Greymane

I use Memory-Map and love it. Here are some screen shots. I apologize for the poor quality of the pics as they were compressed to be load quicker. The first is a shot of deer tracks I followed and scrapings and bedding areas I marked on an aerial photo. The second is a topo map with public hunting areas marked. And the third is a 3d view of the topo map. You can get the software and maps for a whole state for less than $75 right now. (You would need to upgrade to be able to use the aerial photos.) It comes with the PC software and Pocket PC software in one package (so I can put my maps on my Dell Axim). The program works with Pocket PCs or many GPS units (Garmin / Magellan / Lowrance). You can upload and download data easily. You can print the maps, too.

First, I apologize for allowing my temper to cloud my comments. Second, I, too, served my country, Clan X-Man. After seventeen years of active duty, I left for two reasons. 1) The needs of my children outweighed the needs of my country at that particular time. 2) I had reached a point where I was being asked to be more politician in my job than soldier (or, sailor, in this case). Third, I have actively followed this debate from the onset. I have read the forums. I have listened to feeds the early discussions on the matter. I have written to both tourism groups and newspapers in SC (of course, clearly pointing out that I am NOT a resident, but a frequent traveller through those parts). I clearly want what is best for SC, as well as the geocaching community. I just hope that your political leaders can see past their stoic chambers. I truly hope a few carefully presented quotes and law references (by the opposition) do not prevent the majority of your lawmakers from seeing the long term effects of this legislation.

Memory-Map Discoverer will give you wonderful software (for both the PC and PPC) and a full set of maps for a given state. I see they have it on sale for the holidays for less than $75. The state set gives you all three scales of USGS topos (1:24k, 1:100k and 1:250k), plus elevation data and a gazeteer of place names. You can also import your LOC and GPX files directly into the program.

If you are talking hardware (unclear from the post), I would say neither. I would go with one of the new SiRF III chipset units. Something like the GlobalSat BC-337 or the SysOnChip CF. You will be greatly pleased with the SiRF III performance.

It is too bad that Ceips gets more air time out of this. She is typical of all that is wrong in the political realm. Using a series of half-truths and hype, she pushes through legislation that accomplishes no real purpose. Heaven forbid she should focus on land developers who roll through sensitive areas ("Oh, I didn't know there was a cemetary/burial ground/historic home/etc. here!") all in the name of a buck. That said, opinions are like noses. Everyone has one. (No offense to any possible noseless people out there!) I don't agree with the tone of the article, but I would say it is fairly written.

2 dogs (Mac and Molly), 1 cat (Zoto).

Memory-Map Navigator makes it easy to use the USAPhotoMaps images. I use them all of the time. I also use topos from the USGS Seamless Site and aerials and other images from the NY State GIS Clearinghouse. Heck, I can even scan in paper maps and calibrate them in Memory-Map. (Nice for things where large scale maps are not available or detailed enough.)

Even though the device is working through Bluetooth, it is treated like a serial connection. Thus, the device has a two-way connection which means it is dedicated to one device. It is not hard to make multiple ports on a BT device, but not something most people look for, so manufacturers to not pursue it. I agree with oneeyesquare on the Aquapac. Great piece of protection. If you need more rugged protection, I would recommend one of these: Otterbox 1900 Series

SiRF III receivers are great. Probably what you heard about was a thing called static navigation. It keeps the unit from updating at slow speeds (very slow walking). This prevents the unit from "wandering" when in one spot. You should be able to turn off static navigation on most units. The SiRF III units are much more sensitive than the other units I have tried.

Blog, blog, blog and not a single reference to my favorite, Memory-Map Navigator. No respect! They have a holiday special going on right now, you can get the Discoverer license, along with maps for a selected state (in 1:24k, 1:100k and 1:250k scales), elevation data and searchable placename database for less than $75. Not a bad deal. (It cost me almost $100.) This includes 3D and Pocket PC software.

Be very careful. As your first reference indicated, some software licenses are not covered by this exception. Moreover, these references are a BRIEF overview of volumes of law. Best stated, noone is going to hunt you down for reselling your copy of Streets and Trips, but whether it is fully legal to do so it not so clear.

Personal preference has a lot to do with this. I have a Dell Axim x50v I use in the field all the time. I use an Aquapac with it. Not a lot of impact protection, but keeps it dry and dirt free. I have yet to damage one of my PPCs. (*knock wood*). My friend uses an iPaq 4705. He prefers the Otterbox 1900. He uses it for sailing and in the field. Very impact resistant, but a bit bulkier than the Aquapac. (The Otterbox has a special screen insert just for the 4705s.) Like I said, personal preference will be the deciding factor. (Just a note: the 1900 series Otterboxes are quite a bit smaller than the older cases.)

What do the two sets of waypoints look like? It would depend on how you are viewing the downloaded waypoints. It is possible you are viewing the location in NAD27 when it is shown in WGS84 on the site. It is also possible the format is different and this is confusing you. On the GC site, the locations are shown in DD.MMmmm format (degrees, minutes, decimal minutes). The program / device you view the downloaded waypoints on may be displaying them in DD.ddd format (degrees, decimal degrees) or DD.MM.SSsss format (degrees, minutes, seconds, decimal seconds). The values 45º30'00.000"N and 45º30.000'N and 45.500ºN are all the same latitude in different formats.

Not entirely true, but almost. I have been using the USAPhotoMaps with my Memory-Map Navigator (now that it allows import of the BigJPEG files). There are some areas that do not show up in the USAPhotoMaps. West of Scio, NY is an example. But for the most part, it has excellent coverage.

Why not just get Memory-Map Navigator? You can download your USGS maps right off the internet. You can load maps from the USGS seamless site and even aerial photos from USAPhotoMaps. They load into your PC and then you can send them to a Pocket PC. You can send routes / tracks / waypoints to your GPS. Or, you can print the maps (with your routes / tracks / waypoints / notes) and take them along.

I could make my point by dredging up some of the recent publicity surrounding geocaching, but I won't. People in EVERY recreation (and walk of life, for that matter) make mistakes. Those people DO NOT represent the majority of folks participating in that activity. Nor, do they represent the activity itself. I have been a witness to two hunting accidents in my time. One victim was a Dodge 4X4. The other was a living room window. I have been all over the world. I have seen violence and recklessness that would make your skin crawl. Driving in Italy is a life or death proposition all its own. Hunting is an extremely safe activity. The same guy who drinks while / before hunting (and there are a few), is the same guy who drinks before he drives your kid's school bus or repairs your brakes down at the garage. This is not a reflection on hunting as a whole any more than someone placing an ammo can in a school parking lot is a geocaching as a whole. Point made?

What OGBO said. The maps are close enough that you won't be able to tell if it is the map or your GPS. The more visited an area is, the more likely that "mistakes" have been corrected, so places off the beaten path are less likely to be accurate than common areas. Also, the maps in 3rd world countries can be pretty poor. A large portion of these are based on old Russian military maps. OGBO mentions Alaska maps. The planet curvature and the congregation of the lines of longitude makes it very tricky to generate an accurate projection, thus there tend to be gross (with respect to normal accuracy) errors as you get closer to the poles.

Those walking sticks from Walmart are very popular. I spend time in the hiking forums and they get good reviews (even compared to the Lekis). One person I know has over 300 miles on his and no trouble yet. Regarding zip lock bags, make sure you pack some of those little ones. (You can usually find them in hobby / craft stores.) They come in REAL handy.

I use Memory-Map Navigator and love it. I use it for all kinds of work and play. The new version has so much cool stuff in it. I like the fact that I can use a lot of different types of maps with it. The best part is that I am not stuck to maps from one company, so I get the best of all (well, most) worlds. Plus, I can use the same program on my PC and Pocket PC, so no bouncing around.

You can get a brand new Dell Axim x51 with Bluetooth, and SD slot and a CompactFlash slot for less than the iPaq (about $260 for the 416 MHz model). I use an x50v myself and love it. You could then use eithe a Bluetooth GPS or a CF card GPS. I use both at one time or another. Even if I use the CF card GPS, I still have the SD slot open for maps on a memory card.

I use Memory-Map Navigator for my mapping. It gives me a lot of flexibility. I can use a lot of different maps with it. I can also do a lot of things that make it family friendly. I have made several journal-type collections using it. You can attach files (audio, video, image, website) to the marks / waypoints on the map. See HERE. This is a picture I attached to the shown mark. Just double-click the mark, and it opens. You can also make a route card showing a planned (or completed) route and information about it. See HERE. And the new 3D is really awesome. See HERE. I can make a route and do a fly-through with the 3D to get a good perspective of the area. I can even make a video (AVI) file of the fly-through and export it.

It is also used to produce exit signs and a wide variety of other products (right here in the US).

Memory-Map Navigator lets you use the 1:24k USGS maps (along with others). The new Version 5 is out and is really awesome. The 3D has been improved and now I can import maps from USAPhotoMaps and the USGS Seamless site. (So, free maps!) Lots of new changes, but with the map imports now (fully explained on the website), it is great.

You can get the state set for $95, but most states have sites where you can download the USGS topos for free. Or, you can get them off Memory-Map's website for $1 per quad (if you are looking for a small area). You can also download the maps from USGS seamless now, and import into Memory-Map. Lots of choices.

I don't worry about the waterproof. I just put my Axim in an Aquapac PDA Case and I can use it right through the bag, so it stays dry and clean. As for impact resistent, I have used four different Pocket PCs in the field for various reasons in rain, snow and thick brush. I have yet to break or damage one. A little common sense goes a LONG way.