JDandDD

Moving the attributes to the blue bar might make sense. For me its the readability on the right side that makes it difficult. I agree with moving the size since its kind of lost, and put it under the name. I like the inventory idea too. Making it a folder with a count of the number of items in the folder would clear it out of the way. Icons for TB and coins on the folder would do it. JD

It varies really. The reviewers are volunteers and have family and holiday interests like everyone else. They even cache in their spare time . Anyway, I have had waits as short as an hour and as long as 5 days. After about three I might contact my reviewer to see if there is an issue. By the way, since you are so new to the sport they haven't any experience with you and are likely to investigate your listing a little more thoroughly. Its a bit unusual to put out a cache this quickly so they could be a bit concerned about making sure everything is by the rules. As they learn that you play by the rules the trust level will go up. Welcome to our obsession! JD

That sounds like the new company is starting to get its act together. Certainly, the former owner, Thales, really didn't put enough effort into the company and it suffered for years under them. If the new owners can fix customer support then there is hope that the equipment will start to improve as well. JD

We've used ours in our GM SUV without any problems as long as there is vision to at least two windows from where you are sitting. Only one window still works but since you can only see part of the sky there are less satellites available for a fix. We have Garmins and Magellans and both work, even my Forerunner 305 strapped to my wrist works. JD

Not sure why they'd tell you that you can't even buy it. I have it and it can be purchased at GPS Central and GPSCity. I have it because I travel in the States regularly and its useful if you live near the border. JD

Somebody else may have a more efficient way, but here's one way. If you choose Microsoft MapPoint on the geocache page you can then choose a map of whatever zoom level you want. (MapPoint creates a single image of the map and so the whole thing can be selected). Then, right click on the map itself and save the image. Use Palm Desktop to load it into your T/X via the Add Media option under media. Its then there as a normal image. You can have as many as your SD will hold. JD

Earlier this year when I did an upgrade to my eTrex it installed the icons for a geocache and a found geocache. What I'd like to see is an icon for benchmarks. Digital_Cowboy Garmin Mapsource lets you create up to 63 custom icons of your own. Just create the icon in Paint or other paint program and use a pinkish background with RBG colors of 255,0,255 and save it in Mapsource's Custom Waypoint Symbols directory with a number from 001 to 063 as the name. Save it .bmp format 16X16 up to 32X32 format. I think 32bit colour is the highest format that can be used. The pink background makes the background transparent on the maps. JD

Magellan has gpx compatibility as well. In fact, you can exchange gpx files between Garmin's and Magellan's though your icons will change. I do that now, making gpx files in Magellan lite and transferring them to Mapsource and directly to my Garmin's gpx directory on the unit. JD

You may be right because there are some bad cachers out there who do destroy caches. However, I would also say that accidental find is always possible. I think we can all point to caches that have been muggles that we thought we impossible for muggles to find only to have that happen. That said, it does hurt when some favorites go missing doesn't it and I can sympathize with your feelings. JD

TalesFromtheSurface, I notice you've just been mugged by the Waymarking patrol. Been there myself. I do Waymarking and will say a couple of things: The posse's argument that Waymarking is new is old. In fact, Waymarking is about 18 months on and still really hasn't gotten off the ground. I find myself in the same situation as yourself, nothing in my area. The second argument that there are a 'few' commercial waymarks is a bit specious. Its not that there are a few commercial waymarks its the fact that anything can be called a waymark. For example, there is a International Space Station siting category (how's that a waymark). Then there is Starbuck's, Tim Horton's, McDonald's. In other words, its pretty hard for any idea, no matter how flaky to get turned down. My enthusiasm for Waymarking goes up and down. Sometimes up but then I go through a period of being asked to vote for or against categories that simply cheapen the game and my enthusiasm goes away. The big problem with Waymarking, there are no quality controls in practice (supposed to be in theory) for category creation. If locationaless and virtuals got out of control, so has Waymarking because it can't be defined any better than they were. That lack of definition and associated quality control will keep the game from really getting credibility. And it has been 18months. I will maintain my position, which is, Waymarking does have its place and it keeps the nonsense out of geocaching. At the same time, a very limited type of virtual COULD be defined in terms of areas that specifically do not allow real caches and I maintain more people would be interested in them than waymarks. Ok waymarkers, flame away but I'm out of this discussion. JD

Give Magellan a call. As I said in another Thales sold Magellan recently to a group of independent investors. Thales would definitely not have allowed the exchange and I doubt the new company will either. But since the company has changed its worth a try. Just let us know how you get along with customer service. Hopefully its better than when Thales owned Magellan. JD

Contact them first!! Magellan was sold in the last few months by Thales to a group of independent investors. Things have been changing slowly since the Thales days. Thales had stopped putting money into the company since they were getting rid of it. At one point Canada Topo 3D was promised but I never saw it produced and as you say the new company does not show it on their website. Check with the company first to make sure this is a rebate the new company can fulfill. JD

By coincidence I know this one but I'll let someone else answer since I was making up a question just before this. Wanted to say that I actually saw one of these as a kid (nope didn't own, my friend did) and have to say I think we are all lucky to still be here, especially knowing my friend. Forgot all about it so thanks for the memory. JD

That's it lordfishman . Over to you for the next question. JD

Absolutely. Magellan units can leave data in memory that effectively is seen as corrupt data during and after the update. An update will be more reliable with memory clearance. And yes the documentation could be clearer but step 14 is there because sometimes they will not shut down. The important thing is that the operating system needs to be rebooted by shutoff before you should use it. JD

You haven't mentioned where in Southern Ontario but you may want to check at your nearest Outdoor store. For instance, in Barrie near where I live, Sojourn (our area's best outdoor store) offers regular GPS training. You won't likely get your specific unit but the general principles are common to all types. JD

Didn't expect this one to be so difficult!! VO2WW is on the right track about the reason. And its not the Weather guys. JD

I do both geocaching and Waymarking and I will put in a vote for some limited return of virtuals, more limited than the OP. The most obvious need for virtuals is so there can be caches in places that specifically don't allow real caches. Here I'm thinking of places like theme parks and National and Provincial (maybe state) parks. These areas will allow virtual caches but not real caches for a number of reasons. Allowing virtuals in these sorts of limited spots would let geocachers experience these areas and see these spots. So, I would propose virtuals in areas that do not allow real caches. As with earthcaches, this would allow for more exposure to the interesting sites that you'd like to show people than Waymarking gives. For example, my waymarks in Walt Disney World are visited but not nearly the rates of visits that the former real caches used to get. There is a place, albeit limited, for virtuals. JD

That's part way there. JD

Sounds like you figured it out by yourself. Congrats and welcome to our happy addiction!! JD

Ok, after a little research, here's a question about a weather phenomenon that affects geocachers every year at this time, windchill. In 2001, Canada and the United States agreed to use a new, improved windchill formula. Here is the two part question: Who created the original windchill formula and what is considered the major problem that caused the original formula inaccurate? JDandDD

Just back online after Christmas. Guess its up to me to do the next one. Will work on a question and get it up soon. Sorry about the delay. JD of JDandDD

Frogs - Army Ferrets - Business Humming Birds - 3 names are used: charm, hover or troubling Squirrels - scurry JD

Halfway down the page: Any water below 33° C (91° F) is defined as cold water and if you end up in this water your body’s core temperature will drop rather quickly. Interesting, but that page stands alone I guess. Because from a hypothermic point of view, that will not lower your body temperature enough to hit the 35C point at which hypothermia occurs. It may cause discomfort and possibly disorientation if you are in it long enough but not death by hypothermia. That said I see your point. JD

Spot on, actually. Refer to Overboard Survival - Lessons Learned published by Transport Canada for more info. Frankly I was surprised the temperature was this high! Keith, your turn to ask a question! Hate to disagree but your reading of that page is wrong! What it says is if the person's core body temperature goes below 35C then hypothermia sets in. However, for water to do that it must be 27C or colder. At 27 you will survive 3 hours or a little longer but will ultimately succumb. Above 27 C you can survive indefinitely. Your question asked about water temperature not core body temperature. JD