Kiefer3D

Quoted from another discussion: <<For those looking for a neoprene case that has a clear window in front that will fit the 60c and 60cs. I purchased the neoprene case for the Magellan Sportrack this past weekend and it is very nearly a perfect fit. For those looking for something a little stiffer but no window, try the Niteize product. I own several of these including one for my 60cs, eTrex Vista, and cell phone. Good luck and "Lets Go Geocaching!">> http://www.magellangps.com/en/products/pro....asp?PRODID=168 I'm pretty sure that it has a button with a swivel-clip. However, I won't buy it if it has a swivel, because the clip on my 60cs just broke. Those swivels aren't made for the type of punishment that hiking dishes out. Plus, I think it's extremely irritating to have the GPS constantly wagging around while I'm walking. Anyway, this might give you something else to lconsider.

I've owned my Garmin GPSMap 60cs since April, and there's a few nagging faults about it that Garmin has never fixed. 1. Despite many emails on my part, there is still no "Favorites" menu when searching for waypoints. I used to have an etrex legend, so anyone not familiar with that menu: It let you store several waypoints, cities, poi, exits, etc in the menu. The only menu that is similar to this on the 60cs is the "Proximity Waypoints" page (which is only available through the main menu.) To me, the primary use of this menu was having generic waypoints like CAR and CAMP that you can pull up quickly and "reposition here" when you're hiking and camping. 2. "Recent Finds" menu does not give you the distance "from current location" like every other search page. 3. The geocaching function is great, but having only 30 characters to write a hint or cache description isn't nearly enough for most caches. Maybe a tiny bit of map memory could be sacrificed to allow for several hundred characters in each waypoint description. (these are all issues that can be solved with a firmware upgrade) 4. The knob for my belt clip keeps unscrewing itself! This means my unit drops to the ground. If it weren't for the lanyard I keep attached to my hip at all times, I would have lost it. (After spending $400+ on it, I'm pretty peeved that it doesn't come with a good way to secure it.-- No, doesn't EXIST) This has happened at least a dozen times, and would happen more often if I didn't hold the GPS in my hand 80% of the time I'm using it. Garmin makes cradles that fit on the back of the 60cs for just about every purpose, but none of them have a stable, nonswiveling clip. They don't make a case for the 60cs either. I understand it takes time to develop accessories for a new unit, but they've already made scads of 'em. (If anyone finds a cellphone case that fits well, please let me know.) I know this should be emailed to Garmin, but I figured if other owners expressed their concerns together on one forum Garmin might actually listen.

I'll add my endorsement for Trailregistry.com You can upload and download track data there for free. All you have to do is save your tracklogs to .gpx files. This can be done easily using Easy GPS or G7ToWin. You can also convert your old Mapsource or Mapsend track files to .gpx with GPSBabel (http://gpsbabel.sourceforge.net/) I've looked all over the net and Trailregistry is the best site I've found. All the others want you to pay to do anything, or they say they have trail information which just turns out to be travel brochures. Trailregistry.com is like geocaching.com in the respect that the more you contribute to it, the better it will be for everyone.

A problem I've noticed that no one else seems to be aware of, is the tracklog record. When set on “Auto” recording method the unit takes tracklog points every one or two seconds regardless of whether the interval is set to “most often,” “least often” or in between. In only 3 hours it filled up a quarter of the memory’s unit (set at 10000 trackpoints.) This was a point every one or two seconds. It also takes trackpoints at this rate when it has no signal, filling up the memory with useless data. This is clearly an error, rather than just a feature I don’t like.

Not to dampen your spirits, but yes. For the Lawrence/Topeka area anyway, there are too few caches and too few cachers to really support an organization. Please excuse this authoritative tone, but my old stomping grounds of mid MO (Columbia and Jefferson City) have over 100 caches in about a 30 mile radius. They are still struggling to get organized. There is an event cache in KC fairly soon, that the KC club is putting on. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...62-3329038b43fc The best thing to do, is hit all of the geocaches you can. In KC, around here, etc. This way you'll get ideas for new caches that you might have otherwise not considered. Trust me, there are a lot of interesting and unique cache ideas out there. Then, if you're bored, start placing you're own geocaches. I urge you to explore all the public lands that are out there first. There's a lot of interesting stuff to see. In addition to the city parks there is a vast amount of public land owned by the Army Corps of Engineers around both Clinton Lake and Perry Lake. http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/clinton/gif/clinton_all.jpg http://www.nwk.usace.army.mil/perry/gif/pe-lakemap.jpg

Thanks! Your last paragraph really hit home. Unlike KC or St. Louis, there is no organization, resource websites, etc. for cachers in the Mid-Missouri area. In the year I've been caching here I've seen it grow tenfold. (literally) Unfortunately, Not all of the places that we've been hiding caches here have policies. As far as I know, the City of Columbia isn't aware of geocaching. Technically, all of these institutions should already know if there is a geocache on their grounds- because we all asked permission, right? Well I know that's not the case. Once the City, University, etc does make a policy on geocaching, each cacher can individually deal with their own cache if its not in compliance. We don't have to tell the city where the caches are if they know about the website. As for #2, just delete that.. The idea was that any geocaching organization should provide information on local policies on geocaching, and offer advice or assistance if asked for. (which is along the lines of #3) I'd like to stress that regulations and policies on caching shouldn't come from a local organization of cache nazis. They'll come from the people who own and manage the land the caches are placed on. What we ought to do is form positive relationships with them now. If there is a body that acknowledges local rules and regulations, then one cacher doing something stupid won't reflect as badly upon the rest of the cachers in the area. The Jefferson City Parks Department already has a policy on geocaches, go to: http://www.jeffcitymo.org/jeffcityweb.nsf/LinksView/Parks&RecreationGeocaching?Opendocument (by the way, what does "JMHO" stand for?)

I think it is time to get organized. Here is a preliminary list of objectives for a Mid Missouri Caching Organization. 1. Maintenance on a cache when it's hider is unable to take care of it. This may include taking over a caches completely if the hider moves away. 2. Police new caches to maintain the integrity of caching in the area. This may include suggesting a cache be moved for safety reasons, or rewording the cache page for clarity, warnings, or just better coordinates. 3. Provide assistance and guidance for new geocachers. 4. Answer questions and concerns of the public, and be the official voice of geocaching for Columbia, Jefferson City, and the surrounding areas. We should also make all organizations aware of geocaches which on their premises. Fortunately, Matt1344 has already founded a positive relationship with the Jefferson City Parks Department. We also seem to have a good understanding with the management at Rockbridge SP. Similar relationships need to be made with: MDC, Columbia Parks and Rec, the Cedar Creek Ranger District, Finger Lakes SP, University of Missouri-Columbia, and every other organization that already has caches on its premises or may have a cache in the future. 5. Organize regular meetings and events to promote geocaching in the area, and foster good attitudes and practices among all geocachers in Mid Missouri. Hopefully this will get things rolling. Please feel free to make suggestions. I would also appreciate input from cachers in other cities who have started caching organizations before, or are currently members.

(October 19, from noon until whenever.) This will be an informal get-together for geocachers in the Columbia area and surrounding areas. This includes, of course, enthusiasts from Kansas City and St. Louis who come all the way out here to visit our caches. For more information, please go to this page: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=38727

I will be hosting a geocacher's picnic on Saturday, October 19 from noon until the cows come home. There are only a dozen or so cachers in Columbia, but I know a bunch of you guys come in from St. Louis and Kansas City. Go to this page for details: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=38727