Explorist 500 - Map problems

[wixwa]

Hi,
I had been happily using my Meridian Gold, but got seduced by having seen a colour Explorist. My partner got me a Explorist LE from the US on Ebay. I now seem to be digging myself into an expensive hole. I've had to purchase the li-ion batteries separately (the three AAA set up was useless - was supposed to give 11 hours with backlight off but I could only get about 1). I have now found that the maps that worked with the Meridian are not working with the Explorist! I have read the forum posting starting Wiggy, 30 April 06. Not sure I understand all. I think it was saying in the end that the only solution was to buy new software. Is that right?

While I'm here:- Do you have to have the appropriate base-map on the GPS for the street maps to work? eg If I have Mapsend direct route Europe map software, will it work without Europe basemap?

If anyone can help I would be most grateful. Please don't count that I am a birder against me even if the hairy chested out there see it as the equivalent to synchronised swimming - surely not!)

cheers

[helterskelter400]

i used destructions in this thread

http://www.gpsaustralia.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2316

to successfully load up dastv1

BASEMAP
i has prev found and DL an explorist basemap, but i seem to remember just recently nicko put them up here. worth a look.

from memory, i just uncompressed the au basemap i had a copied it into the basemap folder on the sd card that the exlorist seems to have made itself and then found the settings on the gps that let you choose the basemap to display.

wallah.

i was meridian colour with au basemap and dastv1 to explorist 500 with au basemap and dast v1 in the twinkling of an eye....

forgot to add, this may be worth checking out

http://bevhoward.com/Mer2ExplTrans.htm

[wixwa]

Thanks Helterskelter for the threads & info. I will check them out
Cheers

[helterskelter400]

4got 2 add. have had a couple of cycles of 10hours at full screen light with the standard li-ion battery. havent used the $10 3aaa cradle yet.....

[wixwa]

Hi helterskelter400,
Have now got detail maps to load.
Many thanks for the help
Wixwa