HeliGeek

I too like the TB suggestion. If it were me, I'd get a piece of foam-core sign board about three feet long and cut it out in the shape of a dog tag. Paint it up with a TB logo and number and then make a chain for it out of silver painted rope running through the centers of a whole bunch of silver painted styrofoam balls. At that point, you could dress however you like and just drag the giant dog tag around with you.

What you're experiencing is called Cross-Polarization Loss. For maximum transfer of RF energy between two antennas, both should be parallel to each other. Radio waves leave the transmitting antenna and stay aligned in the same direction as that antenna. If the receiving antenna is perpendicular to the transmitting antenna, there is less surface area exposed to the RF wave and therefore, it doesn't receive as well. This means you have less range. That said, at the short range these GPSrs are designed to operate, you shouldn't even notice a cross-polarization effect at all. As for the GPSrs needing to be separated, think of it this way: Given the inability to decrease volume, If you're listening to music, how distorted would the sound be if your ear were right up against the speaker grill? Radio receivers (especially ones transmitting digital data which is prone to data errors) have to be sensitive enough that they can detect radio signals from a distance. Such sensitivity makes them REALLY dislike being right next to the transmitter and they work much better if there's a bit of separation between them. BTW, in addition to being a (noob) geocacher, I'm also a Ham Radio operator and an RC Helicopter pilot

Got an iPhone, had a Legend, now have an Oregon. Here's how they stacked up for me: Legend Pros: Compact Nice display (for a black and white) Holds 500 waypoints Easy to use for Geocaching Accurate Legend Cons: Serial interface (Ok for Windows, sux for Mac) Manual entry of waypoints (editing names etc) is a pain Oregon 300 Pros: Compact Accurate Color Touchscreen interface Holds 2000+ waypoints Internal Micro SD card up to 4GB+ Can do on-road routing with City Nav maps Supports Wherigo Built-in compass Geocaching mode displays cache info and logs Search caches by name or code or nearest wireless data exchange between like units USB interface allows direct copying of GPX files Oregon 300 Cons: More expensive than Legend (got mine for 350) Screen is harder to read in bright sunlight I've tried using just the GPS in the iPhone, but for any serious geocaching work, it's not really suitable. It's also way too fragile for piece of field equipment IMO. As far as using the iPhone to hold cache info, sure, it can be done, but I find that the least number of gadgets I have to fiddle with in the field, the better. I did a lot of research and decided to move my other GPSrs out and go for the Oregon 300. I've only had the opportunity to use the Oregon few times, but I'm very happy with it so far.

We just purchased a Geomate Jr. for our 9 year old, and it's working great. However, I've found an issue. First, let me explain my setup, since this is a specific and obscure issue and most of you aren't likely to experience it. I'm using a MacBook for all my Geocaching stuff. Unfortunately, I'm also using GSAK, which doesn't run natively under Mac OS. Therefore, i'm using Parallels and running GSAK on a Windows XP virtual machine under Parallels. Prior to receipt of the Geomate, I had my Oregon 300 setu and running perfectly under this setup. I was able to plug the Garmin into the USB port, Parallels would pop up and ask if I wanted to connect the USB device to the virtual machine. I'd tell it to do so and life was good. The Windows VM saw the Oregon and I could export directly to it from GSAK. Last night I got the Geomate, and the Update Kit, and since the Mac software isn't ready yet, I fired up Parallels on my Mac and installed the software on the virtual machine. Everything went off without a hitch and the Geomate updated perfectly. I then wanted to do some stuff with my Oregon, and plugged it in. Again, Parallels asked me what I wanted to connect the USB device to, and I told it to connect to the virtual machine. As soon as it did, the MacBook kernel panicked and crashed. I can easily repeat this. Simply run parallels, connect the Garmin, tell it to connect to the VM and POOF! There goes the Mac. If I connect it to the Mac only, it works fine with all the Mac based Garmin software, but not the VM. If I connect it to the Mac, run Parallels, but connect the USB device to the Mac instead of the VM, it works, but then I have to change the way I export files. I have to tell GSAK to export to the Device as it shows in My Computer as an external drive. The Geomate Update kit doesn't exhibit this issue. It doesn't crash the computer when connected to the VM. I've even tried system restore in the Windows VM, but that hasn't helped. Apparently, something in the driver changed something in the USB drivers of the VM on a fundamental level and it's causing kernel panics when sharing this device. I can re-install the VM but that's going to be a huge pain in the butt. Anyone else seeing this? Thoughts from Warren? When's the Mac version coming out?

There's a program called MacCaching that is supposed to be very good for managing and manipulating cache data. It's available for download at http://maccaching.com I've tried it but I've run into difficulty getting it to work with OS 10.6 Snow Leopard. It looks like a really good Mac alternative to GSAK if I could get it working properly. Try it out, you might have better luck with it. EDIT: I take that back... I just applied the OS 10.6.1 patch to Snow Leopard and reinstalled Mac Caching and it looks like it's working now. Have to test it out with my new Oregon 300 when it arrives later today!!! Thanks for that, I'll check it out Having tried that software it doesn't work, and the Oregon 300 isn't listed in its compatible devices list. MacCaching only appears to see the waypoints in the 300's waypoint folder, whereas caches uploaded from geocaching.com are uploaded in the geocache folder. It seems it's back to using the Mac's finder for the moment unless anyone knows of anything else. Cheers Sorry about the runaround. Having just received my new Oregon 300, I've played around with MacCaching and though I've gotten it to work as far as successfully reading GPX and LOC data, it doesn't seem to want to upload any data to the device. It's pretty frustrating. I've decided to change the way I do things. To that end, I've got Parallels installed on my MacBook with a VM of Windows XP. I've registered GSAK and since doing so I have had absolutely no trouble getting waypoints and cache information to sync now. It's kind of a pain to have to run the extra software, not to mention a bit more expense, but in the end I think this will be the best solution. Until the Mac developers come up with a program as flexible as GSAK and actually support it, I suppose that's what we Mac owners will have to do. The bonus is that GSAK supports network-based database configurations, so for those legacy devices I have that plain just don't work well with a Mac (older serial-based stuff) I can install GSAK on one of my windows boxen and connect them all to one database, stored on my file server. (doesn't everybody have 7 computers and a file server at their house?)

To clarify, with the new Oregon 300 (can't comment on the 60Csx as I don't have one), the Garmin Mac software works very well. I prefer to use GSAK though, because I prefer the versatility it offers from the cache information management standpoint. It's a shame that the authors aren't ever going to make a Mac port of GSAK. I'd gladly pay four times as much for it. I'm just sayin'

I've been trying desperately to switch my geocaching stuff over to all Mac. I was initially having problems getting a serial adapter to work with my older units, but I've since replaced them with a USB-compatible GPSr (Garmin Oregon 300) and the device issues have gone. Unfortunately, Mac Caching, while a really nice program, doesn't let me do what I want as far as paperless caching goes. I really prefer to use GSAK. I've since gotten a copy of Parallels for Mac, and I've loaded a VM of Windows XP in it that I use for all my stuff that doesn't support Mac directly. With this setup, I'm able to run GSAK, connect my GPSr and away I go! Not the cheapest solution (Parallels ~ $40 and XP ~$99 new) but much less expensive than buying a second laptop just for geocaching. In fact, the XP license I used came from an old PC I converted to Linux, so I didn't even need to buy it. Using this setup, I could have even kept the older GPSrs, but the Oregon does paperless nicely.

Yes, I still have all three items. As a bonus, if anyone buys any two (or all three) I will ship for free anywhere in the U.S. The eTrex Legend has been SOLD! The GPSMap 76 and the Palm are still up for grabs. Again, if anyone should want to buy both, I will ship for free to the U.S. Okay, the GPSMap 76 has also been SOLD Still have the Tungsten C available. Price reduced to $60 plus shipping on this! Tungsten C PDA SOLD!

There's a program called MacCaching that is supposed to be very good for managing and manipulating cache data. It's available for download at http://maccaching.com I've tried it but I've run into difficulty getting it to work with OS 10.6 Snow Leopard. It looks like a really good Mac alternative to GSAK if I could get it working properly. Try it out, you might have better luck with it. EDIT: I take that back... I just applied the OS 10.6.1 patch to Snow Leopard and reinstalled Mac Caching and it looks like it's working now. Have to test it out with my new Oregon 300 when it arrives later today!!!

Yes, I still have all three items. As a bonus, if anyone buys any two (or all three) I will ship for free anywhere in the U.S. The eTrex Legend has been SOLD! The GPSMap 76 and the Palm are still up for grabs. Again, if anyone should want to buy both, I will ship for free to the U.S. Okay, the GPSMap 76 has also been SOLD Still have the Tungsten C available. Price reduced to $60 plus shipping on this!

Yes, I still have all three items. As a bonus, if anyone buys any two (or all three) I will ship for free anywhere in the U.S. The eTrex Legend has been SOLD! The GPSMap 76 and the Palm are still up for grabs. Again, if anyone should want to buy both, I will ship for free to the U.S.

Yes, I still have all three items. As a bonus, if anyone buys any two (or all three) I will ship for free anywhere in the U.S.

Pics sent!

Hi everyone, I'm trying to raise money to buy myself a new Oregon 300 GPS and I've decided to try and sell my two current receivers and whatever else I can scrounge to help pay for it. Thus I offer the following for sale: 1 Garmin eTrex Legend GPS receiver. Works beautifully, very lightly used and in like new condition. Never even been out on a humid day! It includes the Serial data cable and the Garmin carrying case. Asking $60 1 Garmin GPSMap 76 receiver. Also works beautifully and is in like new condition. This GPS includes the Garmin swivelling auto-mount base and the car power adapter. The base is in good condition but the adhesive turned itself into a chewing gum-like mass of goo when I pulled it off of my Jeep's dash in the hot sun, so you'll have to get a replacement adhesive disc for the base. These are about 3 bucks. I'm asking $80 for this unit and its accessories. I've also got a barely-used Palm Tungsten C PDA for sale. It's got built-in 802.11 WiFi, a very easy to type on keyboard, and an SD card slot in it for storing data. It includes the charging / data syncing cradle, the original stylus and the cover. I've never used it for geocaching (actually I've hardly ever used it for anything at all) but I understand that it can be a great tool for paperless caching and storing data about caches. HotSync software can be downloaded from Palm's website. You're better off doing it this way anyway, because you'll get the latest version that way. I'm asking $80 for the PDA I realize I'm very new to this board, but I do have a 100% feedback rating on eBay if that matters to anyone. Pictures are available on request. If anyone's interested in any of these items, please let me know. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have. Either PM me here or drop an email to heligeek@heligeek.com Prices listed do not include shipping. I don't gouge on shipping so your location will determine your actual shipping cost. I ship via USPS priority mail and these are not very large items. Thanks a lot for looking! Jeff

Hm... After digging further into this, it appears that the display calibration of the maps is off on this site. The coordinates shown point to my driveway if the zoom level is at 100 ft. As you zoom out however, the coordinates are less and less accurate. At the 1 mile level, the coords are off by about a mile. Using Google Maps for this, I'm not sure if its something that Groundspeak can even fix, but when I go to Google Maps and Google Earth these coordinates point to my house and stay there no matter what zoom level I'm at. Very strange.

Is there a reason for this? I would think that having the Home Coordinates point to your home would be the whole purpose... It's not really useful for finding the nearest cache if it's looking from the wrong starting point. Actually, I read the wrong scale. it's more like a little over a mile off. I've tried it in Safari and Firefox on my Mac, IE8 on Windows 7, IE7 on Vista, and IE6 and Firefox on XP. None of these browsers let me move the location pointer, and all of them exhibit the same coordinate-changing behavior. I'm not sure how the system initially calculates the home location coordinates. I'm guessing that it would do so by an address lookup, but in Google maps and Google Earth, my address is dead nuts accurate. Weird This is very true. Nobody would ever find anything...

Hi all, The coordinates listed for my Home Location are not accurate. When I go to change them, I get the map but the pointer is not draggable, and if I enter the correct coords into the search field, when I click search, it changes the text I entered to something different. This is getting kinda aggravating. Can anyone help? I'm about a half mile off.