sarhound

We started talking about using GPSrs with our search and rescue team 2 or 3 years ago, but never really got much further with the idea. After I attended a K9 training seminar about a year ago, one of my instructors showed me how to use a unit. I was surfing one day, looking to find a more up-to-date unit for the SAR team when I discovered the Geocaching web site. I just browsed for the first year, then I got my Magellan Explorist 500 and figured out how to upload coordinates by computer. I tried a cache out at one of our K9 training areas and immediately got hooked. My initial idea was that I could use geocaching as a way to become more proficient with the units in a search and rescue situation, but now it's a personal obsession. I love the thrill of the hunt. I'm actually going to use geocaching as a way to introduce new team members to the use of GPS in the field. If you can find a micro hidden in the woods, a victim's coordinates ought to be a piece of cake (after the handler finds them... I haven't found a way to get the bloodhounds to use them yet...)

Email sent.... Looks really nice!

Will DeLorme import GPX data and put it on the map like MS Streets and Trips? I've been digging around, but I haven't found any information yet- I like having this capability.

Yes, I just did it last night for the first time. Change the name in GSAK by using %smart in the waypoint name field. Google Earth is becoming my new best friend....

Oops, I think I just figured out what I did wrong-- it helps if you import the correct file format. (Repeat to myself, "Yes, I am reasonably intelligent. I can figure it out.....eventually.)

I just discovered Google Earth, but I'm having trouble figuring out the documentation. I'm trying to see if it's possible to import selected GPX files from caches so they'd show on the satellite map; I tried an export from GSAK as GPX, which didn't show them on the satellite map but does show them on the regular Google map. Has anyone been able to get their points to show on the satellite images? oooohh, the possibilities....

The easiest way to get waypoints into the Explorist series is to get GPX files from pocket queries, which you can generate as a premium member. I usually make a query for 100 waypoints at a time (keeps things more manageable in the Explorist) and import them into GSAK. That program has an export function specifically for the Explorist series, amongst other formats. Premium membership and the registration cost of GSAK are well worth the money in time saved. Using some of the available software out there has made life much easier. The TOPO and Streets software will help you put a more detailed map in the Explorist. I use the 3D TOPO, since we do a lot of off road prowling. I used it on a trip to Austin this weekend (I haven't been down there in about 10 years,) and the map on the GPS was pretty accurate. I was impressed. I like my Explorist 500 more and more the longer that I use it. The accuracy usually puts me within 5 to 7 feet of the cache, most of the time; there are days when I might be 30 feet off, but that's not a common occurrence. Good luck and happy caching! sarhound

I can attest to the fact that MapSend and GSAK work nicely with a Magellan 500, since I was able to run a route from Dallas to Austin. I just bought MS Streets and Trips, so now I'm trying to figure out if I can work the route with it. I'm happy that I've finally figured out how to get the caches in an area to show up on S&T so I can figure out a plan of attack. Thanks to all the folks who have taken the time to explain things so clearly. I sure do appreciate it. sarhound

Explorist 500, rate it a 4. Like the SD card, the size, and the accuracy; I consistently get within 7 to 15 feet of a geocache. Like the file management system, although it can be clunky to get to a specific waypoint; I keep them in batches of 100 on my SD card, sorted into areas that I frequent. It takes me 9 clicks to get to the dadgum point, so I'll probably wear out my button a lot sooner than most folks. Screen is easily readable. Dislikes-- need a better lanyard mount. Need waypoint projection. Need to change the joystick to a regular rocker button. Absolutely hate the way the cable attaches to the unit-- it's a real pain in the a** to fumble with, especially trying to get the little screw started into the back. All in all, I'm quite happy with the unit; fixing a few of these things would make it fall into the "almost perfect" category for me. As soon as I figure out how to get custom maps on it, you'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers...

Senior K9 handler for First Response Search and Rescue, Frisco, TX... Deputyhound is the incident commander and founder of the team. He's been doing it for 20+ years; I've been in about 4 years. We're both SAR TECH II with NASAR. He is also a NASAR coordinator, and I'm becoming a NASAR evaluator. sarhound and Deputyhound "Bloodhound drool-- the original rubber cement."

We had a trap set for us by the cache owners while we were hunting a multi- I didn't recognize them, because I was too busy trying to admire the buildup of thunderheads while nonchalantly buzzing by the probable location of the 2nd stage coords (I was trying to be inconspicuous). I was trying not to look directly at the person on the phone. log entry: It was the first time my daughter had ever met another geocacher while out on the prowl. I wasn't expecting to see anyone that evening, since the town in question is small. It was a pleasant surprise, after I got over the initial start. I met two more this past weekend; we were all in the same nature preserve and had all hit up the same new cache at one point or another. I was trying to blend in with the vegetation when the second gentleman came by; he and his son actually didn't see me when they passed by the first time, even though I was basically in plain sight. I think I gave them a start when they backtracked and landed in the same vegetation, only to find me there instead. I got a chuckle out of that one.

I've never had a need to remove the SD card from my 500. I just plug in the USB and run with it; only has taken 10 or 15 seconds to push my waypoints over. Now moving maps may be a horse of a different color-- then the card reader may be the easier route. I'll find out as soon as I get some custom maps made.

POIs and geocaches have different extensions to the files, so if it's saved as a POI, it won't show in the geocache folder. If you have GSAK, you can save your waypoints in either format, then just drag them to the appropriate folder. They should show without a problem. HTH, sarhound

Need enhancements #5 and #8. Also need to be able to see my distance from a waypoint to be expressed in feet, without clicking over to where it shows "0.1 mile." I have a few caches that I'm trying to find where I know the location of the waypoints, but I have to search along an arc located at a distance of 600 feet from one waypoint and 603 feet from the second waypoint, respectively. Where these lines intersect is the location of the final cache. When I get out to 521 or more feet, the display automatically goes to 0.1 mile. I'd like to be able to see anything less than a mile able to be expressed in feet. Also need a cable and a way to communicate with a Palm Lifedrive. sarhound

I use GSAK with an Explorist 500. It's a fast transfer once you figure out the logistics. Generate a PQ, import it into a database in GSAK. Select File--Export Magellen SD format. At the top of the box, it'll let you pick either POI or geocache; either one works. Hit Generate at the bottom. Hook the unit to the computer, then start it up; it'll go into file transfer mode. I have a SD card in mine, so a screen pops up with the file structure on the card. I drag the POI file into the POI folder, (or geocache into the geocache folder, whichever one was made,) power down the unit, then disconnect. Out in the field, I hit "go to", then you have to keep picking "up one level" until you can get to the SD card. Select it, then go to the POI file you generated. Your waypoint will be hiding in it. I separate my POIs by region, about 100 at a time, so I don't have to wade thru a gazillion points looking for the one I want. File size averages about 10 KB per POI file generated by GSAK. I can dump a lot of waypoints into my Explorist in just a few minutes. It's been working just fine. Hope this helps, sarhound

Here are my partners, Miss Molly Maguire and Zander. Miss Molly has been working for a little over 3 years now, and Zander is just now hitting his stride as a trailing dog. They like to go geocaching with me when the weather permits. Zee working his first unknown stranger trail at about 9 months old. Miss Molly working a practice trail in Nocona, TX Gotta love those hounds!

Not a problem. Feel free to keep what you need--I sometimes forget how I did something, so I usually write stuff down myself. Even a small SD card will keep a bunch of files. I usually download 100 GPX points at a time and export them out; the file size averages about 10 KB apiece. I've got 5 or 6 separate areas loaded now, and I'm fixin' to put more in as I find them. Good luck, sarhound

I use an Explorist 500 and GSAK now without a problem. Take a look at this post; it describes the method I use to download waypoints. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...dpost&p=1627380 Hope this helps. sarhound

I'm using an Explorist 500 now-- it took me a few tries to get everything working properly. The easiest way that I found to get waypoints onto the Explorist is to use GSAK. Run a pocket query to get a file of GPX points that you want to use, and import that file into GSAK. You'll end up with several caches loaded into that database. Go up to the File menu, and export the database-- look down the export list until you find the Magellan SD card format. Select it. It will open a dialog box that has a dropdown menu that asks you if you want to save it as a POI or as geocache; I've used both, and they've both worked out just fine. The advantage of saving as POIs is that you will be able to delete the POI when you don't want it any longer. If it's in a geocache file, the entire file has to be deleted-- you can't individually dump or alter the waypoint. GSAK will generate a file and deposit it wherever you elected to save it. Plug your USB cable into your computer and turn the Explorist on. It will start up and go into file transfer mode. My computer throws up a screen that lists all the folders that already exist on my Explorist. Drag the file that GSAK generated into the POI folder (if you saved POIs) or the geocache folder (if you saved geocaches.) Turn off the Explorist, let it save the data, and let it shut down. Unplug from the computer, turn on the Explorist, and hit GOTO. It took me awhile to figure out that the file I uploaded was living on my SD card. When you hit GOTO, it'll ask if you want nearest to your position. I select position, then you have to keep selecting to go up one level (I think it's 3 times) until you get to the screen that asks if you want internal memory or SD card. Pick the SD card (this is all assuming that you have an SD card in the unit) then run down the list until you find the name of the file you uploaded. Select it, and all your waypoints should be there. Once you figure it out, it's a little cumbersome, but it does work well. I've got sets of waypoints for various regions, so I just select whatever region I'm going to be in at the time. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of my SD card yet. Hope this helps, sarhound

Zee's good at finding things; his next trick will be to find a victim clutching some Tupperware. He wants to know if he can log a smiley. It's kinda hard to smile on your own with all those lips.

I'm going into llama withdrawal..... sarhound

Cobbled this one from some clip art I had; the hounds are usually arguing with each other over who gets the stuffed toy, but one of them likes to degut the toys-- hence, the look of abject terror in the bear's eyes. (Much easier to see in the original artwork.)

I'd be all over it in a heartbeat. I use GSAK now with an Explorist 500. It works just fine on exporting a GPX dump into the Geocaching folder, which leaves you with one file containing up to 200 noneditable waypoints. I'd like to be able to get them into the POI file as separate entries, so they can be edited and deleted without having to mess with the entire file. I'm just now fixin' to dump out an old geocaching file to substitute a new pocket query download, subtracting out the caches that I've already found. It would just be easier to be able to delete those waypoints when I'm done with them. It may just be a Magellan thing, however, and not be fixable in third party software-- probably needs a firmware alteration. I also need to be able to dump files into a USB Palm Lifedrive without jumping thru multiple hoops. I haven't tried this feature yet with GSAK, since I just got the Palm. If a Mac-based all-in-one solution were available, I'd definitely support it. Sarhound

testing, testing...