juanbob

I have a bug I am thinking of taking with me to Spain. I will only be there for 1 day and will not have time to leave it in a cache. If I get pictures, should I up them to the bug's page, laminate small copies and attatch to the bug, or both? Juanbob

I have a bug I am thinking of taking with me to Spain. I will only be there for 1 day and will not have time to leave it in a cache. If I get pictures, should I up them to the bug's page, laminate small copies and attatch to the bug, or both? Juanbob

I really appreciate all the advice (even the happy meal ones!! haha). I am going to a local store here to get my hands on some real models to make sure I get what I need. I may end up getting one cheapo and one nice compass...whichever doesn't workout for me, I will leave in a cache. Could be a good prize if I like the $2 compass better! Also, thanks bushwacker for all those links...that will keep me busy for days!

I have read several "why do I need a compass" posts and I have decided, mostly from experience, that I am going to buy a compass. Frankly, I haven't used a compass in 20 yrs+ since boyscouts. I can't even be sure I am spelling compass correctly...compass...compas...crap. What kind of compass would you more experienced people recomend? I have looked around at some brands...Silva, Brunton, Suunto. Not sure which one to get. I am not opposed to spending $40 ish on a unit that I will be happy with and that will last me a lifetime. However, if I can get all that for $5, better yet. I have seen compasses for GPS users with UTM offset stuff (no clue on this)...also ones with sighting mirrors on the back (why? I again have no idea). Appreciate any advice. A compass will make the benchmark hunting easier I think.

I like the clipboard and cones idea! Would save your from the odd looks and questions. "No, I am not a terrorist ma'am. Yes, I did walk all the way over here to take a picture of this little frisbee in the ground."

I have a set of 1850 MA Kodak NiMH rechargables that work great for me in my gps. I get a good 14 hours of use normally. The one set of alkaline batteries I put in my unit lasted 15 hrs, so not much difference. I have a 1700MA backup set that work nicely too. Juanbob

I have a set of 1850 MA Kodak NiMH rechargables that work great for me in my gps. I get a good 14 hours of use normally. The one set of alkaline batteries I put in my unit lasted 15 hrs, so not much difference. I have a 1700MA backup set that work nicely too. Juanbob

I am a newbie...let's get that out of the way first. But I seriously thought benchmarks would be accessable - if not for me, for a survey crew. What a mistake. Tapemeasures, compas, GPS, poker stick...I find 1 out of 6 I set out to get so far. I really love the challenge. Perhaps as I get better I will find more. Any suggestions to finding more benchmarks besides digging up the private property lawn where the mark is burried??

OOOPS...Did I get it backwards. Serial to USB...like plug serial cable into USB port on computer. I am a spaz...always typo-ing Juanbob

OOOPS...Did I get it backwards. Serial to USB...like plug serial cable into USB port on computer. I am a spaz...always typo-ing Juanbob

I was afraid of that Thanks for the info...just saved me the trouble of buying a converter cable. Juanbob

I was afraid of that Thanks for the info...just saved me the trouble of buying a converter cable. Juanbob

I have read some past posts regarding USB to Serial converters. I have a serial port, so that is not the problem...just wondering if I get the USB to serial converter if my transfer speeds to my Garmin datacard will speed up? Is transfer speed limited by the serial interface, or the unit itself? With a 64MB datacard, it takes hours to transfer all the data by serial. Just hoping for an alternative to speed things up short of buying the datacard writer. Thanks for any info or help anyone can offer. Juanbob

I have read some past posts regarding USB to Serial converters. I have a serial port, so that is not the problem...just wondering if I get the USB to serial converter if my transfer speeds to my Garmin datacard will speed up? Is transfer speed limited by the serial interface, or the unit itself? With a 64MB datacard, it takes hours to transfer all the data by serial. Just hoping for an alternative to speed things up short of buying the datacard writer. Thanks for any info or help anyone can offer. Juanbob