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Ranz

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Everything posted by Ranz

  1. Test after updating my profile.
  2. Here is a government group that recognizes geocaching as a harmless hobby and is using it to promote the park. The odds of the caches being good or bad are no different than if placed by individuals. I have been to some great park sponsored caches. Check out GC4207 and GC4208. While keeping private caches out of the park is not a great thing, I can see why they would want to control it and I think their compromise works well for both sides.
  3. One the right side of the screen is a reference widow that show the location of the pointer. When you are over a POI or a road the name is displayed. Everywhere else, the coords are displayed. The user interface in this program could have been done better. They tried to break the mold when the made it and in this case probably should have left well enough alone, but the program works well when you learn it and I have been very happy with it.
  4. One the right side of the screen is a reference widow that show the location of the pointer. When you are over a POI or a road the name is displayed. Everywhere else, the coords are displayed. The user interface in this program could have been done better. They tried to break the mold when the made it and in this case probably should have left well enough alone, but the program works well when you learn it and I have been very happy with it.
  5. quote:Originally posted by mikedx: Then what's with the Magellan offering an accessory (or is this what you mean by re-radiating): Power/Data Cable w/Bare Wires - 300 Series Power provided to your GPS receiver from an external 9-16 VDC source. Allows the GPS receiver to be connected to a differential beacon receiver or other types of NMEA devices. Comes with detailed instructions. http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/product.asp?PRODID=139 The differential beacon receiver is a device that receives a different set of ground based signals. You can use a GPS's NMEA output to feed data to a processor to combine the two signals and improve accuracy. The beacons are mostly in coastal areas for marine navigation. The reception of the GPS unit itself is not effected.
  6. The MAG-315 does not have an external antenna connection. You would have to use a re-radiating, which requires another external power supply. I would be kind of bulky in the field. The 315 has a very good antenna as it is. If tree cover is an issue then any external would have to break out from to trees to be effective. I think you are better off moving to a clearer spot for a reference. Works for me. Happy Caching;
  7. Ranz

    waypoint

    The GC code is the assigned designation for a cache. It is 'GC' followed by the number assigned to the cache when it was approved. The number is in Hexidecimal to keep the character count within the range of most GPS's. When you use EasyGPS to download the coords, it uses this as the waypoint name. It is the best way to tie the cache to the right cache page on Geocaching.com. When you find a cache and go to post your find, it is much easier to pop the GC code into the seek page to bring up the cache than to page through the listings. I hope this helps.
  8. I have a MeriGold and MapSend software. A coworker and fellow Geocacher owns MapSource. We have analyzed the maps in our area and have found things wrong in MapSend that MapSource had correct, and things wrong in MapSource that MapSend had correct. Some things neither had correct. Depending on how anal we got, we could come up with several small (minor) inaccuracies in both programs and could not say that either was better. By the time we decided it was a stupid argument, we had found an equal amount of errors. Leatherman is right. Things change too often for any program of this type to be completely accurate. Inaccuracies aside, MapSend has done a good job for me, and MapSource has done well for my coworker. Pick your GPS based on the features you want and use the mapping software designed for it to enter detailed maps. Then, use one of the other excellent programs for better mapping, such as ExpertGPS, Delorme, or NG TOPO. There are always ways to get you where you are going. Just be happy with what you are holding in your hand along the journey. (I mean GPS of course) [This message was edited by Ranz on June 16, 2002 at 09:55 AM.]
  9. I have a MeriGold and MapSend software. A coworker and fellow Geocacher owns MapSource. We have analyzed the maps in our area and have found things wrong in MapSend that MapSource had correct, and things wrong in MapSource that MapSend had correct. Some things neither had correct. Depending on how anal we got, we could come up with several small (minor) inaccuracies in both programs and could not say that either was better. By the time we decided it was a stupid argument, we had found an equal amount of errors. Leatherman is right. Things change too often for any program of this type to be completely accurate. Inaccuracies aside, MapSend has done a good job for me, and MapSource has done well for my coworker. Pick your GPS based on the features you want and use the mapping software designed for it to enter detailed maps. Then, use one of the other excellent programs for better mapping, such as ExpertGPS, Delorme, or NG TOPO. There are always ways to get you where you are going. Just be happy with what you are holding in your hand along the journey. (I mean GPS of course) [This message was edited by Ranz on June 16, 2002 at 09:55 AM.]
  10. But the real time update works fine. You can't load maps into the 315 at all. It doesn't support maps. Even the Mapping GPSs (Magellan and Garmin) will only take maps from the manufacturer of the units. Delorme TOPO will upload/download waypoints, tracks, and routes to all of the Magellans I have tried. 315, 330, MeriGold, and Sportrak. I can't speak for the garmins but the list extensive and it looks like it will support most or all of them as well.
  11. On the old Magellan GPS-315 the auto-averaging was a problem. You had to start moving about two miles per hour to get it to stop. Magellan came up with a firmware update that solved the problem on the 315 and added some better features to boot. The Meridians, Sportraks, and now the 315 all kick out of auto-averaging almost with a shift of the foot. It is very useful to help pinpoint your location when hiding a cache, and to help lock in to one you are trying to find. With the way Magellan has designed it now, It is only there when you want or need it. It stays out of the way when you don't. I love the feature and I'm sure you will too. At least I know it won't get in your way. Happy Caching;
  12. From what I have read, I believe the Green is the basic model for North America. The Yellow is the basic model for Europe.
  13. If it's Delorme' 2.1 is what it's looking for. Also, understand that NEMA output is only if you want to track your position on your computer. Uploading/downloading waypoints, routes, and tracks is usually done without NEMA turned on.
  14. But I have to warn you... The extra memory in the gold simply holds a more detailed basemap. You can't utilize the built in memory for other things. If you are getting an SD card and Mapsend software, the MeriGreen will do just a well as the gold for less money. As with all things, the Meridians aren't perfect. There are some minor problems, like the power button being too exposed but I am very happy with mine. If cost is not a limiting factor, the MeriPlat has a built in compass and barometer. I prefer a manual compass but I understand that the Platinum's compass works very well.
  15. No Geocacher is stupid. Just different levels of newbie. In this case, having found one cache, your gps is probably set correctly. Just to be sure, check your Datum and verify that it is WGS84. Even if everything is right there is plenty of room for error. Remember, the person who placed the cache did it earlier and different satellites were in view. That can effect the reading somewhat. Next, best case, you can only be sure that you are within roughly 60' when you get to the posted coords. Accuracy is traditionally 30' and adding the placer's possible error your only going to get to the general area. The rest is hunting skills. Don't let it bother you, and don't take the GPS reading as gospel. When the GPS says you're where you should be, look around and ask yourself where you would have hidden a cache. Fan out in wider and wider cicles if you have to. Even then, sometimes you may come up empty. The cache may have been taken or very well hidden. You are not going to find them all. Most of the fun is in trying. Welcome aboard and keep plugging..
  16. Sometimes I walk right to it. Sometimes it takes an hour. I won't leave until I have either found it, convinced myself that it's missing, or HAVE to be somewhere else. Even then I'll come back until one of the other two criteria are met. There really is no average time.
  17. Not to mention that you have to go through Colorado to get here. Can't call them a Plain state either. Anyway, that's where my vote landed.
  18. I use ExpertGPS quite a bit and it works great on my Meridian Gold. I also use a GPS315 and two Garmin units (Emap and Vista) with no troubles. There are no compatibilty issues with my MeriGold that I have found. In fact, the only problem (not really a problem) is that the waypoint icon for the airplane looked a little goofy to me. Topografix said he would even look at that minor detail. They have been very responsive and I can't say enough good about the program
  19. I use ExpertGPS quite a bit and it works great on my Meridian Gold. I also use a GPS315 and two Garmin units (Emap and Vista) with no troubles. There are no compatibilty issues with my MeriGold that I have found. In fact, the only problem (not really a problem) is that the waypoint icon for the airplane looked a little goofy to me. Topografix said he would even look at that minor detail. They have been very responsive and I can't say enough good about the program
  20. The GPS has to have NEMA output set on to track on a computer. It's a mode that is constantly broadcasting it's position. I don't know how to activate it on a Garmin but I know it's there and it is necessary for real time tracking. Check out your menus.
  21. You are probably accessing the internet through a proxy server. ExpertGPS and USAPhotomaps do not support access by proxy. You can verify it by going to your explorer setup connection tab and see if the "use proxy server" button is checked. If that is the case there is not much you can do about it without changing your whole configuration.
  22. You are probably accessing the internet through a proxy server. ExpertGPS and USAPhotomaps do not support access by proxy. You can verify it by going to your explorer setup connection tab and see if the "use proxy server" button is checked. If that is the case there is not much you can do about it without changing your whole configuration.
  23. If backroads are what you are looking for, your best bet is Mapsend TOPO. I has all the street detail of MapSend Streets but more detail in the undeveloped area. You give up many of the POIs but it sounds like you are not very interested in them anyway. That is a nice little unit. I hope you have fun with it. Good Luck;
  24. quote:Originally posted by Stellartrinity: how do you find one with a Ac/Dc? I've looked but only see one from garmin. Or, is it the cable with bare wire, and you have to hook it to a transformer. If so, how many volts does it need? Thanks Lauren PS. Thank you!!! to the one who tipped me about the $20 rebate Your local Radio Shack sells an adaptor for around $10 that plugs into the wall and has a cigarette lighter socket for pluging in mobile devices. I use the standard power cord/data cable and plug it into this adaptor just like I do in the car.
  25. quote:Originally posted by Stellartrinity: how do you find one with a Ac/Dc? I've looked but only see one from garmin. Or, is it the cable with bare wire, and you have to hook it to a transformer. If so, how many volts does it need? Thanks Lauren PS. Thank you!!! to the one who tipped me about the $20 rebate Your local Radio Shack sells an adaptor for around $10 that plugs into the wall and has a cigarette lighter socket for pluging in mobile devices. I use the standard power cord/data cable and plug it into this adaptor just like I do in the car.
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