uxorious

OK, never mind I went out and played with it for a few minutes in the yard and figured out how to do it.

I just loaded OpenStreetMap into my 62s. Now I would like to know how to use it to get a route to the caches. On my 60CSx when I would hit go on a cache it would give me the option of going straight to the cache or to follow the road. I don't see that option on the 62s. Couldn't find it in the manual, any one know? The map I downloaded did say routable.

We all cache a little different, but for my use almost none of the things you mentioned after paperless would be anything I would use.(except battery saver mode.) I don't put 50 or 100 caches into the GPS at a time, and I like to delete the ones I find as soon as I find them. I hate having to connect to the computer to delete caches, and I hate that the caches in the GPS are deleted when I load new ones. (I know the latter can be avoided by loading the caches as files, something else I need to learn. ) I am not putting the 62s down, I am sure for most users it is a great step forward. It's just for me and my style of playing this game I wish I could have kept my Palm m500, and my Garmin 60CSx combo. They worked perfectly.

I love my 60CSx, it is very user friendly for non tech guys like me. The only thing the 62s does that is an improvement is it is paperless. If I could figure out some other way of going paperless, the 62 would be on the for sale part of this forum. I'll give it more time, but I am not falling in love with this thing. One thing that does help is having so many here on the forum ready and willing to help. I really appreciate that.

OK, I checked it again, and set for north up. That fixed the screen problem. I double checked on my 60CSx and it was also set for north up. All this time I've been using it, I thought it was set for track up. (if I gave it any thought at all.) Took both out in the yard today, and holding them side by side, they seem to be working the same now. Thank you all for the help. One thing I did notice today, was the difference in accuracy. About 25ft difference in the readings. When they settled down they were much closer. I've seen that a few times when I've cached with others, so I'm not too concerned about that, just found it interesting.

My 60CSx is set up the same way, but doesn't do this. If I am walking straight the map moves back and forth, as much as 20 degrees. I turned off the compass and it still does this. I will try setting the thing for N up and see if that makes a difference.

Interesting. I had turned the compass off to see if that had anything to do with it. After reading this today, I checked and the compass was on!? After breakfast I will have to go out and see if that makes a difference. I do have it set for track up. That's how I have always had my 60CSx, and my old Magellan. This new unit, (for me) just doesn't seem to be as user friendly as my 60CSx. If it wasn't for paperless, I would not have bought a different system. If I could find another way to go paperless, I would get rid of this thing. (can't find a way to use my Palm m500 with windows 7)

I recently made the mistake of buying a 62s to replace my 60CSx. While out looking for some caches today, I had a problem with my map screen jumping around. I noticed the direction arrow on the top of the screen was jumping from N to NE and back to NW, making the whole screen move. I got home and got out my trusty 60CSx, holding the two side by side. The 60 was just fine, but the 62 was jumping around. I don't know if it was the same problem, but the distance reading was also jumping. Standing in one spot, and it said 6ft to the cache, then 28ft, then 4ft the other way. I calibrated the compass twice today, but didn't seem to help. This is the second time I have had this problem with this unit. I'm sure it must be some setting, but heck if I can find it. Any ideas?

If the log is full, I will usually just add a slip of paper with my name. If the cache is big enough, and I have some extra logs with me, I might add a new log. However, I will leave the old log in the cache, and notify the CO in my on line log. As for a NM, I would just mention in the on line log that the cache log is full. If several others have mentioned that also, and the log is still full, that would be when I would add a NM.

A little off topic, but I'm glad you plan on archiving and listing a new cache. There are a few caches I've found the CO has had to move it, change the type of container and the hide, but left it as the original on the cache page. (one cache was moved 1500 ft., down a different trail, and is still the same cache number.) When that happens on a local cache, I will usually go find the new one. But am a little disappointed I cannot log it as it really is a new experience.

I am surprised no one has mentioned driving directions on the cache page. I usually use my handheld GPSr to get me close to the cache, as well as find it. However, on the cache page under print there is a link to "driving directions". While not perfect, it really would help. Wish they had that when I first started out, as my first GPSr didn't have very good maps. Of course to use this you would need to be looking up your days caching from the home computer or laptop. I have no idea if this feature is available on the apps. (I don't have a smart phone, and am not familiar with the apps)

So which is it? A low maintenance self maintaining cache, or a micro? Micros by there very nature are going to be higher maintenance. If you want a cache that is low maintenance, hide an ammo box with a bit of a hike to it. If you decide on a micro be prepared to spend more time on taking care of it.

There are a lot of areas where those in charge have a Geocache policy in place. You don't always have to ask before placing a cache, as long as your cache meets their policy. Many places are aware of geocaching, but have no specific policy. As long as there is no problems cause by the cache they really don't care. (the Frisbee rule?) Every one of my caches have permission under these circumstances. If you can find a local geocaching club, or maybe meet some people who have been in the game for a while, you can find out what your local city, county, parks, etc. have for policy.

If you don't go philosophical about events and EarthCaches (evt. WebCams), you're effectively suggesting there are very few people who have not cheated? Then you are admitting that it is cheating? Everyone plays their own way, but if I do not touch either the cache itself, or the log at the cache site, I haven't found it.

When you are walking and looking, be sure you look at both where you are going and the GPS screen. Almost stepped off a pier the first year of caching. I was watching the screen and not my feet, caught myself just before stepping off.

Has anyone had any experience with the diabetes test strip containers? The ones I get are about the size of a film canister and have a lid that snaps closed, and is hinged. They seem to work well to keep some things dry around the house. However, I have never hid a micro, and have no plans to do so at any time in the future, so I have no idea how good they would be. I've thought about taking a bunch to an event to give out to those that hide micros, but not sure I want to encourage anyone to hide more micros. I certainty would not want to give them out if they are no better than a film can.

I bought a 62s to replace my 60csx. As far as I am concerned that was a huge mistake. The only advantage to the 62 is paperless, otherwise, I sure don't consider it an upgrade. Nothing is as easy as it was on my 60. (which I kept, and am still using.)

How many times has the caches been visited? This sounds like maybe you feel everyone moves travel bugs. There are a lot of cachers who know what travel bugs are, but just are not into that part of the game. I've seen a lot of travel bugs in caches, but never have moved one. Sometimes if I am watching a cache, a number of people will find the cache between the time I've seen a bug and the time someone logs that they have moved it.

Geocaching is just a game. Like any other game, people make their own "house rules" sometimes. The problem comes from two things here. One, numbers. If you care about anyone else's numbers, then you will care how they log and what they log, and what they are allowed to log. And two, it makes a difference if you cache alone, or with others comparing yourself to them. I play Parcheesi, and Mexican Train a lot. There are lots of small variables in the rules, depending on where you go to find out how to play. And often we will set our own house rules because either the rules we find are not clear, or we just like a little different way to handle parts of the game. The only numbers I care about are mine. I really like watching them grow, but I try to be consistent in how I log each cache, and don't care if anyone else agrees with me. I know what my numbers mean and don't care what yours mean. Because Groundspeak is the listing service, they need to be more concerned with the rules. A cache like this needs to be archived when they are aware of it. Until then, I don't care who logs it and who doesn't.

If someone reported it earlier I wouldn't have wasted my time and gas searching for it, maybe it'll save someone else's time and gas. I wish someone had reported it years ago, maybe there would have been a real cache for me to find. So, you made a special trip just to find that one single cache without reading the listing? I would think you would be more to blame for your wasted gas and time than anyone else. I check logs as most people do, as I've said earlier if the cache has dozens of finds with no DNFs I expect a reasonable chance at finding it, I do not expect the cache to be missing for years. I'd call b.ll on anyone that says they read every word on every cache page before going to GZ. In general I will agree with you. I would not log that cache and claim a smiley. (I might have,back when I started this game.) However, I read the cache page for every cache I go after, without exception. Sometimes, if the CO writes a story to go with the cache page, I might skim or skip it. But I will read the cache description. If I miss something because I skipped the long story, it will be my fault. I have no sympathy for those that don't read the cache page. While this cache did need to be archived, you would not have wasted anything looking for it, as the cache write up was quite clear.

This. ^

IMHO, there is no number of DNFs before a throwdown. A throwdown without the owners permission is wrong even with a thousand DNFs. There are no "rules" from Groundspeak as to how many. There are plenty of rules in place on what to do when you don't find something, you don't need to cheat for the smiley. (I'm speaking of the "you generically not you the OP. []) If a cache is missing, you get a DNF, period. Anything else is just fooling yourself. Of course we all play a little different, but if I have a throwdown on one of my caches it would be one of the few times I would care enough to delete a log.

I understand what you're describing, but what does that have to do with LBHs? Have you ever actually seen an LBH with a description that didn't indicate how the LBH worked? I fail to see the point in discussing what is likely a purely hypothetical situation. Maybe I am the one not understanding. If you can toss a stamp in any cache and call it a LBH, then I don't feel it is hypothetical to assume someone can toss a stamp in one of the puzzles that you would not know was a puzzle by the cache write up. If I see an icon that indicates a puzzle, I know it is a puzzle. If I see an icon that says letterbox hybrid, I don't know what the heck it is. Reading the cache page may help, but I still say it may not. I just know that the letterbox hybrid is a cache type that is only out there to pander to those who want the different icons. It is meaningless on it's own. As far as I can see, it is the only icon that is meaningless.

If it's not clear from the cache description what you're supposed to do and you don't like puzzles, don't do the cache. Now that I can agree with. Pretty much how I cache anyway.

It's best to assume that for any letterbox hybrid, you will need to read the cache description to know what's involved. As I said earlier, when this was suggested, you cannot always tell by reading the cache description if the cache is a puzzle. You SHOULD be able to tell by the icon. But I guess that is wishful thinking. I don't see what you mean. The cache description will tell you what is involved in finding the letterbox hybrid cache. Have you never seen a puzzle cache that part of the puzzle is figuring out what the puzzle is? I've seen a few that have a long cache description, which never mentions the puzzle. The puzzle is embedded in the cache description, and it's part of the thing to figure out what it is. If the cache owner lists it as a puzzle because they put a stamp in it, it probably would be easy to tell. If you can just throw a stamp in any cache and call it a letterbox, the cache description may or may not help.