jollybgood
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Posts posted by jollybgood
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What? A small-town police department over-reacted to a report of a suspicious package in terrorist-rich, target-heavy, east-central Indiana? Say it ain’t so.
These stories are becoming typical whether they involve geocaching or not. The responding officer's discretion (or lack thereof) should be the only thing in question here.
In the end the reality is, this “event” is probably advantageous for geocaching. Exposure, good or bad, is still exposure…
Yeah but how many times does a small town sherriff get to blow stuff up?
Funny that this happened near Hartford City.
The town is famous among other things for the incident where a judge sentenced a guy (I forget his crime -- I think he had a U.S. Flag hanging in the back of his van) to standing in on the courthouse grounds holding a flag for X number of days/hours.
Was a really controversal event years ago.
They were also famous for having a Triple-X Adult drive-in theatre just outside of town. Teens used to park in the cemetery behind the theatre and get an eye-ful
Closed up years ago -- still hard to believe it ever existed.
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This link from my hometown paper has a photo of the blown up cache.
http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.../410270306/1002
Probably should have labled this link as a SPOILER, since it shows the cache container
LOL!! I guess so.
I've logged a LOT of Kid Crazy's caches. THey're some of the better caches in Indiana -- many having to do with trains or rail road history.
If he says he had the owner's permission I'm inclined to believe him.
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This link from my hometown paper has a photo of the blown up cache.
http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.../410270306/1002
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Sorry if this has been posted. I have caches in the area so it could affect me.
Strange stuff...
http://www.chronicle-tribune.com/apps/pbcs.../410270306/1002
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I just purchased the 60cs and allmost fell off the chair. Gulp.
To be honest I consider the 60CS to be the COLOR GPS V.
I mean it's got everything the GPSV has and more.
Never cared for the Detour feature of the V -- really didn't work for me.
As far as the Landscape mode, I'll have to admit that was a BIG DEAL for me when first getting my 60CS. Now it's hard to remember why?
Don't miss it all.
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The Garmin GPSV is a classic. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for it. Served me long and well. Hated to let it go.
But the truth is I could think of a dozen things I'd want to improve/change about it.
My current favorite GPS is my 60CS. I simply can't rave about his little gem enough.
It's like a GPSV on steroids. Just can't go wrong with this one.
If you asked me how to improve it I'd be hard pressed to come up with anything.
Except maybe for more memory. But that's always the case.
Fortuantely I have Most of northern Illinois and Indiana loaded in the darn thing and haven't had to load/tinker with my maps in the four months since i've had it. (gotta love Metroguide's small sized routable mapsets).
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Find a store where you can put your hands on some working demos of various makes/models.
Hold them in your palm. Play with the buttons and view the menus and so forth. As someone else posted peference when it comes to a GPS is very subjective and differs from person to person.
I love the feel/look of Garmin uinits as well as their intuitive interface. My Magellan-loving buddy feels the exact same about his GPS.
We argue all the time about which is best. The truth is it's all personal preference. We both find the caches about the same time with the same ease. So it's not so much about one functioning better then the other.
I really think it comes down to bells and whistles, look and feel.
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<<and it only works where Nextel has network coverage. >>
Heh...., well it's not really a GPS then is it? ;D
Strike this one from my wish list.
The TV ads looked promising. I'm kind a glad it's not as good as it sounds. I don't need any new gadgets right now.
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Before spending the money on rechargable batteries check your owners manual for the piece of equipment you're going to use them with.
Different type of batteries have different voltage outputs. NiMH batteries are about 1.2 volts per battery. Alkaline are about 1.5 volts per battery. (AA and AAA) If you put NiMH batteries in a piece of equipment that wasn't designed for the lower voltage if might not work, or you get an apparent short battery life.
Edited to change font of blue text.
And vice versa. My digital camera specifically says DON'T use alkalines, to use NiMH.....I'd imagine the higher voltage of the alkalines would fry the camera that was designed for the lower voltage of NiMH batteries.
FYI most Garmin units have a menu item that allows you to specify which type of batteries you have installed.
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I am actually considering one of the Serial versions. At least people have documented getting them to work. Any recomendations on models to work with (From your experience of course) Mac OS X 10.3.x?
I realize I'll need an adaptor as well, and that my battery life will drop like a rock :: sigh :: But I guess thats what happens when companies choose to not support an entire platform. Don't they realize mac stock is up? It's trending to use mac now!!!
:: end rant ::
USB/Serial adapters work amazingly well. Everybody seems to have their own favorite brand. I had a Kennsington adaptor which I found problematic.
I now use the Iogear. The trick with the iogear adapter is to install the window drivers (assuming you're using VPC) otherwise install the mac drivers.
I like the Iogear because it's smaller and a bit more streamlined than some of the others which can be large and blocky.
Again everyone has their favorite. Belkin is mentioned a lot.
On the Garmin 60CS I've found a few tricks make things go smoother. For some reason if I plug in the adapter before I launch VPC it won't work. I have to launch VPC, bring up windows and THEN plug in the adapter.
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But VPC is a horrendous trial to put someone through aside from the speed. Hopefully version 7 will allow g5 based Macs to run it a little more respectfully.
MuddyShoes
Horrendous?
you've been hurt haven't you?Seriously, this isn't the case at all in my opinon. I LOVE VPC. As long as you have a processor that's over 800 mhtz or faster and adequate RAM to back it up it's a realtively painless/smooth experience.
I'm no poweruser for example and managed to get things running with relative ease.
No you're not going to be playing Doom3 via VPC but that's not what the product is for. I know people love to bash VPC and it gets a bad rap but it is emulator after all. I think a lot of people expect too much from it.
It's never going to fully replace a PC. But if all you want to do is accomplish things like loading maps into your unit, using windows browsers or running windows based productivity software so you can trade files with your PC-using clients -- it's great.
Having the convience of being able to run Windows 2000 on my powerbook and run Mapsource as well as TOPO 3D and other mapping/gps programs has been incredibly useful.
Espeically with OSX where you can launch VPC from the dock and drop/drag files as you wish.
Admittedly if you have an older Mac you're going to find VPC less than thrilling. But on my 886 dual processor G4 desktop and my 1.5 mghtz powerbook I find running everything in Windows 2000 much better than using the mac applications available out there. Espeically since there's only ONE way to upload maps to a Garmin unit -- through windows.
I haven't found the need to jump to a G5 yet so that's not an issue with me. Hopefully by the time I need to upgrade there will be other solutions.
Anyway, to the original poster in answer to your question a LOT of mac users own GPS units and have found solutions for making them work with your mac. I only telling you what works for me.
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As a caveat, I don't think there is any OSX software that yet speaks Garmin/USB and there have been enough reports that it doesn't work with VPC that I'd be reluctant to recommend any of the Garmin USB-*only* units. So VistaC/SummitC/Quest and related models are probably out for you.
If any of you OSX users know of OSX software that speaks USB end-to-end (no serial ports/converters in the picture) so that waypoints can be transferred or if VPC actually works well enough to upload maps, please do pipe up.
Feel free to write Garmin and tell them why you aren't buying their products - they not only haven't written software for your chosen system, but they haven't documented the protocol so others can do it...
I signed up to this board to find that out about the USB only models. Crud.
Anyone have any proficiency in writting USB drivers on Mac? I wrote Garmin (both email & snail mail) and they have not responded. Customer service isn't priority one I guess.
I know Linux has drivers for Garmin, has anyone been able to get them to work with the USB only models?
All I want is my data and to not HAVE to use a windows box. PLEASE help!? I'll be your friend. Honest. Or if you have any other ideas for who I could talk to at Garmin, I WILL.
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Sorry about being all desperate.... It would just be nice for a company to actually listen to customers. Maybe even respond.
Don't give up hope just yet. VPC7 was JUST released and there have been some early reports of users getting Garmin USB devices to communicate through VPC.
At least on a G4. G5's and VPC still seems to have some problems to work out.
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Can anyone tell me which gps units are compatible with MACs? And further, how about the software? Are there any major issues with using a MAC with these units and software?
No GPS that I know of is directly compatible with the Mac. You usually need a third party program (many which are free) to connect any GPS to your Mac and exchange waypoints and so forth.
For loading Maps you'll need to use Virtual PC and a USB/Serial adapter.
I've been using VPC on my powerbook for 3 years to work with my GPSV (and now my Garmin 60cs). It's become second nature.
So yes, you can use virtually any GPS with your Mac. There will just be some added expense to pick up VPC and a good adapter. (which you should be able to get on ebay for less than 100 bucks unless you want to get the new version 7 which was just released).
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I agree. The brand can make all the difference in the world. I use PowerX batteries exclusively because of the excellent guarantee/replacment program along with the MAHA charger.
I still have my first pair of PowerX batteries (about 3 years old) and they still hold a decent charge.
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ok I got my Pda Zire 71 and I got my GPS 60C and I am ordering the cable to link the two of them, once I get the cable how do I download from the PDA to the gps I use cachemate and I have looked but see nowhere on Cachemate where you can download to a pda
GeoSar
I managed to hook up my GPS and PDA by using a serial cradle (pda) and using a 9 pin null modem to connect it to the serial cable for my GPS.
On the GPS 60 I had to change the communication protocol from Garmin to NMES or whatever it's called (don't have my GPS with me at the moment).
Here's a great link that gives you a lot of information on doing what you're asking;
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Kewl -- CNN just ran a spot on Geocaching.com/
I'm sure they'll be rerunning it through out the day.
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I'd like to see a utillity that would turn on proximity alerts for EVERY waypoint in my 60CS. (rather than having to set them manually).
It would be nice for those long distance road trips. Evertime I passed within .5 miles of a cache a message would flash alerting me that there's a cache in the area.
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Exactly. I don't do this myself but I now people who do.
Cache counts don't meant squat except to the person who bother's logging them.
If Joe Cacher has a 1000 finds logged and 800 are bogus it's no skin off my nose. It's not like we hang out at the bar and boast about our Cache counts. If his life feels somehow more complete because he padded his cache count that's fine. he probably doesn't realize I could care less.
Cache counts mean different things to different people. I know folks who log additional finds when they go back to a cache they've been to to retrieve a Travel Bug.
It might be annoying to others but again -- it's not hurting anyone.
Then why are there 400 threads² complaining that some 6000+ find cacher didn't sign the logbook at 30 of those 6000 caches?
Why do people jump at the chance to constantly point out a few cachers who have photoshopped some virtual or locationless cache verifications?
Why do we have endless discussion if it's ok to log a find on a missing cache if you are pretty sure you found the right spot?
Why is there one thread a week about how important it is to log your DNFs, and how fake finds hurt other cachers?
Sure it's a game. Games are played by rules. You don't want to play Monopoly with someone who keeps slipping $500 bills from the bank, do you?
² totally made up number.
Yeah it's a game is right.
But it's solitaire. Not monopoly. If people cheat at Monopoly they get called on it. If they cheat at Solitaire who cares? I mean there are no winners in geocaching (other than the fun of it). It's not a zero sum game. No cash prizes for the guy with the most.
Just not something that causes me to lose any sleep or sends me rushing to the keyboard to vent.
I can't remember the last time I bothered checking anyone elsse's cache count.
I think all the posts about cache counts are pretty silly. But that's just me.
Everyone comes to the 'game' for their own reasons and gets something different out of it.
My brother has probably logged 100 caches in the field but has never once filed a log online.
I just refuse to let the next guy's attitude about cache numbers and find counts get in the way of enjoying my hobby. To read some of the posts on these forums the outsider might be left with the impression geocaching isn't any fun at all. ;D
Have fun folks. Don't let a few people's annoying habits get under your skin.
I understand the DNF and fake find issue and the problems they cause. Debate as you wish.
I got no problems with that.
Just doesn't bother me personally.
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I thought it would never die, but in the middle of a planned 20 find day, my garmin eTrex Venture dropped while I was helping some new cachers with a tough cache. The once scarred and lined screen is just DOA now.
However, this was just after finding my 401st cache and since I hadn't ordered a GPS when I found my first couple it lasted me about 399 caches and over 2 whole years. Not bad, I'm thinking. I had been planning to get a new one in a week, so I just have to bump that up a bit. not much of a problem, since that new cacher can help me get one quick.
How many finds did you have with your GPS when it died and what kind was it? Please just list if you had one die or have a phenomenal number of finds with the same GPS. 400 is nothing, just ironic. 1000 is quite a feat for any ruggedized device.
I've never had a GPS die on me.
Had my GPSV for 3 years. Sold it recently to get a 60CS.
Hopefully this one will last another 3 years.
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This is for you - and you will know who you are, and it's not aimed any ONE person in particular. It happens ALL over the place.
When you go back to your own cache, with another cacher, or for maintenance, or for any reason, you don't log another find. You hid it, you should know darn well where it is. You post a note. "Post a Note" A note. Not a find. Not a did not find. not a should be archived. Just a note.
OK?
Thank you.
Why not? People play by their own rules. It's their cache, let them do what they please. Maybe you shouldn't let it bother you.
Exactly. I don't do this myself but I now people who do.
Cache counts don't meant squat except to the person who bother's logging them.
If Joe Cacher has a 1000 finds logged and 800 are bogus it's no skin off my nose. It's not like we hang out at the bar and boast about our Cache counts. If his life feels somehow more complete because he padded his cache count that's fine. he probably doesn't realize I could care less.
Cache counts mean different things to different people. I know folks who log additional finds when they go back to a cache they've been to to retrieve a Travel Bug.
It might be annoying to others but again -- it's not hurting anyone.
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I read questions in here about how to use palms and other devices along with a GPS unit.
Personally all I do is get the coordinates and go from there. I dont load maps etc into my unit.
I feel that it really does take all the fun out of the hunt when the equipment does it all for you.
My way is to use the NSEW way of searching and watching the lat/long on the GPS.
I really dont see how it can be all that fun when all you do is look at your electronic map to pin point where a geo cache is located.
I compare it to people who work at a store restaraunt etc. who use a till.
Not too long ago a person working a till had to figure out what change to give and count it out. Now it is all done for them. Push some buttons and you dont have to think at all. Same with geo caching . Enter the coords. in and bring it up on your map. No thinking at all the computer does it for you all you have to do is drive to the location.
I wonder how many people out there know how to do it the hard way.
Gee, sounds like someone has PDA-envy.
Not at all. Tools like a PDA simply help me do MORE of what I love doing. Doing it the OLD way I was able to do around 5 caches a day and usually ended up discovering I didn't have a vital clue once I was several klicks out in a the middle of the woods with no way to find the cache.
Now I can do ten even twenty a day if I have a mind to. Not thatt I'm not THAT into cache counts. But I do like spending a full day caching when i get out.
Having a PDA simply allows me to have EVERY cache report for EVERY waypoint in my GPS.
Especially nice for those Cache-by-impulse moments when you're driving in an area you hadn't planned on or if you find yourself with an hour or so of free time to kill (such as the wife doing a little shopping).
Simply pull out your GPS. Find the nearest cache and look up the cache report on your PDA.
I love being able to do caches on the fly.
Certainly doesn't take the fun out of it. Nor is it some sort of cheat as was implied.
I suppose you could print out a ream of cache reports and lug those around but that seams silly if you can store them all in your pda.
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I don't have an iQue personally but I stumbled across this website which I'm told gives some very good (and detailed) info on making your Mac and iQue talk to each other.
I'm posting it here incase somebody has need for it.
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No autorouting with metroguide?
ANd I dont think I understand the whole unlock idea. Is "unlocking" basically the same as a serial key for other programs?
If I "unlock" a map, do I only get GA (the region Im in) or do I get the whole US?
Metroguide 4 will autoroute on the 60CS. ;D
I prefer MG4 to City Select because there are more water and RR details. Something very useful where I live. If you care more about Points of Interest and current business info City Select is the way to go. But in my opinion if you are primiarlly interested in small details for Geocaching you might want to check out MG4.
case in point. I was recently looking for a cache near Naperville, IL. MG4 clearly showed a stream between ME and the cache. City Select showed no stream at all. Might not seem like a big deal but it saved me a mile and half of walking to the nearest bridge and back.
Every mapset boils down to give and tack. For every POI crammed onto the CD something else has to give. With City Select details like cemetery roads, rail roads and water features have been dropped or diminished.
At least where I live. The majority of the small lakes in my area don't appear in city select.
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Today I was geocaching with my 60CS mounted in a Garmin holder on the dash of my truck.
When I went to remove it from the holder the screen went blank. This just started happening.
I tried it 6 times and as I removed it from the holder the screen went blank. It started at the top of the page and went down to the bottom.
I tried hitting enter and all the other buttons to get the working screen back up with no luck.
I had to hit the power button to start it up again.
Anyone else had this problem ?
Valley Vanquishers........
Any chance you had it hooked up to the Cig lighter and unplugged it?
I believe the default setting is for the unit to shout off in 10 seconds once it loses power.
If not it sounds like you may have a unit with a loose battery compartment.
An Unhappy Sheriff
in General geocaching topics
Posted
I suspect what happened is he drove back by and someone pointed out to the police "That's the GUY!!""