SriSoKoSu

I have two questions and will appreciate help from anyone in answering either of these. 1) Is there a way to generate a single GPX file that captures the results of a search ? I want to download all the caches hidden by a single user, and I am unable to create a user based pocket query; so I used the regular search feature (User (Hidden)) and while I see the results of the search, I don't see a way to download all of them easily so I can add them to my GSAK database. 2) When doing a regular search (or looking at caches from a bookmark listing), is there a way to change the sorting criteria of the displayed output ? Most of the time I want to sort it by distance (closest first) but I don't see a way how to do this. Thanks for any pointers on how either of these can be done - either by using the built-in features of Geocaching.com or using a separate software (like GSAK).

Thanks ! That's encouraging Mine has already shipped. I will try it on as soon as I get it and will post the results here. Got my InvisibleSHIELD two days ago and installed it the same evening. The installation was pretty easy, just had to use a little more soapy solution than the instructions recommended (someone mentioned above that instead of spraying the solution on it just dip the whole thing into the solution ... he was right on). Anyway, after I let the unit sit for 24 hrs, I am VERY impressed with the final results. This thing is amazingly clear and the 60 series protectors fit nicely on the 60CSx screen. The protector is a *little* smaller than the entire screen, so it doesn't cover it from end to end, but it does cover the entire "active" (visible) area of the screen and then some. This may be by design. Bottomline ... I am extremely impressed with the results and will wholeheartedly recommend the InvisibleSHIELD to anyone ! I am now thinking of getting a few more of these for my PDA and watches.

Thanks for all the inputs ! Just to clarify, I *do* already use GSAK and absolutely LOVE it !! However, I can't quite use GSAK to upload waypoints directly to my GPS. I have a 60CSx and this is not directly supported by GSAK yet. Hence I have to use the workaround of first exporting the data from GSAK as MapSource files (.mps), and then import those files into MapSource and use that for uploading. I do see now that the older "Import" option (in MapSource v6.0) has been replaced with the newer (and more intuitive ... though I got baffled by it initially ) "Open" option in version 6.9.1. So all is good now and I can continue to use GSAK for my cache management and filtering, and MapSource for uploading. EasyGPS looks like an interesting option for uploading, but 1) I don't know if it supports 60CSx yet and 2) It doesn't show the base map that MapSource does ... so I will stick with MapSource for now. Thanks for all the help guys ! You make this forum great to hang out !!

I will second this recommendation wholeheartedly ! Download and use it for free for 21 days to see if this meets your needs. I decided to purchase it after using it for just a few days and didn't even wait for the 21 days.

After installing this update I don't see the option to "Import" waypoints from .mps files anymore Anyone know what might be going on ? My original MapSource product was Trip & Waypoint Manager, which I installed from the CD included with the GPSMap 60CSx. The MapSource version (from Help->About) showed up as 6.0 for this original installation. I then downloaded the above update (ver 6.9.1) and while the installation went fine, afterwards when I launched MapSource, I don't see the "Import" option under the "File" menu anymore. Is this a known issue ? Has the "Import" menu been moved somewhere else or is it completely gone ?

Thanks ! That's encouraging Mine has already shipped. I will try it on as soon as I get it and will post the results here.

Yes, I bought the one for the 60 series hoping that this would fit. Specifically, I bought this one -- http://www.shieldzone.com/item_description/GARGPS60.html Now you got me worried Does anyone here know for sure if there are any differences in the screen dimensions between the GPSMap 60/60C and 60CSx ?

I just bought an "InvisibleSHIELD" screen protector for my new GPSMap 60CSx from ShieldZone.com. From the brief research I did, this seems to be a pretty good one. http://www.shieldzone.com/category/gps/ If there is anyone here actually using an InvisibleSHIELD screen protector, I'd be interested in knowing how hard it was to apply and how is it working out for you.

Thanks very much Geoff ! Using xImage I was able to upload these icons to the GPS.

These Icons, can be loaded into the GPS at 16x16 pixels each: I just got a GPSMap 60CSx (two days ago) and I looked around in the menus but didn't see a way to upload custom icons to the unit. Could you please provide a little more details as to how exactly I can do this. Thanks in advance !!

I have been using GPS Tuner, mainly the compass feature. How did BeeLineGPS work for you ?

Does this work for the new PocketPC version of CacheMate also ? That is, can GSAK export and import the data from **both** PPC and Palm versions of CacheMate or just the Palm version ?

I bought a bunch of these Powerizer batteries from BatterySpace some time ago and they have proven to be completely junk for me ! So I will completely agree with the comment above that with these batteries you get what you pay for. I am planning to send the whole batch to recycling and just placed an order for a set of Maha Powrex and Energizer 2500maH batteries (along with the MAHA C204W charger) from Thomas-Distributing.com. I have heard really good things about the Maha brand ... will see how these hold up.

Have you tried GPS Tuner yet ? I currently use a system very similar to yours, where I use iGuidance for driving close to the cache and then use GPS Tuner for the rest of it. I use GPXView for keeping track of cache listings, hints etc. While GPS Tuner works more or less okay, I would like to know if there is anything better out there. I think I tried BeeLineGPS once, but didn't like it too much (or rather couldn't get used to it). I am considering moving to a handheld GPS for the actual cache hunt process.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions ! I am checking out a few reviews to decide which way to go. At this point I am leaning towards getting something towards the higher end of my budget so that I cover all the basic features that I want. Looks like I will be getting some mapping capability anyway whether I use it or not ... so I am not going to fight it too much Thanks again for all the suggestions !

I am fairly new to geocaching and have the age old question of "which is the best GPS unit" ... but my needs are somewhat different from most of the other similar posts I read in this forum. In short, I do not need any navigational assitance from the GPS while driving; what I do need is for the GPS to accurately guide me to the final cache location once I am close to it. So I am posting this question with details of what I need and hoping the more experienced GPS users here will be able to guide me with choosing the right unit. I already have a GPS system that I use for driving around. This is a PocketPC based system with a SiRFStarIII based bluetooth GPS receiver and mapping software, and this setup works very well for navigational assistance while driving. Since I do not have any other GPS unit at the moment, I have been using the PPC+Bluetooth GPS for geocaching purposes as well. While this works quite well, I am always afraid of dropping the PocketPC or spilling water on it and lose all my stored data in the process (since the PPC is my main PDA as well). So I have been thinking about getting a handheld GPS unit dedicated for geocaching usage. I want to get the best GPS receiver that will guide me to the final cache location as accurately as possible. I do NOT need this "geoaching GPS" to have any autorouting capabilities since I will NOT be using it for driving around. I do not need any mapping features either, unless they are needed for geocaching as well. My plan is that when we go out for geocaching in the future, I will be using my current PocketPC + Bluetooth GPS to drive to the nearest parking lot then leave the pocket pc setup in the car and use only the "geocaching GPS" to take me to the actual cache location. Hence the two main features I want from the "geocaching GPS" are very accurate coordinates and a built-in compass that acts like a 'real' magnetic (needle based) compass. More specifically, here are the features I would like to have in my ideal "geocaching GPS" unit -- Features that are really important Ability to show location coordinates (Lat/Lon) very accurately (i.e. take me as close to the cache location as possible). (related to the above point) It needs to be WAAS enabled and have any other similar capabilities that increases positional accuracy Very accurate built-in compass that will work even when standing still (i.e. behave like a 'real' magnetic needle based compass) Highly sensitive GPS receiver chipset that will quickly acquire satellite signal and maintain a lock even under fully or partially covered locations (e.g. under dense trees) Rugged and durable construction (shock resistant and waterproof) Long battery life (at least 10-12 hrs or more) Bright daylight readable screen Small and lightweight Uses standard AA or AAA batteries (i.e. not any kind of proprietary batteries) ... so I can carry a few spares Features that are not absolutely necessary, but would be nice to have PC connectivity would be really nice (so that I can download a bunch of cache locations and not have to enter them manually) A color screen would be nice, but I can live with a black & white screen if all the other features are available Price is not a major concern, but it will be nice if I could get something under $300-350 or so (however, I am willing to pay more if that is necessary to get all the features I really want ... so please don't let the cost prevent you from suggesting an otherwise nice GPS) The ability to download multiple cache locations simultaneously would be nice, but if I had to enter and use one location at a time, that won't be a big deal Geocaching icons would be nice, but not really needed Features that I don't care about (and would prefer not to pay for, if possible) Mapping (unless this is needed for geocaching as well) Autorouting Voice Guidance or turn-by-turn guidance Any other features that are helpful for driving only Alarm Clock or Calendar Tide prediction or any other marine or fishing related features Is there any handheld GPS unit out there right now that supports all these features ? I have been looking at the various Garmin units but haven't found one yet that I can call perfect. The eTrex Vista C and Geko 301 models come pretty close, except they don't use the new highly sensitive GPS chipsets from SiRF. The GPSMAP 60CSX and GPSMAP 76CSX units match my requirements pretty closely, but looking at the specs it looks like I would be paying a lot more for many features on these units that will be completely unnecessary for me. Basically I think what I need is a "basic" handheld GPS unit that uses the latest generation receiver chipset and has a 'real' compass built in. If such a thing doesn't exist, does anyone know if either Garmin or Magellan has any plans to release such a unit in the next couple months ? I will appreciate any feedbacks/suggestions from anyone. Like I said, we are still quite new to geocaching and are still trying to figure out what is really important and what is not. If any of you experienced geocachers feel that any of the requirements I listed as important above are not really that important (and vice versa), please do point them out. Thanks very much in advance !

So far people have compared PDA vs standalone GPS units mostly on durability and ruggedness. What about GPS sensitivity and accuracy (as in locating a geocache as closely as possible) ? Are PDA based GPS units better in this respect or standalone ones ? I already have and use a PPC based PDA with a SiRFStarIII based bluetooth GPS ... but I am often finding that the cache location shown using this system is far from accurate. Will I have better luck with GPS accuracy if I got a standalone unit ? If so, which standalone units are the most accurate ? I don't care about auto routing and driving related features ... but I would like an accurate compass, if possible.

Yes, there is a way!!! Go to there profile page User Profile Profile for User: XXXXXXX * Profile * Geocaches * Trackables * Gallery * Bookmark Lists click on the one that says bookmark lists and you see there shared bookmarks. Thank you !!! Thank you !!! Thank you !!!

Is there a way to search for bookmark lists other people have shared ?

I'd like to know this as well. Also, it would be cool if people had the option of being able to rate various shared bookmak lists.

Tash&Tops: 1. According to the user guide, the update frequency of the BT-338 is also 1 per second. However, this is fixed and can't be changed. 3. I have never used a conventional GPS ... my only GPS unit have been this X50V+BT-338. I am curious to know why you felt that the ETrex was easier to use when finding caches ? Does it have any features that are missing on the X50V+BT-338 combo ? So far this combination has proved to be really accurate for me, but I am curious to know if I am missing out on anything Thanks !

New to geocaching We use a Dell Axim X50V PDA with a bluetooth GPSr (GlobalSat BT-338 SiRFstarIII). For software, we use GPS Tuner and GPXSonar for Geocaching and iGuidance for driving around. Working great so far !