Grenadyr

Since the GPSr add-on isn't available yet there isn't any us mapping software available which basically makes is a bulky etrex. There is a homebrew solution that can interface your existing GPSr or the add-on into it using downloaded maps from google I think, but it sounds like way too much work.

I use my GPSr to give me GC#, Name, Terrain, Difficulty, Travelbug present (y/n), cache size, and the first 88 characters of the hint decoded and reversed for about 2500 "local" caches. Now if all that proves inadequate my PSP has all of that plus the full description, full hint, last 10 or so log entries, and as a bonus the nearest 5 caches for each cache in my GPSr. (My PSP actually has more caches in it as I don't load multis in the GPSr because I'm usually caching between stops during work, but if I have time I pull a multi from the PSP.) As for the how-to on getting the info into your PSP... Assuming you have already mastered PQ's and have GSAK up and running you can use GSAK to output all your caches as HTML files. What it actually generates is a unique page for each cache you choose to output, plus several index pages that allow you to easily navigate all those caches. 1. Tweak GSAK to display your choosen caches and from the menu choose File -> Export -> HTML Files. 2. Set a unique directory to output the "mess" to and choose the indices to generate. (I just generate by name and code which means the main page you load gives you those two options to find the cache page from the main index page.) 3. You will end up with is a directory full of htm files and image files. Copy the entire directory into another unique directory on your psp. (I make a "Caches" directory in the existing "PSP" directory for simplicity.) 4. After all that is transfered into your psp just start your internet browser and type in the following: file:/psp/caches/index.htm. This will pull up the main index file and give you your choice of indices to find your desired cache. It works out very well and I use it quite often. FWIW, I end up transfering about 2800+ caches into the PSP and it takes about 18 minutes or so because it is so many individual files.

I load my PQ's into GSAK to consolidate them and upload them as a POI list into the GPS. This allows me as many as I want for random caching opportunities and doesn't clutter up my waypoint list. If you figure out the whole POI thing as well you can fit quite a bit of information into each entry. My title currently includes the cache code, name, difficulty, terrain, cache size, and travel bug status. The description field includes the first 88 characters of the hint decoded and reversed to make it easier to read in the field. Once I find a cache I just mark the location and set the symbol to the open treasure chest, it marks time and date as well as assigning a sequential number so you can easily keep track of what you found and when. Once I get back home I just pull up each "open treasure chest" waypoint, map it in the gps, and then find the closest POI entry which is always the geocache I found and enter it into the website. I don't think I'm describing it well but it works very well and is quick and easy to manage. Either way with your new gps and GSAK you will have plenty of options to play with... Have fun.

Same here, the past logs can be helpful, also the full hint as some of the hints are quite long and get clipped in the small description field the POI's allow. FWIW, I've got the extra info loaded in my PSP using the HTML export from GSAK which works out very well when I need the extra info.

For hiking and geocaching you don't need anything but some batteries. The topo maps are nice when you are trying to figure your approach to the cache but aren't required. (I've used it occasionally to navigate steep inclines and find out what side of the river the cache is on before getting stuck on the wrong side.) The base map is useless for driving and only beeps for prompts, no voice. That being said, buying City Navigator v8, a good mount for the vehicle, and a power cord makes this a very useful vehicle GPS. I use it all the time to look up street addresses with very good results and it covers Canada and the US for about $100. FWIW, If you are navigating to a given set of addresses you can load a nearly unlimited number of addresses w/ descriptions into your GPS as POI lists. You can also load large lists of Geocaches as POI's as well if your potential caching areas are widespread and random.

I agree. I've had my 60CSx for over a year now and literally use it every day. For geocaching its excellent; the poi lists allows me to store thousands of caches, the memory card allows me to store every map I could possibly need, the Sirf III chipset is quick and very accurate, and the electronic compass is great for triangulating the cache in dense cover. As for driving I would say its good but not great. The screen is small and sometimes hard to read when driving and the lack of voice prompts is noticeable. But, I use it constantly and would be hard pressed to do my job without it now that I'm used to its constant nagging. If I were to start over I would still go the same way. The portable units can stand a beating and most are waterproof. I can't imagine bringing a Nuvi out on the trail. But, in order to get the 60CSx as usable for driving as possible I had to get a $10 cigarette lighter adapter, about $60 in mounting hardware, and $100 worth of mapping software. Even with the additional costs I think its the best option if you are only going to buy one unit.

Here is a good website for batch converting street addresses to gps coordinates. "Quick" instructions: 1. Add headers to your spreadsheet columns for address, state, zip, etc... 2. Output your existing spreadsheet as a tab delimited text file. 3. Paste that file into the above website and run it thru their encoding process. 4. Paste the results back into a text file. 5. Import the results into excel and sort your columns. Longitude, Latitude, Title, Description (everything after the first four will be ignored) 6. Export the file as a comma delimited text file. 7. Load the text file using Garmin's POI Loader. I've got thousands of addresses in my GPSr this way using separate csv and gpx lists. Excel also allows you to combine text columns so I use that feature to combine the address and phone columns to be used for the description that way when I look up a client name the description shows the address and phone number to confirm with the work order. Hope this helps...

$25 Wal-Mart steel toe boots and Hanes socks. Not very attractive but comfortable and cheap.

Just to clarify... Do you literally mean just a single "street" address into a waypoint, or a spreadsheet full of addresses into waypoints and/or a POI list? If it is multiple addresses, how many?

Quick explanation.... Load your multiple Pocket Queries into GSAK to combine them into one big list. Output the list as a GPX file (which also allows you more information than waypoints). Use Garmin's POI Loader to load the list into the GPSr. Using this method I've combined the results of 7 different PQ's to cover my potential caching area into a single POI list of about 2500 points with enough details for each cache to successfully find them without a computer handy. (FWIW, I also have business related POI's loaded at the same time and have another 2000 or so points loaded as well.)

I like that the POI's allow more data than waypoints and that you can make multiple POI lists for the sake of organization. It would be nice if perhaps they could make a special category for geocache POI's so that you could just mark your poi found instead of having to write it down or set another waypoint to remember which one you found.

I'm only familiar with Garmin products but the POI list feature on the newer recievers can get you pretty close. I've had a 60CSx for a couple of years now and using GSAK I've formated a POI list of over 2000 "local" geocaches to cover my business travels. As far as I know you have about 30 characters or so for the name and 88 characters for the description when formatting the list. With that space I put the difficulty, terrain, cache type, travel bug status, GC code, and cache name in the "name" field. I then reverse the entire hint and place it in the "description" field. That system works really well for me and I've only had a few caches here and there that required me to return with more information. Just recently I also started playing with the HTML export in GSAK and used that to generate an individual page for each cache and a very handy index page to better find the cache information. I loaded the HTML stuff on my PSP and now have access to just about everything I could need while out in the woods. I wish Garmin would expand the POI fuctionality in the future. I've loaded lots of information in multiple POI's to cover my customers and preferred suppliers while in field and could really use more space in the fields and more fields to play with. Good luck, hope this helps... Grenadyr

Pro-Fit makes some already that fits lots of different vehicles. I've had one for a few years now for my XM radio and love the mount. I've also been trying to figure out how to securely mount my 60CSx in my van for a month or so. I ruled out adhesive mounts due problems mentioned earlier in this thread. I ruled out a suction mount because I would need 8" or so of extension to get the GPSr in the right position and I worry about vibration making it hard to read/operate. I can't fit it on my existing Pro-Fit mount because of space limitations in my van. (Pro-Fit does make an extension plate to fit two devices on the same mount, but it doesn't work in my situation.) And, friction mounts don't appeal to me. So what's my potential solution? A ProClip mount on the dash, a Pro-Fit swivel, and a RAM GPSr mount. What a pain!

Currently off to get more life from my batteries, plus NH has little coverage until the satellites settle down this fall.

Love the "Dawn to Dusk" option, makes a lot of sense. Perhaps also a "24 hour option", and a "not listed" option as well? "Handicapped Accessible" is definately a good idea but I agree a definition is needed. Perhaps "Wheelchair Friendly" might be a better idea. Meaning the access to the play area and the play surface itself are compatible with wheelchairs and there exists some amount of play equipment accessible to wheelchair bound / mobility impaired kids. I've seen one recently that the big kids play structure was more than half accessible to wheelchairs due to ramps instead of steps between stages. The play structure was also directly accessible via a paved walkway to the beginning of the play structure ramp. I would definately call that one HA/WF. I saw one yesterday that had good access and good play surface, but the only compatible equipment was a single oversized swing with body supports. Yeah the kids can get there, but there is little for them to do. And finally, how about another one I saw yesterday had a single oversized swing in a playground set in sand, definately not handicapped friendly. FWIW, the new PC phrase in the codebooks up here in NH is "Mobility Impaired". I like the idea of the "Recommended for travelers" option, but it is ambigous. Yesterday the big playground was near a major hiway exit with plenty of parking, picnic space, bathrooms, and room to run around. I would be thrilled to find something like that while traveling with my daughther. As opposed to the neighborhood parks that are kinda hidden away w/o facilities available. Still nice but less friendly to those with squirmy kids screaming in your ear while driving to grandma's. One last chapter to this book I'm apparently writing. I did a drive-by of an elementary school playground yesterday that is not posted, is apparently accessible to the public, but obviously not to be used during school hours. Not sure if this would warrant a seperate option box, or a "hours of access" option, or perhaps a generic "special instructions" box. While we are at it why not issue special ID cards stating you are Waymarking, not staking out victims. I see lots of nice playgrounds while driving around for work but can't stop because my daughter isn't with me. Just too weird...

I can't do much on the weekends because of a wife and 2 yr old daughter that demand a lot of attention. But, I drive around New England all week doing field service on elevators and other equipment. The company supplies the vehicle and the random destinations throughout the week and I keep about 3000 geocaches in my 60CSx. BTW, my wife thinks I'm nuts for hunting at night using a flashlight to score a FTF.

The program is GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) which among it many talents allows you to combine multiple gpx files, process them, and output them in the flavor of your choosing. Currently for the ouput format I noted previously I use is: Waypoint Name: %code - (%dif1/%ter1/%con1/%bug) %name Cache description format: %macro="C:\Program Files\GSAK\Macros\BackwardHints.txt" The waypoint name and cache description format boxes are in the window that pops up when you export to a gpx file. In the cache description format box you will notice the tag "%macro=...", that is a special file that some clever individual wrote that takes the decoded hints and writes them backwards. Tag descriptions: %code - The GCXXXX code assigned to each geocache %dif1 - Difficulty reduced to a single digit %ter1 - Terrain reduced to a single digit %con1 - Container type reduced to a single letter %bug - Whether a bug is present (simple Y or N) %name - Name of the cache This gives me alot of information in a very compact format so I can hunt geocaches at random w/o having to lug around a stack of printouts.

Once you start getting the "pocket queries" as a premium member you can also process the results a bit to load more info in the GPSr. My name field currently displays the cache code, difficulty, terrain, cache size, travel bug status, and name. The description field is currently the decoded hint rewritten backwards. This setup works very well for me searching out traditionals while randomly driving around for work where I cover ME, NH, VT, and MA. I think if you want to carry around full information on each cache you would currently have to buy a PDA and try your hand at paperless caching.

1. Fix POI custom image issue 2. Increased POI description capacity 3. Ability to add line-breaks in POI description 4. Ability to transfer selected POI's to waypoints on the fly 5. Fix the search function of custom POI's (The POI function and memory card is why I finally bought a 60CSx) 6. Fix the WAAS issue 7. Third option for Geocaches; DNF Love my GPSr but the POI's need work. I currently use mine to track my customers and geocaches in New England.

Just ordered mine from Amazon on friday, cost me $385 w/shipping. They have a 5% off coupon for that unit until the 8th of May.

FWIW, if you decide on a 60CSx in the near future Amazon.com is running a special where you get an additional 5% off until the 8th of May. I just ordered mine and it cost $385 shipped. From Amazon:

I have had great results using Plasti-Kote Vinyl Dye. It actually penetrates the plastic so it doesn't flake off like paint. I use it everytime I buy a beige computer part that needs to be turned black to match the rest of my equipment. FWIW, the color selection is very limited. Links: GideonTech - Real world use of dye to mod a computer case Plasti-Kote's website (Vinyl Color)