just purchased blue etrex legend off ebay at a steal-lookin to get it right

[charlessteve01]

hello- just found y'alls site and man is it great-already downloaded basemap- ilooked into purchasing software and that stuff is crazy expensive-about as much as the gps itself-i was wandering if one of y'all could help me get this thing worthy for service-i am going to do some serious ginseng huntin' this season in western nc and i'm really going to rely on this dohickey- i basically want a real pretty map for my area-PLEASE HELP-thanks

[Boyd]

I suppose it depends on which blue eTrex you have. The old version is here: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=167&pID=173

It only has 8MB internal memory so it will only hold a very small map. It also has a serial interface that will require a USB adapter on most computers. Basecamp is not compatible with the older serial interface units, so you would need to use Mapsource.

Then there's a newer product, the Legend H that does have USB and 24MB of internal map storage, so that will work with Basecamp and allow you to load a somewhat larger map https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=30120

[charlessteve01]

got the blue one with the sparkly metal flake in it-yeah 8MB-so i have to download mapsource to get a decent map on it huh? appreciate ya-anyway i can get it for nil coin?lol

[charlessteve01]

oh and i got the usb power data cable from kawamall and it has worked in letting me install the upgrades - went from 3.50 to 3.90-the thing is my gps dont show up as a device in the basemap screen-but it has to recognize it or i wouldn't have been able to do that

[Boyd]

If you've already installed Basecamp, then just download/install Mapsource here: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=209

Choose a map that covers your area, download and follow this tutorial: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-open-maps-in-mapsource/

Then follow this for transferring the map: http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/tutorials/how-to-load-maps-on-my-garmin-gps-unit/

Use the map tool and select a portion of the map, then look on the Map tab on the left. That will show the total size of the area you have selected. You will have to be sure that number is smaller than 8MB or the map won't fit on your eTrex.

You will need a USB to serial adaptor and drivers before doing anything with the eTrex. If that wasn't included, then the whole thing may not have been such a bargain.

[Boyd]

the thing is my gps dont show up as a device in the basemap screen-but it has to recognize it or i wouldn't have been able to do that

Good, glad you have the adapter. But it isn't going to show up in Basecamp, because Basecamp doesn't work with serial GPS units. That's why you need Mapsource.

[charlessteve01]

you da man headed to the mapsource link RIGHT now!!