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JustMike

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Posts posted by JustMike

  1. About a year ago I did some testing with a very wimpy Android phone and found that GeOrg could handle the largest GPX files. GeoBeagle/GeoHunter were fairly good. The other 5-ish choices were poor in this respect. I've not re-tested to see if any of these applications have changed.

     

    Regards,

    JustMike

     

    I am looking to see if someone knows of the quickest app that will be able to load the nearest caches to my location from an off-line GPX file.

    The file I found online is about 75MB's large, and contains about 10,000 locations.

     

    While it works great on my new Desire Z, the first generation Android phones are too slow to make it pratical to use. I would like to be able to throw that file on an old android phone, leave it in the car, and be able to let a fellow geocacher use it that doesn't have a device.

     

    The problem I find is that with such a large file and having no data access, the clasic offical app, c:geo, geoBagle, and locus are not pratical. C:Geo, and geoBeagle Crash. Locus works but is very slow.

     

    I am not looking for anything complex or graphical. Just something that will give the name of the closest 10 or 20 caches from the file, so the friend can select the same cache and we can then race towards it.

     

    Any suggestions?

  2. -I gather that the Groundspeak droid caching app costs around $10.00 Is that a one time charge or recurring?

    -Will it work on all Droid phones? (My carrier is verizon)

     

    -Is there a trial period? (I am not opposed to paying for something that I enjoy using...I just want to make sure that I get what I pay for)

     

    -It sounds like some of the other free apps work pretty well. Can I assume that if they are mentioned above and haven't been censored that they comply with the terms?

     

    - My experience with the Groundspeak app is positive. Works as expected and is worth $10. It's a one-time cost.

     

    - c:geo (can we say that now?) is the only app that I know of that causes Groundspeak to get upset. I've not used it recently, but it worked great the last time I used it. It's free.

     

    - There are quite a few very good apps that process gpx (pocket query) files. I prefer GeOrg, but GeoBeage, GeoHunter, CacheMate and a few others work nicely and are quite popular. Some are free, some are not. All are under $10.

     

    I've used all these apps on a Droid (and now on an LG Allay since my Droid died) on Verizon. They should work on any Android device.

  3. I just change to the DroidX from an I phone, I used the Groundspeak software. The Droid version seems lacking, I cant even put my info so I only see caches I have not done, Am I missing something? Is there a better app that wil acomplish this task? I must be slow, I can not even find the settings....

     

    Go to settings and put in your user/pass info and when it searches you'll see only the ones that you haven't found.

     

    The app is quite less than expected (by me at least). No help. No FAQ. No screenshots. Nothing. Pointers go to the forum that doesn't really permit open discussion (it's more of a ranking system request site). Pretty disappointed in my initial use vs. at least one free (C:GEO) alternative, which seems to have usability much more figured out.

     

    I wish it was only that easy.

    I must have a serious lack of eye sight; when the app loads up it gives me 4 things (Find Nearby Geocaches, Search by Location, Search by Code, and Trackables) Absolutely no settings.

    Are you meaning setting somewhere outside the app?

     

    Help...

     

    So where is this settings area?

    I looked in the phone's setting but there isn't anything there for logging into GC.com

    This whole thing is becoming quite lame.

    The app doesn't have any settings tabs unless they're hidden, it doesn't have a simple instruction set or anything else.

    I thought GPS's were meant to keep you from egtting lost; GC has efficiently erased that advantage down to nothingness...

     

    A very common way for any Android app to be configured is to press the menu button while the app is running. Same for the GC app. Fire up the GC app, press menu, first item you'll see is 'username' and 'password.' Easy peasy. Enjoy!

  4. I just change to the DroidX from an I phone, I used the Groundspeak software. The Droid version seems lacking, I cant even put my info so I only see caches I have not done, Am I missing something? Is there a better app that wil acomplish this task? I must be slow, I can not even find the settings....

     

    Go to settings and put in your user/pass info and when it searches you'll see only the ones that you haven't found.

     

    The app is quite less than expected (by me at least). No help. No FAQ. No screenshots. Nothing. Pointers go to the forum that doesn't really permit open discussion (it's more of a ranking system request site). Pretty disappointed in my initial use vs. at least one free (C:GEO) alternative, which seems to have usability much more figured out.

     

    I wish it was only that easy.

    I must have a serious lack of eye sight; when the app loads up it gives me 4 things (Find Nearby Geocaches, Search by Location, Search by Code, and Trackables) Absolutely no settings.

    Are you meaning setting somewhere outside the app?

     

    Help...

     

    Press the menu key.

  5. Curious if there is a bookmarked list for challenge caches?

    Do people like them or skip them?

    Would you be more inclined to do a challenge if there were a reward at the end?

    What's the hardest one you have done?

     

    Dig 'em. Washington History Challenge was my all-time favorite. Fun with friends, climbing mountains in the dark, purchasing a kayak (after sinking in a borrowed blow up), cliffs at night, sand dunes filled with rednecks in dune buggies..... man, it just don't get much better!

     

    Have done: Washington HIstory, Washington Counties, King County Thomas Brothers, Alphabet Soup, 100 Star, 200, star, and a few others.

     

    Working on Fizzy (6 left), Washington DeLorme (5 left) and a few others.

  6. On our end as moderators we watch for new posters that suddenly start posting about a non Groundspeak product. Most of the time (though not all) they are a sock account used to advertise a product, or promote an agenda. Obviously no one wants forums full of ads that compete with the company sponsoring the forum (except the competitor)

     

    You don't actually believe that, do you? You actually think that most people who comment about non-Groundspeak products are phonies promoting their own product or agendas? Really? You're sounding just a wee bit paranoid. I can assure you I'm real and have no agenda other than enjoying geocaching using whatever tools work best. I'm not connected with any competing product/service and derive zero income from geocaching. I do, however, send money to Groundspeak. I've had many email conversations with many of the very people you are maligning and none appeared to be phony. All seemed to be people just trying to enjoy geocaching. Really, I think an apology is in order.

  7. I'm brand new to geocaching, and a week ago or so looked through the Android market to see if there were any geocache apps. I found one for free (which I now suspect is the "not named" one mentioned here) and played around with it, but hadn't actually gone looking for any caches yet.

     

    This morning I went geocaching for the first time at a CITO event, and was loaned a GPS unit. Since I had a great time (and the Magellan eXplorist GPS I got to borrow was pretty cool), I decided to see if there was a better app I could download for my G1 and was willing to pay a reasonable price.

     

    So I did a google search and found this thread, skimmed through a lot of it, and was sad to see that there was no official GS app for Android yet...HOWEVER, I just now did a Market search on my phone anyways, and GUESS WHAT SHOWED UP?? Apparently the official app is out now. Must have been released super recently, like in the past couple days or something. It's $9.99, for anyone interested. I just searched for "Groundspeak" into the Marketplace and it popped up.

     

    Here's the link: http://www.geocaching.com/android/

     

    Uh..... the link you provided is for the official Groundspeak geocaching app. Works nicely, although it's still a little buggy. Worth $10.

     

    There are several great apps for the Android that manage gpx files. GeOrg, GeoHunter, CacheMate, GeoBeagle, etc, etc. etc. For these, you'll need to use pocket queries to be useful, which is a premium member service. Actually, now that I think about it, you must need to be a premium member to use Groundspeak's geocaching app too. Regardless..... premium membership is a good value too.

     

    An important point, that you may not realize since you're new to geocaching and perhaps new to using a smart phone, a geocaching app that depends on cell service, like the unnamed app and Groundspeak's app, will not work without cell service unless you download cache data before loosing service.

     

    Groundspeak doesn't allow us to discuss the un-named app in their forums. Feel free to send me a private note if you'd like feedback.

     

    Regards, Mike

  8. Granted to make this work, you need to have a planned PQ schedule and manage the results with a tool like Gsak.

     

    Why do I need Gsak? I'm loading my PQ GPX files into Georg and updating them regularly without it. Please explain.

    Here you go ...

     

    In the example I described, I was using multiple PQs, about 30 in this case, to download all of the cache data for a large region. I then merged that data using GSAK and then selected a smaller area to load into GeOrg. Granted you could simply take all of the cache data from all those PQs and load it directly into GeOrg (I did basically that to stress test GeOrg and other Android apps), but by first placing all that data into Gsak I can do various searches -- for various state-wide challenges, for example -- and load a smaller data set into GeOrg.

     

    So, no, you do not need Gsak to load 30 PQs into GeOrg.

     

    To make use of all the cache data for a large region I think you do need Gsak or something like it.

  9. Groundspeak has given me no alternative.
    Why must Groundspeak be the one to give you an alternative to an app that violates their TOU by scraping their site?

     

    There are several free apps already available that respect Groundspeak's TOU. Many find them very useful. The unauthorized application is hardly the only option.

     

    What I meant was that Groundspeak has not provided me with THEIR alternative (as of yet, and now the site says "Q3"--great another 3 months).

     

    From what I've used, none of the "several free apps" are even remotely as convenient to use as what I'm doing now. All of which require me to extensively plan exactly where I'll be in advance, download queries, and sometimes mess around with multiple apps to get things loaded and displaying correctly. As someone who is all over town, at random, occasionally I get 10 minutes to spare and it's REALLY nice to be able to pull into a parking lot, grab the Droid, click a button and pull up "caches near me right now", pick one, and go. I would probably stop geocaching altogether, or at least it would seriously impact the "pleasure versus hassle" ratio from my point of view, to have to mess around with GPXs and downloads every time I wanted to pull up a quick cache in the neighborhood. Totally removes spontaneity from the whole game. I hardly think I'm alone in this opinion...am I?

     

    As a test, I tried loading 15,000 caches into several of the Android gpx-processing apps. My thinking was that any app that could manage 15,000 caches would allow basically the same behavior as the live-search apps without the various problems with live search (like lack of cell coverage and heartburn from our friends in Seattle). I found that most apps fail badly with large gpx sets, but GeOrg handled 16,000 without too much pain on a Droid and easily handled several gpx sets of 5000. GeOrg can not only process large data sets, but allows search and sort on large data sets and allows full navigation to any of those caches. So, I'm able to load all the caches in the state of Washington into my Droid and easily do a "what's nearby" search. How's that for 'around town?'

     

    Granted to make this work, you need to have a planned PQ schedule and manage the results with a tool like Gsak. But there are many others doing this -- I certainly didn't think it up -- and it provides some other useful planning advantages, especially if you like to do state-wide challenges. The housekeeping takes about 10 minutes a couple times each week, which is acceptable to me as I can do that housekeeping while doing other computer tasks (like writing forum posts).

     

    If you like to just grab whatever cache happens to be nearby then live search is the way to go. But you'll be missing most of what makes geocaching fun.

  10. From what I can gather. GeoBeagle and Bcache really only work for premium members.

    Which feels rather discriminatory.

    Can't do pocket queries unless you are PM. Which, if you're a newbie (like me) with a budget (like me), is a downer.

     

    You can download cache data without being a PM and, using a PC tool like GSAK (very cool, it's even free to try) you can create GPX files. Those GPX files can then loaded into GeoBeagle/etc. You basically create a GPX file rather than downloading it via a PQ. Works great. No PM/PQ/Bcache required.

  11. Groundspeak has given me no alternative.
    Why must Groundspeak be the one to give you an alternative to an app that violates their TOU by scraping their site?

     

    There are several free apps already available that respect Groundspeak's TOU. Many find them very useful. The unauthorized application is hardly the only option.

     

    Choice is good. Well, choice is good for consumers and bad for providers. Some consumers/geocachers like to do live searches. Some prefer to use PQs. Choice. For those that like to depend on live searches one of the apps that Groundspeak feels violates the TOU are a possible choice. For those that prefer to use PQs there are more choices, none (I think) cause any tummy troubles for the Frog in Seattle.

     

    Personally, I prefer to use PQs. Rarely do I ever just randomly show up at a location at start caching. Instead, I plan trips with a focus on a specific location or specific caches. It's nice that my preferred caching style allows me to avoid live searches -- since that bothers Groundspeak and because I frequently cache where there is no cell coverage -- but I do this because it's the way I like to cache.

     

    Really, this is a silly issue. Pick the app you like and go caching! Get outside. Get some dirt on your shoes. Have fun!

  12. Hey Groundspeak,

     

    The Geocaching Software page does not list the handful of Android applications that, I believe, meet the Groundspeak TOS. Should that page be updated? I believe the following apps are 'legal' so should be listed: GeoBeagle, GeoHunter, GeOrg, OpenGPX and Gooh. There must be a few that I'm overlooking too.

     

    Might be useful to geocachers to list some of the other related apps too. GPS Satus, Compass, GPS Averaging, GPS Essentials, My Tracks and WhereYouGo.

     

    There have been requests to have such a list so people know what's acceptable to Groundspeak and what is not. This would be a useful way to provide such a list.

     

    Thanks.

  13. I suggest instead that we respect the site's wish to not use their resources to promote apps they feel violate the TOU that you agrreed to. That doesn't mean inventing cute ways around the automated ban of the app's name or otherwise making like difficult for the moderators asked to help enforce this (that includes me....) It means just plain not talking about it.

  14. I suggest instead that we respect the site's wish to not use their resources to promote apps they feel violate the TOU that you agrreed to. That doesn't mean inventing cute ways around the automated ban of the app's name or otherwise making like difficult for the moderators asked to help enforce this (that includes me....) It means just plain not talking about it.

     

    Yeah...... I do, sincerely, have great respect for you, Robert, and appreciate and respect the people of Groundspeak. Honest. Good people, earning a reasonable income from our little game/sport. Cool. Thumbs up.

     

    My problem is that geocaching is more than just Groundspeak. It's us, the million plus people that make it all happen. So, when Groundspeak behaves in a way that fails to recognize that geocaching is 'owned' by us too I'm offended. I have asked respectfully that Groundspeak develop a public API for mobile apps. I will continue to do so. The API can be designed in such a way that it protects their, very reasonable, business model and allows cachers to make use of the new mobile technology. The failure to create a public API creates a situation where apps like the one that causes problems are widely used.

     

    Please.... will someone at Grounspeak pay attention! This problem is not going to go away by forbidding a single app.

  15. I am looking at getting one or more apps. the ones i have in mind are geobeagle, geORG, geoFun, and or Find geo's.

     

    My favorite is GeOrg as it handles large gpx files, support search and sort and has a nice collection of features. Helps that it doesn't seem to bother Groundspeak.

     

    I like GeoBeagle and GeoHunter, but neither supports search and sort. CacheMate is nice, supporting search and sort, but lacks some of the other features of GeoBeagle/GeoHunter.

     

    [Reference to unauthorized application removed by moderator]

     

    The Groundspeak geocaching app will be out 'soon' too, we're told.

  16. So I two normal GPS units (an old Magellan 315 and a Delorme PN-40).

     

    Recently I got an new smartphone, an HTC Touch Pro II from Verizon. It has a GPS in chip in it.

     

    I thought it might be nice to be able to do an occasional cache using my smartphone if I don't happen to have my GPS handy.

     

    Can anyone recommend a software package for this purpose? Free is better, but if the price is right, it won't be a big deal.

     

    If it helps, I have a premium membership and access to pocket queries.

     

    TIA.

     

    There are a number of good Android apps for geocaching. Search for geocaching in the android market.

     

    A few I like: GeoBeagle and GeoHunter are both free and based on same code. GeOrg is not free, but has features I find worth the $7 cost. CacheMate.

     

    A few others that I've not used much: Geooh, OpenGPX and Columbus.

     

    There's also the app that we're not allowed to discuss and endorse on Groundspeak forums.

     

    The Groundspeak app should be out soon.

     

    Lots of great choices.

  17. How many Geocaches can i load up in Geohunter.

    Going on holiday soon so as many as possible, and still have the app workable?

     

    I recently tried loading very large data sets into several geocaching apps. GeoBeagle and GeoHunter were usable with 6000. CacheMate was usable to about 2000. GeOrg was the best with large data set. It could manage 16000. GoOrg also handles multiple data sets nicely and can to search and sort.

     

    Regards, Mike

  18. Any news on the official App, or any help with my query

     

    Please try the latest version of GeoBeagle with bcaching.com; it's not live queries, but I think it's pretty convenient....

     

    Steve

     

    GeoBeagle is a nice app. Thanks for developing it and sharing it.

     

    Not sure if I find bcaching useful or not. Can't quite decide. It's a Groundspeak-acceptable way to do semi-live searches, but..... like any live search it requires network connectivity. That can be limiting if you like to cache in remote locations. Also, to easily use bcaching one needs to limit PQs to 500 rather than taking advantage of the new 1000 PQ limit.

     

    I'm currently a fan of placing large cache databases (a few thousand caches, at least) on my Droid and avoiding live searches. This has a number of advantages. It doesn't annoy Groundspeak. It works around Groundspeak's lack of a public API. It works in remote areas where cell coverage is poor. And, given that I already manage a large geocache database with a pile of PQs and GSAK it's easy to dump a lot of data to the Droid and use one of the many good Android geocaching apps. GeOrg seems to handle this best since it has search and sort functions, but GeoBeagle works nicely too.

     

    Different folks like different approaches. Just one guy's observations.

  19. I went out with my Android G1 this afternoon and tested my Wherigo cartridge "HighLand_Fling" it was compiled as a PC Wherigo. Overall, the Android pretty much followed the script but I was at an advantage because I knew what was going to happen. As usual it had trouble finding the Zone.

    Regards, Tom Birchmire

     

    I gave WhereYouGo a spin over the weekend too. Worked fine. No software problems, in any case.

     

    At the risk of turning this into a discussion about Wherigo caches and getting told by the moderators to move it to yet another forum, it appears that Wherigo cache creators need to be more flexible on zone definition as GPSr are just not that accurate. I found myself wandering back 'n forth over a small area waiting for the software/hardware to decide I was within a zone. Expecting a GPSr to provide accurate location information within a yard or two is silly. Create zones that are 30' in diameter at a minimum. They are 'zones,' after all.

     

    Regards, mike

  20. The lack of sdcard is the reason for your troubles with Geobeagle. It syncs with .gpx and .zip files that contain .gpx files in your /sdcard/download/ directory and also creates a /sdcard/GeoBeagle directory. I'm really surprised that that device, at the very least, doesn't have a /sdcard directory created for applications to use.

    I'm aware of the fact the folder is missing but there is something structural developers have to deal with. The Archos 5H is the only non-mobile phone device using Android. But it has a lot of potential. I also had some apps that needed an IMEI number but the Archos doesn't have any mobile phone capabilities. The developers aim for the larger part of the market but don't take care of other applications for the Android OS. Over time this will be a great loss for a nice platform.

     

    The new Google TV is reportedly using Android so there could be many future Android platforms that are not mobile phones. But I rather doubt anyone will use a Google TV to geocache.

     

    Confession: I had to google Archos 5H to figure out that it's a tablet device. Looks like there's a file manger on this device. Can you create /sdcard directory with that file manager?

  21. The app is in beta testing, and is nearing a state where it can be released to the public.

    Once the app IS released, I suspect we will get our own forum to complain about how it doesn't do what we expected.

     

    Patience, Grasshopper....

     

    I'm a beta testier for the Groundspeak app and am aware of the current testing/development status.

     

    I'm not looking for a forum in which we can discuss a single app, Rather, I'm proposing a forum in which geocaching with Android devices can be discussed. There's a forum for ham radio with geocaching.... how many ham radio operators are there compared to Android users?

  22. There's a top-level forum 'Geocaching for iPhone' yet nothing for Android. Given the popularity of the device wouldn't it make sense to have an Android group?

    I would imagine that will happen AFTER they release an app for the Android based devices....

     

    There's a hamster caching forum and I've not noticed Groundspeak selling hamsters.

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