Deckyon

I dont have any placed, but yeah, gotta make them as watertight as possible. I went out this weekend because it was pretty much a perfect weekend for it - 50's in the afternoon, mostly dry ground excelt for the lowlands. The Ohio is still at flood stage, but inland from it was fine. Knocked out 10 this weekend, and 3 of them had logs that were pretty much disentegrated. A couple others were on the cusp. Thinking about putting some pill ziplock bags in my kit. Use a few strips of Write in the Rain paper to replace the damaged logs. Once the river goes down, there is a ton of caches along the waterfront parks. Love the high density locations.

Wow, so went out this weekend to get some caches logged near me and man, the recent snows and rains have played havoc with the caches. I ended up having to replace disintegrated logs in a few. I did flag them for Maintenance and sent the owners some messages. Hopefully the paper I put in will hold up long enough until the owners can get back. But, it was a beautiful weekend out for caching - clear skies and temps between 45 and 55.

Coming back after a long hiatus. Looking to add geocaching back in to my travels as something to do with every other activity I did being on hold. I am out of KY, and am looking to head out to Red River Gorge and collect a couple this weekend. Just saying hi again.

MotionX has iPhone apps as well, not just iPad. I was only saying I could not answer to the full functionality of the iPhone apps.

I cant quote to iPhone, but the MotionX GPS app is stellar on the iPad, and the Lite version for the iPhone looks really good. Best part, the full version is less than GPS Tuner. Also, you can download maps for on the go instead of doing it on the fly. Makes it nice so you can use wifi instead of 3g data. MotionX also has a GPX import feature (via email) that will import waypoints from GPX files making it very easy to add the day's worth of caches to the iPhone. FWIW, the MotionX GPS Drive (door-to-door) is only $.99 in the app store today. not meant for geocaching, but generally $3. I have both versions (GPS and GPS Drive) on my iPad and get plenty of use out of them.

While I havent actually gone out yet and used my iPad for caching, I have started looking into the best methods of using the iPad for caching. Since the current apps that are specific to Geocaching are only meant for the iPhone-sized screens and I do not like running iPhone apps in 2x mode on my iPad, it left me with an interesting problem of finding a GPS app that can import GPX files. MotionX GPS HD will do this, and for $4, compared to $10 for the official app and $8 for the Geosphere app. In the following post, I explain what I did to get waypoints into my iPad for MotionX http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...t&p=4555203 The other nice thing about the iPad is the screen sized and the fact that you can view the full cache pages and report live from the site (provided you have 3G turned on with signal). No more scrolling small screens or taking printouts. Keep in mind, depending on where you live and what time of year it is, get the iPad some protection. I will be using the Otterbox Defender when I go caching. while not waterproof, it will add some drop protection. Moses and his tablets? Haha, what an awesome image. I got Moses with a Tablet and an Ammo Tin.

I am a strong supporter of Geosphere, but they do not have a "native iPad" app either. They provide the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad release and don't have an iPad specific release either. There are different apps that will run in the correct resolution no matter what the iDevice is, I am just not a fan of running something in "2x" mode that was meant for the iPhone-sized screen, not the iPad screen. Just a personal preference. I only made my statement to let them know that it would be very small or poor res (at 2x) on the iPad screen. I wish they would come up with an "HD" specific version for the iPad.

However the Groundspeak app is not meant for the iPad, only the iPod Touch and iPhones.

LOC -> GPX Tool: http://free-data.com/gps/converters/#LOC2GPX Find the cache you want to find and click on the LOC button to export it to a file called "geocaching.loc". It creates the file that looks like: <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <loc version="1.0" src="Groundspeak"> <waypoint> <name id="GC2GEXW"><![CDATA[Cattail Beach by BluegrassBaker]]></name> <coord lat="38.31099" lon="-85.578762"/> <type>Geocache</type> <link text="Cache Details">http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC2GEXW</link> </waypoint></loc> If you want to get more for your day of caching, just keep searching for caches and downloading the LOC files (different names) and you will combine them with a text editor. You will keep the following header and footer for the LOC file. <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <loc version="1.0" src="Groundspeak"> </loc> Insert up to 12 waypoints into one file. The reason will be clear in a few. Insert the waypoint code (below) in between the <LOC...> and </LOC> tags. <waypoint> <name id="GC2GEXW"><![CDATA[Cattail Beach by BluegrassBaker]]></name> <coord lat="38.31099" lon="-85.578762"/> <type>Geocache</type> <link text="Cache Details">http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC2GEXW</link> </waypoint> Now that you have 1 LOC file with up to 12 caches (waypoints) you can download and extract the LOC->GPX app I linked above. Once you unzip it, you will drag and drop the LOC file onto the LOC2GPX.EXE app. It will convert the LOC file and create a new GPX file. Note: The subscription fee allows you to create queries and export the query results to an already formatted GPX file. In this case, create a query with 12 caches and export the GPX file to your computer instead. Next, I assume you will have the MotionX GPS HD app installed on your iPad. The price and the functionality are bar none the best I have found and it offers an import feature to allow your to import this GPX file onto your iPad so you dont have to manually key in the lat/long for every cache. Email the new GPX file to "GPSimport@motionx.com". They only accept up to 12 caches (waypoints) per conversion, and since they do it for free, meh, can't complain. Within 5 minutes, you will get an email back with 2 links: one for the iPhone and one for the iPad (HD). Make sure you send the email from an account that you have sync'd with your iPad, or you can forward it to your iPad email account. On the iPad, open up the email and click on the appropriate link and MotionX GPS will run and ask if you wish to import the waypoints. Hit Yes and they will appear in the waypoint list. Here is a Screenshot of it from my iPad. You can see the details with the Name of the waypoint as the Name of the cache on the Geocaching website.

It all depends on what you want to do. Do you want street routing or topographical maps for hiking? I have both map apps, and I use the Direct route 99% of the time, even while hiking, though I do not do hard core hiking where I would really get the most benefit from the topo maps. As long as Direct Route works with the Exp 210, I would recommend that app.

Not a Garmin guy, but the computer software is not GPS specific. GSAK - As with everyone else, GSAK cannot be left off your computer if you seriously want to get the most out of caching. With a Premium membership, it is a must to parse through all the PQ data. I have my whole PQ->GSAK->Cachemate automated with a batchfile and macro... Cachemate - Again, this is a must on either Palm or WM handhelds. I have used it on both styles and it is more than worth the $8 to register... Technically, you do not even need GSAK, as you can take and copy the GPX version of the PQ directly into cachemate... Still GSAK is worth its weight in gold. Other than that, I do not have any other software to deal with caching on either desktop or handheld. That is it... There is even a method, listed in the GPS Hardware topic of how to be completly paperless and automatically update your logs when you get back from the notes you make in Cachemate. I do not have the link handy, or I would post it, but a search will help with finding it. Anyway, that is my 2 cents...

Well, with Cachemate being only $8 and having a much smaller footprint on the handheld, it is almost a no-brainer. There is no reason I can think of to pay $40 for a piece of software that is done as well, if not better and with a smaller footprint. I downloaded the demo and played a bit with it. I like CacheMate a lot better. However, this is my personal opinion. The software was decent, just not worth $40 to me.

I am a 1 GPS guy! I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum. Unless it dies, I will not be replacing this unit. It has stood up to some abuse but just keeps on being spot-on. I have the Case, Window Mount, Bike Mount, 1gb SD card for each map-set (Mapsend Topo, MapSend DR v3, MapSend Streets & Destinations) and cables to hook it up to my Axim and Clie TH55.

I have a Magellan Meridian Platinum that I have been using almost every day now for the last 5 years. It is always in my car, and almost always on with Direct Route maps running for my area. I have used DR since it came out and have recently ordered v3. As far as the GPS goes, I have yet to have it fail on me (knock on wood) and as long as it keeps working, I do not need to upgrade it. It has quite a few miles on it, I can tell you. I also use it when biking as well, using the bike mount. I cant see replacing this unit any time soon, if ever. I just do not see where there is a need...

Here is the full step by step of my macro. First, create an "Open GPX/LOC File" profile. This will allow you to call it from within your macro. Since I am using an SD card in my Axim for the geocache files, I make sure it is in my card reader and assigned a driveletter - preferably the same drive letter all the time. Next, create a .cmd file (win NT, 2000 and XP) or .bat file (win 95, 98, ME) containing the following lines: * Change "<SD Drive>" to match the drive letter you have, and the path to where you want to store the exports. Now, in GSAK, set up the following Stored filters: * I use these to help with keeping memory free on the Axim when the GPXSonar app is running. Speeds up the searches. Enter your home coordinates as the HOME location in the Options. Make sure it is set for HOME. Now, create a txt file that matches what is in the cmd or bat file above and paste the following text: I created a link to the cmd file (located in the GSAK directory) and run it after I have downloaded the zip files into the directory specified in the "Open GPX/LOC File" profile and run the cmd file.

I have set up a batch file that loads GSAK to run a specific macro. After downloading my personal querys as zip files, I kick off this macro. In short, here is what it does: 1. Imports each of the 4 queries into my database 2. Selects my Home point 3. Exports gpx files based on different saved queries 1. 0-25 miles 2. 25-50 miles 3. 50-75 miles 4. 75-100 miles ... x. 475-500 miles xx. My Found caches 4. From there I copy the GPX files to my SD card and plug it into my PDA. 5. On my PDA, I run either GPX Sonar or GPX view and select the file I want to use. I do this because on PPc, the files load into memory, and by having multiple GPX files, I can keep the PPC memory clear for the GPS apps and still have enough caches to search through... I have over 4000 caches in the files, more than enough to keep me plenty busy. While there is a bit of prep work in setting up the saved queries, it is worth it. What used to take me 30 minutes or more to do by hand now takes less than 5 minutes in the background while I work on something else. If someone is interested, I can post the macro file for others to use.

Along with GPXsonar, there is also GPXView. Both accomplish the same thing, and both are free. I have both on my Dell Axim X50v and have yet to find one better than the other... While Vito is nice, I prefer GPSDash to Vito Navigator. Just personal preference here. I really don't use the Axim for the caching, I still use the Meridian Platinum. I use the Axim to hold the cache info and to transfer the waypoints to the GPS. Again, personal preference. BTW, http://www.pc-mobile.com offers a BlueTooth adapter for use with handheld GPSrs so you do not have to purchase another expensive GPS for use with the PPC. I got it and have been able to easily pair up with the Axim and utilize the GPSr on the Axim. Great product.

Yes. You can save complese sets of both waypoints and tracks to the SD card and bring them back onto the unit at any point. I use this wo keep my personal waypoints seperate from my Geocaching waypoints.

I have the Magellan Meridian Platinum It is the first Magellan unit I have. I do not have any other unit, but I did buy a Garmin Geko for my 6yo daughter.

Sporttrack is not Meridian. I have never had backlash (boomerang) on my Platinum. I have gone with a few people who use the 60CS, and we all stood on top of the cache at about the same time, within a few seconds. BTW, Between the Meridian Color, Garmin 60CS and the Platinum, I like the screen on the Platinum better. But then I am biased. The deal maker for me is the changeable memory. Card readers are fast, and when uploading 128 MB of map to it takes just moments. Plus, with this memory getting cheaper, you can get a GB card for about $100 (with searching) and put darn near the whole US, or have both the Direct Route map and Topo map on the same card. The fact that a 3 year old unit hangs with the best brand new units is saying a lot. I have not lost connection even under thick trees or narrow areas, and the Direct Route on the Platinum has worked flawlessly every time I have used it, taking me from door to door over a 700 mile trip. Danger-T, you are just going to have to decide after testing out my Meridian Platinum. Just let me know...

I have used a Sony PEG-SJ20 and had great success with it. Combined with a cable to connect the SJ20 to my MeriPlat, they were inseperable, so to speak. I have sense upgraded to a Sony Clie TH55, but my wife still uses an SJ20 with my daughter's Geko201. You can spick up the SJ20, which has a GREAT screen for using outdoors in the bright sunlight, on eBay for less than $60.

aye, thanks. I kinda figured as much.

What is this and where did you get it? I downloaded it from http://www.palmgear.com (search Magcon)

Need a question answered. Is there anything in the works that will allow Cachemate to import the GPX files without using GSAK. I have a PalmOS-based PDA that has built-in WiFi and would like to use the PDA only without a PC to do the conversion. Thanks in advance!

I have a Sony Clie PEG-TH55 PalmOS-based PDA. One of the reasons I bought this unit was for the built-in WiFi. At home, I use GSAK on my PC to create the Palm Database files for Cachemate. However, if on the road, I would like to create a PQ for the area I am in, download the zip file and merge it into my cachemate DB. Are there any applications for the PalmOS that will convert the GPX files to Palm DB that CacheMate can input? Thanks in advance!