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wrtiii

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Everything posted by wrtiii

  1. 3 out of 6 caches this afternoon has these identical grey bats in it and just so happened I had 4 rubber lizards with me.. of course the first cache I didn't realize this was going to happen but normally I don't bother with SWAG too much,, I carry a few items (Value Village is a great place to buy SWAG in bulk for a buck or two) 1.99 for a bag of rubber bugs.. Anyways I took the bat and left a lizard and got a chuckle out of that... then the next cache I found another bat so did the same.. walking back to the car I found a golf ball.. Got to the next cache and it had a bat and a golf ball.. So I took a bat left a lizard and took a skull and left a golfball and plan to make a comment in my log about it beings a golfers dream 2x golfballs for swag.. Anyways what made me think of it was I found a couple coupons for hot drinks (expired almost a year ago) in a couple caches.. (left them there as I got a chuckle out of them... But on 1 hand you could consider them advertisments.. and on the other on a cool fall or winter night who wouldn't love to find a coupon for a buck off a hot chocolate from a local vendor.. I know a couple people who run a chip truck and have put a few caches in the neighborhood of the chip truck and left FTF Free Summer of Fries in each and randomly will leave a Free Family Fries certificate in them. I am not sure if they are still doing this and really not sure what the guidelines say about this but at any rate I never heard any complaints and I find it to be an ingenious idea.. and very thoughtful of them as well.. I tell ya if I came across a cache at a dairy queen with a free sundae certificate in it I'd be delighted. Recently I found a cache with a scratch ticket.. I won another free ticket on it.. I think that as long as it is in good taste and your are providing a benefit to a cacher whether it be monetary, knowledge(historical, geographical etc.) or something that brings a smile to a person face then it is? or should be fair game. Bill
  2. I think personally I would log a DNF anytime I went to GroundZero and did not find the cache... I know I have logged DNF's when I used to cache without a GPS unit. I don't log them for the sake of the cache owner.. I log them for my own sake and my own records. If a DNF affects the cache posting at all I am not sure but either way I see no reason not to post a DNF whatsoever.. Now one exception I can think of is this one cache which I have been to twice now... First time I found it, at least I visually saw it. but there was muggles sitting on a park bench in line of sight. So I logged a note that I visually saw the cache but was not able to physically reach it due to muggles. I went back tonight and yet again same bench a pair of muggles sitting there watching some geese. I stood around, watch some geese hope they would leave. no such luck. I stood nearby the cache waiting to see if I got a moment to snatch it without being noticed.. It was too risky.. I fully intend to log another note saying I was there again same deal. In this case I am not logged a DNF cause I did kinda find it. But all in all I would say log a DNF anytime you :looked: and did not find the cache. So I guess it just depends on your own personal definition of :looking: Just my 2 cents, wrtiii
  3. Ok So 2nd Time out this afternoon with my new 60csx and PDA. Yesterday I went out found a few caches using GPXSonar. Came home and ended up downloading the GPS Unit to Mapsource and just following my track and manually logging all my caches from mapsource. As I logged them under my account I sent my gf messages on msn with the GC code and whether we found it, didn't or just noted something and then she manually added hers later as well. I never made use of any of the data I inputted into GPXSonar at all. To prepare for going out this afternoon I did a brand new pocket query, I deleted all my files from my PDA and removed all my stuff from my GPS. I then preloaded my gps with the 10 - 15 waypoints I generally like to have at all times... Home, GF's Work, 5 Pita Pit locations, 5 Value Village locations, Cabelas, and Pet Traders store. I purchased cachemate blindly and loaded that onto my pda. So now I loaded the gpx file into mapsource and transfered all that data to my GPS. So now my GPS contains 500 cache waypoints + 12 already existing waypoints. Now I loaded the GPX file into cachemate as well. I noticed that my PQ did not return on 3 caches I knew I wanted to make it to so I manually navigated to those cache sights and downloaded each caches individual gpx file. and used the send to gps option for each. So now I have 4 gpx files on my gps and 515 waypoints on my 60csx. Now I'm ready to walk out the door when I realize I have no way to easily find or know which 3 caches I wanted to go to for sure. So I played with cachemate a little managed to Add a Bookmark column to the display and bookmarked the 3 caches. Now I sort by bookmark and voila. So I went out geocaching found a buncha, logged notes, finds and did not finds into cachemate for each cache I went to. Now I am back home. So I have a 60csx which has 1 Track for the afternoon, 515 waypoints, 5 marked as found caches, and I think 2 caches I did not find and 1 cache was not able to get to so want to log a note on. If I was to rely on only the gps unit then I would have no idea which the 2 DNF and 1 Note caches were unless I took a look at my tracks and used my memory to know which ones. But I have cachemate and I already wrote in my notes and logged my DNF's as well as my finds on cachemate.. So I should be good to go?? So this is where my problems begin.. I've got GSAK installed but so far have no used it for anything except to load my PQ's into it for no apprant reason. What do I do with my notes in cachemate and how do I get them into logged entries on geocaching.com I'm using a Dell Axim X3 so best I can tell I have more than enough memory space for caches. What I need to do now. Log my afternoons work. and I need to know how to prepare for next time.. of course as it is now I could just get up and continue on caching with my current setup. How should I run my next PQ? My previous PQ was for All Caches within 100 miles that were traditional and small or large only. It returned 500+ caches. So should I narrow the distance until I get less than 500 returned? that way I know that I have ALL the cahces inside a certain radius? and then just move my center point to one direction by 1 km and rerun the search each time? I am guessing this is where GSAK comes in? IF I was to wipe out my PDA and GPS then I would end up back at caches I've already done. If I leave them as is I am limited to only caching within my already assigned area.. well some nights I like to go outside the city... So I am guessing I just keep running PQ's and building up a large database within GSAK and then use GSAK and filtering options to generate a GPX file tailored to what I plan to go out and do at the moment. I can properly save filter sets so it makes it easy to do? GSAK Filters for Day to DAy USe GSAK Filters for Going to Snakes Dens GSAK Filters for Going East of City etc etc. So right now I need to know what it means and how to "hotsync?" my pda and update my GSAK with my finds etc.??? but what about when I do my next PQ and load it into GSAK? Will it update my already found stuff and overwrite it as not found? How do I ensure that when I send my next GPX file to my pda I don't overwrite my already found caches recorded there?? I don't want to end up at the same cache twice.. I am sure if I manually log all my caches from this afternoon.. Wipe out my PDA and GPS.. Now I would reload my 12 manitoba waypoints. And I would run a new PQ for Traditional Small and Large Caches that I have NOT found and are NOT owned by me.. Then I could load that GPX I am emailed into Mapsource and transfer those waypoints to the GPS and copy the file onto my PDA and open it with Cachemate. And then aimlessly load that one into GSAK which would update any already existing and add any new caches to my GSAK Database which I have not yet made use of.. I imagined it would update a cerain many and probaly add at least 6 new ones which would replace the 6 I found this afternoon. So as long as my PQ stays the same and I keep finding stuff in the area eventually my PQ would start returning less than 500... Whelp, Thanks for reading my long winded post ( I have read many many other posts and nothing seems to put all this together) Any advice is welcome. Please feel free to speculate on how to do it. It's seems so easy yet so difficult. Really just need someone to walk me through it once I am sure. Cheers, wrtiii
  4. So played with it a little tonight but not sure what is most efficient or differences between.. noticed lately gps takes me completly different routes to certain places than the routes than 90% of the general population use. Like to get down to one area I know that everyone from work goes east first hits the main highway and goes south on it. gps wants me to go south first and then east. I'm not really sure which is most effcient route or not as of yet. So at any rate What's the best setup... Guidance Method OnRoad/OffRoad/Prompted -- I set this to prompted because that way I can GOTO cache via OnRoad method then once I park and get out of car I go Menu --> ReCalc --> OffRoad. Follow Road Method Prompted/Faster Time/Shorter Distance -- I am not sure which would be best to use.. What does this take into account? Which option is most efficient? What does everyone else use?? I've tried both and over a day's use notice no real difference between them. Off Route Recalcuation prompted/auto/off - What is this for? Calc Method quickest/quick/better/best - I assume this just affects calc time each time it has tcalc a route? I've set it to best cause I'd rather wait a few seconds more than have a half a** route? Any thoughts? Calc Routes For: Car/Motorcycle? Truck? Taxi? Delivery? What in the world is the difference between all these? Will Car/Motercycle avoid dirt roads but Truck will take you down them? Or will truck include farmers paths or take you through fields? Why would a taxi take a different route than me? I would hope a taxi would take the most efficient route, but I want to take the most efficient as well? So what is different betwee Car and Taxi settings... they are both cars.... I can understand pedestrian setting .. car / pedestrian ... so long as when on ped. mode it acts in accordance with the fact that your on the sidewalk and not in the middle of the intersection.. at least Ihope that's how it would change it? Does ped. mode take into account foot bridges across rivers and walking paths between homes? Looking forward to some new knowledge. Thanks in advance ~wrtiii
  5. wrtiii

    GPXSonar

    I don't have file in the bottom left. recently switched from an IIIxe Palm to an Axim X3 PocketPC. Bottom left I have New and Tools only. Just spent 30 minutes hunting again and I cannot find anyway to make it see or load a gpx file seems it will only find ZIP files within the main documents folder. *shrugs* Loaded Cachemate on tonight and think I may start using that.. just gotta figure out how to "hotsync" so that I can more easily update from my logs on the go.
  6. wrtiii

    Cache Pack

    Everything is on my belt. Moving counter clockwise Belt Buckle Camera & SD Cards Mag Lite Buck Knife Leatherman GPS Unit PDA in my shirt pocket Boot Knife on my right ankle If I go out for a day I will bring my camelpack for water and at night I have a elastic headband mounted light I will use sometimes. I've been thinking my might start carrying a pack with me for maybe lunches, or CITO reasons? wrtiii
  7. without saying too much, I'm just gonna throw out there that technology like this and much more advanced than this is out there and this scenario is plausible. I would of expected a slightly more educated and direct type of post from someone who has designed such a piece of equipment with a bit less skepticism. but then again I am an engineer and any forum I've ever posted on I always have "ugly" type posts. but all in all, I'd love to see those tech-specs and would be great to see a photo before you make it all shiny. Some of us out here have a lot more respect for the guts of a project than the fancy cover over it. Ciao, Bill
  8. wrtiii

    GPXSonar

    I've tried putting .gpx files on my pda and gpxsonar does NOT see them. There is no FILE option or Load Gpx File option. The only files it seems to see are .zip files ???
  9. wrtiii

    GPXSonar

    On The Contrary, A Zip File seems to be all GPXSonar CAN Read .. It does not seem to notice the .gpx files but It does load the .gpx files from within a .zip file.. ??
  10. wrtiii

    GPXSonar

    Ok So am I doing this right?? .. I ran a test pocket query two days ago, which I loaded into GSAK but could not figure out what good the program was. Tonight I ran another tighter pocket query to my home coords, returned 443 caches. I loaded this into GSAK, Said like 43 added 74 updated and the rest were already up to date. So Now I created a .GPX file from GSAK which includes 500+ caches rather than just the 500 from a pocket query. So I had marked a couple waypoints on my gps the otherday that I want to keep permantly on it. but I see no way on my Garmin 60csx to lock a waypoint in place? So I open up mapsource, Retrieve all from GPS, then I delete everything from the GPS, make any changes I wish to the waypoints on mapsource then re transfer everything to the empty unit. Next I loaded the GPX file I made with GSAK into Mapsource and transfer all waypoints to GPS Now I turned the GPX file into a ZIP file and tossed it on my PDA where I can now open it with GPXSonar. That's as far as I have gotten so far, hopefully tomorrow I will make it out to try out my new setup. Any ideas suggestions comments hint or tips? Am I doing this the most efficient way or am I way off base? Thank for your expertise and advice in advance, Bill
  11. wrtiii

    GPXSonar

    Ok, So I receive my first pocket query today. I loaded GPXSonar 1.5 onto my pda. I copy the .zip file I received in my email to my pda and load up GPXSonar and load that file. It only returned like 20 caches and when I went to view any of them it gave me minimal minimal info on the cache Ie. no hints, no difficulty or terrain rating, no comments etc. So I tried Cachemate, Well It seemed to work ok except due to being a trial I could only load like 10 caches. I can't say I am impressed with cachemate, It seems to show only very minimal data compared to GPXSonar.. (see below as I did get GPXSonar giving me more data) So I checked out this GSAK program. I loaded up my pocket query in it and saw all 500 results, I then exported to another gpx file from GSAK and transfered that to the PDA and Now I get a list of tons of caches and all kinds of data on them including hints (highlight blank area to view hint) I don't see what the point of GSAK is, What purpose does it serve? Do I really need it? Am I going about something wrong? Also is there a way to pull up TB and Geocoin data so If I find one at a cache I can check on the goals of the TB?
  12. When replacing the log your should probaly put the old logbook if full (or leave it in a plastic bag) if wet. But You should not remove the old log book from the cache. Let the cache owner know you replaced the log and the damaged log book is in the cache but could use to be removed. A lot of cache owners make use of the years of history a log book may contain.
  13. wrtiii

    PDAs

    Ok So What software does everyone like? Seems I am finding mostly outdated info? Seems to be between Cachemate and GPXSonar although Sonar seems to be dead? What I want to be able to do is carry my palm with me for notes, hints, etc. and use it to record TB numbers and what not. I'm going to assume I can't do much for images on this Palm III but maybe it can handle monochrome stuff? lol Anyways, What's a good working setup? (i should've bought something with color )
  14. wrtiii

    PDAs

    Whelp, whoever claimed it is not possible was mistaken. I purchased a Palm IIIxe, and I went to future shop to get a usb to serial cable. $57 dollars they are insane. So I came home got out my soldering iron googled the pin outs for serial and usb cables, and make my own usb to serial cable. I could find the schmatics again for it if needed Plugged it in got the famous usb conections sound but no drivers. Dig some digging around found that need to use a newer palm desktop You can find a program called PalmHotSync from Pimloco Software that will solve that issue. At any rate it's now midnight but problem solved. So for anyone reading this Yes It is Possible for older palms to work with Windows 7 64 Bit USB. but for the hassle probaly easier j just to buy a newer pda cheers,
  15. wrtiii

    PDAs

    So What If I told you I purchased a Palm IIIxe and intend to use it with a 64bit laptop that has no rs232 serial port?
  16. wrtiii

    PDAs

    I've got a line locally on a few different pda's... What works for a pda without major headaches or messing around. I can wait if need be if all of these would be big No No's or I can find something worth a bit more if I need to. Currently looking at - Palm VII Handheld PDA Palm PDA IIIxe and Palm V w/docking station They are all being sold for $20 but it does not seem from what I saw that the best one is necesarrily the chronological one. Advice Please. Thanks, Bill
  17. Good Morning, Ok, So I just purchased a 60csx. Been fiddling with it most the morning. I've geocached with one before as well as with an iphone before. for the garmin we had sat at home prior to, picked out like 10 caches we wanted to find and loaded just those and then went out and found them. This morning I have been fiddling with loading 50+ caches at once onto the unit and trying to determine how the pocket queries will work with the unit without actually having a pocket query back yet. The biggest problem I am forseeing is that if I load all the geocaches for the entire city of winnipeg and area (or at least 1000 of them) then it will be great because anywhere I go I will be able to find a cache nearby. but I will have no details or data on the cache etc. If I was to go to a thrift store and find myself a old palm pilot or something of the sort is there a way to download the files so I will have logging and info capabilities on a cheap lil palm pilot or something of the sort. Also what is the best method for tracking my finds etc. Is there a way with mapsource I can keep a "MASTER" map? I will continue doing some reasearch and finding out what works for me via trial and error but if anyone a little more experienced has some insight it would be greatly appreciated. Anyone that is established and knows what they are doing in the winnipeg / manitoba area, feel free to let me know if you interested in showing a noob how a pro does it. Thanks, Bill
  18. I talked to the owner and he said I could sell you that unit for $249. Let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with the unit - there is just no packaging. (Long story short - a customer purchased with a cheque, which then bounced. Because it was delivered to a business, the employer got involved and forced the individual to return the GPS and all the accessories. Everything came back, unit was not registered and we checked and it had only been turned on once.) So if you buy this one, a case (which I highly recommend) and the City Navigator software the total would be: GPSMAP 60CSx $249 Case $12 (regular $14) City Navigator $99 Shipping $8 Total: $412.16 including GST and PST I've ordered this and it should arrive on tuesday. hopefully all is well. Thanks for all help and advice guys.
  19. I seriously doubt its been registered with garmin as the guy I got it off was a contractor working on building cell phone towers so he got a bunch of these units to give to his guys out in the field... The thing looked practically new when i got it, nothing really was entered in at that point....The kid said that he and his father had no use for it, so I grabbed it... It does come with the direction book, the quickstart card, and the usb to pc cable, this is the blue etrex legend (it is not an h or an hcx, just good old sturdy blue etrex legend.) john If possible you could give garmin a call and tell them the serial number and ensure it has not yet been registered. I'm in the military so I move around a lot so being able to register my units is of great concern to me. If it's too much of a hassle I am sure that someone out there will buy it an not care if it is registered to someone elses name. Biggest problem is that if this contractor registered it and it turns out to be a stolen unit then I call garmin with the details and find out the person it is registered has reported it stolen then I can't very well keep it and I doubt on a private sale I would be getting any money back. Thanks for your understanding, Bill
  20. I am interested. I am up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My only questions seeing as you bought it used is did you have the mygarmin registration transfered over to your name when you purchased it? If not, then has it ever been registered with garmin? Thanks, Bill wrtiii3644@hotmail.com
  21. I've been caching without a GPS on occasion for a couple years now. The odd time I would get out with a friend that had a GPS. What I would like to purchase is a Garmin GPS60 Csx . I recently saw one in my area on kijiji but the seller had no interest in telling me whether it was registered or not with MyGarmin and claimed he had gotten it used. So with the seller not willing to check for me or supply me with the serial number so I could check, I was not willing to purchase it. I am with the Military and as such move every few years and defiantly need to be able to update the unit. If I cannot find a 60Csx for a reasonable price (which if you ask my gf would be $0) although I am hoping to talk her into spending the money on one, because we can use it for a in car road direction unit as well as geocaching. but if all else fails then I need to find the "cheapest" relativly speaking (under $100 ?) solution possible to tide me over.. finding caches without a gps is getting tedious... Any insight would be great, I'm up here in the great north, Winnipeg, MB. Been to the top of the world and the most northern cache out there as well. Thankfully for the sign I didn't need a gps there either Thanks Guys, Bill
  22. I've been looking to get a new GPS Unit, my buddy just got a garmin 60CSx, It seemed to work quite well for the few hours we went out. Was at Futureshop today and came across the Mag Triton 500, almost half the price, still has the compass and barometer and geocache ability, and the ability to give turn by turn instructions while on road as well I do believe. I am interested to hear some pros, cons and opinions or possible suggestions on other units from the local community. Oh, if it makes much difference I am up here in canada as well. Thanks, wrtiii Magellan Triton 500 http://www.magellangps.com/products/produc...amp;prodID=1916 Product Number: 980-0003-001 PHYSICAL Case Rubber armored impact-resistant plastic, water-resistant seal, IPX-7 Pre-Loaded Maps Built-in basemap of Contiguous U.S., Alaska, Canada and Worldwide Geographic Boundaries Size 4.65" x 2.16" x 1.22" Weight 6.6 oz (187.1 g) - w/ battery Screen Size 2.2" (5.59cm) diagonal, QVGA (240 x 320) resolution, LED backlit SD RAM SD Card Memory available for map storage Secure Digital (SD) Card Antenna Type Built-in multidirectional patch Keypad Nine direct-access keys Operating Range 14 to 140°F (-10 to 60°C) PERFORMANCE GPS SiRF Star III™ 20 channels, WAAS/EGNOS Acquisition Time Hot: 20 seconds, Cold: 60 seconds, Initial: 2 minutes Update Rate Once per second GPS Accuracy 3 to 5 meters (10 - 16 feet) - WAAS/EGNOS, < 7 meters (15 feet) - GPS only Languages English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Portuguese. Coordinate Systems Latitude/Longitude, UTM, OSGB, Irish, Swiss, Swedish, Finnish, German, French, USNG, MGRS, Indian, Dutch. POWER Source Two AA Batteries (not included) Battery Life 10 hours Amazing ease-of-use - Reinventing handheld GPS™, simple menus, instant access buttons, intuitive keypad and crystal clear graphics let you navigate without the need for a Ph.D. 3-axis electronic compass - Clearly see your direction no matter how you hold your GPS, even when standing still Barometer - Sensitive barometric pressure readings offer advance notice of changing weather and assists in providing accurate elevation Full-color 2.2" display - The large display shows maps, simple menus, navigation screens and other data in brilliant color SD-card compatibility - An invaluable feature enables you to use an unlimited amount of map data for topographic and marine navigation. Add detailed maps - Upload optional marine cartography, topographic maps, and more, including the highly-detailed and feature-packed National Geographic TOPO! State series and Weekend Explorer 3D maps to your OWN SD cards Built-in maps - Basemap of the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, and Canada (major highways, city centers, bodies of water and more) plus worldwide geographic boundaries 3-meter accuracy - SiRFstarIII™ chipset and integrated multidirectional antennae offer superior GPS accuracy using the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) Garmin 60CSx https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145...=310#featureTab Physical & Performance: Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 2.4" x 6.1" x 1.3" (6.1 x 15.5 x 3.3 cm) Display size, WxH: 1.5" x 2.2" (3.8 x 5.6 cm) Display resolution, WxH: 160 x 240 pixels Display type: 256 level color TFT Weight: 7.5 oz (213 g) with batteries Battery: 2 AA batteries (not included) Battery life: 18 hours, typical Waterproof: yes (IPX7) Floats: no High-sensitivity receiver: yes Interface: serial and USB RoHS version available: yes Maps & Memory: Basemap: yes Preloaded maps: no Ability to add maps: yes Built-in memory: no Accepts data cards: 64 MB microSD™ card (included) Waypoints/favorites/locations: 1000 Routes: 50 Track log: 10,000 points, 20 saved tracks Features: Automatic routing (turn by turn routing on roads): yes Electronic compass: yes Touchscreen: no Barometric altimeter: yes Geocaching-friendly: yes Outdoor GPS games: yes Hunt/fish calendar: yes Sun and moon information: yes Tide tables: no Area calculation: yes Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest): yes Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units): no Picture viewer: no he GPSMAP 60CSx adds several performance-enhancing features to the popular 60-series products, including a removable microSD™ card, high-sensitivity GPS receiver, barometric altimeter and electronic compass. Pinpoint Your Location — and Direction With the GPSMAP 60CSx, you can find your way in almost any conditions: High-sensitivity GPS receiver gives you improved satellite reception even in heavy tree cover or deep canyons Barometric altimeter provides extremely accurate elevation data Electronic compass can determine your heading and direction, even when you're standing still IPX7 waterproof case can withstand an accidental dunk in the water and still perform Large, color TFT display makes viewing the screen easy, day or night Built-in Americas autoroute basemap, including highways, exits and tide data, gives you automatic, turn-by-turn directions Add More Detail The 60CSx comes with a blank 64 megabyte (MB) microSD card, so you can store extra maps from optional MapSource® mapping software. Just connect to your computer with the USB cable, and you can load map data or transfer routes and waypoints. You can even purchase microSD cards that are preloaded with MapSource maps, which means you don't have to connect to your computer. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you never have to worry about water getting inside.
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