Geomate.jr
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Posts posted by Geomate.jr
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G'day ThomasFamily102
I'm more than happy to answer your questions:
1.it does not list cache names?
The Geomate.jr doesn't display the name of the cache, but it does display the ID or GC code of the cache. So if you are looking for a particular cache or check which cache you are going to, then you can simply scroll through or check the GC code.
2.how accurate have people found it to be?
Our goal with the Geomate.jr was to make something affordable, but we definately have not skimped on the GPS performance. We actually use the same GPS engine (SiRFstarIII) as many of the top end GPS units use. There have also been a lot of posting within these forums confirming the accuracy of the Geomate.jr. Like this one "Basically it has performed way above my expectations for it. The accuracy of this little unit is very impressive!"
3.with the update kit,you run the update whenever you want,to get the latest caches?
Yep, and we refresh the updates every 24hrs. There are no additional service or subscription fees and no limit on how often you update your Geomate.jr.
4. are there any further things that will be added that you can talk about?
Hmmmm, not really. There is a bunch of cool stuff in the works though!
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Warren
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Warren
Before heading out this weekend, I went to run the update to pick up the newest firmware and the current database. When everything was set-up and I went to update, I had about 15 minutes worth of attempts that always ended in "Flash Programming Failed." Suddenly, one attempt caught and I got the update. After the update, I wanted to try and change databases (from All to East USA) and got stuck back in the Flash Programming Failed rut.
Are there settings or changes we can make to help ease the update process or is there another approach you can recommend?
thanks
Hi
Ah, yes, the "Flash Programming Failed" message. Yep, we found a little problem on some computers (well, more the USB hardware configuration) that causes problems with the database update. Good news though! This is fixed. Please uninstall the existing Update Kit Software, go back to the web site, download the software again and install this version. You should be good to go after that.
Please go ahead and email me direct at warren@apisphere.com if I can be of any further assistance.
Cheers
Warren
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I updated the caches on my GeoMate.jr today and noticed that the firmware also updated from V1002 to V1004. Does anyone know what changes were incorporated?
G'day Colonial Cats
Sorry to keep you hanging and not getting back to you about the firmware change. But yes, very observant!! One feature of the Update Kit is the ability to upgrade the firmware at the same time as a cache list update.
The differences from v1002 and v1004 are pretty unnoticeable for the average user but there are small things like making sure the "Find Clear Sky" message only shows when needed, the found list has been increased from 20 to 99 (pushing for 1000), the direction arrow now appears and flashes to begin with to help prompt people to move, and small little error message changes. For the most part however, there are changes that are needed to support future features that, well, I can't really talk about yet.
Cheers
Warren
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G'day Sarteel
Just so you know, I actually work for the company that makes the Geomate.jr and I'm here to help! I thought I would jump on this thread to help clear up any confusion or questions you may have.
The way the Geomate.jr is like this. When you switch the unit on, it calculates the closest 20 to where you are currently standing and starts by showing you the first closest. You can then go to the second closest by simply hitting the NEXT button (the big one on the left) and keep hitting it until you scroll through all 20.
If you want to the Geomate.jr to recalculate that list of closest 20 (say you just jumped in the car a drove to a different spot) then all you need to do is switch it off and back on again - it will then calculate the closest 20 from where you are now.
So the closest 20 has actually no connection with the HOME location that you can set by holding both buttons down. The HOME location simply becomes the very first entry in your list. i.e. when scrolling through the list of 20, it will now look like this HO, 1, 2, 3....20 and then back to HO (HOME).
I hope this helps? I'll keep an eye on this thread for anything else I can help with, or please feel free to email me directly at warren@apisphere.com
Oh, and just one other thing. As for being able to load geocaches from geocaching.com, with the Update Kit, you effectively get EVERY traditional geocache loaded onto your Geomate.jr (with the exception of premium member caches).
Cheers
Warren
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G'day All
Yep, Colonial Cats is right - the USA-East, and the USA-West cache lists have every traditional cache (premium excluded) up to a difficulty 4 but you'll need an Update Kit to get to them. As for the factory default (the list that covers the entire US), difficulty is limited to 3.
The plan is to provide a greater variety of cache list types (i.e. micro-free, etc), so if anyone has any suggestions on what they would like to see, please let me know! Either post here or flick me an email at warren@apisphere.com.
I hope this helps!!
Cheers
Warren
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Jsamundson got in touch with me directly and we worked together on the items that he was having trouble with. I thought I would share with everyone what we found...
I took my jr out of its packaging and put the batteries in everything appears to work. But the cache accross the street didn't show up on the unit even thought it has been there over a year.
The cache in question ended up being a cache with no known size, the Geomate.jr only includes traditional caches with known sizes.
I selected the Western United States as my region and was already to use this morning. But when I turned it on the closest cache was 86 miles away. I live in Bloomington Minnesota and there are caches closer than 86 miles from were I live.
We discovered that the "West USA" cache list doesn't quite reach Bloomington (by about 100 miles!). So updating the Geomate.jr with the "East USA" cache list fixed that, and we've also adjusted the cut off for the "West USA" cache list - it now goes all the way to longitude -90 degrees (or through Wisconsin) which is what the map on the web site shows.
As for the other items, I can't really comment as we didn't go over it, but things seemed to be working ok.
Cheers
Warren
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East vs West Update!
Yep, as a follow up from my last post, I just confirmed that the map on the site showing where the West USA list finishes was a little out. But rather changing the map, we're changing the cutoff line! The West USA list has (up to now) stopped at longitude -95 degrees (which puts it just inside the Minnesota border, or about 100 miles from Minneapolis). As of the next update (tonight), the West USA list will go all the way to -90 degrees (which takes it through Wisconsin).
Cheers
Warren
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I just picked up a geomate jr yesterday. The date showing is 9/17/09. I live in Minneapolis, MN.
The problem is that the geomate is saying the nearest cache is 88 miles away, but there are many more than that including many regular caches within a couple miles.
Has anyone had an experience with this? Any idea what's going on?
I guess I'll be bringing it back to REI if it's not supposed to work in Minneapolis or something. Thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Team Herfel
Hmmmm, have you used an Update Kit to update the database and selected West USA by chance?? The cutoff line for the West USA database is suspiciously close to Minneapolis (I think the map on the web site is a little off - I'm double checking to be sure). If you select the East USA database then the overlap extends into North and South Dakota.
Otherwise, rather than using the forums as a direct support channel, please email me at warren@apisphere.com and I'm sure we'll quickly work out what is going on.
Cheers
Warren
(Geomate.jr bloke)
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I got my update kit today and am having a problem with it. Everything seems fine and i get this message on the update page:
The Geomate.jr detected!
Unit Firmware: geomate.jr V1002 RE X2-> Update Available
Unit Database: geomate.jr DB: USA ALL 4/19/2009-> Update Available
A few seconds after hitting the update button i get this message:
Firmware upgrading... Please wait, this may take a few minutes!
After a few more seconds this message pops up:
Flash programming failed.
I have not (after numerous attempts) been able to contact anyone at the "support" phone number on the update page.
My family and I really love our Geomate and this new to us hobby. We look forward to being able to update as there are many caches in our area that aren't in the current DB. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated!!!
G'day Mycobbwa
First, sorry to hear you couldn't get though on the support line! Unfortunately we do miss calls - next time, please just leave a message and we'll be happy to call you back as soon as we can.
As for the problem you are seeing, I'm happy to say that we already have a good idea of what is causing this error and are working on a fix as we speak.
If you can send an email to me directly (warren@apisphere.com) I can make sure you get notified when the fix is in place.
I hope this helps!!
Cheers
Warren
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My update kit is ready for pickup at the local REI. At the risk of repeating myself, here are my questions:
How often do you plan to update the lists? It appears that there were several months between previous updates. Should we expect more frequent updates in the future?
As a software engineer, I'm hoping that process is automated for you and your list maintainers sake! Thanks for coming out with such a great product.
Finally, on the updates, are all of the available caches in the areas chosen included or is there a 6 month wait imposed (i.e. my current database is from 04/09, but none of caches placed after 10/08 are available). I'm hoping not to have to wait 6 months to get caches to show up.
I'm happy to say that the cache lists accessible with the Update Kit are updated everyday! So you get the absolute latest (well, up to about 24 hours ago...) And yes, the process is now fully automated.
As for only including geocaches that have been in place for about 6 months, this applies only to the factory-default list (USA - ALL). We do that to try to give the list a bit more staying power. Any of the other lists (such as USA - EAST) do not have this restriction and you'll get all caches up to about 24 hours ago.
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Got mine and love the process!
Now...when are we gonna be able to filter out our previously "found" caches i.e. tie it our gc.com account?
Wow, some people are just never happy!!
Glad you like the process though - our goal is really to keep the update side of things as simple and enjoyable as the Geomate.jr itself.
And yes, more cool stuff is in the works!
Cheers
Warren
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Hi Warren, It's me again! Today I went out to find some caches and again found the specific ones I went looking for not loaded. The update I am choosing is USA Eastern
Here is the list of missing caches. Maybe that will help you figure out why they are not loading. Have to assume there are others not loading besides these. I just know these since I specifically went to find them.
GCNE9J 3 Dif 3 Ter
GCW9WF 3 Dif 2 1/2 Ter
GC1X09H 2 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1XYHW 1 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1QZRD 3 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1WQA5 1 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
I still LOVE my Geomate Jr! And I still LOVE the update kit!
Thanks!
Thanks for letting me know about this - the list of missing geocaches helps a lot and it appears that they should be a part of the list. We have a theory and are checking into it as we speak. Standby!!
Cheers
Warren
G'day All
Well, we've taken a look, found the hiccup, and have already fixed it. Any updates from now on should contain all expected geocaches. A big thanks to the OH Team for bringing this to our attention!
Cheers
Warren
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Hi Warren, It's me again! Today I went out to find some caches and again found the specific ones I went looking for not loaded. The update I am choosing is USA Eastern
Here is the list of missing caches. Maybe that will help you figure out why they are not loading. Have to assume there are others not loading besides these. I just know these since I specifically went to find them.
GCNE9J 3 Dif 3 Ter
GCW9WF 3 Dif 2 1/2 Ter
GC1X09H 2 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1XYHW 1 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1QZRD 3 1/2 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
GC1WQA5 1 Dif 1 1/2 Ter
I still LOVE my Geomate Jr! And I still LOVE the update kit!
Thanks!
Thanks for letting me know about this - the list of missing geocaches helps a lot and it appears that they should be a part of the list. We have a theory and are checking into it as we speak. Standby!!
Cheers
Warren
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I received my update kit today! Where is the 'bonus page' you speak of?
Ah, yes, the bonus page... We're keeping that one in our back pocket for the moment and focusing on the core update capability to ensure it is as solid as possible.
I hope you're not too disappointed!
Cheers
Warren
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Warren
We received the Update Kit yesterday and I just finished updating the database this morning. Easy as can be.
When I plugged the unit in, there was a message that indicated there was an update to the firmware.
The Geomate.jr detected!
Unit Firmware: geomate.jr V1002 RE X2-> Update Available
Unit Database: geomate.jr DB: USA All 9/9/2009
How do we go about updating that? All I could find was the DB update.
thanks for your help!
Ah, yes, the firmware update function. At the moment, we actually include any firmware update as part of the database update. So you will automatically get any firmware update every time you update your cache database and take advantage of incremental improvements to the firmware.
After an update however, that message line should just tell you the current firmware version and will not say "Update Available".
Cheers
Warren
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The 'One Click Update' basically reads what type of database you have on the device and then loads the absolute latest version of that database. So if you have the factory database, it will load the latest cache database with the same type of selection criteria applied.
Does this mean that if I select the "Western US", and the "without time limit" database, then the next time I click "One Click Update" the software will know I have that database loaded and update it? If so, that's really cool - I thought the one-click would just download the latest factory-default database.
Bingo! That's exactly what it does. Our thinking was that most people will end up with their favorite database type and region and hardly ever change - so this type of function made a lot of sense to us. Less clicks the better right?
Oh, also, if you do change databases, it does not effect your found list. Your found list will always remain regardless of which database you load or how often you change databases.
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Warren,
I bought a Geomaet.jr when I was home on R&R and I procrastinated and did not order it in time to arrive before I had to leave. One of the things I saw about the update kit “Load complete list of Geocache locations for other countries.” Let’s say I am in Afghanistan and I might be making stops in Kuwait or Kyrgyzstan and will not know until the last minute can I load more than one country ahead of time? There are so few caches in Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan I can just do a PQ for each country and load them all on my Colorado 400t with GSAK. This is a moot point as I do not have my Geomate.jr with me. But what if I was station in Germany and was going to travel to several countries in one trip? I am looking forward to using the geomate.jr for the first time when I return state side in November as I will be making a road trip that will cover nine states.
G'day AirborneSurveyor
The way we are handling loading cache lists for other countries at the moment is through large 'chucks' of the world. So rather than picking individual countries, we have setup a number of big 'squares' around different regions. At the moment these regions are Europe (so you get all of Europe and the UK in one swoop), Australasia (includes Australia, News Zealand, a little of South East Asia, and pretty much all of the South Pacific), and Canada (with a big overlap with the US). At the moment we don't really cover the Middle East, but for Germany (and any other country in Europe), you will be well and truly covered.
I hope this helps!
Cheers
Warren
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What I'd like so see with this update kit is the ability to update it so it will be basically uses the same criteria as what came originally preprogrammed into it, but with recent caches included.
Yep, this is pretty much what it does (plus a couple other options). The 'One Click Update' basically reads what type of database you have on the device and then loads the absolute latest version of that database. So if you have the factory database, it will load the latest cache database with the same type of selection criteria applied.
Now if you want to move beyond that, you can then go ahead and select a different database that has had different selection criteria applied.
So thanks to the folks who put out this great little product and have put spontaneity back in my roadtrips!
No worries! I'll pass your thanks onto the rest of the team - they love hearing this type of feedback!
Cheers
Warren
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I saw that the update kit is showing as backordered at REI.com - hoping that this is only because it's not fully active in the system yet!
Yep, this must be the case. REI definately have Update Kits, I can only assume it takes a little time to crank the handle on their processes.
I see that there's an option in the update page to select east/west US to include all caches up to a terrain/difficulty of 4... Any chance of providing more customization for end-users to filter caches to a more custom specification?
At this point not really. We planning however in creating different cache list types - things like "family friendly", "for the extremist", "micro free", but not quite a fully user customizable....
I love my geomate -- can't wait to get my update kit and play with it in more detail...
Very cool. So do I!!
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I suppose I could wait until I receive mine but I would like to know if the GeomateJr will work with the field notes process on geocaching.com?
It's not in place yet, but supporting field notes is definately something on our list.
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Great
Can you post up an owner/operation manual for it?Everything is pretty self-explanatory on the web site. There is a Quick Start Guide that comes with the Update Kit but that's about it!
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G'day All
For anyone patiently awaiting the release of the Geomate.jr Update Kit, well, your wait is over!! The Update Kits are starting to show up in stores and the Update Kit web pages are live! (www.mygeomate.com/updates)
As people start to poke and prod, I'm sure questions are going to come up. So here's your chance to ask those questions, get them answered, and share the information with others.
I look forward to chatting!
Cheers
Warren
(The Geomate.jr bloke)
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Mine smashed up! No idea how, grabbed it from the glove compartment and the screen had a huge crack in and LCD screen leakage.
G'day Maingray
I'm terribly sorry to hear that! Let's get you back up and running ASAP. If you can send me an email at warren@apisphere.com and provide me with a postal address, I'll arrange for an immediate replacement.
Cheers
Warren
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G'day All
After not being on the forums for a little while, I was very happy to see the latest comments, pics, and shared experiences after logging in this morning. So much so, I thought I would share some pics of my own. So why haven't I been on the forums recently?? Well, I managed to escape for a road trip with friends from Germany...
A couple kids, a few Geomate.jr's, and the state of Utah make for some awesome geocaching!
Field testing of the Geomate.jr (complete with drying bathers...)
Cheers
Warren
Can you post up an owner/operation manual for it?
Starter GPS for classroom
in Other
Posted
G'day Rockerchyck
Let me quickly introduce myself - my name is Warren and I actually work for the company that builds the Geomate.jr (an affordable, easy to use, geocaching-centric GPS unit).
Seeing your post I couldn't help but respond as we are currently working with some local schools to develop a geocaching based curriculum and are putting in place a little more functionality to support this type of program.
I would be happy to share additional details with you if you would like. Please email me direct at warren@apisphere.com and we can go from there.
Cheers
Warren