Birders

We used the Bluetooth-PDA combination for the first time today and it worked quite well - whilst we were "in the field" Bren wore the tiny Bluetooth GPS in his hat! Thanks to the Jones's we found out how to get distance and direction info on Memory Map, for which many thanks (we've only been using MM for about 10 years but never tried that bit b4!). The distance to go info seemed pretty good, going down to a few feet - which is better than our ancient GPS12. However, the arrow danced around all the time, spinning back and forth and never settling for more than a few seconds. Most bizarre! Thanks for all the help Bren and Ruth

<<I use memory map for the pointer and distance info >> Guess that must be on the latest version of MM - not sure we can do that on ours. Very many thanks everyone..... will check out the links later as we have to whizz out now. Bren and Ruth

Sometime ago we met some cachers who were using a small Bluetooth GPS linked to their IPAQ PDA, using Memory Map. Also on their PDA was a small programme which provided a compass rose with a pointer to the cache plus distance and altitude info. Although they promised to send us details we heard no more. Does anyone know which programme this might have been, please? We've tried searching the forums but the terms "PDA" and "GPS" have too few letters for the search routine (how daft!) Many thanks

So far as we are aware, the MM 1:25k maps are not available for the whole of the UK but just for selected areas. We believe it is possible with some versions of MM to scan in your own maps, but we do not have the right version so don't know how it works.

<<I don't mean finding stupid little film containers>> It's whatever one enjoys that matters. We love micros.. but we hate dogs! Takes all sorts!! We have used Landranger maps (Memory Map) on our PDA since we started caching and have no problems. We don't know about the accuracy of 1:50k maps being only 100m but that has never proved a problem with us and we reckon we can get considerably closer than 100m to any cache just using those maps. We use Memory Map to get us to the nearest parking spot and then use our GPS for the walking bit..

Good luck b0rg.. We have been to NZ a good few times and you'll probably think, like us, that you've died and gone to Heaven. The ice cream is somethning else and the Kiwis are fairly civilised too!!! We were there just over a year ago and did loads of caches. We bought Memory Map for North and South Island and used that on our PDA with our GPS and it was really excellent. We envy you...

Wadders.. Why on earth do you let all the garbage on here get to you. It means nothing to us and we rarely post anything. Nothing which has ever appeared on here, or elsewhere, has ever influenced our caching or reduced our enjoyment of the hobby. We've been busier than ever this, our fourth year in the hobby. You wrote: "A big brother that weilds the stick more and more with each passing week, stirs up the honeypot then runs away and does not answer when you ask why!" We don't have even the vaguest clue what you are talking about!!! Get on with your caching; the boxes are still out there.

Yep - and you mark our words...... there'll be a crop circle in your garden soon, or we'll eat our GPS12 (that's as long as there's a Q in the month)

<<To be fair, in the past i have had good service from them and have recieved replacement units when others have gone wrong..............perhaps their having an "Off month >> So you're telling us that you have experienced the legendary service more than once, but now you are whingeing about them?? There's simply no pleasing some people. Next time your 12-year old TV packs up try getting it replaced free of charge from one of the high street electrical shops.....

There are countless examples of Garmin's truly superb service and we wouldn't consider ever buying another make of GPS. Last time we had a problem we were quoted a fairly high charge.... but we left our GPS with them and a couple of days later a brand new replacement arrived by courier - no charge. I think they are bound to quote a charge but there are many people who have received replacement items free of charge. We have had two GPS receivers replaced - our last one was 12 years old and well outside the warranty and the small problem with it did not prevent it working. Nevertheless, Garmin came up trumps. Yeah - who needs Garmin anyway??

We really enjoy the tiny nano caches a great deal. They're usually harder to find than 35mm film containers and people find the most fiendish places to put them!

Those who need to reduce travel will do so; those who don't, won't! It's an individual choice.

<<So IMHO not a waste of space at all but a useful way of seeing caces on the ground in areas I'm visiting.>> OK, but it doesn't do that and cache locations can be some way inaccurate - like the wrong side of a river or major road. We use Memory Map to check on caches before we head out and that is pretty accurate. Lord only knows why GC don't approve of Google Earth as it would be a very useful facility.... if it worked.

<<So IMHO not a waste of space at all but a useful way of seeing caces on the ground in areas I'm visiting.>> OK, but it doesn't do that and cache locations can be some way inaccurate - like the wrong side of a river or major road. We use Memory Map to check on caches before we head out and that is pretty accurate. Lord only knows why GC don't approve of Google Earth as it would be a very useful facility.... if it worked.

The problem we were experiencing - cache pages not decoding properly when accessed via Memory Map - now seems to have been fixed. Grateful thanks to those involved..

Yes, but the basic system is still a waste of space. Find a cache and then zoom in. After a short while the ICON will move to another position. Just checked with our local caches and they all end up in the wrong locations. It's always been like that unfortunately

<<We hope to have this fixed asap. >> Just bumping this up.... nothing seems to be happening...

<<As mentioned in this quote, we are aware of the issues and are still working on the solutions.>> May we ask if there is any progress to report, please? Thank you.

We have always tried to put a few lines into logs, but some log books are so tiny it's not easy! We think there is a definite increase in the numbers of cachers who simply scribble "T4TC", or rubber stamp log books which leads us to seriously wonder if they're mainly there for the ego trip of a huge score rather than taking time to write logs and do swaps. Lastly, we also try to take pictures of any TB passing through our hands... but many TBs now have no pics - not even a "starter" pic from their owner! Shame on them.

We think you're right, Roger. Shame that someone's TB has gone missing but as we live close to where it might have been found we thought we'd try to help retrieve it.

Soapywrapper has had a TB for a very long time. Does anyone have any contact info pse??

<<Every cache we have found we have found together - and I get a kiss every time. It's a very romantic hobby really.>> That's what we love to hear.... we're just the same. And if there's a kissing gate to go through to reach a cache so much the better - we always check to ensure that they are in full working order!!!

Good God. We can't believe the unimaginable selfishness of this topic..... Geocaching is a GAME. Please don't forget that....... Some of our caches took minutes to be published, others took days. So what?? It's not the end of the world...

We didn't even know 2 had left so it can't be that earth-shattering...

I think we all know why it is happening.... questions is: will it be fixed?