N8OFP - Del
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Posts posted by N8OFP - Del
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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.
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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.
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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....
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Seems that there are more and more cache owners who are just interested in the number of caches they can hide and not in taking care of the caches they already have out. There are an ever growing number of caches that have a large number of DNFs that date back 6, 8 or months and the owners don't seem to care.
Who's suppose to be keeping an eye out for deadbeat cache owners?
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Our last event in October of this year we placed 170 caches on 9 miles of trails at the local Wilderness Center. Most of the 170 caches were places strictly for the event, a couple have been made permanent.
The problem was not having time to place or pull that many containers. The problem was trying to upload caches (regardless of the number) to so many different GPS units. We had attendies that had what seen to be every possible GPS Manufacture and model of GPS. A number of these devices required software that none of the laptops used for loading had available.
Garmin - We saw almost every model Garmin currently makes or ever made.
Magellan - Same here we saw a wide range of models.
Delorme GPS – All 3 versions of their hand units which require Delorme Topo 8 to upload waypoints.
Cobra GPS
Lowrance GPS
Tom-Toms
Multitude GPS Phones and other PDA/GPS device units.
A number of the attendies who knew they needed special software brought their own laptops to load their GPS. We simply gave them a GPX file exported from GSAK and they were able to load their units. So our
thought was if we could upload a gpx and/or text files to the event page with all the temporary cache coordinance this would help the users with the specialized devices (GPS Phone, Delorme GPS, Lowrance GPS etc.) if they could download the file and then load their GPS before they get to the event.
Handing out a piece of paper with 170 sets of coordinance the day of the event would not work very well as it would take hours to input to most of the GPS units.
As far as the Additional Waypoints I have a few questions.
1) Is there a limit to the number of additional waypoints that can be added to a cache page?
2) Can the additional waypoints be uploaded or do they have to be manually entered?
3) Would the additional waypoints be downloaded as child waypoints if the user downloaded the event page as a gpx export?
Thanks!
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I would like to know if there is a way to upload a large number of temporary waypoints to a Event Cache page.
Some history, reason behind this quezstion.
For the past few years the Geocaching group, that I'm a member of, has put on two event. A fall event (around the middle of October) and a winter event (around the first of February). So far each year we have put out more and more temporary caches for these events. Our last fall event we had 170 temporary caches. Thus far our events have been really successful and fun. We always have a GPS loading station at our events and generally have at least two club members loading participant's GPS with the temporary caches coordinates. The problem we ran into at our fall event is with the ever growing number of GPS units on the market and it seems each and every one has a little different communication protocol, we had problem loading the temporary caches (Didn’t have the right cables, didn’t have the specific software loaded, etc.).
It would be nice if there was a way to upload the temporary waypoints to the event’s Geocaching.com page say the day before the event so people can down load and install the waypoints themselves before coming to the event. We would still have our GPS upload stations available but we could them list on our page the GPS models we know we can upload to and suggest users of GPS units not in the list download the waypoints and load their GPS units before coming to the event.
Thank you!
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I had the same problem with my etrex Vista CX after having the batteries completely die out. Was about ready to sent the unit back to Garmin when I found a post on another forum that explained that in some cases if the unit is on and the batteries complete die the unit's processor is placed into a power off loop, where the screen fades shortly after power up.
The solution was to make sure you have fresh batteries in the unit, turn the unit on and as soon as the first screen appear press and hold the power button until the unit turns off. This should clear the loop the unit processor is in. I tried it on my Vista and it has worked fine ever since.
P.S. I've also had to do this with my 60CSX when the batteries died before I could shut the unit off properly.
Both the Vista and 60CSX had the latest firmware available at the time this happened.
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Add a cheap PDA and go papeless...
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Below is what Garmin sent a friend of mine that had the GPS SW version 0.00 issue with her brand new 60CSX. It fixed her GPS
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,I would be happy to help you with this.
If you already have the Web Updater program on your computer, then skip down to step 11. If not, then to download Web Updater to your computer, please follow these steps:
Please go to the Web Updater webpage by clicking on the following link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection....ct=999-99999-27.
You will see a number of links labeled Download. Click on the Download that pertains to your computer program.
At the bottom of the screen, please click on “I agree to the above terms and want to proceed to the download page. “
Click on Download.
You will be asked if you want to Run or Save the file, please click Run.
After the file downloads, you may receive a security warning; if you do, please click Run.
Please select your setup language and click Next (the following instructions are based on the English selection).
You will see a new window; please click Next.
A license agreement will appear; please agree to the terms and then click Next.
You will see the destination folder, please click Next.
Click Install; the Web Updater installation will begin.
After the installation, please ensure that there is a check mark next to Yes, I want to launch Web Updater now and then click Finish.
The Web Updater program will launch - again, please ensure that your unit is connected to the computer and turned on.
Click Next; you should then see your device listed (if you do not, then please click on Find Device). Once your device is listed, please click Next.
A new window will appear with information about the update for your unit, please click Next. If the latest update is on your device, then choose to look for additional updates and skip to step 17.
A new license agreement will appear, please click that you agree and then click Next.
The unit's internal operating system/software (sometimes called "firmware") will then be updated.
Once the download is complete, there may be additional software to be downloaded.
Follow the onscreen instruction to download the additional software. Be sure to put a check mark by each additional update.
Once you have completed the download, then you may now disconnect the unit; it is ready to use.
If you need additional assistance, please reply to this email or you can call 800-800-1020 anytime from 8:00 to 7:00 Central, M-F.
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Just started paperless caching with my Clie. Love not killing those trees!
How exactly do you upload the finds from the PDA into GSAK, then to geocaching.com? I have tried to follow the earlier threads but am getting completely lost. I have GSAK version 7.1.1.32 and have the cm2gpx utility on my computer. I have tried the Log Cachemate Finds option in GSAK but get stumped at the GPX file request. When I run (double-clicking or using Windows run command) a DOS screen quickly appears and disappears.
I am no power-cacher, so I will continue to upload my finds from my GPS, and hand-log each find at the site. But it sure would be nice upload the PDA finds!
buffamalo
Have you tried the GSAK Help Forum?? This topic has been cover very extensively and there are several macros that will help in automating this function.
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Email sent
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Not knowing your specific cable I can't say for sure if it will work with your T/E or not.
That being said if the cable is a USB cable and one connector fits the T/E it will most likely work.
You do not need to have a sync button in the cable. As long as you have Palm Desktop software loaded on your PC, power up the T/E and tap on the Hotsync Icon. Make sure it is set for cradle / cable and then tap the Hotsync icon in the center of the screen.
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Try this link, at the bottom of the page is a link to download for Palm.
I have Google Maps on my TX and it works fine as long as you have an internet connection.
On the info page of the Google Maps on my TX it says it's version 1.2.0.9
and it gives a url of http://mobile.google.com
Hope that helps...
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Ok, I have had my 60CSx for a year and a half and Im used to how it displays the cache name and the waypoint ID after the name.
The first letter of the cache name is capitalized and the rest are small letters. The Cache ID is Caps also. It appears as though the screen is allowing about 13 characters to be displayed.
NOW comes the part where Im lost. I bought a Vista HCX for my wife and just got done loading the same bunch of caches onto her machine. It looks like there may be a 10 character limit as to what I can send. But the screen is wide enough to hold more Im sure. Since Im sending the exact same database to both machines, why arent they displaying the same thing?
Its been so long since I set up the 60CSx that I dont remember if there were some changes I can make in the Vistas settings to allow more characters. or If thats jus the way it has to be.
Have you tried using the settings for the 60CSX for the Vista. The Vista allows the same length for the waypoint name as the 60CSX.
Also in GSAK, when you open the Send Waypoints To GPS screen set the Maximum Charater to 15.
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Testing
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Looking at a few caches that GC.COM say were found today. The last log day was actually yesterday. Seems the server is a day behind. Any one else seeing this?
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If you are a Geocaching Premium Member you can create and download a pocket query for caches in a given area. You can import these pocket queries into GSAK. After you have imported the pocket query into GSAK you can apply filters and / or export the cache information to your GPS, PDA, Mapping Program etc.
There are several Geocaching programs that will run on the Palm PDA. The one I prefer is Cachemate.
To learn more about GSAK you may want to check out the GSAK Getting Started on the GSAK Forum?
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Yes, you can upload the Hint to your GPS.
Click GPS in the GSAK tool bar then select Send Waypoints....
In the lower right side of the Send Waypoints To GPS screen you will see a field called Waypoint Description Format. In this field enter %Hint
After you load the waypoints into your GPS the Hint will show up when you select a cache or if you select the Data button when in the Compass mode.
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Would like to see a Keyword search added to the Build Pocket Query options. This is an option when using the Search For Nearest Caches search, but not when building a pocket query.
We have a Game Cache called The Chumopoly Series. There are 30+ caches in this series and you much find, log, and retreive information from all 30+ in order to find the final Mega Cache. It would be nice to be able to create a PQ by searching "Chumopoly" so that the entire series could be loaded into PC, PDA and GPS.
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Depends on where you are...
Forest / park frequencies change from area to area, county to county, state to state, etc.
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I use a Palm TX for my primary PDA and have a Palm T3 as a backup. Both have Cachemate and MobiPocket. I've used Palms and Cachemate since I started paperless caching, starting with a Palm M505, then a Palm Zire 71. I don't think you can beat the combination of Palm and Cachemate.
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I purchased a new Vista late in 2006. It worked fine for a few months, then started turning off by itself. I contacted Garmin. They gave me a RMA number to return the unit. They told me this was a known issue with the Vista. I returned it for repair. Instead of repairing my unit they sent me a brand new one which worked about a week before it started turning off by itself. So I called Garmin again. Again they said this was a known issue and to return the unit for repair. I asked if it was a know issue why did they not sent me a unit that had been fixed. I was told that the issue is bad connections between the battery contacts and the main PC Board, and so far they had not found a good fix. So I sent the second unit back. Again they send me another new unit. This one lasted a few weeks maybe before it started turning off by itself and this also developed another problem, the display would get lines through it, and at times it was unreadable. So another call to Garmin. By this time I was pretty ticked. I told them I didn't want another piece of junk to just send my money back. A few days after sending the third unit back I got a call from Garmin, stating that they were sorry for all the problems I had been having but they would not refund my money, however if I would accept it they would send me a new Vista CX. Since they weren't going to refund my money I accepted the Vista CX. I received the Vista Cx and it has been working great since. So I would recommend contacting Garmin as soon as you can and get the unit sent back as soon as possible (before the warrenty runs out). And I sure hope you don't have the same problems I did but if you do stick to your guns.
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Thank you!! I will pass it on to my friend.
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Thanks,
I'll pass it along to my friend. I'll leave it up to them if they want to try it or buy City Nav...
gpx file on etrex venture HC?
in GPS technology and devices
Posted
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