I know that nobody here really knows the answer 100%, but I just thought I'd toss the question out and see your thoughts on the topic.

I have been looking at the new geocaching interface for the Colorado that others have posted screenshots of here and it got me wondering if there was any reason that it wouldn't be possible to add the enhanced Geocaching Mode features to other GPS units, like the eTrex Vista HCx? Any ideas? Wouldn't it be cool if Garmin provided a software update that would allow the eTrex line of devices to handle the GPX files and additional cache details like the Colorado will? That would make my palm device with CacheMate somewhat obsolete.

That would be sweet!

Anyone know of a reason why they couldn't do that with a simple software update? It seems possible to me, but I'm look at it from a true position of ignorance as to the technical details of these devices and what CPU they use.

Thanks!

This is just guess, but the software which runs the various GPS functions requires memory, and each of the various models have only so much memory which can be allocated for programs to run the GPS. My guess is that the older models don't have enough space to hold the amount of code required to run geocaching mode like the Colorado. The Colorado being a new design, it can take advantage of the the latest memory technology which allows more more memory in smaller packages.

Not that I would have thought of that on my own, but I can see how that makes logical sense.

But they should be able to provide an update for my 76csx as well as other models that have additional memory card capabilities or larger memory capacities. Maybe at a sacrifice of the number of waypoints, etc.

The only thing is that hard-coded programs may only be able to be run on internal memory. Just a guess.....

Based on what I know of programing hardware items which I admit is a few years out date, flash memory can't be directly used. It it designed this way for cost, speed and has the advantage of keeping other people (or companies) from being able to see how their units are programmed.

Allen, I am with you on the memory limitations on the older models, but let's think for a second about what code would really be needed.

The data for the geocache waypoints, including log entries, difficulty ratings, hints, etc. would obviously be stored on the flash card, right?

So the code we're talking about would only be the stuff that reads and writes it to the storage cards, allows your to search it, and displays individual geocache details to the user, right? I'm probably missing some other major functions that would be needed.

The code to read and write the waypoint data would be an enhancement to existing code, to add the extra data fields for logs and such. The widgets to display the data to screen would obviously be based on the existing forms library that is used to display data on the other screens.

I'd be amazed if the code to do this would really take up that much more ram. Of course, on top of all of the other things the GPSr is doing at the same time, there might just not be enough room. Sure would be nice if you could get the typical CacheMate capabilities out of your eTrex though, huh? I guess I'm just dreaming..

:-)

Thanks for letting me ramble..

And I agree with you that this type of code likely would be unable to run off of the flash card..

quote:

Originally posted by Mojoski:
Of course, on top of all of the other things the GPSr is doing at the same time, there might just not be enough room.

That is my guess, due to the cost of memory, there just isn't enough left for this type of enhancement. Of course it is only guess.

Another potential (and cynical) reason would be that garmin would prefer you to buy a new gps.

IIRC, some of the processors can run code directly from a flash card, depending on the mode you set to access the card. It would still be slow though.

That being said, I doubt it would be a technical issue that keeps them from doing it. Probably more of a marketing point.