rambrush

I use GSAK do the query and have created different data bases for the variety of states or areas. I then create a HTML file which gets placed on my PDA for quick reference. This same file can be used offline for the laptop to retrieve the info.

Thrill of the find here as well. Keep thinking I need to start swapping things but have not done it yet.

I use the Ram mount and a ram mount for the gps. I then have a cell phone running windows mobile pro 6.1 with wmwifirouter. I set up a wirless network in the vehicle. Connect the cell phone to a cell phone amplifier and hi gain external antenna. The laptop finds the internet and then we are good to go. This requires a invertor for power and several lighter sockets to power everything. If the need arrises I can plug in the mobile printer and run it hardwired or through the wireless network.

Some say the PN-20 is slow, yes it is but its not really a concern for most users.

I would say ditch the 400 and go with the PN-40 & Topo 7, much better maps & GPS in my opinion

Yep 3 out of 4 is pretty good, hit a dry spell a couple of weeks ago and I located 6 out of 11. Red Lodge is pretty nice area, we have acreage south of Anaconda and I have not even had time to do the caches around Butte or Anaconda. But we end up there only 3 weeks out the year currently So welcome to the Hunt!

I have gone off the deep end you could say. I use the PN-20, My cell phone/pda plus at times my laptop is along for the ride. I use GSAK create a HTML file and load it onto my Cell/PDA. The GPX file goes into Topo 7 and then heads to the GPS. If situations develop and I need to print something then the laptop prints to the mobile printer. I use a Cell phone amplifier connected to a high gain external antena this enables me to connect to the internet in some remote areas. But you will find me usually with 1 page printed of the general area with caches.

Congrats on the purchase!

Well I will say its not always the unit itself. I have a etrex vista,PN-20 and a major cell phone there screens all sucked big time when I had my Polarized glasses. I ended up having to buy 2 pair of glasses 1 to play out side and 1 inside. This also cured the problem I was having viewing the laptop screen in the truck. This subject is well talked about with helicopter and fixed wing pilots.

Just rip it all out and Xeroscape it, problem solved. A little artifical grass in the back yard = plenty caching time.

Spent the day looking for 10 or so caches, had the gps connected to the laptop goin down the road and it registered the speed and kept a track going. This was using the adapter piece that had the stuck pin. So its healthy again for now.

I would also step in and advise to get a earthmate pn-20 and topo 7. I connect up to the laptop in the truck and away we go off towards Montana. It has been very cooll directing us into the remote montana lakes. Or anywhere we go usually the laptop is there. Today had a cache that was on a mountain in the middle of nowhere, roads running everywhich way. Using topo 7 got me right into the site with no back tracking. I also use mine for Forest stewardship program in Montana and laid out my 20 acres then did the grids for plots with it. So yes I am biased but I came on board years ago when a GPS basic cost me a grand! Then came a serial port etrex vista. I still use it as a back up and the serial port works just fine. just no options like the newer units.

Ah Ha! Goodness gracious sakes alive I had forgot all about the 1 piece cable! Guess what it works! So simple yet so difficult... Thank you!!

Yep I have tried all the tips and tricks I could find. Including the 4 finger hard reset no luck on any of those. They do say you usially have to reload the latest updates because it takes you all the way back to the begining. Mine still shows the latest update in with a july date. I just pulled the adapter off and rexamined it. Only 7 pins sticking out and 1 is flush is yours like that or all 8 pins poking out?

Well keep in mind on the guardrails there is usually extra holes drilled for additional bolts and or some now have holes drilled so they shear off to scrub off the force of impact. This allows micros to sit in them as well. Magnetics are usually fairly obvious inside a hidey hole in the end or behind the post itself.

LOL yep today is my day off but still up at crack of dawn. Time to hammer out more ideas to get my PN 20 back up and running again.

Seeing how I am not getting anywhere fast with Delorme figured I would throw it out here for thoughts and ideas. Mine has lost contact with Topo 7 Via USB. I have done all of the usuall tricks such as cleaning the contacts, different usb cable, tried it on the laptop and resetting the unit to factory defaults. Still no luck. It has the latest updates on board. Plus it is only 6 months old so I have seen where they can repair or replace at there discretion. Any thoughs or ideas?

Thats what I found as well. We apologize for the inconvenience. Delorme.com is currently offline for scheduled maintenance. To order by phone, or speak with a Customer Service Representative, please call 1.800.561.5105, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm EST, Sat 9:30am-6:00pm EST. We'll be happy to answer your product questions and take your order. The DeLorme Community Forums, however, are online and operational. They provide open discussion among dedicated customers about all the software and GPS products DeLorme sells, including the Earthmate PN-20 Handheld GPS. DeLorme Community Forums

Go to the cache supply site and look at the devious micro caches for sale. These small thimble suckers get hung in a tree with fish line almost invisable to spot. Yes some are magnetic and are painted to match the surrounding billboard. peel it off and look at the back side. I have seen normal looking rocks under a bush, move the rock and there is nothing hidden under the rock. But turn the rock over as some devious person figured out they can drill a holl into the bottom side and stash a micro in there. I have also come across some that were rivited or screwed onto a post as in a metal label with the just the coordinates on the tag.

Yep I think your proposed pay for a 1st to find is not required or needed. My 1st to find thrill is to get there before anyone else can. Then log it as a 1st to find. If I was worried about paying for gas and needed the money for gas then I should not be out caching.

Yes it is common to be off a bit, Like in my area most are using the 60csx and they usually match up pretty well. I am running the Earthmate PN-20 sometimes they don't match up. So as posted get a feel for a likely cache location. Use your GPS to get you in the area then look for a likely hidy hole.

Tremendous! I need to find me some "North Carolina Style" caches! Arizona they are usually buried under a pile of rocks and located on top of a hill/mountain

Please, please please log your visit even if you didn't find it. I love clues in the logs but please do not give it away, I like the hunt and when someone logs "It is behind the red tombstone" it kind of ruins it. I think the best information sometimes, not always can be the type of container. I love it when I know that as I can get an idea of what size it is. Also, I went to some of the stores linked off the main webpage and looked at all the different type of containers they sell to get an idea of what may be out there. Some of the containers are viciously sadistic, you could trip on one and not know it was the cache. Man you are not a kiddin there, I tripped over a rock near a cache and guees what there was a hole drilled in the bottom side of it.

1st question is which GPS are you using? the newer delorme and garmins usually work inside buildings they have great anttenas. I used my Delorme under trees in Montana with no problems. are you using WaSS or ? your unit maybe searching for them and not locating may have to turn that option off if not able to find them.

Plastic containers have problems here in the desert heat. Plus when you pile rocks on top of them they eventually crack and split. Had on ethe other day that was full of water log book was ruined the whole thing stunk. I did what I could by taping the lid and putting some spare log pages in a zip lock. So make sure your cache containers are tough. I have seen some large mayonaise plastic containers roaming around and they get painted to blend into the enviroment .