cmiyc

You might want to check out my program, MacCaching. You can download it from MacCaching.com (I would recommend skipping the 0.5.0 release and going straight to Build 95 or 96). It is free. Drag and drop GPX (or LOC) files into it and click "Send to GPS." You can even create CacheLists (like playlists in iTunes).

We had Monday off as a company holiday. However, Austin is iced over like a glazed donut, so everything is shut down. My car is covered in too much ice to drive anywhere and I've already found the nearby caches. So all I can do today is read the forums... boo.

Let someone else guide your way. Do a pocket query for caches found in the last few days. Then you can probaby spot the feet tracks from the previous cachers. At the very least, it'll give you ideas on where to look, instead of tearing through fresh snow on each one.

I don't have an eXplorist 300, but what I gathered from the manual everything must be entered manually. It appears Magellan doesn't include PC connectivity with all of their models.

Today, MacCaching supports Palm devices if they are configured through iSync. When you do "Export to iPod" the cache list is sent to AddressBook. iSync will sync those to your iPod through iTunes, which is how I expected it to work. This weekend I received a Palm and used it for the first time with OSX. iSync will also send the caches to the Palm's address book. If you do a search on the palm by the Waypoint name (GCxxxx), it'll bring you right to the "contact". I'm working to see how I can extend functionality on the Palm. iSync isn't ideal, nor is using the Address Book, especially if you use your palm for something other than Geocaching.

I don't have Palm export yet, but I am working on it. I expect to receive my Palm today (bought a cheap one on eBay). As soon as I can test with a Palm, I'll be adding a Palm export to MacCaching.

Podcacher (Podcast for Geocaching) has two shows on Letterboxing: Part One Blog and Link (Show 79.0) -and- Part Two Blog and Link (Show 82.0)

For what it is worth, I just noticed this definition from Wikipedia (I use google as my spell check): Accuracy is the degree of veracity [truthfulness] while precision is the degree of reproducibility

There are so many factors that go into accuracy, it is hard to say. Ironically, many times with a measurement device like a GPS receiver, accuracy comes down to perception. People perceive accuracy in different ways. Does the person take into account their surroundings (trees, buildings, etc)? How do much they rely on the data they receive(direction pointer, maps data,etc)? Do they stare at the GPS screen until it says "arriving destination", or are they constantly looking around? You'll notice if you walk in the opposite direction you approached the cache and then return, you may see different results. Does this mean your unit is more or less accurate? With all of that said, I typically blame the GPS when I can't find a cache and praise my observation skills when I do.

I have MacCaching export my caches to my iPod (they show up as Contacts) and my GPS. Then on my GPS the caches show up by their waypoint name, GCxxxx. On my iPod, I can look up the same waypoint name pretty quickly since they end up getting alphabatized. If the pocket query that generated the data is somewhat old, I have a book mark on my phone's web browser. I edit the bookmark with the waypoint name and go directly to the cache's page. The iPod method is nice, but doesn't give up the latest log entries. It does tell me what kind (size) I'm looking for, description, and hint.

Thanks, but now that I've done more research, I need a 210 or higher. I thought all eXplorist had PC connectivity.

The 100 doesn't offer a usb connection? I thought all eXplorist did.

I'm developing a Geocache manager for OS X. The eXplorist is generating questions for me since it appears to mount as a disk. I only have a couple of Garmins for testing. Since I don't really need it for Geocaching, I will consider a broken unit if: a) the screen works enough I can make SOME sense, and the computer connection works. So if you have one with a flakey screen, broken GPS radio, or even a flakey keypad, I'd be interested in it. Thanks!

I'm still trying to figure out how it is running OS X. With luck, I'll be able to make an application for the iPhone in short order. My assumption is that a Cocoa app that runs on a Mac will also run (if recomplied) on the iPhone with little modification. It'd be pretty exciting to extend my app to support the iPhone's features.

Yes, several days ago they announced they didn't know when OS X support would be available. A Garmin spokesperson contacted by Macworld said the company will still make good on its promise to support Mac users with Mac OS X-native software, but couldn't say when such products would be available. I gave up waiting and started writing MacCaching. I don't do maps, but I can transfer and manage caches.

I don't know about that model specifically, but might be interested in my program, MacCaching. It is a Geocache Manager for OS X. It is kind of like iTunes for geocaches... It works with almost all Garmins and most Magellans. I'm working on eXplorist (USB) support now. It also supports Paperless caching with an iPod. You can export a cache list directly into AddressBook, when then syncs through iTunes automatically.

If you're using a Mac, MacCaching has it built in now. After you send a list of caches to your GPS, you can export them into AddressBook. When you sync your iPod, the caches will show up in the list of Contacts.

A social element to would be a cool addition. In addition to seeing my activity, I'd love to see my family's activity listed inline with mine. I'm long distance from them and geocaching is one of the ways we keep in touch. itsnotaboutthenumbbers doesn't really fit this mode either.

I'm probably not going to have much to support maps, but I do have a OSX Geocache Manager (and its free.) I noticed the slipping release dates from Garmin and decided to write my own. Since I use GPSBabel to communicate with the GPS, I support practically anything they do. I've tested mine with serial-based units (several models) and a USB unit (StreetPilot). GPSBabel doesn't need drivers in OSX to communicate with the GPSr, so I don't either... MacCaching is more than just a "GUI Front-end" to gpsbabel. I plan to add iPod syncing (for Paperless caches) in the next release, which should be in the next couple of days. I'm targetting Christmas, but it might be a day or two after.

I agree with this one. I have a Venture and as the batteries get low, the GPS seems less accurate. Of course, my GPSr batteries seem to get low right about the same time my body's do...

If you have a Mac, then MacCaching will support Paperless Caching with an iPod in a couple of days. (In fact, I'm taking a break from the code now...)

My GPS doesn't support maps, so I have gotten that far. However, you probably want to check out "RouteBuddy" for mapping. As for Geocaching, you might want to give my program a try, MacCaching--it is like iTunes for Geocaches. In the next couple of days I'm going to release a new version which supports paperless caching w/ an iPod, USB support, and other things.

Garmin has been saying that for a long time. This time last year, they promised Mac support by the end of 2006. Now they are saying next year. Notice a pattern? It doesn't take 12 months to realize it'll be another 12 months before something is done. I gave up waiting, and decided to write my own.

Check out my program, MacCaching... Right now I'm only supporting Garmin, because that's all I have. However since I'm based on gpsbabel, I should be able to support other models. Just drop me an email, and I'll send you a special version to try with your model. Right now you can import GPX (single or pocket queries), import .LOC files, edit cache info, create "Playlists" of caches, and transfer them to/from your GPS unit. The software is only 1-2 months old so I don't have a lot of features yet. On the other hand, I'm actively developing it and open to suggestions. The feature I'm working on right now is iPod syncing. I'm going to allow adding vCards into your Address Book and/or putting text files into the Notes section of an iPod.

I've been approached a couple of times while looking for a cache. Being relatively new, I rarely find caches immediately. If another cacher approaches, I just walk away for a few minutes and take a break. Most times if they find it before me, they'll give me a small hint. For example, I walked to the start of a trail and waited for the other cacher to come back. She let me know it was there and we compared GPS readings. Another time I was a lunch break and welcomed the hint "it is within 6 ft of where you are." It kept me from excessive hunting and second-guessing. I like the Travel Bug idea. I think I'm going to keep one of my TB dog tags just for that. The "I caught him" bug.