Jump to content

John Drake

+Premium Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    35

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by John Drake

    Built-in POIs on new eTrex models?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Perhaps this has more to do with your loaded maps than with the eTrex? I have an eTrex 30 and can find all kinds of Restaurants under the 'Food and Drink' category, and I can find all the local gas stations under Fuel Services.

     

    But then again, I'm in Germany using an Open Street Map map. However, I'm still pretty sure that the map is the deciding factor here.

     

    Cheers.

    GB Topo Vs TalkyToasters Contour Maps

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Thanks for the responses, I have started to use TT's maps and have also (eek) bought a new Oregon 450, which I purposely bought without maps so that I could exclusively use TT's set.

     

    I haven't used them for Geocaching yet but I have to say they do seem EXCELLENT from what I have seen so far and I'm certainly going to be using them from now on.

     

    I'd recommend that any other newcomers (like me) check them out.

     

    P.S. Thanks TalkyToaster :)

    Also remember that you can contribute back to the Open Street Map project which will make the maps even better. You can correct mistakes and add missing features and streets. Your updates will then appear in the next edition of the TalkyToaster maps.

     

    As others have already pointed out, see http://www.openstreetmap.org/ for further details.

     

    Cheers.

    Recommendations for free Android App

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hiya,

     

    I am about to begin my very first Geocache hunt, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent free Android App. I am UK based and using a Motorola DEXT. I'm looking for something free (or cheap) to get me started, and then if i get on with geocaching I will go ahead and buy the Groundspeak app.

     

    Thanks in advance,

     

    Jessie

     

    Geobeagle and Geohunter are both nice free applications, although you need to be a premium member to take full advantage of these apps. You can still get started with them though.

     

    You could also just use a free app such as GPS Status and simply enter the cache coordinates by hand.

     

    Cheers.

    Mac OS X compatible GPS devices?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Achtung, how frustrating that everything was working okay and now it isn't. :-( Personally, I'm sticking with Snow Leopard for as long as possible, but I hope that Garmin's receivers support Lion better than your Delorme does.

     

    For what it's worth, I upgraded to Lion a few weeks ago. All my Garmin programs, such as BaseCamp, MapInstall, etc. work fine, and I've had no trouble connecting and transferring data to and from my eTrex HCx and Nüvi.

     

    The eTrex 30 is not even available yet, right? I would be extremely surprised if Mac OS was not supported (Lion or otherwise).

     

    Cheers.

    Going to Spain

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Hello all, after taking up geocaching a few weeks ago I am off to spain in a week and want to geocache while there. I am unsure what map I might need or where to get it. Can anyone advise me.

    Many thanks

    You might wish to let us know what kind of device you have.

     

    If you have a Garmin, there are free Open Street Maps which are good:

     

    http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

     

    or

     

    http://mapas.alternativaslibres.es/index_en.html

     

    Cheers.

    Geobeagle support

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I'm new to geocaching & am using my LG Optimus V (Android platform) with Geobeagle. Since there's no help available on the phone, I was hoping to find it online, but didn't find any.

    Please let me know if any exist.

    In the meantime, can anyone explain what the various icons mean...in particular the paw prints that come up with only a cache code but no name or details?

    Thanks!

    As far as I know, the only online documentation for Geobeagle can be found here:

     

    http://code.google.com/p/geobeagle/

     

    You can also ask questions on the discussion list which is listed in the above page.

     

    Cheers.

    Geobeagle is lost.

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Geobeagle apparently uses google maps for the original starting location. Google maps was out of whack and required a good swift kick. I turned on all locating sources (gps and wifi) at googles suggestion, restarted the phone, fired up geobeagle, and whammo! fixed.

    No, Geobeagle does not use Google Maps for the starting location. Geobeagle uses the GPS and other location sources to determine this. Google Maps just convinced you to do the right thing: turn on the GPS to get a much more accurate location. :)

     

    Glad you got your problem solved. Have fun caching!

     

    Cheers.

    Geobeagle is lost.

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    In the upper left corner of the screen today it said .2 miles to go (when I used a local address to test with) and below that it read +/- 1.9 miles. Um...yeah. a 2 mile circle is gonna make finding the cache a little tough. Anyone know how to fix this?

    It would help us if you let us know what phone model (and Android version?) you are using.

     

    By your description, it sounds like one of the following is happening:

     

    1. Your GPS is turned off.
    2. You don't have a GPS fix.

     

    For #1, check your Android settings.

     

    For #2, make sure you are outside with a clear view of the sky and give your phone some time to get a fix.

     

    A utility program such as "GPS Status & Toolbox" could be useful too.

     

    Cheers.

    Mac & Garmin

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Just a guess, but are you using Safari? Communicator doesn't work in safari - get firefox.

     

    Actually, I can use Communicator quite well with Safari. I recall having troubles with older versions of the Communicator plugin and Safari -- make sure all your software is up to date.

     

    You should also check if other software, such as Basecamp for the Mac can recognize your device. See the Mac OS X download page:

     

    http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/

     

    Cheers

    Using a garmin in New Zealand

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Please let us know which Garmin model you are using.

     

    It will normally take some time for the GPS to readjust when you travel long distances. eTrexes and other similar devices even have an option to set when the device first tries to acquire satellites in a completely new area.

     

    But don't worry: I have used my eTrex in Europe, North America, and South America without a problem.

     

    Cheers.

    Accurate coordinates to a new cache without real GPS

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    You could also try some alternative approaches:

     

    1. You could borrow a "real" GPS, or get someone who has one to go with you when you place the cache.

     

    2. Instead of making your cache a traditional cache, you could make it into a Letterbox Hybrid.

     

    Letterboxes are a kind of cache with origins from the time before there were GPS devices. Instead of having coordinates, the letterbox description tells you how to find the cache (e.g., "Go down the path to the first fork, look for a tree stump...", etc.). Often the only equipment needed is a compass (if that). (Stamps are also usually part of the process: If you're interested, look up further information on letterboxing.)

     

    Cheers.

    French to English

    in EarthCaches

    Posted

    The cache description appears as the owner wrote it. If they write the description in French, German or any other language, that is what you will see. (As a courtesy, some owners provide an additional English translation, or at least a summary in English.) It makes no difference in what language you are logged on as.

     

    If you can't understand the language, probably the best you can do is to run the description through Google translate:

     

    http://translate.google.com/

     

    This has worked for me, although the translations can sometimes be... surprising. ;-)

     

    Also note that if you are from the U.S., or elsewhere outside of Canada, remember to turn off data roaming on your phone (if you use such a thing). International roaming costs can be horrendous.

     

    Cheers.

    Andorid App to find coordinates?

    in General geocaching topics

    Posted

    The free (ad supported) app GPS Status will let you enter coordinates in the standard Geocaching format:

     

    http://m.eclipsim.com/gpsstatus/

     

    Also, the free and open source (and for what it's worth non-TOU violating) apps Geobeagle and Geohunter both allow you to add coordinates like this too:

     

    http://code.google.com/p/geobeagle/

     

    http://code.google.com/p/geohunter/

     

    The latest version of Geohunter now has a waypoint projection function, if that's something you use.

     

    Cheers.

    newbie just about ready to throw GPS out a very high window

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Someone posted a Flickr howto for just this situation:

     

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/mac/sets/72157604984866335/

     

    Their solution involved installing the PL2303 USB to Serial Driver, and using GPSBabel to transfer data.

     

    It looks awkward. I don't know if the modern Mac programs from Garmin (BaseCamp and the Garmin Communicator Plugin) will even work with your device.

     

    Cheers.

    Logging Field Notes from Geobeagle via Text. Help?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    :) Well I have been using c:geo, but recently installed Geobeagle to try out the gpx functionality. I love it, but I can't seem to figure out how to get the logs to work.

    When you log your caches, Geobeagle stores the logs in a text file called GeoBeagleFieldNotes.txt. The file is stored on the SD card of your phone.

     

    You can then upload the file from the following page:

     

    http://www.geocaching.com/my/uploadfieldnotes.aspx

     

    There's a good description of the process here:

     

    http://groups.google.com/group/geobeagle/w...and-feild-notes

     

    Cheers.

    Which apps suggested for android user?

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Just upgraded to a Samsung Captivate (Android) today. My first smartphone and I'm definitely still in the learning mode. Other than the geocaching.com app for android, what other (if any) apps would be suggested for geocaching.

    If you are a premium member, you may wish to check out the free and open source apps Geobeagle, and Geohunter:

     

    http://code.google.com/p/geobeagle/

     

    http://code.google.com/p/geohunter/

     

    Both these apps will index your pocket queries, and function quite nicely even when you have no data connection (provided you have already downloaded the pocket queries for the area you are in).

     

    Cheers.

    Garmin MapInstall question

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    I want to install the Garmin 1:24k maps from the dvd to the sd card, not internal memory. How do I do this? I don't see an option of choosing internal memory (the default) vs the sd card. I'm on a Mac if that makes any difference.

    If you can, connect your SD card directly to your Mac with a card reader. MapInstall will recognize the card. Using an SD card reader can be faster as well.

     

    Cheers

    Android htc Desire and GeoBeagle

    in GPS technology and devices

    Posted

    Thanks for your comments. I think you are right. The Oregon will tolerate a lot more rough use than a smart phone - care, a case and some good insurance are in order I think. Thanks for the tip re gpsfiledepot.com I went cycling in Iceland for a month last year just before the volcano exploded and got a map via that site but haven't used it since. Time for another visit.

    You should also check out the Open Street Maps (OSM) available for Garmin devices. In particular for the UK and Germany, these maps can be very good.

     

    See for example the free talkytoaster maps of the UK and Ireland:

     

    http://talkytoaster.info/ukmaps.htm

     

    Unfortunately, I haven't yet found a good OSM application for Android which works as well as the maps on a Garmin device.

     

    Cheers.

×
×
  • Create New...