Bosn Ski

Was there any resolve on this issue?? I have been having the same problem on certain caches. I would try one and nothing happened, I would pick another cache at random and send to GPS with perfect results.

I never put much thought into swag for adults. I havne't found a cache that had swag for adults...something to think about.

In response to Desert Trailblazer’s post concerning the dollar store swag… Over the last two days I hid my first two caches. They are pretty easy hides, so they can be found with little cachers and I included lots of swag. I spent over $20 in a dollar store purchasing swag and two FTF $5 gift cards. My hopes are for the FTF’ers to take the gift cards and purchase swag with them. When I can get my kids to go geocaching with me it is very disappointing to open the box and see the junk in there. My daughter told me once, that she isn’t giving up her “good junk, for that junk”. I don’t have a problem with spending a few dollars on swag. My purchases were packages containing multiple toys, 3 plastic Frisbees, 6 pairs of dice, matchbox cars, play dough cutters, etc. Sure over time the cost will add up, but it will surely be cheaper than an evening at the movies. Click here! for a interesting break down of the cost of geocaching vs. going to the movies. Bottom line: When I am alone or caching with adults, I sign the log and take nothing (one time I did trade a red carabineer for a yellow one... ) I do clear out the junky swag and throw it away. When I cache with my kids, I make sure my swag bag is good to go, and I teach to my children to trade equally or up. I did put a statement in my descriptions to trade equally or up. I never really thought about somebody purposely cleaning out the swag just for spite because of my statement description. If that happens, I will replenish the cache and chalk up the experience to a life learning event. My two cents…or in this case…2,000 cents.

There is a patch (build) for GSAK, that is required for direct loading into the PN-40, which needs to be downloaded/installed as well. I don't know how to insert a link in this post...but you can click around the GSAK forums to find it.

My sister in law is a Sergeant in the LAPD and occasionally sees geocachers lurking around. When she first stopped a geocacher and heard his explanation, she didn't believe him. Then she remembered a conversation we had on a ride along and called me while she was in the field to see if the guy’s story made sense. I verified that if he has a GPSr, a pen and was clear of wants and warrants she should use her giant flash light and help the guy and if the find is made let the guy go. I don't remember the cache, this was a few years ago... The next day she called me and asked to explain, "smiley"... As with drdan's post, there is a notable decrease in 'crime' in areas she patrols that are visited by cachers.

I too am a happy owner of a PN-40 and a frustrated user of Topo 8. I spent about $30 from my included certificate on aerial imagery that stayed in the downloads queue for a week or would download but not show up on the T8 screen. Finally I called tech support. They gave me a $100 map certificate and in the course of 3 days solved my problem. My problem was I ordering and paying for imagery grids that were not available. I am learning how to use T8 for what I want to do...and learning how to download imagery and maps using the help from tech support and the Delorme forums. If you are having problems, I recommend to contact tech support.

You'd don't need a GPS either. Anyone who can't use a paper topo map and a compass shouldn't be out caching. Don't need your own computer or interent access either --if you don't know how to use the public library you're just wasting your money If you spend one day a week caching, membership costs 57 cents per caching day ($30 / 52 weeks). Membership gives me three things I think are worth the money: Access to Pocket Queries, access to certain "closed" areas of the GC forums, and access to some caches that basic members don't get. There are a few other things but that's what I'm paying for. Worth it to me. We'll see.. I do want to support them, and if I DO pay the membership it would only be to pitch in and help, not for the benefits that come with it. I know I would never use the PQs and all of that... Never use the PQ's?!? Why the heck not??? It is sooo much easier to define an area you're going to cache with PQ's, and download all the caches in that area in one quick easy click or two. Example: I have a PQ that is a 25 mile radius around my house. There are over 170 caches, automatically loaded into my unit at once. Can you imagine how much time that would take to do it manually one at a time?!? And the cache descriptions, logs from other cachers and hints make finding them much, much easier! I probably wouldn't even bother with caching if it wasn't for the premium membership. Thanks for the input. I was considering Garmin products at first, but I went with the Delorme PN-40. I am completly satisfied with the GPSr in itself. Topo8 is a different story...

Nope you are not wasting my time. And I was hoping for inputs like this. I was looking at Garmin, because it is the only name I know. The color screen appealed to me just as much as the name does. I don't really have a need for a handheld with street maps, I have an on dash GPS. My budget is about $200, shhh don't tell my wife! Simplicity is a big factor in my decision to buy a new unit. I have missed several opportunities to make a spontaneous grab in the afternoon, because I would have to manually input coords, and time became a factor. When reading this thread I looked at the PN's but I didn't recognize the name. I looked them up but was put off by the price and all the extra features. Features that I feel I don’t need, or know how to use. Then the arguments started on the pros and cons of PN’s, iPhones, etc etc etc...Thus adding to my confusion and the need for a solid recommendation. My geocaching is still in its infancy and I have been planning on going to caches that are close to parking and ‘kinda sorta’ kid friendly, mainly inside of state parks (VA), and city parks. For now I am not planning on going deep into the back country. Amazon has a PN-20 for $199. Your thoughts? Cheers Thanks for the help

WOW!! This thread is full of pithy rhetoric…! I am jumping in here because I have spent the afternoon comparing and researching Garmin handhelds. I am relatively new to geocaching. I signed up in 2007, tried it once with a DNF and some very disgruntled children. Because of deployments and transferring (navy), I just started up again using a very old eTrex (bought in 2002). Now that my family and I have four finds we are getting into the whole geocaching thing, I want to upgrade. When I seen the original title to this thread, I thought I hit pay dirt by finding a thread with the same basic question I had. “eTrex higher end units or one of the GPSMAP 60 models” I read the entire thread and now I am more confused! I don’t mind paying for a PM. Basically, I want to plug my unit into my computer and load up several caches that I choose for the ‘afternoon of caching’ & ‘spontaneous caching’. Paperless (as defined here) sounds ok, but in reality and in my lifestyle, there will have to be some planning and I don’t mind printing out the details of a cache on recycled paper and keeping them in my truck. So my question for you more experienced cachers’: I would like your recommendations on a solid unit that I can download caches easily without having to download a list of other programs to make the thing work. Right now I am leaning towards the eTrex Venture HC. Thanks