jfitzpat

763 within 100 miles of my home zip code, 790 within 100 miles of my work zip code (11 miles apart). -jjf

I think that a compass is rightfully one of the '10 essentials' and should almost always be carried in the great outdoors. However, I would warn that just having a compass, or even compass and map, is not enough. Compass navigation is not complicated, most people can learn the basic principles in an hour or two. But, the techniques require practice to master. Like CPR, roped rescue, etc., compass skills must be practiced from time to time if you want to be able to use them when the you-know-what hits the fan. -jjf

FWIW, you can also just upload waypoints to the Waypoint Exchange on http://www.lostoutdoors.com then download the list to another unit (another Garmin or Magellan). I did it so we could email waypoints, but you could use it as a one shot transfer tool between makes and models as well. -jjf

Most new USGS quad maps are marked with a UTM grid. Since UTM is a quasi linear projection, it is much easier to approximate your actual position (most GPS receivers can be set to output location in UTM as well). Though it isn't much help in the field, you can plot waypoints on a Garmin or Magellan GPSr directly on a topo or aerial map at http://www.lostoutdoors.com Good Luck, -jjf

The park service already grants waivers and exceptions to the specific rule cited. There is also some case law concerning 'abandoned property' on NPS land (ex. equestrian facilities at Yosemite NP). But, the bottom line isn't circumventing a specific regulation. In fact, attempting to do so may be counter productive. The NPS has considerable latitude in controlling specific activities on managed land. Hair splitting may just cause more regulation and a backlash that spreads to other agencies (ex. NFS, BLM, etc.) The most realistic approach is advocacy. A good example would be climbing's Access Fund. Then educate and negotiate with the NPS for a reasonable caching policy on some NPS land. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by phantom4099: When did he ever say any thing about EPE? He said when he went to a location he marked and returned to the same area it showed 3-4ft, now it is 20 ft when he does a goto. I think the whole EPE stuff is bogus and did not miss it when magellan hid it with WAAS averging. Positional error seemed implied, since the original waypoint and the new sample being compared both have some margin of error. FWIW, I've plotted a lot of points on NAPP aerial data and have always found the Garmin EPE estimate to be pretty close to the actual quality of the acquired data. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by phantom4099: When did he ever say any thing about EPE? He said when he went to a location he marked and returned to the same area it showed 3-4ft, now it is 20 ft when he does a goto. I think the whole EPE stuff is bogus and did not miss it when magellan hid it with WAAS averging. Positional error seemed implied, since the original waypoint and the new sample being compared both have some margin of error. FWIW, I've plotted a lot of points on NAPP aerial data and have always found the Garmin EPE estimate to be pretty close to the actual quality of the acquired data. -jjf

Warm Fuzzies is correct, it is NAPP imagery. I'm trying to arrange for some watermarked color satallite imagery now, but that will primarily cover urban areas. I've been trying for months to get Toporama to write back so I can include Canadian maps and images. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by edgydrifter: Wow, I wasn't to concerned till now, now it seems that my GPS is affecting reality and is responsible for painting my nieghbors house? Somehow I find that hard to believe, but you seem to know of what you speak so I'll take your word for it. It started out as a mild curiosity and now has blossomed into a thread on radio wave interferance patterns, quantum mechanics and the nature of reality...geocaching rules! Well, I was going to say that the distance is changing because the universe is expanding, or that you are shrinking with age, but... Actually, this is all buzzing in my head now because of a class I recently gave to some junior high kids. We basically turned the class into a human NavStar system, tossing time stamped ping pong balls and almanac strips around. I don't know if anyone learned anything, but it was fun. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by edgydrifter: Wow, I wasn't to concerned till now, now it seems that my GPS is affecting reality and is responsible for painting my nieghbors house? Somehow I find that hard to believe, but you seem to know of what you speak so I'll take your word for it. It started out as a mild curiosity and now has blossomed into a thread on radio wave interferance patterns, quantum mechanics and the nature of reality...geocaching rules! Well, I was going to say that the distance is changing because the universe is expanding, or that you are shrinking with age, but... Actually, this is all buzzing in my head now because of a class I recently gave to some junior high kids. We basically turned the class into a human NavStar system, tossing time stamped ping pong balls and almanac strips around. I don't know if anyone learned anything, but it was fun. -jjf

I'd agree with Byron. The camera companies seem to be making better digital cameras than the consumer electronics companies. I have a Canon S100, which I like a lot. My wife has a S110, which is the same tiny 'ELF' size, but has a few extra bells and whistles. But, there are lots of decent cameras out there. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by edgydrifter: And like I said, when I cache with it...still accurate to within a few feet. Lowrance GlobalMap100, not one of the toy models... When you locate a cache, you should be seeing accumulative error (the error of the GPS used when placing the cache, plus whatever error in yours). So, no matter how good your receiver, you are still somewhat at the mercy of the lowest-common-denominator (ie, the 'toy' that placed it). Kerry is correct, 20' is a pretty reasonably value, based upon the total system. If you were seeing superior accuracy, it was most likely luck of the draw, not a superior receiver. This isn't flaming, this is just geometry, the physics of radio waves through the atmosphere, and the tolerances of commercial grade receiver components. A really small environmental change can account for an EPE change like you report. For example, if your normal 'parking' time changes 20 minutes, the geometry of the sats can be considerably different. A neighbor might have repainted a house, changing your receiver's EMR 'view'. A building blocks away might now block your view of a sat near the horizon... If it is working OK for caching, I wouldn't worry about it. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by edgydrifter: And like I said, when I cache with it...still accurate to within a few feet. Lowrance GlobalMap100, not one of the toy models... When you locate a cache, you should be seeing accumulative error (the error of the GPS used when placing the cache, plus whatever error in yours). So, no matter how good your receiver, you are still somewhat at the mercy of the lowest-common-denominator (ie, the 'toy' that placed it). Kerry is correct, 20' is a pretty reasonably value, based upon the total system. If you were seeing superior accuracy, it was most likely luck of the draw, not a superior receiver. This isn't flaming, this is just geometry, the physics of radio waves through the atmosphere, and the tolerances of commercial grade receiver components. A really small environmental change can account for an EPE change like you report. For example, if your normal 'parking' time changes 20 minutes, the geometry of the sats can be considerably different. A neighbor might have repainted a house, changing your receiver's EMR 'view'. A building blocks away might now block your view of a sat near the horizon... If it is working OK for caching, I wouldn't worry about it. -jjf

In addition to SwapNet mentioned above, there is also: http://www.waypoint.org/ The government databases, which I believe are the basis for many of the points of interest from Garmin, Magellen, Topographix, etc. can actually be downloaded raw from: http://ftp.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/places.html http://library.csun.edu/mfinley/zipstats.html http://geonames.usgs.gov/gnisftp.html (The last one is a couple million waypoints, nation wide). But, the data needs fudging (often in different map datums, etc.). You can search most of it online, and pretty much cleaned up at my web site http://www.lostoutdoors.com But, the search choices are extremely limited (basically, it is OK for finding something you know the name of). Craig, at my office, whipped together a Visual Basic app test test some ActiveX controls we have for generating aerial and topo maps, upload/download waypoints, etc. It actually includes a pretty comprehensive online GNIS search (you can filter, just ask for all visible on the current map, etc.) The app is just a sample, but it is free and can be downloaded at: http://www.etree.com/tech/notsofreestuff/maptools/vbsample.html Good Luck, -jjf

I have a Vista, with no such problems, but I have played with a Legend and I noticed that the data connector was not as precise and sure a fit. I don't know if it relates to your problem, but the semiclear sparkly plastic may not produce as sharp and accurate a press as the high impact material used in the original eTrex and the Vista. You might consider asking Garmin to replace the front half of the case, as well as re-installing the boot. Good Luck, -jjf

quote:Originally posted by Criminal: Actually if every single geocacher in the US came out and found one of my caches here in Washington, stomped, snorted, pried and clawed the vegetation to find it, the earth would be really no worse off than it is (or isn’t) now. Different people are going to have different ideas about what is reasonable and logical concerning preservation and environmental impact. That is true in any sport. I don't mind seasonal (and a few outright) closures for things like falcon nesting in climbing. Others do... But, there is another impact that is worth considering in caching. If everyone who searchs for the cache moves a lot of stones, duff, rotten logs, or whatever, it doesn't take long until the caches is basically surrounded by a 15-30 foot bullseye. Sort of a 'search here stupid!' sign for even the most mediocre tracker. So, even if you are not (or at least don't think you are) having a long term environmental impact, a leave-no-trace ethic can help keep the game more interesting for the cachers who follow. -jjf

It occurs to me that, if you need to hack, you are probably not taking the same path to the cache as the owner... -jjf

quote:Originally posted by majicman: JJF - boy, I didn't mean to drag this thread into an entirely deeper mudhole, per se, but I seem to have done so (sorry to the originator.) My own 'sorry' to the originator. Still, I think everyone should get dragged into the mud once in awhile. I grew up in Iowa. I can safely say that mucking pigs is almost always a sure fire cure for feelings of self importance... -jjf

quote:Originally posted by majicman: JJF - boy, I didn't mean to drag this thread into an entirely deeper mudhole, per se, but I seem to have done so (sorry to the originator.) My own 'sorry' to the originator. Still, I think everyone should get dragged into the mud once in awhile. I grew up in Iowa. I can safely say that mucking pigs is almost always a sure fire cure for feelings of self importance... -jjf

quote:Originally posted by majicman: The Heavenly Host, Actually, I was trying to anathematize the idea that he proposed in a humurous but satirical way... But, I hope I was being didactic... Hmmm, I haven't been cursed, in the purely greek sense, for sometime. I did find your comments informative, but the moral point elluded me... However, I think you missunderstood. I was questioning a standard that would relegate the activity to a mere 'sport'. 'Sport' just seems too trivial a term for a fundemental male religious affection, or theology, if you will. Bodily functions are a central focus of male life. And, I think we can agree, this is, in fact, the Holy Grail of bodily functions. However, I must disagree with you on one point. REAL men combine this activity with fire. In fact, REAL men combine all activities with fire, junk food, and/or power tools whenever possible. Yours in gastric distress, -jjf

quote:Originally posted by majicman: The Heavenly Host, Actually, I was trying to anathematize the idea that he proposed in a humurous but satirical way... But, I hope I was being didactic... Hmmm, I haven't been cursed, in the purely greek sense, for sometime. I did find your comments informative, but the moral point elluded me... However, I think you missunderstood. I was questioning a standard that would relegate the activity to a mere 'sport'. 'Sport' just seems too trivial a term for a fundemental male religious affection, or theology, if you will. Bodily functions are a central focus of male life. And, I think we can agree, this is, in fact, the Holy Grail of bodily functions. However, I must disagree with you on one point. REAL men combine this activity with fire. In fact, REAL men combine all activities with fire, junk food, and/or power tools whenever possible. Yours in gastric distress, -jjf

quote:Originally posted by georgeandmary: The best distinction I've come across to tell the difference between a sport or a game is if you were to take away the rules, could you still play? As an example Baseball is a game, without the rules it's meaningless. Skiing is a sport, there are rules if you race but you don't need them to participate. Checkers, football, scrabble, darts.... games. Running, cycling, swimming, ..... sports. Geocaching...... ????? george Remember: Half the people you meet are below average. I'm a little leary of a definition that would make Baseball a 'game', but would make standing up, walking to the store, or impressing teen age boys with flattulance a 'sport'... Seriously, it seems more like you distinction is not so much about rules, but about the presense of competition. When you compete against other snowboard enthusiasts, you generally set rules, a context to compete in - you have a winter X-game. When you snowboard for enjoyment, there are generally still rules (even in remote alpine areas), but no competition - so you have a winter sport. But, even competition does not give a clear distinction. Climbers generally follow some 'rules', even when competing only with themselves (if I pull on a draw, it is 'aid', not 'free'..., etc.) And the 'sport' (as many refer to it) can be very competitive, even outside of formal competitions (climbs are usually rated by consensus, and everyone cares about 'grade', at least a little, even if they say they don't). But, on point, I'd say that Geocaching is a 'game' to those who take the numbers, etc. competitively, and a 'recreational activity' to the rest of us. I've referred to it as a 'sport', but I hadn't really thought about the semantics. Further, I'd say it matters not one iota to land managers. A recreational activity might be preferrable to a 'game', since the competition often takes center stage (if you are tromping through the woods at midnight, you are probably looking to score the ammo box, not enjoy the area). But, ultimately, it is not what it is called, but how it is pursued in a given area that will most influence land managers. -jjf

quote:Originally posted by georgeandmary: The best distinction I've come across to tell the difference between a sport or a game is if you were to take away the rules, could you still play? As an example Baseball is a game, without the rules it's meaningless. Skiing is a sport, there are rules if you race but you don't need them to participate. Checkers, football, scrabble, darts.... games. Running, cycling, swimming, ..... sports. Geocaching...... ????? george Remember: Half the people you meet are below average. I'm a little leary of a definition that would make Baseball a 'game', but would make standing up, walking to the store, or impressing teen age boys with flattulance a 'sport'... Seriously, it seems more like you distinction is not so much about rules, but about the presense of competition. When you compete against other snowboard enthusiasts, you generally set rules, a context to compete in - you have a winter X-game. When you snowboard for enjoyment, there are generally still rules (even in remote alpine areas), but no competition - so you have a winter sport. But, even competition does not give a clear distinction. Climbers generally follow some 'rules', even when competing only with themselves (if I pull on a draw, it is 'aid', not 'free'..., etc.) And the 'sport' (as many refer to it) can be very competitive, even outside of formal competitions (climbs are usually rated by consensus, and everyone cares about 'grade', at least a little, even if they say they don't). But, on point, I'd say that Geocaching is a 'game' to those who take the numbers, etc. competitively, and a 'recreational activity' to the rest of us. I've referred to it as a 'sport', but I hadn't really thought about the semantics. Further, I'd say it matters not one iota to land managers. A recreational activity might be preferrable to a 'game', since the competition often takes center stage (if you are tromping through the woods at midnight, you are probably looking to score the ammo box, not enjoy the area). But, ultimately, it is not what it is called, but how it is pursued in a given area that will most influence land managers. -jjf

The Legend specs at the Garmin site do list the unit as waterproof. See: http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLegend/spec.html -jjf

Although there are compact flash GPS receivers that you can add to your iPaq, most are pretty expensive for what you get. Also, the add ons generally do not rival the stand alone receivers when it comes to battery life and durability (ex. many handheld GPS receivers are water proof, your iPaq is not). You can buy an entry level receiver like the Garmin eTrex for about $100. Some users augment their receivers with a PDA. For example, Daniel at our office takes an iPaq with him on adventures. He connects it to his basic eTrex and uses it to provide live http://www.lostoutdoors.com type aerial and topo maps. You can download a trial version of his app (called SkyEye) from our office site http://www.etree.com (I think it is $10 to register). Frankly, I added SkyEye map support to LostOutdoors, but I, personally, leave the PDA at home when I'm enjoying the great outdoors. Good Luck, -jjf