N8OFP - Del

I know the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus supports OTG USB, nd I believe the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10 support OTG USB so you should be able to use either of them to access your eTrex 30.

Here a GSAK Garmin 50 POI Macro you may want to try out... 60CSxPOI - Garmin Cx/CSx POI Export, Export "cache page" to a Garmin Cx/CSx

The 60 Series GPS units are not able to read a GPX file, so there's no way to display the cache description if the caches are loaded as Geocaches. You can load all the caches in a GPX file as POIs (Points Of Intrest) using GSAK and macro that was written specifically to do this. One draw back to this is because of the limited graphics on the 60 series units you will find you have to scroll through a number of screen just to be a short cache description. You may want look into a cheap 7" Android tablet and a Geocaching app. Most of the Geaocaching Apps will import the entire GPX file, so you have all the information about the cache, and most will also allow you to log the cache as found within the app.

I load PQ on the Geomate Jr I bought for my grandkids. That way I can b e sure that it has the same local caches as my GPS. It's a great GPS for kids, not hard to operate and it's pretty bullet proof, perfect for little kids.

To answer your specific questions; 1) Can individual caches be manually programmed in while in the field? >> No, the only way to enter caches is to upload them from a PC. When upload from a PC all caches currently loaded will be delete / replaced. 2) Can individual caches be programmed in via cable and GC site? >> The Geomate Jr will accept GPX or LOC files but not directly from GC.com, you will need to load the files by using the Geomate website (which seems to be a day to day thing) or their stand alone application. 3) Is there a way to edit coords say for multis? >> No 4) Once a cache is found, does that cache get deleted from the unit? >> The only way to delete caches from the Geomate Jr is to load a new file. 5) What determines the caches that get loaded? By this I mean, for a given area, do just traditional caches get loaded? Are Multi, Mystery, or earth caches loaded? >> What ever caches are in the GPX file is what will be loaded. 6) Once found, I imagine you still have to log onto the GC site OR with your iphone app, log the find right? >> Correct, the Geomate Jr does not have any logging function. 7) I watched a demo and this really looks easy and for a beginner, this looks like a great way to get started. >> Keep in mind the Geomate Jr is a VERY basic unit, it does not display any information about the cache other than the GC Number, Difficulty and Terain. I bought one for my grnadson a few years ago and it was easy for him to learn to use it. If you are looking for a GPS to get started in Geocaching but one that will allow you to do more than the Geomate Jr you may want to check out the Garmin etrex 10, or 20 or one of the Megellan units.... They are pretty easy to use and offer many more features.

If you want to bring GSAK with you, then you will need a laptop as GSAK is a Windows only program. We have used Palm and Windows PDAs, a full size laptop, a Netbook, an Android tablet and smart phones over the years. By far I think the best solution for us has been the Netbook with GSAK, and Delorme Street Atlas installed and a Bluetooth GPS. This combo allows us to see all the details about a cache, and using a GSAK macro that will export cache information to Delorme, and with the Bluetooth GPS we can route from cache to cache. We have a mount for my vehicle that holds the Netbook securely and where it's easy to see. The larger screen of a laptop of Netbook also allows us a better view of where the caches are in relation to your location and makes it easier to plan your next move to save on driving and backtracking. Speaking from the voice of experience the only drawback to having the laptop or Netbook in the vehicle in plain view is it could invites break ins so make sure to take the time to hide it well if you're going to be out of site of your vehicle for any length of time...... Hope this helps...

I'm pretty new to the land of Adroid and of the Geocaching apps I've tried I like Cachesense. It offers multiple databases, PQ importing, use of GC.com API, and much more.

Yes you can use your Kindle for Geocaching. There is a piece of Geocaching Software call GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) that is a very powerful Geocachng tool. There has been a macro written that will allow you to export geocaches to your Kindle. One word of warning regarding using your Kindle for Geocaching. The Kindle is not waterproof and it's screen is very fragile. Hope this helps...

Try this site, it appears to be working. If nothing else you can download the small online app that will allow you to load Pocket Queries to your Geomate Jr.

Same here, my PQ usually runs between 4 and 5AM EST. So far this morning (now 7:30AM EST) no PQ, and looking at the PQ page my Saturday PQ hasn't even been queued to run. Sure looks like there's a problem.

Since the existing caches are deleted each time you upload a file to the Gomate Jr. You can use a program like GSAK to merge any number of Pocket Queries together and then create a file that can be loaded to the Geomate Jr. GSAK would be the cache management tool for caches (new and old) you want to have on your Geomate Jr.

Why?Because I had already composed my reply when the other thread was locked, and this seemed like the most reasonable place to continue the discussion. Even though it has nothing at all to do with this topic? Anyway, about the update... The new Recently Viewed Caches is great and all, but I've got a couple of issues with it. 1. The intention seems to be to make it easier for people to log caches. If this is the case, then why are caches I've already found or own shown in this list? 2. The placement on the profile page is very disruptive. Instead of having my recent activity near the top, it has been bumped down below a section that I suspect will not be used by many cachers. For all the cachers that log using GPSr field notes or through the app, this section will not be very helpful, and actually gets in the way. At least let us disable it or collapse it. One thing that should be updated on the Recently Viewed Caches page is the "Log it" icon. It really needs to have a hover tooltip. I had to hover over it and look at the URL to realize what it was. Newer cachers or "computer-challenged" users may not figure it out. As far as the other changes, thank you for fixing the image size issue! That was very annoying, and it's great to see them back to full size. I also greatly appreciate the autopopulating of trackable codes. That will make logging trackables much easier and faster. I don't need to see the Recently view Caches, It would be nice to have this as an option that the user could turn on and off. If making it a user option how about making two columns so the Recenlty Found caches can still be seen with out having to scroll to the bottom of the page.

You can download a small application that will run on your PC from here (This link is also in the thread listed above). I used it several time with my grandson's Geomate Jr and it works fine. NOTE: There have been some reports of issues with people who are running Norton Security and this application.

I've downloaded the application and it runs fine. Used GSAK to output a filtered .gpx file and the app worked fine on Windows XP Home, and Pro.

Thanks everyone for your excellent advice. I will bring all this up at our next meeting (in a few weeks). Thanks again and GO BUCKS!!!!!

Hello, I'm looking for some ideas, recommendations for a beginner level GPS. The Geocaching club I belong to has been putting on at least two caching events each year for the last four years. We have had people attend our events who are real beginners, some don’t even own a GPS. We are looking to replace several older Garmin etrex units that we loan out to the beginners with something a little more user friendly. We have been talking about trying the Geomate Jr. as it seems to be very easy to use (just three buttons). I have dome some research on the Geomate Jr and it looks like it would be a good unit for our needs. But there are a few items / functions I have not been able to determine. and we'd like to find these out bfore we purchase any units. 1) When a cache is marked as found in the Geomate does it disappear from the main list (Not longer shows as the nearest)? 2) Are you able to remove / delete caches from the unit? We would be using the Update Kit to load our event’s temporary caches (customer gpx file), but would we be able to remove the event caches after the event so they would not be in the GPS for the next event? Any other ideas for an easy to use, entry level GPS? Thanks and happy caching!!

Hello meyersx4 I also own a 60csx and it can be used for paperless caching, sort of... If you could explain exactly what you expect when you say paperless caching it might be a little eaiser to help you. So please expand on what you are wanting the GPS, GSAK, Geobuddy to do..

I use a Palm TX, Cachemate (Palm Geocaching Software) and GSAK for complete paperless caching.

While the Kindle is a nice machine, it wasn't made to take the punishment of Geocaching. For starters the Kindle is not waterproof and if you read the Kindle forums you find that the screens can be broken very easily. I would be reluctant to take a fragile expensive eReader like the Kindle caching, besides my wife would shoot me if I took her Kindle... If you want to go paperless, I would suggest looking into a Palm PDA (These can be found pretty cheap on ebay), Pocket PC PDA, or a smart phone with a Geocaching app instead of the Kindle. Just my two cents.... :-)

There is a GSAK eReader macro that creates an epub file. I'm not sure if the Kindle can read epub files or not. One word of caution with any of the eReaders, they are not waterproof or made to be handle the rough handling that they may get while Geocaching.

I own a Nuvi 1300 and you can load Geocaches as Favorites or as Customer POIs. How are you trying to load them. I use GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) to load caches as both Favorites and Customer POIs. NOTEs: 1) There is a very good GSAK Macro that was written for the Nuvi that creates a Custom POI file for your caches. The macro include all the important information from the GC.com pocket query (Cache Name, Waypoint Name (GC Number), Difficulty, Terrain Rating, Cache Description, Last logs etc). Makes the Nuvi a pretty good paperless tool. 2) While the Nuvi 1300 does a good job of routing and taking you to the general cache area, it does not do very good when it come to off road navigation. It does not have the "compass" screen like hand held a Hand Held GPS. I use the 1300 to get me to the general area (Park, Parking Lot etc.) and then my 60Csx when I go off road. Hope this helps.

The etrex series GPS will not accept gpx files directly. There are two software packages that are commonly used to load caches in bulk. EasyGPS and Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (aka GSAK) You may also want take a look at this Heocaching.com web page Geocaching Software

I have a Nuvi 1300. Yes you can upload Geocache information to this unit. If you use GSAK and tou can load the cache information as a favorite or you can export all the cache information (GS Number, Name, Description, Hint, Logs etc.) as a POI file. Once loaded into the 1300 you can create a route to a cache just like any other waypoint, and the 1300 will provide turn by turn directions to the cache. The problem is once you reach the cache site the 1300 does not offer much as far as off road navigation. It does not have a compass type pointer like the hand held (Garmin 60Csx etc). I believe the only Nuvi that offers off road Geocaching mode is the 550. Hope that helps.

I'm not real familiar with the Nuvi units but I don't believe maps would be required. Most GPS have at least base maps preloaded. The question is how far are you from your home location. If you are over a specific distance (I think it’s something like 300 mikes) then the GPS can't see any of the satellites it’s use to seeing, so it has to reacquire it’s position on the earth. The best way I’ve found and the recommended way for my Garmin 60CSX was to take the unit where it had a clear view of the sky (Not trees, buildings etc), turn it on and let it sit until it finds all the visible satellites in your location and can recalculate it’s new position. According to Garmin this could take some time depending on how good of signals the GPS receives. Hope this helps.

It’s just very frustrating to see the lack of response or concern by some cache owners. I think it's giving Geocaching a bit of a blackeye, when you either can't find a cache and you look at the logs and see that it hasn't been found for months or the cache is in very poor condition and the cache owner doesn't fit the cache even after being told by numerous other cachers that it needs maintenance....