Rick345

Thank you both I actually discovered the information you all provided when I downloaded VP.

I just upgraded the firmware on my eXplorist GC and one of the perks to upgrading the software to 2.15 was that the documentation says one can change out the maps used by the GC but, gives no instructions on how to load the "new" maps. Has anyone done this and if you have how did you do it step by step... Here are the benefits of upgrading the software according to Magellan: Improvements UI Improvement Support Groundspeak Geocache Favorites Allow to disable Awards & Merit Badges Supports additional post-sale National Geographic and Digital Globe Maps New Preloaded Map Shaded Relief for Map Allow enable/disable position-to-destination line with active Goto Additional Language Support Various bug fixes

I would like to convert KML or KMZ waypoints and convert them GPX files that a Magellan Expolist will be able to use and display.. I like to collect Benchmarks and and I've found a program that will display them on Goggle Earth (DSWORLD) and I can save them in either KLM or KMZ format and have tried several programs that convert POI waypoints from one format to another but, my GPS doesn't display the converter files.

No the map set changes when you zoom out past .25 miles so there is no way to show all roads past the .25 point..

The one major drawback with the GC is that you CANNOT load downloaded maps into it you are stuck with the street maps.

You can speed up on the GC by turning off the smart arrow. Goto tools click on sittings scroll down to map options and click on it scroll down to Current Location Icon click on it change that filed to Standard Arrow and click on it back out till your at the main display screen and turn the unit off then back on And that should speed things up for you.

The Explorist GC is a fine unit and is good for caching. Yes you can't upload new maps but, that isn't really a big hang up for caching particularly of you cache in the city. If you have a premium membership the easiest way to get caches into your GPS is crate a packet query and download it. Connect your GC via the USB cord click on the windows button in the bottom left hand corner of your screen. Click on computer then click on the Magellan icon. Click on the geocaches folder and copy and past the files in the within the packet query into the geocaches folder. Bam you have 1000 caches loaded and ready to find. I've been using my GC for probably a year and have no complaints. Do you have any questions about how to use the unit? I'll try to help you out.

Get her a Magellan Explorist GC since you have one it will be easier for you to help your Mom during the learning curve.

Your Explorist GC is probably working fine and the Magellan communicator software is also probably working. However, the communicator software was poorly written and insists you download the driver ever time but, you don't have to. But, let run through the process step by step just to be sure you're doing everything correctly. Plug in your GC using the USB cord. Press the joystick to connect your GC to your computer Log onto geocaching.com click on the hide and seek label put in your zip code or whatever filter you use to select caches of interest click on a cache that looks interesting click on "send to gps" button click on Magellan tab click on the X to close the "Do you want to download newer version...." click on "download" button and you will notice just below the sentence "Please click here to install the latest MAC version Download has been finished successfully The cache is in your GPS the software works its just sloppily written If your a premium memeber the best way to get caches into your GPS is to create a pocket query and simply copy and paste the file into the into your unit.

The Explorist GC would probably work for you. It does come with detailed street maps of the USA and Canada. It is not routable but, you have the Navi for that job and while the Explorist GC doesn't have an internal compass it only take two to three steps to determine you bearing to a cache. The major drawback to the Explorist is it doesn't have tropo maps and you cannot download new maps for it but, these issues are minor. One "problem" with the Explorist is that the screen doesn't seem bright enough in some situations you have to shade the screen with your hand sometimes. HOwever, all and all it is a good unit for geocaching easy to load caches into, and it does allow for paperless logging of caches if that's your thing.

1. Turn on your unit 2. Move the joystick button to highlight the little flag icon then press it 3. Press the Menu Button 4. Use the joystick to scroll down to "Add Waypoint" Press joystick. 5. Press joystick once more to set your current location as a waypoint. 6. Scroll down to the bottom os the page to the little disk icon and press the joystick remembering the WPT number assigned to the waypoinrt 7. To find your way back to that waypoint once you have found the cache back out ot the main screen then hightlight the flag icon 8. Hightlight the WPT number you saved as the location of your car and press the menu key 9. Scroll down to "Go" and press the joystick Then follow your GPS back to your car.

Most computers come with PKunzip as part of the software package installed on the computer. Just double click on the zipped file and a window should pop up with two files in it one xxxxx-wps.gpx and another called xxxxxx.pgx. The xxxxxx stands for the number of the file. If you don't have a unzip program on your computer ( highly unlikely) and you are running some type of Windows platform try this link WinZip get it free download WinZip amnd install it.

I'd suggest turning off the "smart arrow" that should speed things up.

I have a Explorist GC and here's how I do it. 1. First off make a pocket query from your profile page on geocaching.com To start with just for testing purposes I'd limit the number of caches to 500 or less. 2. Once the pocket query arrives in your mail box (whatever e-mail address you gave geocaching.com) Open the email and download the attachment. Unzip the pocket query. There wll be two parts one with a xxxxx.gpx and another with a xxxxx-wpt.gpx filename. 3. Next save the two parts of the attactment to your desktop. 4. Now connect your Explorist GC and click on my computer (I'm assuming you are running some type of windows operating system. 5. Click on the magellan "disk drive" 6. You will see a folder called "Geocaches" 7. Next go to your desktop and right click your mouse and hightlight and copy the two parts of the pocket query" 8. Click on the window with the magellan "Greocaches" folder in it and click on that open folder and right click your mouse and paste the pocket query files into the "Geocaching" folder that's all there is to it. I don't use VP to download or transfer geocaches to my explorist GC.

I have the same problem plus the least little bit of leaf cover seems to block the signal from the satellites.

BTW, you had a two part question. All the other responses were answering the second part of the OP. And finally, anything not on-topic to that was covering the last question. True, probably one of the reasons decades ago my English teacher warned me not to use ten words to say what you in only one. All in all I got some good suggestions and all were well meaning

There is no local club I'm not sure why there is no local club but, my guess is because no one wants one. I've never sent you spam and unless your in southwest Alabama and fairly new to caching or have found one of my caches odds are absolutely nil you would ever get a e-mail from me ever. However, the response I have received from my simple little question, "How many e-mails can I send out per session.", does surprise me certainly it seems to be a very touchy subject for a few. And that in and of itself doesn't really surprise me and I do appreciate the suggestions but, it does surprise me no one could answer my question.

First off congradulations on finding your first cache. First question: For the most part people driving by or in the vicinity of any cache will ignore you. If they don't just say we were looking for something a friend lost. If they question you father just explain your playing a game like a scavenger hunt they my join in the fun or say Oh OK and just walk away. If it is the police explain to them what you are doing and answer their questions if they advise you to leave by all means do so. Second question: Use whatever works. I know several people who use iPhones and are very successful. Use your iphone to try out the game before popping down money on a GPS just for geocaching. Third question: Caches come in all types and sizes and some are simple and some are difficult some people will swear some are impossible to find. Mystery caches the ones on the website marked with a question mark often have a puzzle to solve and a little research to do before you actually know the latitude and longitude of the cache. Check out GC28748 See if your GF can solve the code and happy caching. You will notice a Difficulty and a Terrain rating just below the title (Name) of the cache. Generally speaking 1 star is easy 5 stars is difficult.

OK, here the event notice what would you do differently? Critisium is welcome. Because we will have an event in August so whatever I learn from this one I'll apply to the next. Event Cache Notice

That maybe an idea worth pursuing. That is about what I was doing in the first place first place. My invites followed this patern: Hi congraulations on finding my cache, "Why did the chicken cross the road" and I hope I'm not being to forward but, myself and several other cachers are having a little get together at Santori's Coffehouse on July 24th and you're welcome to come. I always enjoying meeting the people who find my caches and if you would like to meet other caches and the cache owners please stop on by. Here's a link if you want more details: Event Cache Rick

But...that only alerts planned attendees of changes in venue or other issues. Spamming everyone in creation is not the way to get the word out. Plan it...they will come... Ok, I've planned it, I've talked it up at previous events (only two and they were some two months ago) I event was published about 3 weeks ago and so far only two people have logged as maybe attending but, probably not. So what do I do to help get the word out? One mistake I may have made is to mention the establishment where the event is being held is "smoke free", however that shouldn't be a biggy since all public buildings (Restaurants, bars, stores, even public parks, etc are smoke free by law) I decided to have it inside where A/C is available because this is south Alabama and even at 10AM or 7PM the temps are hovering in the mid 90's or maybe 100+ with 99% humidity guaranteed.

I've info and the link to the event in two local caching forums but, local forums are not very active down here but, that does remind me to repost the or perhaps a better word is refesh the notice in the two forums today.. And I did talk it up at the last two events however I feel peoples memories are rather short I know mind is and what was talked about on May 10th was forgotten by the 15th.

That's true however, the "new" cache deal gets published only once per cache or perhaps twince if your luckly and on event caches I usually post event caches at least 3-4 weeks out so people will have time make preperations to attend. I maybe wrong for giving so much lead time I'm not sure. People maybe getting the published event in their weekly e-mail and by the time the event rolls around have forgotten it.

How do you reach the new people who don't know how to set up notifacations, or don't know what an event is?

The mass mailing method used to work fairly well I'm get about 40-50 people to an event via mass mailing. Now that the mass mailing feature seems to ben shut down we get 4 maybe 5 people to an event by posting in local forums and talking about it at other events..