Geomate.jr
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Posts posted by Geomate.jr
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The no micro thing might be cool. When we are traveling we don't even bother with micros. Mainly just regulars and larges
I hear ya, I'm not a huge fan of micros myself. Two comments on this front. First, the Geomate.jr always shows the size of the cache that is selected. If it shows micro, all you need to do is press the big NEXT button and it will show you the next cache. Keep doing this until you find a cache you like!
Another comment here is that we are thinking about placing a cache list option that a user can select and load onto their Geomate.jr that has no micros at all! We're thinking about calling it the "Micro free zone" or something...
Does anyone like the sound of this at all??
Cheers
Waz
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I don't think there are many micros on the Geomate Jr. so many of those rest area caches might not be one it.
G'day
Waz here - I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr. Just thought I would jump in here and provide a bit of info. As it ships from the factory, the Geomate.jr contains about 250,000 tradition caches that have been selected using stuff like: only caches that have been in place for about 6 months (for staying power), nothing over a difficulty 3 (family friendliness) and only micros with a difficulty 1 (who would send a newbie after a difficulty 4 micro??). However, if you get access to an Update Kit, you can then load a US list that does not have the above filtering applied. So you can get all the micros, caches that have been placed up to about 24 hrs ago, etc.
I hope this helps! Anyone can email me direct at warren@apisphere.com - I'm happy to help with any questions or problems, and we always love hearing from users and anyone with any comments or suggestions! I'll also be watching these forums and will chime in when I think I can help.
Cheers
Waz
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I did see the sizes listed on the unit, but nowhere on the page that sells it, or the paperwork that comes with it, are all these limitations spelled out. I bought something being told I'd be able to locate all the caches close to me, and it hardly does that. More accurately, it will locate all the caches closest to you, that it decides to load.
I also have no desire in investing further into a device, that won't allow me to do stage 5 caches, multis, etc. I'll ante up and get a higher featured model at this point.
You bring up a good point here. Now that the Geomate.jr has been out for a little, we have a sizable list of things we could do better - including better communication about what the unit comes with etc.
If anyone has any suggestions or comments, I would love to hear them! Feel free to email me direct at warren@apisphere.com
Cheers
Waz
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We bought one. I'm still not sure exactly how I feel about it. My basic review is this: Before we even found our first cache, we had decided it was time for an upgrade.
While waiting for the product to arrive, we had been looking at local caches. We picked one at the park right up the street. We often walk our dog up there, so he can play in their leash free area. As we are walking, we turn on the unit. For some reason, it keeps pointing us to a cache .7 miles the OTHER direction. As we get closer to the park, the directions keep pointing away. I have the print out in my hands, and this cache has been there since 2005. Thanks, that's really handy.
Eventually, we finish walking the dog and head home. The crew loads up in the truck (TravelingTreo, plus 1) and we head to another interesting looking cache on the list. Also, not in the Geomate.jr. This cache is newer, from November 2009. Well, now we know the unit wasn't flashed with recent caches when it was sent to us. Luckily, I did manage to find the screen that shows us our CURRENT coordinates....well, half of them at a time. With a LOT of toggling back and forth, and a lot of walking back and forth, we finally manage to find the cache without any help from the geomate.
We will be ordering a Garmin next week.
Justin.
G'day TravelingGeoTrio
Waz here - I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr. I noticed your initial comments (and the responses) and I thought I would jump in just to clarify our thinking and what's going on.
As you know, the Geomate.jr comes preloaded with about 250,000 traditional geocache locations. This is both a great thing, and also a problem. It's great in the sense you have a ready to go, all in one solution - you can be out geocaching in no time! However, caches change and go missing. As such, we are very careful about what we preload the unit the with. The criteria we came up with goes something like this: we only include caches that have been in place for about 6 months (for some staying power), we only include difficulty 1 micros (to give the newbies a fighting chance), and only up to a difficulty 3 for everything else (for some family friendliness). We also do a quick sanity check to ensure the cache has been found relatively recently.
For someone who wants to get up and running straight out of the box, this works really well. But if you are seeking out specific caches, then the factory default list may not include the ones you are looking for. And it looks like this is what you have experienced.
Now if you get access to the Update Kit, then you can load a different version of the list that includes all of the latest and greatest traditional caches and does not have the "time since placed" etc filtering applied. You can also then view the GC code to select the cache you are after.
The focus of the Geomate.jr is really to create something that is affordable, fun, and awesomely easy to use - so you and the kids can head off down the park for a bit of geocaching fun together, or just go geocaching on a whim anywhere in the US. Personally, I love how I can be just anywhere, switch on the Geomate.jr and just go. It's even better when you throw some kids in the mix and watch them take the lead with Geomate.jrs in hand.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to convince you that this is the unit for you - far from it. We know the Geomate.jr is not the right tool for everyone. After all, isn't that why we have 857 types of lip balm to choose from??
Cheers
Waz
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Is anyone from Apisphere still monitoring this topic?
Yep!
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I'm not sure if this has been discussed here yet or not, I searched but could not find anything about it (perhaps I didn't look hard enough). Nonetheless, when you update the Geomate Jr., does it remove archived or temporarily disabled caches??
Thanks in advance!
The short answer? Yep.
The way the update works, is that every 24 hrs we recreate the lists from the geocaching.com site and make them available through the update section on www.mygeomate.com. The new list only includes active caches (no archived caches etc) at that time.
When you go to update your Geomate.jr using the One Click Update, we read the type of list you have on the device and then replace it with the latest version of that list - everything will be no older than 24 hrs (depending on exactly the time of day you updated). For example, if you have USA Eastern, it will automatically give you the latest USA Eastern list.
Now you can always change to a different list (USA Western or Europe for example) by using the Select a List option.
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Waz
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Please see comment on this thread: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...&hl=geomate
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G'day Grand Illusion Crew
My name is Warren (Waz) and I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr and would like to help! We are really keen to get to the bottom of your problem. Rather than turn these forums into a support channel, can you please email me direct at warren@apisphere.com
Once I get your email, there are a couple things I would like to try to get you up and running as well as understand what went wrong in the first place.
Cheers
Waz
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Sorry if this has been posted before.
I am getting the message:
geomate.jr DB: bad data
when updating. Anyone have any ideas?
Hi
What has probably happened is that when you tried to update it, the process was interrupted which leaves an unusable list on your device. Because the One Click Update reads the current list type you have (to give you the latest version of that list) this option will no longer work because it doesn't know what type of list you have anymore.
The fix is easy, go ahead and update your Geomate.jr again, but this time, use the "Select an Update" option.
If you still have problems, please go ahead and email me directly at warren@apisphere.com (Yep, I work for the company).
Cheers
Waz
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Hello, I need some help with my new geocaching GPS, it will not register on my computer, It says I need some sort of disc or something to fully install it. The GPS is green and kinda feels like spongy rubber, The cord connects from the GPS to the front of my computer. I know it works because it displays multiple options and such. Can someone give me some ideas of what to do?
G'day BetalJuice
My name's Waz and I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr - the GPS that you have. The cable that you have is used to update the Geomate.jr with the latest list of caches for the USA or other parts of the world. The updates work through the web site www.mygeomate.com and you need to install the Update Kit software. To install the software, simply go to www.mygeomate.com, click on the UPDATE menu item, and create an account. You will then be presented with a page where you can download the software as well as info on the installation.
If you need further help, feel free to email me direct at warren@apisphere.com
Cheers
Waz
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HI everyone!
Santa brought my 9 yo duaghter a Geomate Jr for Christmas. WE took it out today while walking the dog. All we found was a drunk! LOL! lil scary! I did update the Geomate Jr with the cable but it doesn't match what I am seeing on the GC.com website.
For example. One cache is .3 miles from our home.
The closest cache on the Geomate Jr is 1.4 miles.
whats the deal?
G'day
My name's Waz, and I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr. Another poster is right - the FACTORY list is pre-filtered (to give the initial list some staying power etc) and doesn't include all caches. However, as it looks like you have the Update Kit, go to the "Select an Update" section of the Update area - here you can select either East or West USA. Each of these list contain ALL caches up to a difficulty 4.
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Waz
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How does this sound? Should I go casual, or more formal?
Mr. HewerdineThe Geocaching Forum said that you were the one to come to with something like this, so here is the thing.
Six months ago, I bought a Geomate Jr at the REI in Ann Arbor, and it has been working wonderfully for geocaching. But after trying to fire it up over break, it simply refuses to start, even on a fresh pair of batteries. It has been dropped a couple of times, but it stayed on after the drop, and booting up was not a problem directly afterward. Also, there is no visible corrosion in the battery chamber, so it probably isn't that either.
While I'm not expecting a full refund, or anything special, what would you recommend to try and rectify the solution, either at the end user level, REI, or your company's level?
[[blanked]]
G'day Moocow1452
Warren here, and I'm more than happy to help. Please email me direct at warren@apisphere.com and we'll try to work out what is going on. If we can't, I'm more than happy to arrange an immediate replacement of your unit to get you back out there geocaching. Looking forward to your email!
Cheers
Waz
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Grandma bought our son a geomate jr. for Christmas along with the update USB cable. We have gone to the mygeomate.com website to do the updates and we keep getting an error that says internet explorer has stopped working.
We have tried many things and just can't get this update to work. Anyone else had these problems?
G'day Geo-raldo
My name's Waz. I work for the company and I'm happy to help out. My first guess is that there is some anti-virus or anti-phishing software that you are running that isn't playing very nicely with the Update Kit software. If you have something like Norton anti-virus, try disabling this (especially the anti-phishing part) before trying an update.
Cheers
Waz
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Hi,
Thanks for the replies appreciated.
I was going to buy one for my daughter for Christmas with the update kit, I was just not so sure if the update kit included the UK Geocaches or not hence asking for anyones experiences if they had managed to import one.
And do you mean the very very basic Garmin Etrex GPS unit?
Cheers
G'day Sysagent
First, just so you know, I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr. But I thought I would jump in here and answer your question. Does the Geomate.jr support caches in the UK? Absolutely. In fact, with the Update Kit, you can load caches for all of the UK and all of Europe all at once. All you have to do is select the European list and click the Update button. Here's a pic showing the coverage and what the interface looks like:
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Waz
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I have succdessfully downloaded the program, but when I go to update using the usb port I get the following message. There appears to be a problem with the web site. Then I get exited from the site. ??????? Any suggestion ?
G'day Chef8888
My name is Waz, I work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr. I saw your post and I thought I would jump in to see if I can help. Without knowing too much detail, we have seen some problems with Norton anit-virus and our update software not playing very well together. If you have Norton anitvirus or any other anit-virus or phishing software running, try disabling it before attempting an update.
Let me know how you get on. But rather then turn this forum into a direct support channel, feel free to email directly at warren@apsiphere.com
Cheers
Waz
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That was it! Thanks, Warren.
No worries!
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I'm brand new to geocaching and just got a Geomate. It seems to work quite well, except it doesn't have some of the caches in my area that I expect to be there. I used the update kit and it worked properly. I understand that premium caches won't be listed, but I don't think these are premium. For example, GCHP5X and GC1P5DD are very close to me but neither shows up in my 20 closest list. Any ideas?
G'day HeiligEQ2
My guess is that when you did an update, you went ahead and performed a One Click Update?? Try clicking on the "Select a List" you will have an option to select either East or West US. The One Click Update reads what version of list you have and then loads the latest version of that list - in this case, my guess is that you still have the default factory list (which is filtered and doesn't include all caches) and hence, not the ones you mentioned.
However, if you select either East or West, those lists include everything up to a difficulty 4. And once you have either of those, the next time you do a One Click Update, it will give you the latest version of the East or West list.
Cheers
Warren
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Hi Warren,
I have another cache that won't load with the update kit and I've updated a few times and can't seem to figure out why. It's GC20FZ7. Has a size listed, difficulty and terrain both 2.
I absolutely LOVE my Jr! Thanks for all your support and a great product!
Thanks!
OH Team
Hi OH Team
We took a look at the list and the cache you mentioned should be part of the Eastern USA list. Are you using the Eastern USA list?? If you are and the cache insists on not showing up, please email me direct at warren@apisphere.com and we'll work out what is going on. (Just trying to avoid turning the forums into a direct support channel...)
Cheers
Warren
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I purchased my Geomate a couple of months ago and I think it's a pretty cool little unit. I recently used it to find a couple of caches on an unexpected trip out of state and it worked like a charm. I prefer to have more information when caching, so I usually use my GPS and Palm...but the Geomate certainly came in handy when I hadn't loaded any area caches into my regular devices.
The only problem I've had with it is that I have been unable to mark any caches as FOUND...the feature doesn't seem to want to work on my unit. It's also a little bit of an inconvenience to keep turning it on and off again when you're travelling up the interstate with the hopes of grabbing a few quick P&G along the way, but since it was designed for kids and most kids aren't doing much interstate travel, I'm NOT complaining.
I HAVE located two caches with the Geomate that aren't on Geocaching.com so that I can log my find. What's with that?!?!
G'day GreyhoundCrazy
Hmmmm, caches that are not on geocaching.com?? I'm thinking perhaps you are accidentally reading a '1' (one) as an 'i' (or the other way around) or perhaps a '0' (zero) as an 'o' (oh).
I would also like to help you understand why you can't mark a cache as found. Rather than turn this forum into a direct support channel, can you email me direct at warren@apisphere.com? I'm sure we can work out what is going on pretty quickly.
Glad to hear you are liking the Geomate.jr!! I'm having a blast with mine!
Cheers
Warren
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Hi Warren,
I have another cache that won't load with the update kit and I've updated a few times and can't seem to figure out why. It's GC20FZ7. Has a size listed, difficulty and terrain both 2.
I absolutely LOVE my Jr! Thanks for all your support and a great product!
Thanks!
OH Team
Checking into it... Stand by!
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Hi Warren...
I just got my Geomate.jr and update kit today and of course I wanted to update it right away. I downloaded the software kit, plugged in the jr and clicked on the icon. It took me to the mygeomate home page, and I clicked on Updates. I got to the update page, but... there was a problem with the page, it crashed, I got the "send this message to Microsoft" offer, then the page tried to reload, with the same results. It got into and infinite loop of crashing and reloading, until Internet Explorer stopped it. My guess would be to uninstall and retry installing the update kit, but I thought I'd ask you also.
thank you for being so helpful!
arlene
G'day Arlene
Sorry to hear that! Rather than turn the forum into a 1 on 1 support thing, I went ahead and replied to your email that you sent me.
Cheers
Warren
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Be kind, I am a newbie!
I have a Geomate Jr so I am unable to hide a cache since it will not give me Lat. & Long.
G'day Kaylac6500
Just a really quick snippet of info. The Geomate.jr can actually show you latitude and longitude. Simply press the page button (the small one on the right) two times (or until you see the navigation info icon - an 'N' in a circle in the bottom right of your screen). Now press the NEXT button (the big one) once and you'll see the latitude, press it again and you'll see the longitude.
Cheers
Warren
(the Geomate.jr bloke)
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Got update cord today.... everything went smoothly.... the old cache I was looking for showed up after the update... but there is still one that should be showing up but it's not... GC17JQX... it's only 3 miles from my house (which is where I was when I turned on the geomate) but it's not showing up still... it's low difficulty/terrain and it's a traditional cache.. nothing special... the one right down the street, which is 3.6 miles from here, is showing up fine... it's actually showing up as the closest one to me, but the other one should be the closest... Just can't figure out why it's not showing up??? Anyone??? Warren.. could this be a glitch???
WVTombRaiders
G'day WVTombRaiders
Looks like this cache is a micro with a difficulty 1.5. In our effort to 'tune' the factory default filtering, we only include micro's with a difficulty of 1. So I'm thinking you did a straight one click update (which reads the type of list you currently have and then gives you the latest version of that list - in this case the factory default). Now, if you go ahead and do choose the 'select a list' option and then select either east or west US, you'll get everything up to a difficulty 4.
The cool thing is, once you select East or West US, the next time you do a One Click Update, it will give you the latest East or West US list.
Let me know if this works out for you!
Cheers
Warren
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I just bought one and was wondering what this update kit will do? Can I load a PQ to it? Can I load anything from Geochaching.com? Can I load multi"s, anything over a 2? I bought this for my Son and would like to use it when we go, but it would be nice to know these things.
Thanks
G'day to The Yinnie's
As Mahini pointed out, yep, the Geomate.jr comes preloaded with about 250,000 geocaches (traditionals only). Now this is a factory default list (it's prefiltered to only include caches that have been in place for about 6 months doesen't include anything over a difficulty 3). With the Update Kit, you CAN get the latest version of this with all the same filtering, but you could INSTEAD load a list for either east or west USA that doesn't have the time limit (everything up to 24 hrs) as well as anything up to a difficulty 4 (as Colonial Cats mentioned). Oh, and you can also load complete lists for other parts of the world.
As for PQ, we don't support them...yet... ;-)
Cheers
Warren
Geomate Jr. question...
in How do I...?
Posted
There are two potential solutions for this that we are working on - short term and better (longer) term. Between you and me, in the short term, we are looking at support Pocket Queries. Even though not ideal, it will allow anyone to use a list of geocaches that they have tailored for them. In the 'better' term, we are looking at.... Ummm, I've already said to much. But at least it's just between you and me ;-)
We won't have the ability to enter notes directly into the unit. Adding notes through the web site interface may be a possibility though. There I go again, saying too much... I'm not sure whether you are aware of it or not, but rather than having to write down the GC code, you can mark it as 'FOUND' by pressing and holding the small button on the right (under the smiley). Two things will happen - next time you view that cache, a smiley will be displayed so you know you've already found it, and it will also be added to the 'FOUND LIST'. You can then sit down in the comfort of your home and scroll through your found list, viewing the GC code of a found cache and the date you marked it as found.
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Waz