Jump to content

intolerable

+Premium Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    1556

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by intolerable

    Time to revist the idea of state wide PQ's

    in Website

    Posted

    ... I'm not really sure how good of an idea it is to put on premium accounts. If someone tried to 'extend my membership', no idea what it would accomplish as it already automatically does that as I have my account set up to auto renew premium membership. ...
    If someone gifted you, it would extend your renewal date. If you have PayPal set up to autopay your membership renewal, it would simply submit teh payment prior to when it was due, advancing your renewal date into the future.

     

    Very good to know, thanks :cry:

    Time to revist the idea of state wide PQ's

    in Website

    Posted

    I would love to have state PQs!

     

    The new link actually might be an attempt on Groundspeak's part to address issues people had with buying gift certificates for others. I vaguely recall a thread not too long ago where people were having a hard time doing that easily. I don't really remember what the issues where, but this seems like an attempt to make gifting a premium account easier, which was at the core of the issues.

     

    I'm not really sure how good of an idea it is to put on premium accounts. If someone tried to 'extend my membership', no idea what it would accomplish as it already automatically does that as I have my account set up to auto renew premium membership.

     

    Anyways, thought I'd toss it out there that the nature of the link immediately made me think of the thread with complaints about gift certificates so Groundspeak may have actually put that in as a feature rather than just an opportunity for one to send money their way (but I really have no idea :anicute:)

    Time to update - 60csx/Vista/colorado/oregon?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I have a Vista HCx and use it for primarily hiking. Aside from the various technical problems I've had in the past with the unit, and still occasionally encounter, there's a couple of reasons why I'm looking to upgrade to a unit other than it.

     

    The Vista HCx works much better when held flat, which is far from ideal when hiking. I attach it to my pack vertically and have to check it often to make sure that the track log isn't *too* far off. Usually, holding it flat for a few will get it back on trail.

     

    The 60CSx sounds like it receives much better reception while strapped to a pack (ie, being held vertically). When hiking with others, I usually turn to whoever is carrying the 60CSx as their track log is almost always the best.

    Isn't that just a matter of strapping it to your pack in a different way? I have a Vista HCx as well, and manage perfectly well to strap it onto my backpack in the ideal position (unit facing the sky). Maybe your pack does not enable you to mount your GPS in such a way, but that does not mean that strapping a Vista to your pack means per definition that it is held vertically. As the picture in my post in another topic here illustrates: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...d=3786623

     

    It definitely may be something to take into account for mlandman, but if his backpack allows him to strap a GPSr to it, facing the sky, then it's no problem :ninja:

     

    I haven't really tried this since the drift issues, when it didn't seem to matter what one did, but I'm sure it would a make a difference. Unfortunately, strapping the GPS to the top of my pack or too high on my shoulder simply isn't always ideal, which I feel makes it not the best design for a hiking GPSr. But that's a good point for the OP to consider :grin:

    Time to update - 60csx/Vista/colorado/oregon?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Not trying to steal the thread, but I'm really interested in your experience with accuracy and other issues that some people seemed to have with the Colorado. I love the way the Colorado *looks* and the price is really hard to beat right now (less than a 60CSx!), but accuracy wise under the conditions that you describe (I'd mostly use it for hiking, caching while hiking and collecting track logs of trips), others have reported less than favorable results. My experience with the Vista HCx has been mostly disappointing in regards to this sort of usage and I'd hate to drop the money on a Colorado only to experience the same sort of disappointment :D
    I've only had my CO 300 for a month, too much snow for anything serious. Hence I don't have an absolute answer . . . yet!!! I was more concerned with can I read and use the critter in sunlight, unequivocal yes. The touchscreen Nuvi was a maybe at best, with poor battery life and no spares.

     

    Based on my early test, going to identifiable points on the 24K maps, I'm very pleased. I believe the latest firmwares have solved the base accuracy issue, but if you have a HCx, same chip, same accuracy or not.

     

    Since I'm not a "Hide-n-Seeker" I don't need the kind of accuracy required for caching. I mostly navigate with my brain, the GPS holds the maps and tells me where to head next at points of confusion.

     

    In truth, my Venture Cx was capable at all the above. So the CO 300 was as much for enhanced features and toy value as basic navigation. At $500 the CO 300 was a no way!!! At half that I bit. I purchased it from REI so I could send it back, Monday I'm planning to send in my rebate form.

     

    Thanks for the feedback regarding this. While I'm not super concerned with a GPS placing me on top of a cache, I am concerned about track logs as I sometimes get a bit obsessive about the details of a hike. The extra features on the Colorado are very tempting, especially at the prices that I'm seeing them at right now (sometimes cheaper than the 60CSx!)

    Time to update - 60csx/Vista/colorado/oregon?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hi Michael,

     

    I believe my GPS use is closest to your intended application. I'm a day hiker/backpacker where my longest GPS only backpack to date was 4 days. I got my first mapping GPS, a Venture Cx, 2-years ago and battery life was my number 1 priority. The now discontinued Venture Cx beats all your choices for battery life, but it had a poor receiver such that it frequently lost signal. Except for disrupting the track, this signal loss was more inconvenient, hardly safety related.

     

    Not trying to steal the thread, but I'm really interested in your experience with accuracy and other issues that some people seemed to have with the Colorado. I love the way the Colorado *looks* and the price is really hard to beat right now (less than a 60CSx!), but accuracy wise under the conditions that you describe (I'd mostly use it for hiking, caching while hiking and collecting track logs of trips), others have reported less than favorable results. My experience with the Vista HCx has been mostly disappointing in regards to this sort of usage and I'd hate to drop the money on a Colorado only to experience the same sort of disappointment :ph34r:

    Time to update - 60csx/Vista/colorado/oregon?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hello, this is my first post. I know that this is an oft asked question, and my use is a bit OT...but you folks use GPSes more than most.

     

    I have a 5 year old Vista and it is time to update. My primary use is wilderness hiking, in potentially rough/wet conditions. I have a Nuvi for my car, so road directions to the trailhead is not a significant concern.

     

    My concerns are with capabilities:

    • Abilities to load 3rd party maps (GPS File Depot, et. al.)

    • Battery life (I go out for 5 – 7 days)

    • Memory expandability

    • Weight (including replacement batteries, I am one of those gram weenie light weight hikers)

    • Route loading at home and viewing in the field.

    • Ability to get a satellite fix in less than ideal conditions (heavy wet tree canopies, tight canyons, etc.)

    • Ability to correct routs/way-points to match reality on the ground

     

    Am I missing other important criteria?

     

    The models I am seriously considering are as follows, in alphabetic order:

     

    • Colorado 300

    • GPS Maps 60 Csx

    • Oregon 300

    • Vista Hcx

     

    Are there other models I should list, and why?

     

    I have reviewed many web pages and I think this is where they stand…

    • The 60 Csx can not load 3rd party maps. Is this correct? Can the others? I think the Vista can, but what about the Oregon and the Colorado?

    • The Vista wins on the battery life and weight.

    • The Oregon is the hardest to see in many lighting conditions.

    • The Colorado can display only 1 route at a time (is this fixed in the current firmware?).

    • All 4 will “see” only 2 GB on a memory card. I have read some reports that the Colorado can see 4 GB, but there seams to be conflicting reports on this. 2 GB is a lot of maps, so this might not be an issue.

     

    Any additional opinions/feedback/comparisons/options/comments will be greatly appreciated.

     

    Also, has anyone tried portable solar battery chargers (Silva, PowerFilm, etc.)? What is your experience with them?

     

    Thanks,

    Michael

     

    I have a Vista HCx and use it for primarily hiking. Aside from the various technical problems I've had in the past with the unit, and still occasionally encounter, there's a couple of reasons why I'm looking to upgrade to a unit other than it.

     

    The Vista HCx works much better when held flat, which is far from ideal when hiking. I attach it to my pack vertically and have to check it often to make sure that the track log isn't *too* far off. Usually, holding it flat for a few will get it back on trail.

     

    The 60CSx sounds like it receives much better reception while strapped to a pack (ie, being held vertically). When hiking with others, I usually turn to whoever is carrying the 60CSx as their track log is almost always the best.

     

    I'm unaware of any issues with the 60CSx and custom maps and know it runs at least some custom maps, as there is a popular trails map used by many 60CSx owners in the area here.

     

    You might want to look at the PN-40. It sounds like a great unit, although has some shortcomings that I couldn't get past (not as POI friendly as Garmin units, which I rely on heavily). But the aerial imagery sounded like it would be *great* while out.

     

    I haven't any experience with Garmin's newer models, although know people who have seemed to have quite a few issues with the Colorado. On the other hand, know at least one person who has had zero issues with his Colorado. For some reason, I can't get it into my head using an Oregon out hiking (it's the touchscreen...).

     

    I've also never had any experience with the solar chargers, although hope someone else has and responds to that. Some reviews I've read on one charger indicated that you needed direct exposure to the sun for charging to occur at all, but that was months back and I couldn't tell you what actual charger that was.

     

    Hope something here is useful :blink:

    Palm and Cache Mate

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    The easiest way (at least imo) is to use GSAK. Import the GPX file into a database. The do a File -> Export -> CacheMate PDB File. I believe the default setting has it set to install, so this will launch Palm Quick Install. Then just synch and next time you open CacheMate, you should have to select a database to import the records into.

     

    You can also check out http://www.smittyware.com/palm/cachemate/doc.php#gpx

     

    Hope that helps.

    changing difficulty stars on a cache?

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    If you have rating combo that isn't common in your area and also have a Fizzy Challenge sort of challenge cache in your state, it might throw someone for a loop. This happened to me before. Of course, its your cache, so if you think it's rated incorrectly, its probably more important to rate it correctly than to worry about messing with someone's Fizzy caches :ph34r:

    newbie confused on maps for 60csx

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I live in the Seattle area and am planning on using my 60csx for geocaching, hiking, etc., maybe the occasional trek around town, but mostly activity in Washington state.

    Marty,

     

    You ought to consider the Wash 24K Topos, you can download samples and install into Mapsource and use those maps on your Nuvi and 60CSx. I have the Colorado 24K Topos, awesome.

     

    While I don't have these myself, they look pretty awesome and they seem highly recommended by everyone who runs them.

    newbie confused on maps for 60csx

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Thanks to both of you for the quick responses...

     

    So the road maps for the us won't cover trails and things like that? I did see a link to this site within the GPSFileDepot pointing here:

     

    http://www.switchbacks.com/maps/NW_Trails.html

     

    Would something like this work with mapsource? I see the mention using City Navigator and doing an overlay over the top.... more confusion sets in for Marty.

     

    I can't recommend enough using Northwest Trails if you are in the Seattle area! It's a transparent map which can overlay other maps (Topo, City Navigator, etc and installs into Mapsource just like Garmin's maps) and has seemingly endless trails, forest roads, etc. It's super groovy and if you happen across a trail not included, everyone appreciates you submitting your tracklog of the trail to Moun10Bike :D

     

    I'm working on a more detailed Topo map for WA. If it turns out decent I plan on making it available for free. Hopefully that'll be next month (as I really wish I had it yesterday!). I know that at least one other person is working on a WA Topo right now, but I don't know if they plan on making it available. I'd watch GPSFileDepot (as that's where I saw reference to it).

    Options for logging 100-200 caches after long trips.

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

     

    If you visit http://coord.info there's directions to post field notes using your phone and text messages (follow the link under 'The Beta Part').

     

    This may or may not suit your needs as I assume there is some limit to the amount of text you could include in the field notes, either by the text message limit or by the service.

     

    Drat and bother - if it involves texting it probably won't work here in NZ and it would be outside our budget if it did!!! :lol:

     

    Thanks for your help.

     

    Annie

     

    Ah, sorry, I didn't even think of that possibility!

    Options for logging 100-200 caches after long trips.

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    We have a number of road trips planned next year, so I was thrilled when someone pointed out coord.info to me. I simply plan on submitting field notes for the caches and log them when I can.

     

    Can you explain this option more - I thought field notes were only an option if you have an Oregon or colarado GPS or something like that?? How does the whole process work?

     

    Annie

     

    If you visit http://coord.info there's directions to post field notes using your phone and text messages (follow the link under 'The Beta Part').

     

    This may or may not suit your needs as I assume there is some limit to the amount of text you could include in the field notes, either by the text message limit or by the service.

    Facebook, we need an app

    in Website

    Posted

    I see what you're saying, although you could use that same RSS feed to distribute that information to countless other places (blogs, social networks, follow friends, screensavers and other mashups, etc). Could be interesting.

    A lot of people only use Twitter & Brightkite to update their FB status, so if an app could be made for FB directly, that would be cool.

     

    It could be a map that users put on their profile page, something the size of the geocoin app. The map could be use Google Maps with little icons showing the caches they found. If someone clicks one of the icons, they would be taken to the cache listing on GC.com. If they hover over it, it could show a little about the cache, maybe the name & it's ratings. There would need to be some settings to limit how much is displayed on the map because you wouldn't want a years worth of caches showing.

     

    I like the idea of the RSS feeds, but FB is more graphical than "texty," so I'm not sure if it would be viewed much.

     

    Totally agree :-) I just thought of RSS as another possibility. It would be much cooler if there was something specific for Facebook or Brightkite (or both!).

     

    I just want all the data available in countless formats (with zero consideration to server resources, of course :shocked:)

×
×
  • Create New...