JaySTE

There is a Geocaching app, it costs $9.99. If you are using an iPod Touch, you will need a separate GPS, and of course be in wifi range to update finds and etc.. http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore...242503&mt=8

XP SP3 No COM1 and LPT1

I have a Garmin "Yellow" E-Trex, the "original" and until recently, I've always been able to connect it with my serial cord to my computer to download waypoints for Geocaching. I use the program "Easy GPS" for this and it's always worked great. However, now when I try to read from the GPS I get an error message: "The Serial Port Could not be Opened". I've tried everything to try and make sure some other software wasn't hogging the port. I've uninstalled phone software, old palm software, everything that seemed like it could use the serial port (COM1). No luck. I tried running the Garmin update to see it the fault was Easy GPS, it cannot find the GPS either. I've also gone into my device manager, reset to defaults, no luck. I've restarted the computer many times. I've done everything in my capability to resolve this issue, but I am getting nowhere. I'm hoping someone here might be able to describe how to go into BIOS and see if I need to make changes there... or something. This really puts a dent in our geocaching. I don't want to buy a new GPS with USB, and entering the coords manually is a pain. Any help appreciated.

If it wasn't the police who let the note, and it seems highly likely it was not, then whoever left it is guilty of police impersonation, which is far worse than leaving a cache in a debatable location. JaySTE

I think my "Hadley Falls" geocache is in the Alpine Lakes region. Those who are familiar with it know just how much it would test the rangers resolve to rid the area of caches. FWIW, if geocaches are truly illegal there, I may be willing to guide a ranger back there to remove it... so long as he was a geocacher and could claim the find! In reality though, I would feel bad having to retire this cache. It's one off the oldest active caches in Washington. Jay of JaySTE

Does your PDA have an infrared sensor/transmitter? If so, maybe you can get an infrared adaptor that plugs into the USB port of your lap top and go that route for syncing your PDA. USB / IRDA adaptors can be seen here: http://www.buyextras.com/irdaadapters.html...CFRZJYQod-FgJtg Jay

Thanks for the replies guys. That's just the kind of info I was looking for. I like the idea of the null modem connector, that way I can still run my GPS off the vehicle power using my serial / power cord for the GPS. Now the serial end of the cable will have a function while I am driving, no longer will it just be taking up space. Jay

I'm new to paperless caching, having recently acquired a Palm IIIxe at a yard sale. I use GPX spinner and Plucker to get the cache pages on my Palm. My GPS is a yellow Etrex. Both devices connect via serial cables. My question is what advantages would I have by connecting my Etrex to my Palm IIIxe? FWIW, I found a cable to connect my units here: http://pfranc.com/cgi-bin/P/BH121900/ Jay

I've geocached in the rain plenty of times. It's not the rain itself that causes problems, it's when all the wet branches and leaves above you that block the signal. Bad_CRC - Nice avatar! I've never seen trees growing sideways like that, but I have seen jeeps in that position.

Ditto!

I think I have seen your vehicle - or at least one very similar to it down here in Marysville WA. Maybe another one of the local members can tell me if the one in Marysville is owned by a geocacher. I've always thought it would be the ultimate geocache vehicle.

I had it first!

I should make it clear that in my case at no time did I feel that my reviewer needed an attitude adjustment. He was very professional about the whole thing and in the end it was an educational experience for both of us.

There are also areas close to me where Google maps are very accurate as well. It was only when I placed this most recent cache that I discovered just how inaccurate they can be in some locations. I would have never predicted that much inaccuracy. Perhaps it has something to do with the curvature of the Earth and that the photos are flat and that makes the areas at the edge of the photo be less accurate or some other strange reason - who knows. Anyway - if anyone is reading this who is thinking of relying on aerial view google maps, don't put too much faith in them. They only serve as a guide, and are not meant to have the accuracy required for sending a guided missle down someones chimney or even geocaching. JaySTE

Well, based on info that some of the posters supplied in this thread, I was able to plead my case to the reviewer and get my cache published. It will be interesting to see what happens when people start to look for my cache. Hopefully my coords are spot on and there is not some weird atmospheric anomaly in the area. Thanks!

I've sent the reviewer a screenshot of the hybrid view of the cache area, which shows the streets being about 50 feet off where the aerial photo shows them. I also put an arrow pointing out my cache. I offered to send a photo of my gps display at the cache site as further proof. The reviewer noted that there are users who don't have or use a GPS and rely on services like Google maps to find caches. If google, and possibly other online map services are that inaccurate with their aerial views, shouldn't such activity be discouraged?

I've been trying to get a new geocache listed and my reviewer insists on relying in Google maps arial photos to confirm my caches location. My cache is in an residential area, in a small park. When you use google maps with my coords, the area google shows my cache to be is always on a rooftop or in a driveway. therefore my cache does not get published. I'm not upset with my reviewer, he is just trying to do his job. What upsets me is the accuracy of google maps. I have tried three times to get coords that google agrees with an so far no luck. Any suggestions?

Thanks! Great suggestion! I had always wondered where I could buy a good nano container locally. JaySTE

Some uses the same avatar as me! I had it first! JaySTE

I've been a member since December of 2000, (only Moun10bike has me beat in this thread so far) although wasn't very active for a few years. Recently as my 3 year old daughter has gained interest in hunting for "treasure boxes" and since my wife has also taken a keen interest, we have become more active. My very first hunt for a cache was just after Christmas 2000, since that was when I got my classic yellow etrex, which I still use today. It was in Fort Warden, in Port Townsend. It actually showed up on the first page of search results and I was searching from 98204, Everett. We recorded a DNF since the cache was missing. My second attempt at a cache was Toot toot city in Seattle. It's since been archived. The first time we ran into another geocacher was 2/25/01 at the Yost Park cache in Edmonds. He gave us pointers and saved us from getting muddy feet since the coords were way off. We were second to find for this one, which amazingly is still active and has recorded 290 finds. I guess with all the enjoyment we have gotten geocaching it is probably time we become premium members. James

Does anyone know if Jerry's Surplus in Everett carries Ammo Cans? If so, how much are they? JaySTE

Two hikers were killed near the Pinnacle Lake trailhead. Officials are not sure how they died but are not ruling out the possibilty an animal of some sort attacked and killed them. Read about it here: http://www.komotv.com/stories/44364.htm My cache ( http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...aa-39e8beed44da ) along with a few others are in the vicinty of this area. Kinda makes me nervous to try backwoods caches now. JaySTE

Like this? http://cgi.ebay.com/TINY-Geocaching-Contai...1QQcmdZViewItem

I don't think you have to pay if you do not use the services. So if you are willing to showshoe to the top of the mountian, you may do so without a lift ticket.

Check out the story that inspired my cache. It's the most recent log entry which was written by the cache's namesake. JayST