oyarsa1

I believe I've noticed some forum users talking about receiving text messages to their phone when a new cache is published. How do they do it??

Thanks for your reply. The links should be especially helpful once I get back home from work/school. I downloaded the beta GSAK this morning and got that aspect taken care of, so I guess I'll see how the thing works and if it's worth keeping. Personally, I think the accuracy and compass alone will make having a separate GPS receiver worth the cost. Now it's just a matter of figuring out which works best for me. I'm really glad Amazon has such a great return policy!

Well that explains my trouble with GSAK. I'm pretty sure I didn't download a beta version, so I'll go for that. I'm trying to avoid extra expenses that I wouldn't be able to recoup if I don't like the PN-40, so the cache register will have to wait. As for the maps, I wasn't really sure what I was trying to do. When I loaded the maps from the delorme disk, they sure didn't seem particularly detailed, and so I figured the topo would be better (but maybe I was using a basemap accidentally?). In any case, I have a feeling I was probably loading imagery as well as maps, but then again, the satellite imagery is one of the major reasons I bought this. I think I'm just going to have to settle to never having a dedicated GPS that meets my desires. Having used an HTC Touch Pro with Nicque, I've become accustomed to using google maps, having new caches almost instantly available without having to be near a computer, being able to log from the phone, and essentially everything I could want except for accuracy, a compass, and a dedicated battery that'll last longer than an hour or two. Still...I'll give the PN-40 a chance. I have 30 days to return it to Amazon... Thanks for the replies thus far!

I just got a PN-40 in the hopes that it would satisfy my desires more than the Garmin 60CSX I tried. I had no trouble loading the regular maps for my area onto the device, but then I started to try to use TOPO USA. After looking around a lot, I finally figured out how to send a selection to the GPS, but I'm disappointed with the area it allows me to send. I would like to send all of Oklahoma to the GPS, but it barely lets me get a selection of the Oklahoma City metro area before telling me my selection is too big. Any suggestions there? Then I tried to use GSAK to send a .gpx file or two to the PN-40, but on first impression it looks like I'd have to load them into TOPO and then send it to the gps? I admit I haven't spent much time figuring this out (don't have the patience right now), and gave up on the forum search pretty quickly, so I appreciate any advice that can be given. I think I'll like this gps other than the screen size (which I could easily live with), if I can get it working... Thanks for whatever help you can give me...

Is there a way to connect a 60CSx to an HTC Touch Pro? I like the programs (such as google maps and Nicque) on the Touch Pro, but would like to use the increased accuracy (supposedly) of the 60CSx.

Guessing that the 76 menus are the same as the 60's... Go to Setup>System>"GPS" set to Normal, "WAAS" set to enabled, and "Battery Type" set as appropriate. I think the only change from default is WAAS, unless you're using rechargeable batteries, but better to check. I sometimes wish they would give some indication that an update of the almanac/ephemeris has been received, but it would probably beep every 20 minutes or so. Otherwise, there's no way to know that the update has been received, other than waiting for 30 minutes. Good luck! I took the 60CSx with me on my drive to "work" (I'm on pharmacy rotations, so I'm a paying slave right now) and it did seem to do a lot better after turning WAAS on...

Thanks to you and briansnat for your replies. I did not leave the 60CSx out for 30 minutes (I was out for more like 5 or 10), so I'll have to try that. And I didn't enable WAAS (which I know is enabled on my phone). I figured it would be already enabled, so I didn't really look. The battery and power settings were the default. What is supposed to work best? As for the CSx's EPE...it was defitely higher (around 10 feet), but again, I don't think the HTC states anything past 30. Sounds like I should take the two out and do a trial run somewhere.

I just got my GPSMap 60CSx from Amazon. I paid a hefty $288 (hefty to me, anyway) as an early b-day present. Previously I've used an HTC Touch Pro and been frustrated by several caches that made me question my phone's accuracy, so I decided to get a "real" GPSr. I took the two outside and turned on both of them. I was recently directed to Nicque for the HTC, so I went to the GPS monitor on it and compared the satellite connections on both devices. To my surprise, the phone actually connected to one or two more satellites. Some of the satellites were better on the phone, and some were better on the 60CSx, but overall, the phone appeared better. The phone said its accuracy was +/- 30 feet, but I don't think it states anything better than that, even if it is more accurate. Does this mean that the phone is actually more accurate? I appreciate the sturdiness of the 60CSx, but honestly I would carry my phone with me, anyway, for the internet access and such. I also appreciate the compass on the CSx as well as the fact that it would have a battery dedicated to geocaching (as opposed to the phone being used for...well...a phone...internet...etc.), but I have to wonder if these are truly worth me spending $288... Any thoughts?

Thanks for all the replies! I have a tendency to get paranoid after making a big purchase. I already have a smartphone with GPS on it, and of course it has internet capabilities, so I think I'm all set once I get GSAK!

Two questions: First...I've ordered a Garmin GPSMap 60CSx. I had gotten the opinion that it was the best choice, but then noticed a few other possibilities (like the Delorme PN-40). Was this indeed a good choice, or are there better choices in the $300 area? Second...if I should keep it, what (if any) maps should I get? Thanks!

I'm also fairly new to geocaching and had a heck of a time with my first two caches (and some since). What I did was to email the owners of the cache. I explained I was new and stated that I understood if they didn't want to provide additional hints, but that I would appreciate any they could give or at least to make sure I was in the right area. I've had moderate success with that. One owner didn't reply, so I asked the next person that found it. I learned of an important technique I never would have thought of (skirt lifting). I don't know if this quite follows geocaching "etiquette," but as one person told me, it takes time to get use to what to look for. I also figure that it alerts the owner that it might have disappeared and allows me to give specific details that might be spoilers on a DNF log... Stephen

So what software do you use? So far I've had no quips really with the BasicGPS, but then again I've never tried anything else...

Thanks for all the replies! This is kind of what I expected to hear. I have to say, though, I like the HTC Touch Pro for all my other uses. I originally had an HTC Mogul, which was replaced by the Touch Pro when I had warranty issues. Mostly I use it for school, however (pharmacy student), and it works great for the phamacy programs I use. I'll have to keep an eye out for the older Garmin GPSrs. I was looking at some of the newer ones, but they were probaby more than I'd spend right now. I'm mostly looking forward to when my son is old enough to join me on the hunt!

I have an HTC Touch Pro which is running BasicGPS. I've been out caching a few times when it pointed me to the wrong spot. I wasn't sure if this was a symptom of using a phone for GPS, or just smething to expect while caching. Would a dedicated GPS receiver be more accurate? If so, what should I get for under $150 or so?