Alan2

An option would be to sell at as is and get another. Except fot he SD memory slot, the unit works great. It still has a CF slot for memory. It's really like any other unit with only one memory slot. What do you think it might be worth in this condition?

Yes didn't help.

I tried but no difference. PPC does not see either of my SD cards while my PC sees both. PPC also see CF cards ok. It's either dirt on the pins or a bad PPC chassis card. Any other ideas? Thanks

I disagree this thread should be closed. It's a discussion on the merits of FAq's vs. realtime answers to questions posed. Just because someone starts a FAQ at the top of the page, doesn't end the discussion. Why cut off debate? It should continue. Don't get me wrong. I think it's great starting a FAQ. However, my concern as stated earlier is that answers and opinions are prejudiced. Who decides what the "correct" asnwer is? Most questions have multiple answers. Having a FAQ controlled by one person is the same as the idea to cut off discussion about this whole topic. Some people (maybe all people) believe they have the right answer. An open forum supports everyone's answer, contributes to greater knowledge and more openness than does a FAQ editorialized by one person. The FAQ serves a purpose, but many questions are handled better in as open forum.

Maybe! Sounds like you need a little fresh air. Have you tried geocaching?

My Ipaq 2215 sees its CF memory cards but stopped seeing its SD memory cards. (The GPS uses the CF slot but I need the SD slot for the Mapopolis map files and gpxsonar files. HP wants $200 to repair. Any ideas? Other services that do repairs cheaper.? (Before I take a shot and dismantle it myself and see if there's dirt or some other simple problem)

So if I don't have a satellite lock, (as in heavy cover), following a bearing is the same as magnetic compass ?, that is I can be drifting sideways , and still believe I'm heading OK. I would need to sight an object to go to, impossible in the "jungle" So I need an 'X" series, can get a signal in a dungeon ? Yes. Once you lose the satellite locks, and the arrow disappears, the compass rose that's left works exactly as any other magnetic compass. So yes, at that point drift while moving can and will occur. So line up with distant object. The X series are better, I've picked up 6 sats while sitting in a diner, but I don't think you'll pick up the sats in a dungeon....

GPS's with on-board magnetic compasses will always display an accurate compass rose and magnetic North even if the satellites are not locked on. Just like a regular old fashioned magnetic compass. If you have a satellite lock, then the arrow will display and will point to the cache. If you note where the arrow is pointing, let's say 245 degrees while you have a satellite lock, then when the lock is lost, you can still follow the compass rose at 245 degrees. Huh! What did I say????

I just realized that this topic's question has the word section which already helps in a kinda of FAQ way. It gives posters and responders a jump of narrowing down the area of where to go look for an anwser. If you're looking for good caches in Florida, you post in the Southeast forum section. If you have a technical question, then in the software and hardware section. That's a good start.

OK, Robert it is. Again you make really good points. If the FAQ could be maintained properly, and there are so many categories, it would be helpful. Who's going to volunteer? It's a huge amount of work. At work, we have a hugh IT dept 30-40 people. They have a Help Desk where employees can call whenever they got a hardware or software problem. People are spoiled. At the end of the day though, people will still ask the questions and look for personal answers or just because they're lazy. Fortunately as a group we seem to be pretty helpful. You're an example - look how much work you've put into caching with your programs. The forums give eberyone a chance to be "helpful" even if it's only with an answer now and then that might help a newcomer out.

I use gpxtomaplet to overlay all the cache poiont onto mapopolis street maps. I also us GSAK on my computer first to modify the gpx files so that when you set it up so the maplet icons, the map will display information on the Mapopolis map when you tap the icon. Some of the info includes ten-letter cache smartname, cache type, D/T, miles from home, hider's name, container type,etc.

Your points are valid too, Bob. I guess the issues are like this. Let's says I'm a new guy with a particular model. How do I find the anwer to a USB connect problem? Where is the FAQ for that? Doing a search may or may not get you the answer. What word do you search on? Now let's look at a general question - let's say, which is the best GPS? HOw do you create a FAQ to answer that? Or do a search? How do you know which data is the latest. Plus peopl have a limited attention span. Searches will turn up so much info, they're overwhelmed. If your search gets you a relatively old topic, there could be new equipment that only a real-time answer will give. Let's say FAQ's really work throughout. From the responder's standpoint, there they are waiting to jump in to help with their responses. And everyone is checking the FAQ's and the responder's are falling asleep or might have to actually talk to their spouse!

It's defnitely DD MM SS. If you click on the Mountain and then clcik on DDMMSS Coordinate display in Topozone map that comes up, when you update the map, you will see the DDMMSS on top - the same numbers that are on the original Mountain web page spreadsheet. The web site use of DDMMSS that way is very confusing as it does look like UTm or DD>DDD or who knows what. If a search and rescue org uses it, the poor guy who nmeeds help may never be found

I use Mapopolis on my 2215. Beside a voice and visual prompted road navigation systems, it has the compass rose arrow and other feature you need for caching in the woods. You can overlay the caching icon uising gpxtomaplet. Take care of the PPC in the woods, you might consider a hard case. You can try Mapopolis for free for 9 days. The program runs $80-100 as I recall.

If FAQ's were all that were required, we ccould just have those and none of us would need the forums. We could all get to bed at a reasonable time. But the forum serves a more important purpose. It's a social engine that allows people with the same interest to speak to one another. To share ideas, thoughts and experiences. It allows people to be mentors - something I know I like a lot. It allows us to relate to one another. FAQ's allow little of these things. If you tired of seeing the same questions, then jump to another topic or stay off the newcomers section. Also, FAQ's are quickly obsoleted as equipment and techniques are constantly changing. Also, many FAQ's are for some just an avenue to puiblish their own prejudiced views as if it can from on high. Everyone has something to contribute and everyone should be encouraged to post their thoughts. No one has a monopoly on the "right" answer. We all have something to learn.

Mapopolis is a voice and visual autonavigation system that allows creating waypoints using coordinates. Besides the street maps for routing, it has the compass rose, arrow, distance to waypoit, etc for use in the woods. Best part is that you can overlay all the cache waypoints uint their maplet program called gpxtomaplet. This way as you drive around you can see where all the caches are and tap them, get info about them and route to them automatically. You can try tehir program for free for 9 days.

XXXXXX N XXXXXXXW apparently is DD MM SS a very strange way of expressing it-first time I've seen it this way.

If your GPS cannot be reset to take the format that site is giving, click on the Mountain link. It will take you directly to Topozone map. On the left, you can select DD MM.MM in coordinate display. Click on Map Update and you'll get the coordinates in the format for your GPS-DD MM.MMM.

That is fine as long as the swap is for a container that EXACTLY matches the one being replaced. I don't buy ammo boxes to have them swapped with tupperware! Also, you need to be aware of any and all markings. Some mystery caches use codes that can be found written inside other caches. I'm sure there are plenty of other resons not to replace someone elses container without asking first. That is why one should always ask first. I agree with you. I wasn't suggesting to replace an ammo box with a plastic container. I was suggesting to replace a broken plastic container with another one that wasn't leaking. Second, I've never run into an ammo box that required replacement. Third, I think it's obvious that markings on the container for mystery caches require a little more thinking but most people are smart enough to realize those situations. Like I said, anyone who finds one of my containers leaking has my permission to do the maintenance and replace it if required. Thank you in advance.

Would you be interested in helping me clean up my office???

I don't see a problem replacing the container if it's cracked or otherwise irrepairable. What's the point wiping it dry when it's going to get soaked after the next rain anyway? I once was going to a cache and the last log said the container was cracked. So I took one with me that I had in my trunk. I thought I was doing the hider and the finders a favor. If someone did that for my cache, great. It would save me a trip to do it myself.

I enjoyed doing a few of Bill's caches. He once mentioned in the forums that he had problems with his legs. So many of his caches were placed with me in mind, you might say, as my legs are getting pretty crummy too. I'm sorry I never met Bill personally but he seems to have been a really nice guy. He is missed. May God be with him.

Am I understanding this right. The 60 waits as a standard design until you're a quarter of a mile off your route before it reaslizes it and recalculates? My PPC re-calculates usually in less than a block and even with that I sometime miss the next corrective turn f it's the next corner. What good is a 60 though if the recalculation waits so long?

Go with a friend and let them hold the GPS.

Which reminds me that the Vista's program has a jumpmaster routine for parachuting that uses the barometric altimeter where continuous accuracy is critical. (I don't think another disclaimer from me is required regarding my use of this feature!)