joyinthelitterbox

I lost my garmin when I moved a few years ago and used my phone to get coordinates when hiding 2 new caches in my area. Log notes indicate the coords were off by 70-80 feet on both and some kind souls updated them. I used the coords on my phone. Is there an app or a better way to get an accurate reading? I am teaching a class on geocahing this week at a local college and want to make sure my students (as well as myself) know how to get as accurate a reading as possible. Thanks

Thanks to all of you. Talked to Garmin today and got it all figured out. Garmin's new stuff doesn't include older operating systems so I've learned I need to pay close attention to that. My Mac is only 2 yrs old Also found out that the VistaHCx doesn't read 4GB SD cards unless its internal software is updated. I thought I tried to do that on Garmin's site, but learned I needed to download WebUpdater from their site to get the proper operating system updates for my device. Now that I'm updated or uploaded the right compatible stuff, I'm good to go. Technology moves faster than most systems can keep up

I just got off the phone w/ Garmin tech support re: Basecamp and Map Install and SD cards. Here's what I learned (I'm a Mac user) Mapsource is what Garmin used to use for the GPS unit to talk to the computer. It is not Mac compatable. Basecamp is the new interface between the device and the computer. You can look at stuff from your device on your computer using Basecamp which is Mac and PC compatable. Map Install is how you get the map images onto your device. I found the problem I was having was that my Vista HCx didn't have the latest internal software. That meant it couldn't read the 4 gig SD card I put in. To update the device, you have to download WebUpdater from Garmin's website. Then attach and turn on your device to get the updates. Once I did that, Map Installer went to work and is putting the maps onto my device. You have to click, drag/select the area you want installed. Depending on your map software, the base map that pulls up shows your software as a shaded area. The Garmin tech told me that some of the best tutorials for using devices and software are on YouTube. There are Garmin made tutorial and he said user videos are actually some of the best. When I called Garmin, I was told the wait time was 20 minutes, but someone picked up in under 10 and was very patient and thorough. And in Kansas. It was a lot of info and updates to muddle through, but the REI folk tell me the mapping software is excellent and I can't wait to play with it on my device. Also - Map Manager is not applicable to the topo software. there is nothing to unlock at Garmin.com so he told me to ignore that program. It's for some of the city softwares that are more travel oriented.

What OS does this work for? I may wait until tomorrow to tackle that task. The REI guy told me the software is well worth it once I get through this techno hurdle.

I know I'm probably talking to myself here, but in case someone else runs into the issue and has a Mac that is more than 2 year old... If you have OS X 10.4 or lower use this link http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=4939 the newest BaseCamp is for the newer Mac OS systems. I think it has less features than the updated Beta version that came with my software, but at least it works. Now to figure out how to use it all and get the topos loaded onto my Garmin w/ the map installer.

The download didn't work. Requires Mac OS X 10.5 and I have 10.4. I'm gonna have to call Garmin.

Thanks Mom-n-Andy. The links from the DVD didn't lead there. I'm not the most tech person on the planet:)

I'm having a difficult time figuring out how to load the software onto my Mac and my device. I have the expansion SD card and all, but even for a Mac, this is really hard to figure out, especially BaseCamp. I think I need that to work so I can work with the software? Garmin's site and customer service isn't easily accessable either.

I found my first book cache yesterday in Colorado. There were three books (themed), some CDs and a kid's DVD. I didn't have a book so I traded trackable geocoins. I do hope to revisit the cache and do a book exchange. What an awesome idea, my hubby was even impressed. Books were in an ammo can and in very good condition.

I hope this doesn't mean you treat the world as your litterbox as that is a bit... disturbing Interesting handle. No worries. I love the convienience of modern plumbing.

People tell me my caching name is quite weird. No one else has it! Joy in the Litterbox is also the name of my blog. First off, I love cats. Next, I'm a writer. My middle name is Joy. While trying to come up with a memorable name for my blog (and doing the icky deed of cat clean up) I was stuck by an analogy. Life was rotting for me at the moment, but somehow I found ways to twist the trials and laugh. I saw The World as a litterbox. Turds are inevitable. But do we have to be down about them all the time? Part of my "branding" as a writer is to infuse humor in tough life situations. Hence, Joy in the Litterbox. You can find joy among life's turds. Sick I know, but it works well. People remember my blog and I have a huge reader base. It's also a general enough ID because I write contemporary young adult fiction as well as being a Outdoor Recreation journalist for Examiner.com. My JITLB "philosophy" applies across the board.

I have a three year old and he likes those little toy bugs, rubber snakes, match box cars and small stuffed animals that are in good condition. There's someone in Denver who makes beautiful bead bracelets - not the cheap kind, but with natural stone. I so badly wanted one, but my wrists are way too big. I've found a few and had to leave them behind for someone more "dainty" than I.

Quite an interesting topic. From reading them all, I'm forming a conclusion that each cache site is unique. Some do need some stealth planning in an obvious way (going at night or wearing bright orange construction gear), others are best approached boldly with confidence. Some cachers need to abandon the hunt if they feel uncomfortable. Many of you make a good point: muggles will notice suspicious, sneaky behavior more than an "I know what I'm doing." However, I'm loving the creativity here. Anyone ever do a skirt lifter in a gorilla suit? Just curious.

I've been a colorguard coach for the past eight years, ready to begin my 9th season but with a new school. I'm a judge with the Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association which is under the WGI umbrella (World Guard International) which has associations with DCI - so I live in that world, am consumed by that world and LOVE it! I know a bunch of DCI caption heads and judges too. And I LOVE geocaching.

If I spend a good deal of time searching, I'll log a DNF with a "but I'll be back!" clause at the end. I think COs like to know their hides stump some of us greener folk.

I love the hazmat suit idea. "Just got a call from the department of homeland security about a substance..." Most of all, however, I'm probably gonna ignore the more urban hides. There are so many hides on hiking trails and mountain vistas here... and rattlesnakes.

That is one cool webpage - especially for those of us who are still quite new. I've found a lot of "typical" caches and am wracking up the DNF's with the trickier ones. This site pushes cachers to think out side the ammo box.

I'm not a huge fan of "urban caching". I prefer the woods and out of the way places, but living in Denver there are so many urban/suburban caches that don't require long drives into the mountains... I will need to get more choosy and ignore transformer boxes and strip malls

IMHO if you can get hurt doing it... it's a sport

Recently I had to abandon some searches b/c the caches were in high-muggle areas. One in the corner of a parking lot. People stood outside the restraunt and stared at me as I poked in the bushes. Another was on a wooden fence near the loading dock of a retail store. Muggles everywhere. Just approaching the fence earned me suspicious glances. Then there's the ones in parking lots under those light pole skirts. I fear someone will call the police! How do you pull of caching w/o landing in the slammer? Especially when a cache is a challenging one requiring a LOT of poking and examination of an area?