cheerose

Thinking the same thing as I'll probably get my 400t tomorrow. Since REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee... in theory, we could exchange the 400t for a 550t (+ price difference) when it comes out.

I know that GC's database is from a 2000 download and doesn't change... Therefore, is it best to search from NGS' site and then, if a mark is found, record it there first and then, if it is on GC, record it here? I am assuming that NGS does not review the GC finds...

I am hoping to get a Oregon 400t in the next couple of days and definitely plan to get back into cache hunting. However, I am also interested in benchmark hunting. Is there a way to have the benchmarks loaded into the 400t (like through a PQ for example)... or do you need to enter each one-at-a-time ... and have the survey data sheet handy? Thanks, Jeff

With the ability of having Topo maps on our GPSr, I wonder how many 3->5 situations we can create. I don't have a lot of finds under my belt... but I probably have then the "shortest distance" trek a couple of times.

Do you need to be a member to buy at REI? Or is it just with the "Ship to Store" option from ordering online?

I have a 60CSx and have been looking at the Colorados (particularly the 400t). In particular, I really like the paperless caching all in one unit. I have an iPhone 3G but haven't seen any apps for geocaching yet. In reading reviews, some people are not happy with the Colorado units. Does the good outweight the bad ... or should I wait to purchase/replace?

Thanks 4Gmen for this post and tks everyone else for their replies. One additional thing that I just figured out in regards to CacheMate (which, of course, everyone probably already knows). If you are using the PocketPC version - I don't believe that CacheMate can load a pdb file that you have exported. At least, I couldn't find a way for me. Instead, I had GSAK (great tool, BTW) export to a GPX file, ActiveSync and then have CacheMate import that file. I am not sure if I am missing any data doing it that way. Of course, still need to use the data that I have now!

Thanks guys... When I re-looked at it this morning, I realized that while I had set my PQ up, I never gave it a day to run! Once I did that, I got it within a minute. Jeff

First time running a PQ How long does it take for it to be emailed to you? I ran it twice ... to two different email address. It has been about an hour or so and I haven't gotten them yet. Not a big deal (not going to need it tonight), just wondering for future instances. Thanks, Jeff

Upon further review... it appears that the CN v8 is different between the 60CSx and the 2730 (uses the NT version). No big deal, since the NT should be a free upgrade (I hope)

Thanks for the answers... Here's a follow-up With the 2730, I am going to be getting the City Navigator v8 when it is available at the end of the month. Since I recently purchased the 2730, I believe that it will be a free upgrade. However, if I purchased City Nav for the 60CSx... I would already have the full copy. Is it possible to take one product and have it available for two separate Garmin units? Jeff

Sorry in advance for, what probably is, a repeated subject... Just got my 60CSx and really like it so far (though it will be put through some of its paces with Geocaching this weekend). The unit comes with just the basemap ... so I was wondering about if maps are "needed" to do geocaching and, if so, which ones work well. IMHO - I don't think that I need them, since I already have a Streetpilot 2730 that does the car navigation. Therefoer, I use the 2730 to get me 99% there and the 60CSx for the final stretch. Does that make sense? Thanks, as always... Jeff

sry - double post

Juanbob, Try sending an email to Deb Brown. She is the contact person listed on the NGS Recovery form. Her email is Deb.Brown@noaa.gov Jeff PS - For the record, the group will be Geocaching (GEOCAC)

If this has already been mentioned... sorry for the repeat. I am in the process of entering in a Found BM repot to the NGS. On a hunch/guess/wonder, I checked the latest contributor's list to see if Geocaching was listed. And lo and behold - we are ! Designation code - GEOCAC Jeff

Got a Canon S30 that has so far worked well (had it for a couple of weeks). I got it via the Dell for about 20% off its usual price - 10% off on Digitial Cameras with a stackable 10% off coupon. Not valid now.. but if you can wait, these types of deals do come around every so often. For what its worth, I found the deal at Nifty News, Decent Deals Jeff

If this has been asked before... sorry I got back from a vacation in Hawaii yesterday. One of the pictures that I took was a BM that I "found" while at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I did not have a GPS with me... just literally saw it outside of the Jagger Museum. I cannot find this BM listed either in Jeremy's list here or the NGS database at http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/datasheet.html . This BM is USGS, stamped at 4076 feet.. with no other station designator. Any ideas on how I can find which mark this is? Thanks, Jeff

Thanks for the inital replies everyone... I appreciated them. Despite the threat of yucky weather, I decided to go out today and try to find my first BM. I think that I was successful... but, I've got some questions. 1) Is a standpipe another name for a ground-mounted water tank? One of the BMs listed was for a standpipe... but all that was in the area were two large water tanks. I think that they are one in the same.. but not sure. 1b) I got close to a "triangulation station" and 2 RMs at the same spot. However, there was a locked gate surrounding the area. Do you label this attempt at all...or just "skip it" and move on? 1c) With these BMs data sheets, there is a contact number to call to gain access. Have you ever had to call for access before? 2) I did find one BM - however, it was buried under a couple of feet. There was construction work in the area... and someone had put an orange and blue ribbon on/near the BM itself (and had marked the location on the road nearby). When looking at the RMs, everything seem to point towards this mark.. however, I did not measure to be sure. Count as a found? 2a) If you have the option, do you dig? If so... do you leave the BM exposed or cover it back up? Thanks again - I'll probably have more Q's soon enough...

Hi all... After getting out of the sport for a while (got discouraged not finding caches), I decided to get back into it.. mainly as an additional form of exercise. Of course, this is not to say that I've learned anything since I went to 3 cache areas today and didn't find a single one! When I got back home, I read the topic More Newbie Questions - The last ten feet which helped me out a bit. I think that I had two problems today... 1) Weather - very cloudy with off&on rain. I think that this screwed up reception with my GPSr (Etrex Legend). 2) Being impatient - I expect that when I get within 10 feet or so of the posted coords, that the cache should stand up and say "I'm over here!" I think that I just need to regroup a bit and try again later... or maybe try finding Benchmarks... as they seem to be a bit easier. Thanks all... Jeff

Hi all... I've been out of the "sport" of GeoCaching for about a year...yeah, shame on me, I know. However, I've decided to get back into it and/or Benchmark Hunting as well. I have one question about finding/logging Benchmarks. Do you guys consider a found BM w/o photos less "ok" than one that has photos? I realize that I can post a find w/o photos... but I also realize that having photos of the BM and area makes the find "more interesting". Thanks, Jeff