maurycy

I have Palm TX that I use for paperless geocaching. Though for just storing cache descriptions, hints and logs it is an overkill. You can get any Palm (even the cheap ones or used ones from Ebay). Just make sure that it has USB port and data cable so you can load the information easily. Older units like Palm 505 or 515 are good too but if they come with serial port cable, you have to make sure they will be compatible with your computer. You can get CacheMate for like $10. It is one of the best programs for Palm. It allows you to setup multiple databases of caches, view descriptions, logs, hits, etc. You can also log your find with date/time and notes. It also has nice feature that finds nearest caches (you just have to enter coordinates). I also use CMConvert to transfer GPX files from geocaching.com site to Palm as PDB files. Fairly painless process. If you have any questions let me know.

Thanks to all for your replies. I thought HC has the autorouting capability. I guess I was mistaken. What does high sensitivity actually means? Is my Triton 200 or my Sirf III bluetooth GPS comparable in sensitivity to HC or Cx?

I own Magellan Triton 200 GPSr. While there is nothing wrong with Triton, I would like to get a Garmin and play with it to compare its user interface and performance to Triton. This way I can keep one that I like more. Because I T200 is entry level unit and because I do not need anything fancy, I am looking at either Garmin eTrex Venture CX or HC model. I know the difference between the models. What I like about them is color screen and mapping capability. Is the high sensitivity model (HC) that much better than the older CX? Should I go for that and loose the ability for more storage? I do some geocaching in local parks. Nothing out in the wild :-) So I guess I do not need the high sensitive model. On the other hand I also do not need extra storage because I can just load some maps before going on a geocaching trip. The difference in price (Amazon) is only about $18 so the choice is tough. I also do a lot of bicycling if that matters. Opinions welcome. Thanks.

Do you have PHP available thru your web hosting? I could send you a simple page with PHP script that will ask for a password and reject incorrect entries. If password is correct, then the contents of the page will be displayed. PM me if you are interested because I do not visit this forum that often.

It was a nice trip. Started at 8:30am and was done at 2:30pm. Found 8 caches, 1 DNF, 3 not attempted due to the location and me being on a bike (didn't feel like it would be a good idea to bike thru bird sanctuary or thru some trails in nature areas). Heat wasn't that big of a problem especially down by the water. In-land was hot but bearable if speed was above 10mph :-) drabina = maurycy I have changed my username and somehow the original post was still from the old account.

Looks interesting but it is only for PCs for now. I hope they can add feature that will allow me to export maps to my GPS or Palm.

I used to drive my car a lot but now there are two factors that make me stay closer to home. One is the current gas price (over $4 here in NJ) and the other one is my 2 year old that doesn't really like long car trips. So we mostly stay close to home exploring nearby parks. It is kinda fun spending half a day in the park by the playground, go to the zoo and then make a quick stop at one of the cache sites. I also do a lot more bicycle riding these days. It takes longer to get from cache to cache but I already went down one pants size. So I would have to say that the higher gas prices have some positive impact :-)

The web site came up with an error when I was posting this question. There are two other posts with the same title but they have no body. If moderators could delete them, that would be great. Thanks.

Lets say I have 10 caches that are located in the vicinity of a small town. Is there a software that will allow me to import the GPX files or enter coordinates and map sort of round trip directions? I am only looking for a approximate street directions. I know I could probably do it with Google Maps but I am looking for more automated process that will draw the route. Thanks.

You would probably benefit from getting dedicated handheld unit just for geocaching. The car navigation units are not really designed for geocaching and that's why they are probably not setup to display information up to 3 decimals.

Thanks. I will check the links.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I forgot to mention that I use Mac so I cannot use GSAK. I will experiment with the multiple PQ to get all the data for the state on NJ. I guess that would be even better approach just in case I end up in area other than my four most visited places. PDA's memory (SD card) is expandable so I shouldn't have any problems with storing thousands of caches. Now, considering that I load all caches in state of NJ based on the PQ example mentioned as a link by clif_hanger, do I need to worry about the updates? I guess, I will have to load results of all the queries into the PDA if I want an update for a cache that was placed lets say 2 years ago but just recently set as inactive? Am I correct? Thanks.

Hi everybody, I have bluetooth GPS that I use with Palm TX for my geocaching adventures. I have Cache Mate software and subscription here on geocaching.com web site that gives me access to pocket queries. Currently, I have four pocket queries that give me caches located within 15 miles of the four areas I visit the most (my house, my parents house, park and place down the shore). This system works for me but it is not perfect. Here are my questions: 1. Is there a way to retrieve caches for a specific area only? I am not talking X miles radius because that can give me caches in another state across the river (I am in NJ and get a lot of caches in NYC when doing searches. At the same time I do not want the whole NJ because it will exceed pocket query maximum results of 500). 2. My pocket queries are set to run every Friday and give me all caches created within last week. Is it a good approach or should I get all caches available when updating my database? 3. Is splitting the databases into regions good thing to do? Care to share your idea/system? I have tried to use software on my laptop as a companion to Cache Mate, but tracking caches in two places (even with some automation) was just a waste of time. I am either loading caches onto the PDA or I am with my PDA in the field geocaching. Thanks.