI you can manually copy GPX files from what ever model you have and open them in MapSource if you don't want to use BaseCamp. The only issue with that is that some models save other data in tracks (temperature, heart rate etc) that MapSource will ignore. In these cases I just save the GPX file from my Oregon 450. BaseCamp can be used when this additional data is present.
It does. How it stores/handles track information though I have no idea. On my Etrex 20 (having just checked) it retains all the track info when you import them into Basecamp, so I suspect the 10 would be the same :confused:
Are you retrieving them off the actual GPS or are you retrieving them off an installed microSD card (which the eTrex 10 doesn't support)? Thanks for the reply.
The GPS, tracks stored by the GPS automatically go there ... you can't change that. You can though load tracks should you wish to the card on an Etrex 20/30, but as you say the 10 doesn't have a card slot.
It should. Most newer models either connect in mas-storage mode or can be put in that mode (i.e. nuvi's that use MTP mode by default). FYI you can manually copy GPX files from what ever model you have and open them in MapSource if you don't want to use BaseCamp. The only issue with that is that some models save other data in tracks (temperature, heart rate etc) that MapSource will ignore. In these cases I just save the GPX file from my Oregon 450. BaseCamp can be used when this additional data is present.
My only goal is to get the track files so I can save them on my computer to geotag pictures and to archive them so I always have them. Like you say you can store them on the SD card on the 76cx but that is my wife's GPS and you know how that goes. :) BTW, how is the battery life on your Oregon 450? Do you use rechargeable batteries? If so what have you found to be the best ones?
The GPS, tracks stored by the GPS automatically go there ... you can't change that. You can though load tracks should you wish to the card on an Etrex 20/30, but as you say the 10 doesn't have a card slot.
Okay, thanks so much....it sounds like the eTrex 10 will do what I want to do!!
My only goal is to get the track files so I can save them on my computer to geotag pictures and to archive them so I always have them.
Well the Oregon 450 doesn't save data to card either but I have plenty of memory in the unit as all maps, Birdseye imagery etc is on the card. Now the Oregon can auto-archive tracks so the end effect is just like saving tracks to a card on my 76CSx. No loss of data (timestamp or other).
I even use a similar trick on my nuvi 1490T to save trip log (track) data to the internal memory.
Do you use rechargeable batteries? If so what have you found to be the best ones?
I use rechargeables and the best around IMO are the Sanyo Eneloops, I get well over 20 hours on my Etrex 20, and they're generally recommended by the geocaching folks :)
I went through a rechargeable phase some years ago. I have a bunch of rechargeable AA's that I don't use anymore.
I just found their (relatively) fast self-discharge rate, occasional failure, size/weight (many push the limits of the size of an AA to get more mAh) to be more trouble than it was worth. I leave L91's in my units secure in the knowledge that they'll work fine when needed, in all conditions (especially cold), without any fit/weight issues.
