Jeep4two

Took a walk this evening after work in the neighborhood. Oregon with 2.98b on the carabiner, on my belt clip. The recorded track was better than with 2.80 and better than 2.97b both recorded in similar conditions. Haven't had a chance to cache yet but I hope to see how it reads on a benchmark or two tomorrow.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. . . hmm. . . still here. Oh wait I'm not a moderator (but I'm glad to see they double post too) On Topic: I figure the Discover link is there for a reason. I'm trying to remember to 'discover' all trackables when I see them. If I feel I can move them along I'll try to pick them up and do so. However sometimes I'm not sure if I'll be able to or the item doesn't appeal to me. So I'll just discover it to let the owner know it's little geo-heart is still beating out there somewhere.

They've covered the sizes pretty well. Keep in mind - out in 'the wild' you'll find there to be a lot of variance in the cache sizes you find and the category assigned on the website. I've found a number of caches rated as regulars that were Peanut Butter Jars (small 12 -16 oz PB Plastic Jar). I don't view those as regulars but rather see them as small cache sizes. I don't think container size is scrutinized heavily by the reviewers so you'll run into that. That said - one of my recent treks was very enjoyable. It was a trail loop about 20 minutes for my home in a wildlife conservation area. On it were a variety of cache sizes and containers. Several ammo boxes, a few PB jars, and there were micros there too. The entire trail was 3 or 4 miles total length with some nice elevation and terrain challenges. The caches were spread out enough to allow you to enjoy the hike but still reward you and make the thrill of the find fun. My favorite that day? An ammo can hidden off the trail in a stand of cedar trees, directly under an U.P.S.. It contained a hat that I traded for - I had left mine in the Jeep and didn't realize how blazingly hot the sun was going to be that day. Without that hat I would have had to cut the hike short and come back another day. Wife and I like to hunt small, regular and large caches. Not big on the micros although I'll grab one every now and then.

Hey - how'd you get your fingers dirty? You been out Geocaching reaching under dirty rock ledges, spider infested hollow tree trunks and unnatural piles of rocks?

That would make sense. The os.rename is obviously looking to interface with some sort of file manager and the OR does not have that. Or at least one that lua can interface with. Not sure why it locks up - I suspect however the files in the GPX directory have a file lock on them while the GPSr is running in normal boot mode. This is probably the source of the OS lockup. I bet you can rename files in another directory that isn't part of or locked by the Garmin OS. Of course that isn't very useful to us in this case if it does work that way. Yes - know any Magellan programmers that want to defect to Garmin?

I really like the idea above of picking up a cheaper eTrex off of eBay or here in the Garage Sale and holding out for the next big sale for the Oregon 400 (or 300, or for that matter the new 500 with camera if you want that kind of thing). The Oregon is a wonderful unit - and while I paid about $50 more than the REI special a few weeks before they released their deal I'm still very pleased and have ZERO buyers remorse (a rare thing for me). If I were in your shoes I'd go cheap now, and step up later when there are more deals to be had.

All other things being equal? eTrex Legend H (or HCx) (From Garmin) The Legend's (H or HCx) basemap contains lakes, rivers, cities, interstates, national and state highways, railroads and coastlines. You can add detailed street maps as well. The Legend H has 24Mb of built in memory and is NOT expandable. The Legend HCx has NO built in map memory but has a microSD slot (I think it supports up to 4Gb MicroSDHC cards). So - if the money isn't an issue then Legend HCx (for expandibiliy) or Legend H for the base map and some map storage (although 24Mb doesn't go far). If price is an issue and you don't care about maps, then the Good 'Old eTrex H (non mapping unit) will get you to the caches just as well - you'll just need to be more aware of your terrain and not be surpirsed when you start off into the woods only to find that you are 80 feet from the cache and have to cross a raging river to get to it

Create a user account (member account) with your desired username, hide your caches after reveiwing the guidelines and then share the cache pages and GCxxxxx codes with your student body. If you have a webpage of your own you can also just post links to the cache pages there. You can setup notifications on your caches then forward those e-mails to your studnets over the summer if you want to remind them to check the cache page for new logs periodocally. Sounds like a fun project!

It's likley a browser incompatibility. Try downloading and using Firefox to see if that resolves your issue (www.mozilla.com). Firefox is available for most any operating system. In addition, make sure your installatoin of Java is up to date (www.java.com)

However it introduces the need to carry another device. I spent the big $$ on an Oregon to hopefully avoid needing any other devices. I'll qualify that with the fact that I knew of the limitations (with both Maps (4 available IMG file names that can be recognized and only one of those on the SD Card, as well as 2000 cache limits). I'm just hoping to find a way to eliminate the need to travel with a laptop or other device to make such simple file modifications. @G-O-Cashers: That's what I figured. I would imagine the is done at least in part based on the last known location (as saved in the current.gpx file). It would be nice to see if the code used to support the different units and these types of features will be made consistent since I suspect mostly a memory addressing limitation in Software (not hardware) for the different flavors of the Oregon. I know Garmin uses some of these features as selling points (# of waypoints, tracklogs, Geocaches, etc..) however the platforms all (starting with the 300 anyway) have the same built in memory so...

I just occurred to me after posting above: We have a 2000 cache limit. How is this limit imposed? Is it a limit for parsing the 2000 closest caches available based on the files loaded in the GPX folder, or is this a total limit? If it's simply a parsing limit (not a limit on the total) then I guess 2000 caches really isn't too much of a problem. Hypothetical Example: You are near Cyber City and there are approximatley 2900 caches within the 25 mile metro radius. You load a GPX file that you created with GSAK that contains all 2900 caches for the metro area. In addition you have loaded a GPX file with 1500 caches for Shelbyville a few counties over. You head out into Cyber City and turn on your Garmin Oregon to pickup a few close by caches before driving to see your aunt sally in Shelbyville. Once in Shelbyville you want to get that cleverly hidden micro cache located in the middle of a wooded municipal park before stopping at aunt Sally's house. When you are in Cyber City, will a cache search (or map view) show the closest caches (up to the 2000 cache limit) to your current fix, and then when you arrive at Shelbyville will the unit then display those caches? Or will the unit only show the first 2000 caches it parses from the GPX files, and if so what order does it process the GPX files for geocaches? Not in a position to test right now - but I'll try to see about doing a little test later (unless someone knows the answer).

The goal is to come up with a way to manage the files without a PC while on a trip or out on the road. The macros and GSAK are great at helping to manage things when at homebase or when traveling with your laptop, just not so handy when trying to travel light.

In many rural areas agritourism is become a bit of a 'hot' catch phrase. I can certainly see it as a way to help draw folks to an area based on thematic interests (think: Napa Valley wine country tours). It's not that it's something new but maybe that it's becoming more widespread especially into rural areas. I was wondering if anyone is aware of anyone that has setup a series of caches that have an Agritourism theme for a particular region, industry, etc.. I'm interested in exploring a possible series for my area for two reasons. I'd like to see more caches here to help promote the hobby and also love to see it as a source to increase tourism of the area. I haven't placed any caches yet. This is one theme I'm fond of. The other centers around promoting a state park in my area. It has some nice trails (only about 6 miles or so total, in a fairly compact area) and they could benefit from more caches (only one exists in the entire park at this time). What have you seen that might fit the agritourism theme in your area?

You log a note (and you should sign the log as well) and your companion should sign the log and also go setup an account at GC.com and log their visit.

Yep Yep - that older thread did address the issue. There's a Wherigo call for a function that appears to do what we want but it freezes the unit. So - yes - we have keys for the car but when we turn the key it blows up. Bummer - - - Maybe (just maybe) the addition of the camera on the 500/550t will help push demand for a file manager. . .

Heheh - Nice! I've often thought of pulling my GPSr out if I got pulled over and showing my 'max speed' to prove that "I wasn't going that fast officer" however this little glitch would seem to indicate that to be a bad idea.

Amen . . . and I'll gladly kiss the EPE circle goodbye for landscape mode. I've recently found that when using the touchscreen interface while the unit is hanging on my belt loop (via the include carabiner) that landscape mode would be useful there as well as in the car Getting ready to go load 2.98b

The Wherigo approach would work for me - if it can be made to work. It would just seem pretty simple to integrate such a simple file manager into the Setup menu. I don't care if I can even cahnge file names but rather specify which files are referenced for loading the GPX files for Geocaching purposes - and for loading maps for map purposes. I honestly don't see why there needs to be a limit on the map that can be accessed on the SD cards. It really seems like situation where the programming is lagging behind the hardware technologies. Granted it originally seemed to make sense to try and sell maps but vast storage available on microSD cards and the huge volume of GPL maps out there I just don't see why Garmin won't modify their code to allow referencing more than one mapset on the microSD. Heck - I would just be happy (for now) if I could access one or two additional maps (gmapsupp2, 3, etc..). I've sent a request via Garmn's site. I'll also try to follow the Wherigo conversations.

Either I totally missed something (very possible these days). . . or I'm just clueless. . . a Wherigo cartridge?

Both look like good choices to me. I love my Oregon. Not sure if you are considering that. The 500 and 550t Oregon models look promising if you would like a camera, the 300 is good if you don't need the maps. I only mention the Oregon because of the joy I've had using it lately. The touch screen really makes using the features so much easier - and entry of text much better. Regardless you can't go wrong with the two you mentioned either.

The eTrex Legend works fine with GC.com I'm assuming you are planning to buy one used - since as Jmundinger points out it is a discontinued model. I would say a target price would be $50-80 for a used eTrex Legend. You can put caches on using the SendToGPS button (and either a serial or serial-to-USB cable). In addition you can use Mapsource or other software to manage GPX files and Pocket Queries and send them in bulk. The caches will be loaded with the coordinates and GCXXXX name only. You don't get descriptions and other detailed info without going with a much more expensive/modern unit that supports 'paperless caching'. That said - if you can afford the $150 price point the Venture HC is a much better option. It has a high sensitivity receiver which will serve you much better under tree cover.

I read somewhere the recommendation of a little heat helping as well. And I do mean A LITTLE. I would think warming it up with a hair dryer, or 15 - 20 minutes out in the sun kind of heat.

You may want to provide the model GPS you are using. That will let users with a similar unit help you better. Just a shot however: When searching for Geocaches most GPSrs will return the 'closest' ones up to a certian distance. If your unit has the option to search near a map point try that. Select a point on the map near where you want to search and try that. I use the map point search all the time to select a point in nearby cities/areas where I have caches loaded for. That way if I know where I'm going to be (say for a meeting one afternoon) I can plan which caches to look for while on break, on the way in or out. Best of luck. EDIT: I just realized that you may mean that you bought an eTrex (The good ole yellow eTrex). So the Search Near Map point should work but I don't have my eTrex Legend handy to see exactly the steps. I think you have to use the Pan Map feature - but I don't think the base eTrex has mapping so I may be off track a bit here.

I've had my Oregon for a while now and I totally love it. It's a great unit. With Garmin being so supportive at the current time I thought I'd poll the folks here and see what you guys thought and encourage feedback to Garmin if you think this would be a good idea. The Oregon limits us to 2000 Geocaches (on the 400t anyways) and while this is more than sufficient for most of use I think it would be nice to have a way to access files on the unit to make file modifications while 'in the field' without having to connect a laptop. So here's what I think would be a good feature: What: File manager/editor/selector that could launch on the Oregon and allow editing / filename changes on the Oregon WITHOUT having to hook up to a computer. Why: The ability to carry large numbers of GPX files on your device is limited by the 2000 cache display limit. I often find myself with a variety of GPX files created from different PQ's for different purposes. For example: Several PQ's to display all Regular sized Traditional caches in the Louisville Metro (more than one is needed to cover the metro area due to the 500 cache limit on PQ's. Another for Small Traditional caches, another for EC's, etc... Having the ability to change the file extension (say to .BAK) and 'disable' the GPX file from loading would allow flexibility in the field to overcome the 2000 cache limit based on your needs at that moment. Even easier would be the ability to just select which GPX files will be displayed (say on a page similar to the map selection page). Other reason for being able to rename files: Changing map .img file names to enable use of more than one mapset on your microSD while in the field. I currently have several maps loaded on the microSD and change the file extension to enable/disable maps - but I have to hook to a computer to do this. A modified way to select maps or just ability to rename would overcome this limitation as well. It would be fine with me if I had to take the unit out of GPS mode into a 'loader' mode that allows working with the file system. I drive a Jeep (Wrangler) while caching and toting around a laptop and leaving it in the car isn't a very good idea. Those of you with a Jeep know - the only thing you should leave in a Jeep is something you don't mind getting stolen. Opinions?

If you are referring to the Blue eTrex Legend then YES you can download using the SendToGPS link on the Geocaching page. You can also use Mapsource (or GSAK, EasyGPS, etc..) to send batches that you create using GPX files (as a premium member you can create GPX files from PocketQueries to pull large searches of multiple caches in an area or type of caches). You may or may not get a cable with the older eTrex Legend. I had to buy mine separately. Keep in mind the Blue eTrex Legend is NOT a high sensitivity unit and will have accuracy and satellite lock problems under dense tree cover or in very low lying areas. If you have a little more money to spend consider the Legend HCx. (H = High sensitivity receiver, C = Color screen, x = expandable memory for map storage). You'll likely have a unit that you can use longer and be happier with if you go wtih an HCx model. Of course budget can be an issue. The blue eTrex Legend is a fine place to start as long as you recognize its limitations. If you get addicted to Geocaching you can always upgrade later and keep the older unit as a backup.