bigdaveoh

I also will not post here.... isn't posting a "horseback" riding thing????????? Yuk!

Well Group.......... ........You can also put caches anywhere in my jurisdiciton as well. (public location of course) This is just an outstanding story. I think the PD needed to dispose of the evidence and took the only action available, call the owner. As for me, being in the garbage...err... law enforcement business for some time now, I'd welcome some new and interesting stuff on my beat. It's obvious after speaking to the citizen-ry, that cachers are not felons... ....So take a moment and give the guy(cop) a chance. Hoping you'll be suprised at the friendly response.....not a promise the cop wont't be a butt-head, they show up in every business. Just for the (off the) record, I get out of my crusier all the time and "foot patrol" some of our park areas....and I usually have my PDA/GPS with me....guess what I might be doing? (By the way...our PD makes foot patrols mandatory....that metal box with the 4 tires makes for poor citizen intrercation.) Your right....just checking the area. All clear dispatch....next call please. Hope to see ya out there sometime (invitation extended to all) Safe Caching, Dave, Akron, Ohio

.......I just love this place! But, the hydrant thing....outstanding! .......or sit down next to the cache for a water/food break. Open up your pack, spread out your picinic (yo boo boo) and then move the cache into the feeding area....who would know....then leave one of your granola bars. Safe Caching, Dave, Akron, Ohio

Well Chevy.... ....sounds like you are on your way to geo-fun-caching times! Once your out and about, post here with your 1st couple of cache stories. It's nice to see it all come together for new cachers. Enjoy your new equipment....... .....and safe caching. Dave, Akron, Ohio

David and Others: I have managed to save my info into the program (registered version) and downloaded from Pocketquerie. Prior to setting the config, I set the "GPS Start on program start" fieled to unchecked and then exited to save the settings. This prevents the programming from running w/gps on and exiting. I can now view the 100 caches I downloaded, then find them by another software GPS program in my Dell. Works great! All that data from the website..... outstanding.... cool program, David. Regards to all and Safe Caching... Dave, Akron, Ohio

Hey.... What better place to find stuff for your cache trip....! Keep postin' the stuff for sale.... and I'll take a freee one too!! ...ha ha only kidding, I have a amelBack and use it all the time.....$$$well spent, especially when you drinking that cool water and your fellow cachers are headin' back to the local "stop&rob" for a cool-aid. .... and lots of extra pockets for your stuff.. later...and Safe Caching, Dave Akron,Ohio

Oh..... One other thing I forgot.... My first Cache... I didn't have a compass (magnetic) or a real map.... what a mistake.... So... I made a bag to "grab and go" with all that neat stuff.... energy bars and water too!! Enjoy, Dave

Hi Chevy, Sounds like your ready to hit the woods. Caching is a great pass-time, I know you will enjoy it! As far as radio and GPS are concerned, I have no experience with the Rhino or simular equip., but would probably opt for separate units. The old adage, "if it breaks, it's broken" may apply where both units are combined and you may have a need for the radio or GPS in an emergency or urgent situation. A popular idea here seems to be FRS channel 2 and a small GPS. The FRS equipment from a quality mfg will serve you well. Range is limited because of the low power, so plan accordingly. If your group expects to communicate only amongst itself, check the recently FCC autorized M.U.R.S. radio service. This service uses VHF and much higher power (2 watts rather than 500mw) than FRS.... and no license is required. Or... carry both... The FRS equipment today is very small and lightweight, the M.U.R.S, a little bigger and heavier, but not much. As for the GPS unit, many, many to choose from. Quality Mfgr's include Garmin, Magellin and others. Choose the unit with the features you need. Download-able maps are a great option... I would invest a little more $$$ to have that option, then you have a very versatile device. I'm sure many will here provide more info. This is a great group! Enjoy and Safe Caching, Dave, Akron, Ohio

Hi All: As this is generally a fun crowd, I recommend a back pack, car battery, inverter, laptop, Garmin II+ GPS, cables.... and lots of food and water.... as you'll be carrying 60 lbs of stuff....oh, and you'll need someone to carry the laptop... Really tho.... I am using the Dell Axim X5 (400mhz) w/a CF slot GPS I purchased off of Ebay. The Dell was reconditioned, less than $200, and works great! Contrary to some readings I have seen, Dell does a good job of support. They have assisted me several times with operational problems. The CF GPS, also from Ebay, bid at $100 and won. It was shipped from the Orient and works great too! The CF GPS thru Ebay included an external antenna and an adapter to a laptop. The CF GPS is powered by the Dell with about a three hour battery life (external battery packs also seen on Ebay. (more battery life if illumination is off, or greatly reduced) I am using several different GPS map and Geocaching programs. I have Delorme Xmap which is VERY SLOW. I have ordeer the PC 2003 Windows update with expectations it will be faster. I found a way to mark Lat/Lon entries for Caching in Delorme, but still not for caching. I also use Navio and Vito Nav. Both work fine for caching, w/Navio having the capabality of importing many types of maps. .....But.... my favorite caching program is being developed by David Stein. (See his posts here). His program combines all the best features. Read about it and see if you agree. Anyway folks.... just my thoughts. I am, by most other's descriptions, computer illiterate, but I am having great fun with caching by PDA/GPS, and even getting great computer experience at the same time. When I grow up (49 y.o. now), I hope to be more accomplished with the computer. Safe caching to everyone, Dave, Akron, Ohio

David, We are waiting to see your grade from the computer science test. Hope you don't get grounded... (haha) if you'r discovered writing code instead of study-ing...Thanks for your answers.. Dave, Akron, Ohio

Hi David: I purchased the download from Handango and am still experiencing the same shut down after signals aquired. I also have to re-enter my registration number. Any Ideas?? I'll also send you an email direct. Thanks, Dave

Hi S.B., I have the Dell X5 with a CF GPS, it works great and makes an expensive device like the PDA all that more valuable. I just started using mine for GeaoCching and am using a CF GPS I bought thru ebay, about $100. There are many selections, try to find a GPS with the low power draw chip set. I am using Delorme Xmap for handheld for streets and maps and VitoNav for the caching part. Another Cacher here, David Stein, has developed some promising software for cachers. Read about here under the topics (search "DavidStein") Good luck with your PDA/GPS. I'll never buy a stanbdalone GPS again (I have a Garmin II+) and it works fine, but not anywhere near as flexible. Good Luck, Be Safe, Dave

Hi Ish-n others: The Dell X5 w/CF GPS works well. I know this is slightly off-topic for this area, but what a sweet device when David releases 1.1. I currently use Delorme Xmap and Vito Nav. The Xmap doesn't lend itself easily to caching, but can be manipulated thru waypoints, and the Vito works good for caching, just no extra features. It's great to have an all-in-one device for anything you need..... ....So I'm sure David's program will be one hot item... Can't wait ! Cachers Be Safe... ....Dave

Hi David and other PDA Cahers, I noticed my Dell Axim X5 will correct the clock prior to shutting down after signal aquisition. I have tried several times to re-set the GPS config fields as the Dell w/CF GPS needs to use Com5 and a stop bit of 2, but after the program shuts down, the fields return to the defaults. How can I save the config and Option settings after I change them? Is this a function of the trial version that is ok in the registered version? It seems the program would work if my settings could be saved. I know these are issues you are pursuing, just some extra input, BUT, ...the program looks very exciting, can't wait for the running ersion !!! Thanks, Dave

By the way, the first part of my post was "I am very computer illiterate" but that should be obvious! Thanks again David for all of your effort, looking forward to 1.1 Regards, Dave, Akron, OH

...but, as you can see, the message posted before I was even finished. I, for one, will be a CacheDragon customer as soon as the PPC bug is worked out, the one where the PPC starts gathering GPS data and then shuts down. I am using the Dell Axim X5 and a CF slot type GPS unit. Anyway, looking forward to 1.1 !! Thanks for all off your time deveoted to this software! Regards, Dave, Akron, Ohio