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Guys, I'm started down the road toward knowledge of what I'm doing. But, I ain't there yet!! On your advice, I am setting up the new eTrex Vista HCx for my wife and then hope to explain basic functions to her so she can use it trail riding.

I loaded the software that came with the GPS unit. Then, I loaded the TOPO USA software. I did not find an unlock code anywhere, so I am assuming my maps do not need to be unlocked. Then, I tried to load a few maps into the GPS unit. They sort of look like quadrants actually. I think I was successful because when I sorted through a few menus on the GPS, I discovered one that gives information on the storage card and found that it now contains 2.57-MG of data in the maps field. That data must be the maps I transfered in. I hope so. What I have not been able to figure out is how to actually access those maps on a screen of the eTrex. I would assume that whenever I am actually located within the boundaries of one of the maps, I would then see the details on the screen. One of the maps is indeed inclusive of my house, where I am right now. But, I do NOT see any additional detail on any screen.

Sorry, guys, but there may be even more noobie comments/questions from me soon! Please hold back your chuckles and see if you can steer me in the right direction! Thanks.

Take a look at page 25 of the User Manual.

MENU > Setup Map > Map Setup-information

A check mark next to the map means that the map is shown on the Map page.

Hey, THANKS for the heads-up. I followed your lead and discovered that all the maps I thought I had loaded were actually there and check-marked. So, that's a good thing.

Now, as far as actually seeing the maps on the map screen and seeing all their detail, is there a trick to that? My map screen still looks just the same as it did before I added the maps. I'm sure I am supposed to toggle something or check a box!

Have you tried zooming in? Some of the details won't show up until zoomed in. Just keep zooming until the details starts to show up.

Yep, I've zoomed in as far as possible. If I am reading the manual correctly, when a MapSource map is being accessed, it will say so in the lower left corner of the screen under the little indicator that shows the scale of the map being shown on the screen. If the base map is being used it will say "overzoom." That is what my unit is saying.

Any chance at all that you have any road maps loaded. If so they will take priority over the topo maps and the topos won't show until they are turned off.

Heck, I don't know! I remember that I checked something or other regarding roads. But, I didn't actually load any new maps other than the topo maps from TOPO USA.

just a thought.. you're saying TOPO USA... Garmin calls it's product TOPO US 2008...

are you using the Garmin Topo US 2008

If you're using the Delorme Topo USA maps, they are incompatible with the Garmin units and won't ever show up. As noted in the previous message, you have to be using the Map Source United States Topo maps that Garmin distributes.

I'm using the Garmin maps.

After all this agony and working to figure out the Vista, my wife says the screen is too small, she can't see anything!

I have posted a question in the Garmin general area regarding opinions of the 60 or 76 series versus the Vista.