Goodguys

But that site (Natural Resources Canada) only gives the Canadian Base Network (CBN) Stations, and there's only one of those in the Lower Mainland. Isn't there a database of Canadian survey markers (the round brass markers, about 2" diameter)?

The date should set itself as the unit goes through initialization. Geez, are you actually reading the manual before turning it on and playing with it?

Haven't seen those up here in the Great Wet North yet - hope they become available soon. Rubbertoe, is there additional cost for the service? Does the system accumulate a database of your whereabouts that you can access?

There's a Rino 110 in the missus' Christmas stocking. (I'm hoping she reciprocates with a 120 in the New Year).

Any builders out there? Skilsaw Arborite And what about brand names that become verbs? "Hilti that 2x4 to the concrete"

If I plug my Garmin 12 in to the cig lighter while the batteries are still in, it runs the batteries down.

To answer your second question, have a look at EasyGPS for download and upload of waypoints. You can get to it from the Links area of geocaching.com.

Have you tried doing a forum search on Rino?

I'm not familiar with the Aquapak case, but any case is often more of a nuisance than anything else. Unless you'll be whitewater kayaking, I'd go with the ziploc. I think you'll find that you prefer the Etrex naked, so tossing the ziploc won't be a big loss.

Here's a method to get pushpins into your PPC: In your main computer version of Streets & Trips, place the pushpins where you want them. Select the map area you want for Pocket Streets, and download it to your PPC. The download will include both the map file and the pushpin file. I have not found a way to create and download pushpins without doing the whole map.

Rats!

quote: I like mine as an outty, not an inny! Now that's cold!!!

Can you differentiate between guests and members who have not logged in? What does the ratio usually look like? Will all the replies be in the form of questions?

I now have a Fuji 2600. The features I like: takes 2 x AA batteries so spares are no problem. has sliding lens cover - helps keep the lens clean. power switch separate from sliding lens cover. can download without software (maybe its an attribute of Win XP). I don't like: LCD display panel is hard to read in bright sun. battery strength icon doesn't display until moments before batteries die. Wish I had: more optical zoom. more manual control to know and control exposure (aperture, shutter speed), manual focus. infinity focus feature.

If they're tied, it sounds like you wouldn't go wrong whichever you chose . Have you tried the free trial versions? And for waypoint management and route creation, EasyGPS or its big brother are wonderful.

I would absolutely not recommend getting a GPS add-on for your PocketPC as a substitute for a "proper" GPS. This is based on my experience using a Garmin 12 and a Skymaster (not together) connected by cable to an iPAQ, running Oziexplorer and Streets & Trips. There may be other GPS/software packages that add functionality, but with my set-up the GPS simply provides a signal that gives the location for moving map on the iPAQ. This system does not provide the other functions commonly found in GPS's such as GoTo, waypoint management, ETA, etc. Don't get me wrong - I love having the GPS iPAQ combo, but I think you also need a conventional GPS for the other functions. And don't forget that you'll get into some circumstances while geocaching where you'll want your PDA safely stowed - a GPS is much sturdier than most PDA's.

The countdown timer is on my iPAQ running Pocket Streets 2002. My laptop, running Street & Trips 2002 is running with the 2 second patch and does not show a countdown. I never did run the laptop without the patch, so I don't know if the timer showed up. Here's my screen at the Great Divide virtual cache:

Wouldn't that make it a GPSSR? After all, I don't want a satellite landing in my hand every time I switch on my signal receiving device.

quote: I wonder why they don't update as frequently as the nmea data comes in? I understand its a licencing issue with Microsoft's supplier. The map screen does show a count-down timer to see when the next refresh is coming.

Just on the subject of update frequency for Streets and Trips, I was quick to install the 2 second patch on my laptop, and I was disappointed that there was no similar patch for Pocket Streets. But Pocket Streets is not really suited for Highway cruising with its limited map size. However, using my iPAQ in city driving (with slow-moving traffic), 15 seconds is more than adequate for updates. The only time its really safe to look at the screen is at a red light, and it almost always updates during the wait.

I've never used a Palm but really enjoy my PocketPC. I can't imagine how a Palm good be any easier. Seriously, Street and Trips is a nifty program, and it does work well with a GPS. As well, I use Oziexplorer on my PocketPC, which allows me to use scanned topo maps. By the time I'm within walking distance of a cache, however, I usually put the iPAQ away and rely on my Garmin 12. A PDA is kind of expensive and fragile for caching.

GEO-landers. Honest. [This message was edited by Goodguys on November 10, 2002 at 09:33 PM.]

Don't cache in your "Sunday best". Even when I've gone out intended not to root around in the bushes or walk through a swamp, once near the cache, only one goal remains, and good clothing suffers. Check that your datum is set to WGS 84. Especially when you're caching with your spouse. Its tough to admit you've been directing her to rummage around in the the wrong places. Personally, I put the blame on solar flares. Don't put absolute faith in your GPS. As its readings drift, let the Force be with you.

We use Oziexplorer and are very satisfied with it. You can dowload a trial version from their website - they are continually improving the product. We are using maps from Spectrum: topos scanned onto CD, as well as Toporama maps, jpg images downloaded from the internet and maps we've scanned from a Backroads map book. All work equally well, but the Government topo maps that are professionally scanned onto CD are far better quality than Toporama. I believe that Ozi and Fugawi are similar in their ability to use many types of map images, but I have no experience with Fugawi. From Olar's reply I really think this is a Ford/Chevy kind of choice.

Thanks for your replies, JoeN and st_r. Joe, when you mark a waypoint, rather than capture the GPS location at the instant you press MARK, with averaging the GPS takes the average of its readings over time (as long as you are willing to wait), giving you a more accurate location. Another question: I didn't see in the manual a way to enable WAAS. Is it always on? Thanks again.