Lasagna
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Posts posted by Lasagna
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That's not correct ... you need to delete the old ones.
Someone highlighted how to get to the delete waypoints screen from the Find menu already ... the other way is to go to the odometer screen (the one with distance travelled, stopped time, moving time, etc.) and hit the menu key ... you can select Reset from here and one of the menu items will let you clear ALL waypoints.
When you down load the new caches the older ones would be removed. So just down load the new ones.
Alex
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I received a GPSr as a Christmas present mostly for hiking and didn't use it much until I happened upon an article on Geocaching ... and thus started the addiction. So, I had my GPSr before I went for my first search. However, I know those that have done this without a GPSr and are in fact quite good at it (it is definitely more difficult, but if you find some easy difficulty hides in an area where there are some good landmarks from which you can work using maps and satellite imagery, you might have a reasonable shot at some success).
One suggestion would be to find someone locally who might be willing to let you tag along on a cache excursion. Have you searched for any events in your area in the near future? That would be a good way to meet up with some local cachers and I am more than willing to bet they'd be glad to some you the ropes. You won't need a GPSr to find the event usually -- the location is usually in the writeup in addition to the coordinates.
As for a basic started GPS, just about any handheld will do ... pick up a cheap on on eBay (like a Legend or a Yellow) ... but understand that if you get into this, you may quickly outgrow the unit or be hungry for extra features.
Good luck.
I had never heard of geocaching until about a week ago when eating dinner with friends that were traveling through. I had mentioned about recently getting a GPS for my car and they asked if I was going to get into geocaching. I told them I had never heard of it. They don't do it but they either know someone who does or have read/seen something about it.
A couple days later I remembered the conversation and decided to search about it. I came across the geocaching.com website and read up on it and read through some of this forum. I started looking through caches in the area and was surprised by the number of them. In the past 3 days, I haven't been able to stop reading up on geocaching and searching on the website about the ones in the area.
I so want to go out and find a bunch in this area but my auto gps isn't suitable for geocaching. I feel that some of the caches in the area I could probably find without the gps by using the maps and stuff but I'm not sure I want to try and then get discouraged if I can't find them. I really don't have the money right now to buy a gps for this sport, although I've been doing a lot of searching and research. Even though I am a tech geek and like to have the coolest toys (that i can afford), I think I would be fine with the Garmin eTrex H. I don't need it for routing since I already have a gps for my car... I would only need something to get me to the cache. What do the rest of you think?
How did the rest of you get started?
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A terrain of "1" has by definition of the rating system that Clayjar put together usually meant the location is "wheelchair" accessible (paved walkways, etc.) however the hide style itself can make the cache itself inaccessible. I have always reserved a terrain of "1" for wheelchair accessible hides and notched the hide style up a half-notch to "1.5" if it's an easy terrain but involves something which might make it inaccessible to everyone -- such as a curb or height of the hide. I also make use of the attributes page to indicate if a cache is accessible under other circumstances but requires a higher rating (in which case you should explain that in the writeup without necessarily giving the hide away).
We've just returned to geocaching after about 2 years. Alot has changed on the website since then! We have placed a couple of new caches in our area that in the past would meet the terrain rating of 1 (flat terrain, no obstacles, etc). We're now being encouraged to note them as wheelchair accessible. Someone in a wheelchair could easily reach the site, but the caches are placed high off the ground. I don't remember ever being asked this question before, so I suppose it's another improvement to the site. Should we change the rating to a 2?
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First, please thank your husband for his service to our country. It is greatly appreciated.
As was already said, by all means take the Legend back (unless it's a Legend HCx in which case you got a good deal). The technology is dated and at $150, you got a bad deal. The Venture HC or Summit HC are good intro units which should be available in that price range. If you can't find a good price locally, many of the reputable online retailers have them for that price.
Next, keep in mind when search for a cache that the GPSr is only accurate to around 10-20ft. So, as you get close to a cache, the little arrow will tend to bounce around a bit as the satellite positions are constantly being calculated. It you're standing at ground zero, I wouldn't be surprised if the arrow constantly kept moving in different directions. Best bet is to follow the arrow until your abour 30ft or so from the cache and then sight estimate about where it's pointing and then stop looking at the GPSr and go to that spot and start an systematic pattern search of the area. If that fails, move away from the area and repeat the sighting process recentering your search. The GPSr will only get you close ... your eyes and hands will have to do the rest.
Good luck and happy hunting.
We just bought the Garmin Etrex legend for $150 at Circut City and it sucks! We are takeing it back! We've had problems with the screen going blank and everytime we get within about 50 ft of a cache it goes crazy and starts pointing in all directions!
Anyone have any recomendations for something better that is close to the same price range?
Any info is helpful info!
THANKS!
SARAH
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Mapsource and City Navigator is all you need if you want to download turn-by-turn maps to your Colorado.
(well that and obviously the USB driver for the Colorado)
If I get the City maps to add to Mapsource and my GPS (Colorado), do I need to install nRoute?
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First, thank you so much for your service to our country!
The problem I see with the Nuvi is the form factor and the fact that most (if not all) are not waterproof (bad news the first time it starts to rain while on the trail or you drop the unit in the stream). I have heard of some taking this on the trail to find a geocache, but almost always as a backup device.
With the requirements of spoken directions, I think I'd be inclined to recommend you go with two units. One specifically for the car with turn-by-turn (a nuvi perhaps or one of the many other manufacturers who have inexpensive units that have the spoken directions and all of which do automatic route recalculation). The other unit could then be a mid-range handheld (people seem to like their Legend HCx units) on which you could then load topo maps if desired.
Side benefit ... you could potentially take the nuvi with you as a backup (or so you had something in hand while your guests used the primary unit just to make sure they were "on track").
If you can get away from the need for voice, I've found my GPSMAP 60Csx to be quite functional. I have the car mount for it, City Navigator for turn by turn and auto-reroute, and Topo maps for on the trail. It just "beeps" and "blips" when turns are coming up and shows them on the screen ... I've found that to work fine for me although I can see the attraction of having the spoken directions in a busy traffic situation.
Good luck in your search.
-jk
I have used the search option and I have researched garmins site extensively reading all the little details, I now think I am ready to perform open heart surgery but getting no closer to a unit for my wife. I am about to deploy to Kuwait in December and she wants a unit that mounts well in the car, can tell her verbally when to turn and will re route automatically when she makes a wrong turn, easy enough, also she wants that same unit to be able to be dismounted and used for geocaching so if family comes to visit she can get them hooked. I have looked at the Nuvi's and read some of the comments here and on gpspassion.com. Do Nuvi's work well with geocaching? Should I get her a simple Nuvi 200W and an older Garmin? Or get me a newere model, get her the Nuvi 200W and give her my Legend Cx? Nothing against Magelin at all, I am learning the Garmin very fast, and the army offers many free gimmies for garmin and nothing for Magelin. I'd love to hear your all's advice on what you feel the best unit or combination would work best for our desires. And no I'm in no rush to get a newer unit for myself. The buget on this isn't set but I'd love to go below 300, which a Legend C and a Nuvi 200W go for about that much together used. Thank you in advance for any advice.
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Starbrand's suggestion is a good one too ... when I did a teaching session for a local scout troop, I setup a bunch of temporary caches at the scout camp where they were camping for the weekend, showed them what to do and then set then loose to give it a whirl.
I relied on the generosity of local cachers who came thru with a bunch of ammo cans, decons, and other suitable containers for temporary use to support the effort.
-jk
When I show groups of kids about Geocaching - I usually just setup a few temp caches for fun and learning.
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First, minor point of ediquette ... please turn off that CAPS LOCK key. Typing everything in CAPS is consider to be the equivalent of yelling at those who are reading ...
With that said, I know of several teachers as well as group houseparents locally who go caching with groups of kids and there is rarely a problem. The kids have to be told the rules and agree to abide by them or else you just don't take them.
As a good teacher, I would think they would carefully select the caches to which they planned to take the children in advance. Otherwise, you'd never know what you might encounter, what dangers might exist, the terrain or natural obstacles or poisonous plants that might exist, or if indeed the cache is even in place.
So, if they do a little pre-selection of caches including going out on their own in advance and finding the cache (to insure it's in place and perhaps even stocked with a few appropriate trinkets that the kids can then "trade" for), insuring that it's in a safe and accessible location, insuring that it's in a location to which they can bring 11 or 12 excited kids without disclosing the cache to the world, etc. it would a great adventure.
A nice stroll on a nature trail or simple hike out of prying eyes and not too far off the trail should do the trick. An urban-micro next to a street sign? Probably not so much ...
-jk
HI MY NAME IS TIM AND IM BRAND NEW TO GC'IN, IM REALLY HAVIN FUN WITH IT AND I AM HEADING TO ARIZONA AND PLAN ON HAVIN ALOT OF DESERT FUN.
ILL GET TO MY QUESTION, MY WIFE IS A PRESCHOOL TEACHER AND THE SCHOOL SHE IS AT HAS A SUMMER PROGRAM ONE OF THE OTHER TEACHERS HAS HEARD ABOUT GC'N FROM MY WIFE AND IS ALL SET TO GET INTO IT WITH HER SUMMER CLASS OF 11 OR 12 KIDS...
NOW, MY KIDS ARE LIKEING THE GC'N VERY MUCH AS WELL BUT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE RULES AND THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECTING THEM TO PRESERVE THE SPORT FOR OTHERS...
I STARTED AN ARGUMENT BY SAYING THAT I THINK THAT CACHEING WITH 12 KIDS MAY NOT BE A GOOD IDEA CAUSE THEY WONT KNOW, RESPECT OR CARE ABOUT THE RULES AND POSSIBLY RUIN A CACHE...I WAS THINKING ABOUT A CACHE WE FOUND THAT WAS 50 FEET FROM A SWIMMIN HOLE FILLED WITH MUGGLERS WE HAD TO GO INTO STEALTH MODE... AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
I KNOW THIS IS A SPORT FOR EVERYONE AND ITS GREAT FOR KIDS BUT IM NOT SURE IF THAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO... AS I SAID IM A NEWBY AND WITH AS FEW A FINDS AS I HAVE I DONT HAVE THE EXPIRIENCE TO SAY EITHER WAY... SO I FIGURED I WOULD PUT THIS OUT THERE AND GET EVERYONES OPINIONS....
THE TEACHER CAN DO WHAT SHE WANTS I GUESS BUT IF I CAN SWAY HER ILL DO MY PART...
SO WHAT DO YOU ALL THINK?
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A co-worker that I frequently go caching with at lunchtime had a very similar issue with his brand new Colorado. It would occasionally reach a spot and "jump" two clicks instead of one. He contacted Garmin about it and they simply RMA'd it and replaced it. They simply said it was a defect. Never heard of Garmin sending out spare parts -- they usually just RMA their stuff and give you a replacement unit.
Has anyone had the wheel operation semi-randomly refuse to allow icon selection. By this I mean for example, you want to select the geocache icon so you select shortcuts and rotate the wheel. As you approach the geocache icon, the graghic indication stops and refuses to continue on to the geocache icon. Try, Try as much as you want, the next thing that happens is suddenly you are at least one icon beyond the geocache icon or spinning like a wheel. This also happens when trying to edit waypoints.
Backing out of the screen, ie, select shortcuts and geocache again, may or may not result in normal operation.
This behavior is particularly irrating when trying to edit a waypoints properties.
I called Garmin yesterday and the support person suggested that a new wheel should fix me up but I have my doubts. That would mean the magnetic properties of the embedded magnet have degraded. In any case, my new wheel is on it's way.
So, has anyone experienced this behavior, contacted Garmin and received a new wheel and that was the end of the story.
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I've had two installed on my system for quite a while now ... one for my eTrex and one for my 60Csx and it works without any issue. The software seems to sort which code to use for which gps automatically (it's the same install, both unlock codes are installed into the same installation).
Hi members, do you know if Mapsource can handle TWO official/paid CN 2008 for two different 60csx on the SAME pc? thanks.
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Get the USB auto adapter ... that works just fine with the 60Csx in the mounting bracket. Didn't you get a USB plug-in adapter when you got the auto-mount?
-jk
I just tried to hook up the (Garmin) external power cable (the four prong cable) to my 60Csx, and discovered that the cable prevents usage of the auto mount.
Are there any options open? A different power cable? A different auto mount?
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Orange vest/hat, gloves, flashlights, small mirror, batteries, trade swag, small notepad, and nylon cord plus most everything you named. I also usually have some bug spray and sunblock in the first aid kit (seal single-use pouch) and if I going out on a hike, of course water (my pack has a camelback in it) and some snack bars.
-jk
Hi Gang, new to geocaching have a coworker getting me started. Was wondering what items you take with you when you cache. I currently have a small backpack that has my GPS, multi-tool, grocery bags to CITO, pen, pencil, some ziplock bags, small first aid kit. So what I'm asking is what have you needed that you have added to your takealong kit. Thanks, W_G_H
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You didn't happen to accidentally click and drag the waypoint around the screen with the little click-stick did you? I used to make this mistake all the time with my eTrex Vista when I first got it when trying to pan around the screen... I'd end up accidentally moving a waypoint around which of course has a very detremental effect on one's ability to actually find the hide.
Hi,
As I am quite new to this and I am having a problem.
I have a Garmin Etrex Vista which I connected to my computer and used the option to download the coordinates from Geocaching.com for Poles Apart GC15F4C, I have just been to try this and although I found the totem poles shown on the page OK my Garmin sent me to the wrong location so I did not find the cache. On returning home I checked the coordinates on the website against the ones on my gps and found them to be different.
The ones on the website are N50 22.509 W004 06.562
the ones that were transferred to my GPS were N50 22.305 W004 06.337.
My question is am I doing something wrong in transferring date to my GPS
Any help you could give me would be appreciated.
Steve
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Sure, why not?
I think I would however encourage placing nice comments, where appropriate, in the log for all to see (since I use such comments myself when looking for caches to do outside my local area -- those with nice comments are good indications of a top notch hide). However, certainly comments which give away some aspect of the hide -- such as a comment about the type of container if it was unique, are better left for a personal note.
I wanted to contact someone and thank them and tell them about my caching experience. I just do not want to leave it in the log because it might ruin the hunt for some one else. Can I do this or is it frowned? Thanks.
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Depends ... I went for special ones for my 100th, 500th, and 1000th ... the others, if it worked out it worked out. Usually I was able to find something special, but occasionally I was on a cache run or just plain forgot the milestone was approaching and whatever cache came up ended up with the honor.
I must say I do like having caching friends along for the milestones and picking something memorable makes it all the more fun (for example, we seem to have a cache here in central PA that many cachers seem to choose for their 1000th called Thousand Steps -- a challenging cache well worth the honor).
I'm closing in on my first 100 and was wondering, for all you seasoned cachers. Do you look for a special cache to celebrate your milestone or just take whatever?
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... and if your unit can support the NT version, you definitely want it. It's a more efficient compression algorithm allowing you to load more maps in the same amount of memory.
The manner in which the map data is stored. Your unit has to be able to support the NT version in order for the map to work. You can check the Garmin site for the compatibility with your unit.
Jim
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Oops ... double post.
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That's the same thing as happens if you let the timeout occur ... I knew there was a way to force it, but by GPS is in the car and I was too lazy to go fetch it. Thanks coggins.
You need to download a new almanac from the sats. Go to the Main Menu, Select Satellite, and press the Menu button. Scroll down to New Location and select it and pick Automatic. Give the unit a good sky view and let it download the almanac, this could take several minuets.
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In addition, if you have GSAK, you can load your "My Finds" query into it and then get the FindStatsGen macro to get some nice charts and stats which can be loaded into your profile. There's also a program from logicweave.com called CacheStats which does a similar job to itsnotaboutthenumbers but without the online requirement.
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First, thank you so much for your service to our country. It is greatly appreciated.
As for the satellite issue. have you tried resetting the acquisition process to restart from the beginning (on a Garmin, basically, give the unit a clear view of the sky and leave it sit for a few minutes, eventually it will time out not finding anything and give you a list of options -- one of which is to start the search completely over -- not continue acquiring, but restart search -- select that and let it sit for up to 30 minutes). Since you moved such a great distance from the last spot the unit was turn on, it's possible it just needs to re-establish it's base location.
My Vista Cx has a similar "dead radio receiver" symptom as well one time and ended up fixing that be removing the batteries for a few minutes and then doing the full acquisition process I described above and it came back to life.
Good day all,
I am presently serving over in Afghanistan, and recently cam back from some well deserved holidays. I used my GPSr here prior to going on holiday, so I know it works here and at home while on holiday. Once I returned back here, it no longer picks up satellites they don't even flash?????? Could this be because it had to go through the numerous xray machines? I do have a military back up if need be, but I am really frustrated with this issue. If there is anyone out there that has a solution it would be greatly appreciated.
There are 10 caches where I am located and I plan on gettin em all....................one down, 9 to go.
Thanks.
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You know, I seem to always get along quite well with the reviewer in my area. I've managed to publish a number of caches and even managed to coordinate a large scale puzzle cache involving numerous local cachers -- and get them all published at the exact same time thanks to the efforts of the reviewer to help bring a fun series to the area.
I haven't always agreed with the reviewer, but you know sometimes their hands are tied by rules from GC. It's disappointing when that happens, but thems the breaks. Other times, I have found them to turn down a cache, but offer suggestions on how to make it "approvable" whether that be by moving it slightly or by changing a writeup or type of cache. Sounds to me like your area reviewer did just that -- they suggested a way to make your hide approvable.
As others have suggested, you should form a working relationship with your reviewer by asking them questions before you just drop a box in the woods or wherever. They'll be glad to help make your placement a success and avoid a lot of unnecessary rework.
At the end of the day, it's just a game. You agreed to play by their rules -- and those rules say the reviewer gets the final say. Sounds to me like the reviewer exercised the 500' rule to which they are entitled and regardless of whether you agree or not, that's the way the cookie crumbles. So, find another spot.
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If you have GSAK already, I would recommend getting the mobi.gsk macro for it. It'll generate a very functional Mobipocket file which can be be read wit hthe free mobipocket reader (much nicer than the one that GC used to ship as an option with PQ's).
I have a Blackberry 8800 and want to do paperless caching with it. Obviously I will use the online feature if it's available, but whats the best way to go if I don't have a signal? Is there some kind of program for the BB?
Thanks!
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Correct. You need City Navigator maps loaded and active to do turn by turn.
No, I ordered that separately. I already picked up my 2 gig micro SD card, and I ordered the north american nt city navigator software.
I assume that's the data I need for it to be able to plot routes. I noticed while driving today, it couldn't pick up a "street close to my starting point" no matter where I was.
I take it the world base map is just the images, no actual road data?
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Seems to me that you must not have done the mystery cache which is nearby ... so it seems to me that it would be difficult for you to know that what your placing will not cause confusion with the other cache. Someone suggested offering to the reviewer a reason why this placement should be allowed by citing a concrete reason why it won't cause conflict .... seems to me you need to go do the mystery cache and find that out.
Otherwise, with 3.79 million square miles of space in the United States, I'd say just find another location and move on.
I've place a few caches now under this account. The other evening I placed 2 caches and submitted them. I took over an hour to verify the location of my current cache placement to be out of the 500' rule.
So to my surprise for the second time I have a note from the reviewer stating he won't place my cache until I move it due to a mystery cache being within 500' of my location. He explained I should move it and gave my the distance to move it.
Problem is, I can't move it to this spot and also that the distance is under 100' to move it.
If I move it in the distance and direction he says I have to, I move into private location. Thus I can't place it there.
The site rules say the distance is arbitrary, which means that is open to flexibility in the distance.
I know for a fact that the location I placed this cache won't throw off the GPS for the so called Mystery cache because there isn't a hiding spot withing atleast 400' because I walked it.
This isn't the first time the said reviewer has bagged a cache for this. While I understand the need to keep cache placement far enough apart, sometimes you just have to understand the location in order to know the placement.
I know there use to be another spot that you could go when you wanted to dispute the placement/ruling of the reviewer, but I can't find this anymore. Anyone have an idea?
Spoiler picture. Need Advice.
in General geocaching topics
Posted
As they're new, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt and simply send them an email and ask them to please remove the picture explaining that as the cache owner, part of the difficulty and joy of doing the cache is the uniqueness of the container and the picture unfortunately spoils that. You can try explaining that posting a spoiler log or picture is considered inappropriate -- but I might save that until after you get their initial response. If they respond with an "oops, sorry", then you can explain as a way to help them better understand the nuances of the game. If they seem uncooperative or react poorly, I'd just unceremoniously delete the log with not further interaction -- it is, afterall, the cache owner's perogative to determine who meets the logging requirements -- and then perhaps adding a disclaimer to your writeup that says spoiler logs or pictures will be deleted.
I know if I put a lot of work into a unique hide, I'd be a bit miffed if someone gave it away.