ok, so maybe i'm a little dense but there doesn't appear to be any data ports on my eTrex.  there is a small thingie on top but the cable that peter linked to doesn't look like it would connect.  is there more than one cable i need to get? 

andy

On the back top there should be a rubber cover that folds back to reveal four pins.

i was about to take that very pic. anyhoo, how does this cable connect to those pins?

It doesn't.  Peter suggested you buy an adapter cable that plugs into your laptop USB on one end and to the serial port end of your garmin data cable.  You need a Garmin data cable in addition to the cable that Peter suggested.

The one that I suggested plugs into the GPS with one end, and the USB port on the other end.

--Craig

i see. so there is another cable that connects the GPS to something and then a cable that connects the first cable to my compy? and the cable you linked to cuts out the middle man and connects GPS to compy? geez. i can barely hook up to the interweb...

Yes. It is this way because your mac doesn't have a serial port (neither does my Sony laptop btw).

You should have a cable that came with your garmin. that cable plugs into the one I sent

well, i inherited the garmin from me pops so the cable is now MIA. oh well. thanks for doing all the footwork guys. i appreciate it.

andy