LetterDude

The app is nicely done but has some limitations that are due to limitations in the iPhone SDK. For example, you can't view nearby caches on a map within the application (you can view them as a list and then pick one to be displayed in Google maps outside the app) and you can't see your current location relative to nearby caches within the app. This will all change in June (or whenever Groundspeak updates the app) with the release of the iPhone 3.0 firmware, which removes these limitations.

Just to set the facts straight, you can develop for the iPhone for free. Only when you have an app ready to launch is there a US$99 fee to get a developer license and submit your app to Apples app store. With respect to the 30% cut Apple takes of your sales, this is low compared to other software sales and distribution methods. When you consider that for the 30% Apple is handling "packaging," distribution, and sales; not to mention promoting your app by placing it within easy access of millions of iPhone/iPod Touch owners; it suddenly becomes a relative bargain. Having said that, I'm also looking forward seeing what geocaching developers come up with for the 3G iPhone. I don't plan on replacing my 60CSx with it but I do plan on replacing my Palm...it would be especially nice if I can download and review cache descriptions and logs based on my current location and I would love to see an app like BeeLineGPS (with dynamic location-based cache loading) for those times when I find myself somewhere without my Garmin or without local caches loaded onto it and the urge to geocache strikes! Craig

Isn't v9 due soon? I bought a used 60CSx recently with v7 and am holding off upgrading until v9 is out.

I'll add another vote for the 60CSx as the best current all-in-one handheld. If you want something more versatile but less rugged, I'd opt for a GPS PDA with TomTom Navigator or equivalent (as long as you can import POIs) for the driving and BeeLineGPS for the walking/hunting).

Mine's over a year old (I bought it used) and I haven't had any problems.

On my 60CSx accuracy seems to average around 10 feet in regular mode and 20-40 feet on battery-saver mode. YMMV. Craig

How can an article on consumer GPS not mention geocaching? Craig

I don't think the solution helps at all in terms of removal...just peel it off slowly and then clean the screen with eyeglass cleaner and a soft cloth. That worked for me. Craig

This will work fine for paperless caching, although you may want to buy a good rugged case for it. Combine it with a Bluetooth GPSr and an app like BeelineGPS and you may even want to leave the eXplorist behind! Craig

Best for versatility would be a PDA with built-in receiver (like the Asus line). That way you can run iGuidance or TomTom along with something like BeeLineGPS and have far more functionality than something like a 60CSx offers. (Although the 60CSx would be a better option if you need durability.) Craig

I'm having a similar problem in that I want it to follow the same roads back but if I choose the "Follow Roads" option it recalculates the route. If I choose "Follow Track" then the directions it gives me aren't relative to the roads. (They're relative to the track points rather than street intersections.)

OK then...anyway to select which POI categories to load into it? (Or are the POIs part of the base map?) Craig

Is there any way on the 60CSx to select which POI categories to display? Craig

Umm...if he has a ring with a genie that will grant the owner all they want or need, why is he trying to make money on eBay? And add to the "worth its weight in gold" list the refills for my inkjet.

I'll second the vote for the eXplorist 210. Only $50 more than the etrex and the ability to download caches from a computer rather than having to type them alone is worth the money! Also better at maintaining a fix under tree cover than the etrex.

Googled: custom pen stamps Found: http://www.stampritepens.com/noname.html

REI sells something similar but wider here in the U.S. There's also these on eBay, which are the same idea but significantly cuter! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=120019688653

I remember reading about one where the coordinates led to a remote control that caused a toy submarine containing the cache to surface from a nearby lake! That's probably the most novel one I've read about so far. Craig

Check out the following service: http://www.trackitback.com HOW IT WORKS (from the company's web site): 1. Affix Trackitback privacy protecting ID labels to your personal property and register them through the company's web site or toll-free number. 2. When a registered item is lost, the coded ID label offers the finder a reward for contacting Trackitback. 3. Finders can contact Trackitback either through their web site or 24/7 toll-free number. 4. Trackitback makes all of the necessary arrangements for the item's safe return to the rightful owner - at no extra cost. 5. Every finder receives a Trackitback gift pack of ID labels plus any cash reward the owner may have provided.

Google Earth is horribly inaccurate in terms of the locations of the caches based on my experience (the satellite views in Google Maps are fine)...even with the latest beta the locations will jump around each time you zoom in.

Get a Magellan.

1. Find address on Google 2. Enter address into Google Maps (actually, in this case you can just enter "White House") 3. Zoom in and switch to satellite view 4. Double click on the spot you want the coordinates for 5. Click on "Link to this page" 6. Copy the coordinates from the URL in the address bar For example, 38.896112,-77.036559 for the sidewalk in front of the White House.

Start with gum, work your way up.

I thought kids were the only ones who really cared what were in the caches.

That's real mature. Frankly I think any cacher putting an ammunition container out in the wild with military markings on it is being irresponsible, especially around an urban environment, and is potentially endangering the game. But I obviously appear to be in the minority with my opinion and if that's the case, especially as a relatively newcomer to the game, I'll abide by the majority.