largenoggin

Sorry if this has been asked / answered already... How good is the GPS in the 3G? Are you able to strictly use the iPhone (no handheld GPS)? Or is it not as accruate? Good enough? Thanks! My experience with the Iphone GPS is that it is plenty accurate enough. I have used it side by side with a Garmin Colorado, and while the Colorado was reporting accuracies of 10-20 feet vs the iphone reported accuracy of 56-128 feet, the iphone was often as close or closer to the actual cache when found. It is possible that the IPhone is just more conservative when reporting accuracy. I am confident enough with the iphone to have sold my Colorado. I do keep the iPhone in a waterproof "dry pac" if I am going to be in an area where I might get it wet if dropped. On a side note, I have been relatively pleased with the geocaching.com application for use in areas where i have not run any pocket queries. It is a pretty nice tool for this kind of impromptu caching. However, there is another application, slightly more expensive than the Groundspeak application that works great for downloading filtered pocket queries. I use both applications and they complement each other very well. So, $ 25 you can have all bases covered.

Very happy the app is available and downloaded it immediately. It looks great!! Looking forward to taking it for a spin. I would echo others comments that being able to sort in some manner similar to a pocket query and showing more than 20 caches at a time would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure this is a work in progress and you have some plans for future updates

Very happy the app is available and downloaded it immediately. It looks great!! Looking forward to taking it for a spin. I would echo others comments that being able to sort in some manner similar to a pocket query and showing more than 20 caches at a time would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure this is a work in progress and you have some plans for future updates.

I'm one of the developers on Geode. The video is of Geode running in the iPhone Simulator that ships with the official iPhone SDK. We know it's taking forever to get this out there. We're a small shop doing this in our spare time, and we all have pretty demanding full time day jobs. I've been stepping up the amount of hours I've been putting into Geode lately to try and get it out on the App Store sometime soon for everyone that's been waiting. There's a few new screenshots on our latest blog post: http://www.nonameindustries.com/?p=73. This is the first I have seen of Geode. It looks amazing. Have you done any field testing to see how well it gets to the cache? I have been using igeocacher and my iphone very successfully. The IPhone is very underestimated by many people in it's ability as a serious GPSr for geocaching. I have had as much success using the iphone as with any of the better Garmin units I have used( and they were outstanding in my opinion ) Of course, if you plan on taking the Iphone into the woods, you need to take steps to protect it from the inevitably drop into a puddle. I use a "drypac" i purchased at REI for 12 bucks. Completely waterproof, padded on the back side, with a lanyard to hang around your neck. Works very well.

It's THEIR sandbox. You have to play by THEIR rules. In fact, you AGREED to when you voluntarily chose to join the site and the forums. I kinda thought it was "our" sandbox. I have started a new discussion. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...4&hl=iphone I have been advised by a "super duper delegate" that there are already several threads in the GPS and Technology area discussing this topic. I wasn't able to find any specific to iphone apps though. Really, we should stop beating around the bush. Can we or can we not, discuss other applications so long as it does not distract from this thread. ie elsewhere If any discussion of other apps is forbidden....anywhere.....just say so rather than leaving it up to every individual to wade through and interpret the terms and conditions. If it is forbidden, I will NEVER mention any of those other apps in this forum...ever....ever...ever. As I've said before....can't wait for the geocaching.com. I think it will be great and I will buy the minute I see it listed. Then, if it is good as I expect to to be, I will extolling its virtues in the apple store reviews.

Sorry, I wasn't able to find a discussion specifically about iphone apps. Discussions about paperless geocaching for various devices abound, but noen specifice to Iphone apps. If you would please direct me to the topic you think covers this area, I will happily repost there.

Very excited about the new geocaching.com IPhone application. Anybody using any of the other applications? How well do they work? How do they compare to the geocaching.com application.

You calculate costs just like a politician**. Are you perhaps running for a public office? You included the costs of the hardware in your Garmin calculation but not the iphone calc. What's more, the iphone solution requires a huge monthly cost. Colorado + auto-routing software: $500 + $3/ monthly (to download PQs) Iphone + GC app + igeocacher + service: $199 + $9.99 + $14.99 + $70/mo (MINIMUM) + $3/mo (PQs) + 2 YEAR CONTRACT Of course if you already have/need an iphone it's a no brainer. But many people don't need the bells and whistles phones. -Ben ** To avoid flame wars, i will neglect to mention which one.

I will definitely buy this application when it is available. Ten dollars to add another useful tool to my bag is a bargain. Thank you Groundspeak! I have already been successfully using the iphone as a paperless geocaching machine using Igeocacher. This app lets you load caches to the phone and works even when cell phone reception is spotty. I have been so impressed with the ability of the iphone to find geocaches that I was able to sell my Garmin Colorado ( which I liked very much ) Garmin Colorado and Auto Routing Software = $ 500.00 Versus Geocaching.com APP = $ 9.99 IGeocacher ( when no cell available ) = $ 14.99 = $ 375.00 savings PRICELESS

That's a slick idea. I would be happy if they would just change the scrolling around the circle to pick letters/numbers to a traditional style layout for letters/numbers. I'd second the request to allow the scroll wheel to pick symbols by clicking up and down,right and left, like on the Vista or 60csx. I don't believe this should be that hard as the rocker wheel can do this for other menu selection items. scrolling through all the letters is too cumbersome. Waypoint averaging would be nice also. Otherwise, I have not experienced ( perhaps,YET) some of the issues others report. I am satisfied with the accuracy. And, as a geocaching tool, the paperless aspect is very nice.

PilotSnipes, As Knarfdotca suggested, I ran a new pocket query, reran the macro and was able to load unto a Nuvi200. I had reset character limit to 14000 and it worked fine. I have one cache with a very long description ( not sure how long ) and all showed up. I would add screen shots, but not sure how that is done. If someone can add a link that could direct me how to do this, I would appreciate it. I am actually using a 360 which has worked from the get go with the new macro. I borrowed a friends 200 small screen to experiment. What is strange to me is that the same pocket query that does not work on the 200 ( presumably due to a bad character --&), loads onto the 360 fine. How does one find the offending cache? Is it a needle in a haystack thing? Thanks for your help.

A follow-up to my impressions after my first day of caching with the Colorado I have cached the last two days with my Colorado with very good results. I found 17 out of 21 attempted caches. The four that I did not find had not been found by anyone else in the last 4-6 weeks. Those that I did find were very close to where the Colorado directed me. ( within 10 feet in most cases ). On at least two occasions, I walked to the indicated spot and started scanning a 15 foot circle, only to find the cache at my feet. Now I've only been caching since February, but in general, you must remember that the most accurate gps is good to 10-15 feet. Coupled with the uncertainty of the accuracy of the cache placement leads to a possible error of 20-30 feet in the best of circumstances. I think when you get to within 5 feet, it is probably partly luck. Primarily, I hope to get close and then use a combination of the hints, logs, and some "geocaching sense" to find the prize. I have not found the Colorado to be more ( or less ) accurate than either the 60CXS or the VistaHCX which I have used. What is VERY NICE, is the ability to have all the tools, ie description, hints, logs etc in a convenient, paperless package. In this regard, I continue to be pleased with the Colorado as an excellent geocaching companion.

Pilot Snipes, I am trying your new macro and procedure ( the one stated new 5/21 ) on a small screen nuvi 200. When I try to add to the Nuvi through Garmin POI loader, I get a message that tourguide gpx format is invalid. While the bubble POI alerts would be helpful, there are ways around that. What I am most interested in is the changes that apparently let others see up to 14,000 characters. I'm not sure how the tourguide gpx format varies from the "regular" format that had worked before, albeit with a much lower character limit. Can the tweaks that allow more characters on the 200 series be incorporated in a version without tourguide. thanks

I had the same problem loading the tourguide as an earlier post reported. When you say it is now working, is it working using the newest method and macro from 5/21? Is you unit actually a nuvi 200 or another in the 200 series? should have stated the unit is a Nuvi 200

I had the same problem loading the tourguide as an earlier post reported. When you say it is now working, is it working using the newest method and macro from 5/21? Is you unit actually a nuvi 200 or another in the 200 series?

Would that be about 6:00 PM Eastern?

Just tried the new macro and procedure on my Nuvi360. OUTSTANDING!!! I have posted in this thread before and each version just keeps getting better and better. I had a 260 which I actually liked better than the 360 I have now. I thought the screen had somewhat better visibility. However, I went with the 360 as it showed so much more information. I am curious if anyone has determined if the character limitation has increased and if so, how much. Just when I think this can't get any better....you improve it even more. It is so much easier now! Thanks!

Scmidtbaby, I think we are cut from much the same cloth. When I make a significant "tech" purchase, I read a lot of reviews, do a lot of research, make my purchase, and do rigorous testing. I drive BestBuy and my wife nuts. Probably will be adding REI to that list. When i made my initial purchase, I was deciding between a VistaHCX and a 60CSX. As I recall, there were many issues with the speed and odometer of the Vista as well. However, that was not a significant issue as I really only geocache. ( I purchased the Vista as it seemed as accurate for my purposes ) I have already traded my Colorado 300 for a 400T as it was only $ 50.00 more and I can see the topos coming in handy, as a few weeks ago I ended up 100 feet from a cache on the wrong side of wide creek. So far, I am having the same success with the 400T. But perhaps, my standards aren't as high, or I don't know what I should be looking for. I am getting accuracies mostly 18-20 feet, sometimes 30 feet. I am getting good direction to the cache. Interesting that you should suggest getting together and doing some side by side trials as I was planning on contacting you to offer the same. I can bring the 400T and my HCX and you can bring the 60CXS. Maybe the results will tell us its all a crap shoot. LOL PM me if interested and we can set something up almost anytime.

Scmidtbaby, Thanks for the reply. Actually, I bought a Colorado 300 from the Pineville REI store yesterday. Joined as an REI member also. I just posted my "one-day" experience on another thread, and will copy that at the end of this post. As I state in post, I was pretty pleased today. How long is the return policy at REI in case some issue raises its ugly head to make me change my mind? Were your problems the same with all three units or different issues? COPY OF POST TO ANOTHER THREAD _____________________________________________________________________________________ I wanted to share my experience as a recent owner of the Colorado 300. I am in no way trying to minimize the issues others have had, but my first day out geocaching with it was excellent. I have a Vista HCX which I have been very happy with. Before going with the HCX, I tried it side by side with the 60csx. I didn't see any difference in accuracy or performance between the two. With no discernible difference, I made my decision based on price and form factor. I was intrigued by the Colorado primarily for the convenience of its paperless cache features. Today, I compared the Colorado V 2.5.1 side by side with the Vista HCX. Using the Colorado solely to find the caches ( and comparing direction and distance to cache with the HCX AFTER the caches were found ) I found 15 caches with NO PROBLEMS. The paperless features are outstanding. The screen readability is similar to the HCX. The accuracy was similar to the HCX. As I said, I haven't had it but one day and I may find things that don't work. Also, I am using it only for geocaching so I can't comment on other issues which may be important to others. Maybe I just got lucky with the Unit I have and maybe the latest firmware is a big improvement over earlier versions. But so far, I am pretty pleased. I will report if anything changes.

I wanted to share my experience as a recent owner of the Colorado 300. I am in no way trying to minimize the issues others have had, but my first day out geocaching with it was excellent. I have a Vista HCX which I have been very happy with. Before going with the HCX, I tried it side by side with the 60csx. I didn't see any difference in accuracy or performance between the two. With no discernible difference, I made my decision based on price and form factor. I was intrigued by the Colorado primarily for its convenience of its paperless cache features. Today, I compared the Colorado V 2.5.1 side by side with the Vista HCX. Using the Colorado solely to find the caches ( and comparing direction and distance to cache with the HCX AFTER the caches were found ) I found 15 caches with NO PROBLEMS. The paperless features are outstanding. The screen readability is similar to the HCX. The accuracy was similar to the HCX. As I said, I haven't had it but one day and I may find things that don't work. Also, I am using it only for geocaching so I can't comment on other issues which may be important to others. Maybe I just got lucky with the Unit I have and maybe the latest firmware is a big improvement over earlier versions. But so far, I am pretty pleased. I will report if anything changes.

Fortunately, you are not required to read this thread. Whew, disaster and years of therapy averted. p.s. I love my 400t! To start with, I'm not taking any side in the above discussion. As I look through this thread, I see very enthusiastic support for the Colorado, and I can see it is very genuine - yet many comments have that 'BUT' attached. That confuses me. People are generic in their praise, ("I love my Colorado"); but specific in stating their problems, and there are quite a few. I find that interesting. I'm on the fence. I will upgrade soon from a MAP60CS to either a Colorado 400t or a MAP60CSX. I find all the information in the Colorado threads a bit overwhelming. There is just a lot of data, and much of it is dated or is simply opinion (which can be very valuable). Also, it is good to see the praise after all the negative comments, but: WHY do you like the Colorado? I realize there has been some specific info, and I'm not trying to stir a pot here, and I may be too dense to understand (all us smart people say that ), but some rationale would help. You are correct that there is a lot of outdated information in the other threads and it can be very overwhelming trying to get an idea of the what works great and what can be improved. Which is why I am posting in this forum and eager to hear from those who are happy. I have been considering an upgrade to the Colorado, primarily for the paperless geocaching capabilities. I know, originally, there were some issues. I also know that a number of firmware upgrades have taken care of many of them. I know that there are always improvements which can be made and some shortcomings will continue to be addressed. I want to know the current abilities with respect to a few items. My questions are: Can you download complete cache information from geocaching.com and use GSAK to move pocket queries onto the unit? Does this include the entire long and short cache description, ie for very long descriptions does anything get left out due to a character limitation? Does it now show all the cache symbols on the map so you can see other caches in the area? Does it now allow you to mark cache as found and "click' for find next cache as the 60csx and vistahcx do? I really want one of these, but need it to be functional in these specific areas. thanks for any input.

Kinda depends on whether you want it to be primarily for geocaching ( with auto routing abilities ) or primarily for auto navigation with possible use as a geocaching unit. If primarily for geocaching, the VistaHCX or the 60csx are probably your best bets. If primarily for auto use, check out the Garmin Nuvi line and look at the following link; http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=193374 PilotSnipes is using his Nuvi360 for geocaching ( it is recognized as an excellent auto gpsr). In addition, utililizing third party software, the Nuvi line can provide for completely paperless geocaching. I using a VistaHCX but, rather than pay for the maps for the Vista, I paid a little more for a dedicated auto gps. I love being able to load all the cache info ( description, hints, maps, found status, type of cache, etc etc ) on the Nuvi.

I recently purchased a VistaHCX to start geocaching and I like it very much. However, I was looking at adding the street maps to Auto route me to the cache. The maps ran around $ 80 on Amazon.com. Just a suggestion, for about $ 80.00 more, you can get Garmin Nuvi 200 with street maps already loaded from Amazon. While you will have two devices, the nuvi200 will have a much larger screen and be much better for street navigation. THE BEST PART HOWEVER, is that the Nuvi can be used to download ALL the cache information to the unit, ie description, hints, logs,etc. using GSAK and geocaching.com. Check out this link for how it is done. I have done this and it works great! http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=193374 Just a thought

I am using fusion on a macbook with leopard. works flawlessly

I have been trying the various macro iterations on both a Nuvi260 and a Nuvi 360. This latest version works very well on both units. I have elected to keep the Nuvi 360 on the basis of how much information you can get on the unit. EVERYTHING is available in one place with NO loss of information. This provides for completely Paperless geocaching and allows my wife and I to load and go. No more time spent printing out a stack of paper. More hours in the field a few less trees used. I use this for auto routing to the caches but still use my VistaHCX once on site. Will have to try using the 360 alone..... Can't thank PilotSnipes and Clyde ( as well as everyone who tried it out and made suggestions for improvement) enough. I'm sure some tweaks may be in order but pretty darn close to perfect!