psyopwak

Thanks for the info....

Thanks, now I really feel dumb.

I live in Ohio, USA. Does geocaching.com give users a way to determine which caches have had the most visits? Also as a bonus question what does the STAR symbol mean for a cache. On my maps, the cache I placed some years back was grandfathered and it shows up as a STAR. I don't know what that means.

I was in the US Military (in Kosovo) in 1999-2000. I knew that President Clinton was going to change Selective Availability (SA) of GPS technology at that time. (SA) was an intentional degradation of public GPS signals implemented for national security reasons. I think the U.S government wanted to allow for civil and commercial users worldwide. I was teaching and using the PLGR (precision lightweight GPS unit) at the time to navigate in the military vehicle (Humvee) and on foot. My friend told me about a new hobby called geocaching which allowed the civilian GPS units (garmin, magellan, etc) to find a point on the earth within 9 feet without the secure variable the PLGR needed to be so accurate. This would help all sea, air and land navigation. I started the hobby thereafter and found my first cache in 2003. Geocaching did not grow very fast because one had to type in the coordinates in the early GPS units, no smart phone use then. Smart phones, geocaching.com and other venues made the hobby easier and easier for the average user. Yes I would like to know where the earliest cache is. But as well all know it is hard to keep one active for a long time. My cache "What a "sticky" situation" has been up since 3/2004. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCJ1GP_what-a-sticky-situation

Anyone looking for a 76S in great condition? I just wanted to try a 60C for a change. The 76S has a directional compass and has been a great unit. It has been kept in a soft shell case, so it is in great condition. If you have been looking for one, and don't really like your 60C, drop me a line.

Anyone know why a Garmin Map 76S will have problems picking up satellites? I have downloaded the newest software (3.70) and thinking maybe there is a glitch there, but now my unit will not pick up satellites. It did for a few hours one day then lost them. Any ideas would be appreciated on how to correct this. My ETREX will pick up satellites, so I know it is not a visibility problem. Thanks in advance

I just got a MAP76s about three weeks ago. So far I really like it. Had the Basic yellow etrex, which was very user friendly but wanted a MAP, lots of memory, WAAS. a better antenna, and a good cache finder as well. (The compass on the 76s does this very well.) Happy caching

Lots og great info. Thanks alot. I like the Virtual PC version 6 idea. Happy caching

I had an etrex yellow base model as a starter. I went out to find a cache under dense tree cover and kept losing my sats...had to turn back. About a month passed and I bought the 76s and went to the same area, the same route. The 76s DID LOSE a lock while finding the cache but managed to get it back within about 15 to 30 secs while I passed under moderate tree cover. Took me right to the cache. Hope this helps. Happy caching.

Anyone out there had any luck with running MAPSOURCE CD's on a Macintosh computer for download into a MAP76s GPS??? (Using OS-X software on the MAC) Where in the blue-blazes do I start?? Do I have to get access to a PC to do this??? Thanx to all who might know.

I found the absolute best prices on GARMIN gps and accessories from OMNITREK on Ebay. Contacting Colin directly by e-mail and he said he could give me a BETTER price directly. Got a new 76s, case, cig lighter adapter, and video for $345.

I bought the Canon A70, the one you were looking at?!? I really like it, it has great technology as far as digital photography goes. Get maha charger and powerex batteries.

What kind of batteries do ya use in your GPS device? I want to know the manufacturer, and IF you notice a difference in battery life between different manufacturer's and different types- ie (NICK-CAD, NICK-MTL-HYD, AlKALINE, LITHIUM, etc) Also if you use a charger, what kind, and what is GOOD or BAD about it?? Thanks for the replies Psyopwak

I want to load software into my new GPS. What is the most user friendly and accurate software for this? (Which company offers the best). Looking at USA streets/ highways and topo maps for USA. Can I download software off the INTERNET to my Garmin 76s that is better than a CD? Thanks to all who reply.

Hey all of you 76 users. I am looking at a Garmin 76s to purchase. It is hard to lay down over $300 on a gps so I want to know if you like yours and is it good holding satellite lock under tree cover? (My old etrex yellow does not do this well) Thanks in advance Phil

For those of you geo-cachers who placed a cache for others to find -How did you pick your container? What are you using and why? Phil and Mary

PLGR stands for Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver. It was the standard GPS device for the Army and Marines in 1999-2000, but it may now be updated for AD component soldiers. It is true when SA was lifted, off the shelf GPS devices could be as accurate a PLGR. There was no scrambled signal that you needed a secure variable to descamble, as with a PLGR. But PlGR's as noted, also served as a very accurate clock for other military devices such as the SINCGARS radio and ANCD's. That time, as common knowledge is available on it, keeps the radio net in sync. PlGR's also did other useful things, but as direction finders, they are not that special now.

I placed a cache in a tree also. About 20ft up. I simply attached it to a rope and then the rope was slung over a high branch with the anchor end coming down the tree. Now all anyone has to do is spot cache and slowly allow pulley rope to lower the cache down. Many trekers have found it ,lowered it and raised it back up without a problem. My two cents worth, psyopwak

MagicMan I was in tears when I read about your cache. (The one you made) Could you send it to my ex-wife?? That is really why I cried, because she said I never gave her anything. Anyway....yes it is NOT a good idea to put a bunch of either explosive or highly flammable materials in a small container that a family will go out to find in the woods or canyons or valleys. Best leave that work fot the EOD of our great U.S. Army. A FAR better idea is this: Give out the not quite correct coordinates on the website soz a fair amount of somewhat intelligent people who have no map or compass skills can go into the woods, looking for a cheesy conatainer with some small toys inside and will look for hours into the dark with no flashlight. Ok.....Ok....that is not a good idea either. But fun to think about. psyopwak "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle

Dear Ryan I am going to give you some good advice. While I would not discourage young people from learning a skill that is valauble in life, I must caution you. #1 Good intelligent full-grown adults don't know what they are doing when they attempt geo-caching. There are probably fair amounts of people in the world, (OK...maybe just the U.S. and Macedonia) that headed out into the woods with their trusty Magellan and never came back.....EVER!! (Let that be your 1st warning) #2 A gps is a tool, so is a map and a compass. You must learn how to use them first. Once again I refer back to #1. Many well intentioned good hearted adults have no idea how to use a map or a compass. If you don't believe me, just read some of these posts. Like I have said before, it is all fun and games until your mom heads out at dusk into the woods and when they find her two weeks later, she has her etrex in one hand (with dead batteries) and a tupperware cache in the other....and she has passed on, in a horizontal position. #3 I would suggest following an INTELLIGENT gps'r first for awhile. Try to find a guy named BUCK from West Virginia. Or you can e-mail me, I was trained by the U.S.Army. If you can get your hands on FM 21-26. Map Reading and Land Navigation, that would be great. Or you could join the cub-scouts, boy-scouts or take an orienteering course locally first. Good luck -side tip for survival ( it's never a good idea to go over to a bear's house for dinner) psyopwak "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle

Well now...ahhh shucks. Why do want to take some fun out of this??? What is wrong with giving out bad coordinates to the general public at large, soz they can go into the woods, search around for hours.. into the night hoping to find a little plasic box with a toy inside?? My buddy told me his wife waited for him to come home and when he showed her the POLLY POCKETS container he was looking for, she called him a MORON! The nerve of her!! OK....OK..... yes you should REALLY double check your coordinates. It is all fun and games until somebody drops dead in the woods, only to be found two weeks later with a etrex in one hand and a lincoln logs key chain in the other. psyopwak "Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect." Chief Seattle

I have purchased the basic etrex yellow. I have found as a basic unit, you really cannot go wrong. I paid=Price $110.00, I think you can get a little cheaper. #1 It is light for geo-treking or just carrying in your pocket. #2 It does not do alot but get you there. So it does not use alot of batteries. #3 Can be used as a back-up later, in the event you would like to get a more powerful unit. #4 Now comes in CAMO. #5 Very easy unit to learn I have used a PLGR in the military, and I am surprised how well and how cheap this technology can be utilized by all. ETREX beats the PLGR for usability and it is accurate enough. And what does the military pay for thier units? $1,000 or maybe $2,000. Once SA was lifted, all the civilian units are very accurate to within 50 feet. my two cents worth, psyopwak

Hey Family unit Maybe you already decided on a camera, but in case you did not...... I have a Sony Mavica, Model MVC-cd200. It takes great pics, and you store the images on a mini cd. You can catalog the cds and thus not take up space on your computer (doing this memory intensive task). You also can drop off the CD at your camera store, like a 35mm film catridge, letting them do the work. This model is about 3 years old and can be purchased at a very good price. The next model up (cd300) has a Leica lens standard. also check out these sites for reviews of all kinds of DIG cameras. www.dpreview.com www.electronics.cnet.com www.camera-index.com psyopwak

looks like you got alot of good answers. here is another I have a book, called "Staying Found The complete map and compass book" by June Fleming. I highly reccomend it Also if you get your hands on FM 21-26 (Map Reading and Land Navigation) This is the bible of the army on all you should need to know for advanced knowledge. neither one covers GPS too much psyopwak Posts: 6 | Registered: April 12, 2003

Hey Wanda Texas Hope this does not sound sexist?! But I have a book, called "Staying Found The complete map and compass book" by June Fleming. She seems to explain things in a more womanly way??? Also if you get your hands on FM 21-26 (Map Reading and Land Navigation) This is the bible of the army on all you should need to know for advanced knowledge. psyopwak Anyway it is a great basics book, does not cover GPS.