Pokerfart

This is one of those issues that is really low priority. I'm not a fan of proxy, but I really don't care anymore if others use them or not. Personaly, I like to get my real trackables out there, and then over time plan on finding ways to get some back or just let them travel. Yes I will lose many, but the risk is part of the excitement for me. Anyway, it's just a game and we can't take it too seriously. I've grown smarter and wiser since some of my earlier posts on this subject, and everybody can play the game the way they want to play - as long as they enjoy themselfs it the important part.

Wow, thanks for all the great feedback. In short some think that proxies are fine and others think they are not. It weird how this simple aspect generate such passion among some folks. I had some private messages from those telling me they HATE these proxies so much that when they find them they destroy them. I also had people go stalwartly negative on me in support of the proxies. All and all, I would tell many of you to relax – try the decaffeinated, perhaps take some time off and go for a walk in the woods. In the end this is a game and it’s for fun, chill out. I’ll sum up my feelings: Personally I don’t like copies of geocoin and won’t move them. I don’t feel like I have seen/experienced the actual coin so don’t want it in my logs. However, a proxies that is a replacement of a released but lost I think is okay. If you are one of those that destroy proxies, please don’t do that. Just please ignore them. If you release proxies, I think you are missing out. Yes you may lose you coin but that’s part of the fun is the mystery of releasing something in to the world watching and hoping. However, if you choose to release proxies – Will you please mark on the item’s travel page that it is a proxy? In fact in the title calling it a “Proxy of ....” would be great. That will help the group that wish’s to avoid these, avoid them.

Just stay away from the proxies, we'll all be happier that way. And I'll do you one better: I'll only move proxy coins from now on to counteract your tough guy stance on trackables. Deal? More rules... seriously? Good gosh. It's a game folks... not a professional sport. You'll now only move proxies? now, please dont go down the negative path here, lets all not become jerks as too often happen on forms. I'm just trying to have a discussion on this subject. Aside from my other points, I'm also an artist and software developer. I've had TOO much of my work stolen and/or copied without my consent, that I received no compension for and/or knowlede. I am sensative to people making copies of copyrighted material. The manufacture of these coins sold a piece of art, andd these proxy are a copy - is it legal?. The manufacture paid for the coin to be registered, manufactured and specificly tagged, and these proxies are a copy of that. Again it all just feels wrong.

One more thing, I geocache with my children. When I can't bring them I like to bring back trackables and together we look at them and then their history and places traveled. My kids have no interest in a piece of paper.

You are getting ripped off. Activated vs un-activated are two totally different coins. Like used vs new I would make the seller discount 50% or take the items back. If not you have a case with paypal

Personally I went to this cache to specifically grab this coin. I love coins and want to feel them and see them, AND share in their travel history. I seek caches out specifically that have them. It was a disappointment to learn all that was there was a paper copy. The other thing is the logs are NOT real also. For example when a copy goes missing, the owner just releases a new copy – so in fact what you are holding is often something that HAS NOT traveled (according to the logs). It has not been to all those places just a representative of a tracking number that may or may not have been there. It’s fake, that’s all there is too it. Fake – I won’t move them now, and encourage others to let them sit. I think geocaching.com should outlaw them, or at a min – give us a flag so we know they are doppelgangers

Yes, what feels wrong is feeling I get when a thief steals my coin that was meant to be shared with all. Or the feeling I get when a newbie that thinks it is really a cool piece of swag and decides to hang on to it. Or the feeling I get when a newbie that starts geocaching thinking this is really a great thing, takes the coin and before it is logged decides geocaching is really dumb and empties his bag into the trash. What difference does it make if the coin is real or if it is a replica? I've looked at all my icons and I really can't tell if there is any difference in the icons. Did you notice a difference in the icon? I know we lose coins, I've lost quite a few myself, as well as some really favorite TB's. My point is it is not a real coin, just a paper copy representing a geocoin. If it is just about the icon, then why not just key in 100S of geocodes? Heck - it would be easy to just key in 1000's of geocaches you visited. I looked at them on the map - and saw a paper copy of a geocache - so let me log it. Personly, I feel like I have not seen this coin, felt it experianced it's weight and art quality, I'm just looking at a copy. So I don't feel like I should log it.

I just grapped a geocoin today, but in fact it is just a laminated replica / photocopy of the geocoin. the owner wants me to treat is as a normal geocoin, as they have the 'real coin' with them and never released it. It is a Doppelgänger not a real geocoin. I'll release it but it seems the owner has 30+ other coins and does the same for them all Somthing about this just feels wrong.

This is a BAD new feature. It is impossible for most to understand. ESPECIALLY NEWBIES!!!! This seems like a advanced hardcore feature for a small number of people that like to activate trackables but not release them. A simple "Hide from inventory" function would be fine, the other is let them just deal with it. A trackable that is not released - well why does it need to be tracked? I can see lots of trackables going lost to newbies becasue they do not understand. Heck, I don't understand. I'm in software for a living, and this collectible/non issue is hurting my brain. It feels like one of those features where the software engineers got left alone too long. They don't live in the same world as the rest of us and sometimes need translators. (No offense, I was one once untl retirement) This is something that needs to change. It is causing those of us light users too much issue.

The feature is confusing to most. I think it should be removed, or at least explained in a mannor that non - hard core geocaches can understand. The feature has to be explained in a mannor that a 8 year old can understand. Try it out on an 8 year old, if they understand it then great. To be honest - after reading the pages and help files, I'm still not sure what this thing does. In my first reading it seems like if I set this incorrectly, then some other geocacher can take ownership of my trackables. but I don't think that is true. However, the statement: "The coin may be collected by another player." Ts impossible for me to understand. Then if I set my trackable to collectible, other players can collect but if it is set to non-collectible - they can't collect. What the heck does collect mean?

60CSx vs Blackberry 8900 Curve I have been a huge fan of Garmin and just love my 60CSx but this month my company gave me a Blackberry for work. Personally I hate RIM and believe their management is corrupt but heck it was free and I need the phone. Then I downloaded the Geocache Navigator by Trimble and signed up for the subscription. I got to tell you I am really impressed with the blackberry and the Trimble application. Over the cell/wi-fi it downloads the caches in your geo location, you can access notes, see the logs, hints etc, and even topo, satellite, or street maps and then you can upload field notes from the phone. For the 60CSx I use pocket queries and GSAK to load them in as POI’s, no need for that as this thing just pulls them in when u need than (as long as you are in cell phone service). Good for me as I travel for work, and sometimes don’t know where I will be and can just fire up the app and see what caches’s are around. Just did this on my trip to Germany and worked perfect there. As far as the accuracy of the gps functions, granted I’m just one guy and only have used it on the last ½ dozen outings our so, but it’s working really well. Lately I’ve been taking both my 60CSX and my blackberry into the woods. For the most part the blackberry seems to do as well as the 60CSX. Actually it is showing accuracy that average under 12feet (not sure if that is true), which generally beats what I get out of my gamin. However in very heavy cover the 60CSX can’t be beat, but the blackberry holds it’s own, even it is a battery hog with the GPS features on. The big negative is paying for the trimble service, (and you need a blackberry) but all and all I have to tell you I’m quite impressed. I was told these cell phone GPS things don’t work well for geocaching, and IMHO that is wrong. This thing does a great job,has a camera and will work just great for most caches. Being online and getting real-time cache updates is huge bonus. I’m not about to throw away my 60CSx (try taking a crackberry on a jet ski) but I’m wondering what the rest of you have experienced.

That would be awesome. Keep your fingers crossed for me. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning as I await the delivery of my GPS. A 4GB microSD card goes for about $6 now - perhaps just order a nice sized one. Then never have to worry about space for a long time I have a 60CSX - really good luck with it. IN the US as well as around the world. For geocaching you don't NEED any maps as often I'll be in a location without any maps but still able to geocache. Now however the toppographic maps are nice, but as I said not required

Yes I should have backed up the download files, but did not (my mistake). My drives are mirrored and I backup my computer, to an network drive, so I don't backup downloads. Issue is these download files never made it into my backup or I deleted sometime ago and I can't just restore the software. If I really wanted them I could go to an old archive backup reimage a 'puter and transfer - but not that important. Actualy this was what caused the bug in Mapsource to crash, as I run applications from different (non letter c) drives but Garmin want's to assume a default root C drive for most things and got confused when I took the new mapsource application update. Bottom line if you download an update to a map - you have to save that download file, saving data in the application won't help. Typicaly I don't save update downloads as I run so many of them the old saved updated files are out of date if I ever need them again, and I'm not orginized well enough to save so many download files to know what they are anyway

Like Knight said - Holy CRAP a cacheholic - you are one !!! Yep you can download again map updates, but for a lot of the products especially the road mapping products if the update is not longer published you can't redownload it. Two of my map products the Garmin tech told me if I did not save the download file they will be lost even though I have the unlock keys. It's a minor issue for me as they way I use my Garmins units have changed over the years, and I don't use mapsource for much anything anymore. I did not press the subject as again it was not important, but got me thinking about this entire issue as I see other products that are easier to use, and so many of my friends just use pirate codes and laugh at me when I buy stuff like this. Just ranting on the subject - thanks for all the good replys Cheers, -Poker

Download an update burn a copy to CD - yes perhaps I should if it was 1995, again the lost data is minor issue here. Licensing is set by the map data provider, not Garmin. That's misleading - and mostly false - Garmin sets the content rollout and maps data providers comform to Garmin policies, payment and licensing terms. Are you having a bad day or you always just this negative? Most people involved with geocaching have been outstanding people, but all I can say to you is Cheer up a bit - perhaps try the decaf As I said and I still hold to this believe this is 1990's methodolgy made worse with internet. You need your mygarmin account, your coupon codes, your unlock codes, your original data, your DLC, online internet, and then can only use content in a limited fasion. To me as the casual user of this content, not worth it - end of story.

You are missing my point, granted I did not make it well - so let me be a little more clear. As a little more color – I’m in the software business, and deal with legal issues surrounding software daily. Working for a software company my salary is paid by legal users of my software. I am sure our software is being used in this chain at some level even now. I also am a user of software, and familiar with different types and licenses of software. No I did not loose my CD’s, and no I don’t expect replacement. The lost data is downloadable content (DLC), for map updates, but also the fact that it is difficult to reload legal products, even with the right backup materials (which I have). I’m just generally pissed off at the restrictive licenses, and the fact that Garmin technical issues caused by improper use of drive mappings in Mapsource cause this issue (a bug), AND Garmin technical support made matters worse. I deal with other licensed content for many different applications, and feel Garmin’s methodology of copyright protection and their restrictive licenses is too difficult for the value. It reminds me of 1990’s methodology, not modern products. IMHO Garmin needs to update (make easier) their licensed methodology as they are forcing too many people away from it. It’s now much easier to go illicit than stay legal.

I'm telling you this is what happened to me while on the phone with Garmin and the phone tech told me my maps are lost, as Garmin does not keep older purchased download versions/updates of maps. This is the same phone tech that had me DELETE the same maps from my system. The only way to recoved the maps would be if I had saved the original files for the downloaded maps. Now I do have the option of going and finding the older maps on the 'net' and then contacting them my unlock codes will work. I can restore maps I have on CD's. For me to stay legal now I have to go to 'illegal' sites to find my maps and then go back to Garmin to get my unlock codes again. My point is I know Garmin is trying to protect their maps as it is a revenue source, but they are making it too difficult to stay legal. Hell I can't even share maps between my different garmin systems without paying them more money, or move forward older maps to newer units. EAch their own opition - mine is to vote with my $$ - no more to garmin.

I've been a faithful garmin user for over 10 years now. I am also totaly legal and have bought all my maps, usualy directly with a new unit but also somtimes downloaded from garmin web site. Presently have a 60CSX and a Nuvi, and use mapsource to move my maps/waypoints etc. Well my issue is that my SD chip on my 60CSX got lost and I needed to reload the maps. On my computer I launced mapsource but mapsource had an error with my windows registurity and crashed. Garmin support had me reload mapsource - but this reload removed my unlock codes for the maps I have purchased. For maps or map updates that I had downloaded and paid for -are lost and garmin will not let me unlock them. The unlock process for the disks that I owned and still had the CD - the unlock process was beyound difficult, even with all the proper paperwork and ownership. I guess I'm done being ligit with Garmin and will never spend money on maps from them again.

I did this one but now want to do it again and can't figure it out. I have my gpx data - then have loaded it into the GSAK software but can seem to get the correct export to run to build the file to load into my Garmin 60CSx. Is there a guid somewhere?

Getting my brother into geocaching. The trouble is this, he is a roadbiker and want's somthing very light that can be carried with him while on the bike. very small very light The other trouble is I have to buy it for him and send it to Singapore. (Going to send some neat TB's also) But the biggest trouble is that I gotta buy it!!! Now Singapore is generaly wide open, not a lot of tree cover in the areas, so I think a low end unit will be fine. Personaly I'm not up to speed on the GPS, got a 60CSx for myself a few years ago but that's too much for what I need now. I see tons of low end GPS down at Dick's sporting goods. But any suggestions on equipment to look at?

It seems there are some caches on some different school disctrits but not on others. I don't see any in my area - I was going to go ask the school board to see if they have any issues. What's the normal for schools?

Found IT!! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/#cachenote

Most traditional caches have a document in them that tells about geocaching etc. You have to know what I mean. Can sombody cut/paste the text here so I can print out my own? tks

Hey - Members here is an idea. I love geocaching as I am sure most of you do (as you are reading this forum). I'm going to tell my wife and put in my will that I want a geocache IN MY HEADSTONE!!! I hereby grant all of your permission to visit. Does this solve the issue about hallowed ground - or whatever. IF the dead guy WANTS you to vist his cache then you have permission. Anybody that beats me to the grave - feel free to use my idea - I'll come find you.

OKay - I did it. the GSAK macro - allowed me to take the GPX data and load it as a POI (point of interest) into my 60GSx. It took me about an hour to figure everything out. Have to download your GPX files -inport them into the GSAK then export them again into a garmin POI file - then launch the garmin POI loader and inport them. I just did 500 points and worked pretty well. All the POI show up as "Custom POI" in my 60GSs. Each cache is listed mutiple times (ie GC19W37-1 GC19W37-2) as each different screen has diffeent data on it (like the cache logs, notes, hints etc). Anyway - it works for me.