A few scattered thoughts.
Top FAQs / MapSource/G-Charts:
1. Q. Are MapSource and the USB Datacard Programmer compatible with Windows XP?
A. Yes.
All MapSource products are compatible with Windows 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000, and XP. When using the USB Datacard Programmer, you will need to have Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000, or XP. Windows 95 and NT are not compatible with Garmin USB devices.
Apple Macintosh compatibility is not available at this time.
When installing a Garmin Datacard Programmer on Windows XP using an older set of Garmin's USB card programmer drivers, a warning will be displayed urging you to use caution in installing the Garmin USB Card Programmer. Loading the Garmin device on your computer will not cause any damage and the drivers have been thoroughly tested to ensure that the integrity of your system is maintained. Simply continue to install the USB Datacard Program using the provided installation instructions. Newer Garmin USB datacard programmer do contain updated drivers that will not prompt the compatibility warning.
First I read the manual, which gave me a few clues but did not give me all the answers. It was not written in Siskiyou. But I started taking long walks and spent some time setting on rocks playing with the unit. .
I created a Waypoint called home. And from home I would hike around generating new waypoints. I played with the different pages and learned to use the compass page in relationship to Waypoint Home. I would walk up and down the street and see how the compasses needle, (bearing pointer) would point at the waypoint. And at the same time the out face of the compass would turn giving me my relationship to NEWS.
My next step was to try a few geocaches.
http://www.geocaching.com/ I recommend looking for virtual caches. You are looking for a fixed object rather then a container. An example might be a historical marker. Unfortunately some people who put out caches do not follow the rules and get permission to place the cache.
Your 60CS has good base map. The Basemap list the nearest freeway exits. You can use this to practice. Find an exit number and select it and do a GoTo.
I recommend Bench Mark hunting
http://www.geocaching.com/mark/. Beware that some of these are on private property and back off if it looks like you are going to be in trespass. You can find maps on the geocaching website that are very helpful.
I would find a friend who has a computer with a Windows operating system and see if you can download the updates. I would go as far as talking to my friend about loading US Topo on his/her machine. Then your friend can benefit from having the maps.
I spent a lot of time in the evening watching TV, and pushing buttons on the gps with the manual open so that I could understand it.
I also created and deleted a lot of tracks. Once I installed US Topo and was able to create tracks on a map it was more fun. Even without US Topo I would go out and scout for deer. I would start out creating a new waypoint called PK for my vehicle. I would selected the Track Icon, and start a new track, and then start my scout, when I found interesting tracks I would create a new waypoint(s), when I found a spring, or a good location for a stand I would create a waypoint. In a couple of miles I would be back at PK. But at the turning point I would select the waypoint option and select nearest waypoint and scroll down the list to PK. I then would select the go to option. I would then go to the compass pointer and follow it back to my vehicle. I would still create new waypoints as needed.
Learning to use a gps takes sometime and effort. A friend takes his walking. For a long time the neighbors thought he had a heart monitor. In fact the walk was helping his heart.
