Curious Technology

Hey Everyone, I'm absolutely elated that there's a lot of discussion about GeoJournal. I'm taking notes and putting together a list for updates and feature additions. In response to the interest that the application has generated, I am putting up a dedicated forum on www.geoingenuity.com to handle the specific topics you are bringing up here, and anything else related to the application. I also want to be respectful to geocaching.com, and not take up thier forums and resources. The forums are not up yet, but I am configuring the software and I should have it up by tonight. Once I do, I will update everyone in this thread and we can move all discussion over to that venue. Thanks! Rich

Thanks to the favorable response and the comments. I love feedback, so please feel free to keep it coming. If you want to send feedback to me directly via email, please send it over to support (at) geojournal (dot) net. Keep in mind that most of the development of the application has been in somewhat of a bubble, between a handful of testers, so a lot of the features that I thought made sense may not to the general public, so I am happy to get other opinions on things. I have a pretty good list of 1.x fixes and feature updates, but I welcome more. At some point, I will boil them all down and prioritize them, which i will post on the main GeoJournal website... Speaking of that-- shortly after I released the application, my entire server promptly died. It was good old Murphy making a call at the opportune moment... I was able to recover a recent backup, but I am forced to upload it to a new server over my cable modem connection at home, so it's quite painfully slow. They boast 384k uploads, but that's more like 80k for me... Hopefully the website will be restored on Saturday. I also plan to put up a forum there as well. oh, there is another bug that was found just in case someone runs into it-- within Itinerary, exporting the itinerary to a text file doesn't work. It creates a text file without the geocache data. Bug has already been fixed and will be rolled out in the next update. I'll look into the other couple reported issues here as well. Thanks again, Rich

We are happy to announce the release of GeoJournal version 1.0.00. GeoJournal is the first application of it's kind written for the Mac. It's got a ton of great features that allow you to Plan, Manage, and Record your Geocaching Adventures. Briefly, it's great features include: - GPX/LOC support - Multiple cache categories - Multiple home locations - Embedded web browser with Google Maps - Itinerary generation - Associate pictures and notes with Found caches - POP3 importing for PQs - Paperless caching with CacheMate PDB files, GPX, or Text exporting - Integration with Google Earth, Apple iCal, and more! For more information and to download the application, please visit GeoJournal's main web site at: http://www.geoingenuity.com Thank you. I hope you enjoy using the application. Best Regards, Rich Martin aka Curious Technology Mac User, Geocacher, and Author of GeoJournal

Hi, I'm writing some Geocache management software for Mac OS X, and I really need to test the application on different types of GPS units to confirm compatibility with sending/receiving waypoints. I am using a Magellan explorist, and it works great (of course), but I am looking for people with Garmin receivers that connect via USB or Serial interfaces. I can arrange to meet up with you somewhere with my laptop, so I can test my application. If you have a Garmin (or other type) of receiver, are in the area, and don't mind meeting up with me for ~30 minutes so that I can test on your receiver, please contact me-- rich.martin@gmail.com Thank you!

Sorry for the delay in processing beta testers. I've been out of the loop because of an employment change. I will be continuing the development and beta applications over the weekend. Thanks!

I am currently accepting beta testers for a Mac application that I am writing to manage geocaches. If you're interested, check out my thread for details on how you can become a beta tester: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=157896 Until there's a native app from the vendors, you'll still need windows to update firmware and add/delete maps on your gps unit, but hopefully that's not needed too frequently.

Still need a few more testers. Are there no Mac geocachers out there? Here's a few of the more interesting features: - Multiple selectable Locations (origins) - Multiple Categories of caches. - Integrated Google Map support - Itinerary generation - Cachemate support - POP3 PQ import

I have done this, not with GSAK, but with gpsbabel which is what GSAK is using 'under the hood'. It works perfectly. It should create a .gs file, which is the TomTom POI format. You'll want to place this in the same directory as your Map data. There should be a folder wherever you installed the Maps. Once you have it in there, start up TomTom and go to preferences, and i beleve manage POIs (maybe enable POIs). You'll see a list of POI categories. Scroll down the list and you should see your filename listed. Put a check mark beside it and go back to the map, and you should see your POIs pop up now. You can also see them from the "Browse Map" option, just in case your current position isn't near a POI.

Hi, For the last couple months, I've been writing a Mac application for managing Geocaches. I really wasn't happy with anything available for the Mac, and while I have a PC as well I didn't want to switch just to manage caches. That was the impetus for writing this application. I have added a number of unique features that I wanted to see in other apps, but just weren't there. I've finally reached a point where I feel it's ready for beta testing by more than myself and another person. This isn't a public beta, so I am not prepared to release it en mass just yet, however, I am looking for 5-6 people to help me out with testing, finding bugs, and feedback on the app and features. The basic requirements: G4, G5, or Intel based Mac hardware (I would be interested if someone had a G3). I am definately looking for Intel based testers as I have G4 and G5 hardware only. The app is a Universal Binary, so it won't run through rosetta. Mac OSX 10.3.XX or higher. I would like to have at least one 10.3 user to test the app for compatibility, as I only have 10.4 here to test on. A GPSr unit, preferably a Garmin or other Serial based unit. I own a Magellan explorist 210 and my other tester has a 500, so I'm pretty sure my support for "USB Storage" based units works. I have not done any testing with serial based units yet, so I am particularly interested in that. Installed version of Skype with headset recommended (for troubleshooting sessions). Adium will also work if you'd rather chat and troubleshoot. Google Earth for Mac installed (To test features that I have that output to Google earth). Geocaching.com Premium membership highly recommended. If you are interested in helping to test this app, please contact me at: curioustechnology@gmail.com and cut+paste and answer the following in the email: - Name, City (optional), State and Country. - OSX version, version of Mac hardware. - How long have you been a Mac user? - GPS Make and Model. Do you use Serial or USB on your Mac? - What current software, if any, are you using on your Mac/PC for geocache management? - If you are currently using cache management software, how many geocaches are loaded into it? - Do you cache paperless? If so, make and model of your PDA and what software do you use with it? - Are you a Geocaching.com premium member? - How many Geocache Finds do you currently have? - How often do you go Geocaching? Once I receive your email, I'll go over it and email you back. I may have some additional questions. Hopefully the limited beta won't last long, as I've been working hard at fixing all the obvious and major bugs. Thanks in advance, Rich/CT

You might consider playing it safe and cancel the old subscription. Personally, I've not done that in either of my 2 experiences with the problem. I was worried about losing ignore list, bookmark lists, saved pq's etc.. One of my lost periods was over a week, and I still didn't lose any of that stuff, even though I couldn't access some of it during the down period. Thank you both for your suggestion. I have cancelled my current sub, and then re-subbed again and I'm back to premium access. Easy and painless-- if it ever happens again, I know what to do. Thanks!

Because I was a premium member, despite that my account on the GC.COM site says I am basic. The forums seem to be a seperate site from the GC.COM main web site. It might be a bug due to the "retooling" of thier web site. My CC on file at PayPal isn't expired at all...

I'm a premium member for several months now. I logged into my gc.com account today to do a quick pocket query, and low and behold I am told that I need to be a Premium member. Somehow I got downgraded to a basic member now. I re-enterd my subscription number, and it's already been used (of course, by me!). My last bill run on paypal was on Jan 30th. My account is good, what happened? Anyone else run into this too? I've been to the contact us link on thier website, but I didn't see anywhere that I could email to check on this. I know it's not an issue with my PayPal account, so it might be affecting more than just me.. Thanks! CT Update: found the ticketing system on thier site and submitted one. Maybe others are seeing the same issues, nonetheless. Link to trouble tickets: http://support.Groundspeak.com/Support/ind...s&_a=submit

If you are sure the file is there, then try this. Power up your GPSr, go to the Map mode. Hit the MENU button and select PREFERENCES From this menu select ACTIVE SETUP At the bottom of this screen is a field labelled "Geocaches" Highlight it an click it then select "SELECT FILE" You should see your file listed in the directory. Highlight it and select it. Click "Yes" when asked to make it active. We've set the proper geocaches file, now let's make sure we can see them on the map. Go back to Map mode and hit the MENU button. Click on MAP SETUP Go to the DISPLAY tab make sure "Geocache Pts" is checked (at the bottom) Now, let's see if the geocaches are available on the map. Go back to Map mode and hit the MENU button. Click on "PTS OF INTEREST" Click on "GEOCACHE PTS" Click on "POSITION" You should now see the list of available geocache locations. Select one and click on it. Click on VIEW and it will show it on the map. Hit the GOTO button and answer YES to the prompts and the GPS will now navigate you to it. Hit the NAV button until you see the compass and you should see the bearing and the distance to the cache. Hope that helps! CT

I purchased an explorist 210 a few weeks ago, and I love it. I use it specifically for geocaching, and it's been a great unit for that. I've heard that if you are looking to use it for turn by turn navigation (requires purchasing additional software) it's not that great compared to other solutions. I don't use it for this so it's not a deal breaker (i use tomtom on a PDA for car navigation). The USB ability of the 210 is a true timesaver and works well. If you are looking for a geocaching/hiking gpsr i think the explorist is exceptional. If you additionally want auto navigation, you are probably best looking at other (more expensive) models.

That is correct. My 210 basemap is byte by byte identical to the "na_lb112 (ex_400-500-600_na).rar" basemap. It is not the basemap for the 200-300 model (I downloaded that one too and checked). Thanks for the attrib +s tip, I forgot about that...

I have an explorist 210. Assuming you are in North America, the correct map to use on your 210 is: the na_lb112 one. It is listed on that site as being for the 400, 500, 600, but I have extracted the file and compared it to my 210's basemap and it is byte by byte identical. The direct link is here- http://www.rhamphorhinkx.ecohost.ru/maps/n...500-600_na).rar You will need to decompress the RAR file with something like unrar or WinRar. After that, rename the file as BASEMAP.MGI. Then connect your 210 to your PC and copy the BASEMAP.MGI file onto the 210 in the "Background Maps" directory. Safely dismount the 210 from windows, and you should be good again.

I sent you a Private Message. I have topo 3d that I can sell you.

Being a new Magellan eXplorist 210 and a Mac user, I've successfully paired the two with GPSBabel to transfer all my GPX queries to the 210. I've seen this topic asked in several threads. I tried to respond to one such thread, but I felt that I didn't do a good job of being specific especially if the Mac user isn't well versed in the command line. Therefore, I decided to write 2 quick Howtos on converting Geocache waypoints to the Magellan eXplorist 210 from a Mac. Admittedly, Mac users are a minority and there are probably fewer eXplorist 210 users, but hopefully this will help the few of us out there that might be in a similar situation. If you want to convert GPX files to use on the Magellan eXplorist-- Macs and Magellan Part 1: GPX to GS And if you want to convert LOC files to use on the Magellan eXplorist-- Macs and Magellan Part 2: LOC to GS CT

I've seen this topic come up several time, and since it's near and dear to myself being a Mac and Magellan owner, I went ahead and did a quick article/howto for this problem. If you want to convert GPX files to use on the Magellan eXplorist-- Macs and Magellan Part 1: GPX to GS And if you want to convert LOC files to use on the Magellan eXplorist-- Macs and Magellan Part 2: LOC to GS I hope this helps! CT

I did the same thing when I got my 210 a couple weeks ago. It naturally seemed like it should connect with the cable facing the top, but as you now know, it won't even be recognized as a USB device if you do that. It's still a bit picky on my Mac. You have to power the unit on first, then plug the USB in and it should automatically go into file transfer mode, and the device should be seen as a storage device.

Hey, I own a Magellan eXplorist 210 AND a Mac (iMac G5 Rev and you _DONT_ have to enter them manually! 1- generate a pocket query with the local caches you want in your gps. Download the GPX file that you are emailed. 2- download GPSBabel from HERE 3- Install GPSBabel on your mac and run the application. 4- select the input file (the GPX file from the pocket query) input file type: GPX XML Output Options: Use File Type: Magellan SD Files (as for eXplorist) 5- click on "Save File" and it will ask you for a file name and a location to save the file. 6- Connect your explorist 210 to the Mac with the USB cable. Make sure the 210 is in file transfer USB mode. 7- You should have a new icon on your desktop for the GPS, it will appear as a drive called "Untitled" 8- drag and drop the file you created in GPSBabel into the Untitled drive and into the Geocaches directory 9- "eject" the GPS drive and your geocaches should appear on the 210 once you select the file. 10- do the happy dance because you just saved oodles of time. final note. If you are into the command line, you can run the GPSBabel command line program instead of the GUI frontend. The command line options you need are: ./gpsbabel -w -i gpx -f FILENAME.GPX -x nuketypes,tracks,routes -o maggeo -F FILENAME.GS Noticed afterwards that you aren't a premium member and therefore cannot generate a pocket query. Solution 1- become a premium member. Solution 2- you can generate LOC file from a standard search on the site. They are limited, but they are free and will work. in Step 4 above, select the .LOC file, and input file type: should be "Geocaching.com .loc"

Before I learned about geocaching, I had been using a pocketpc based PDA for all my car navigation for several years. I currently use TomTom navigator and a bluetooth GPS receiver, and it's been invaluable. When I learned about geocaching a month ago, I naturally started using the same setup. I bought cachemate and GPS tuner to turn the PDA into a geocaching tool, and I have been very pleased with it so far. That being said, I also go and geocache with my 7 year old son. He loves it, but I am not excited at the idea of handing him my PDA while we trek around up/down hills, over creeks, etc. I recently picked up a magellan explorist 210 for him to use. Don't discount a PDA based solution. With cachemate, you also get the benefit of going paperless, which is something that a standalone unit may not give you.

I just got a Magellan eXplorist 210 in from amazon.com yesterday, and I immediately took it out for a try on 2 close by geocaches. First of all, it was very easy to operate. I had the entire unit figured out in about 15 minutes. Later that evening, I figured out the USB and filesystem feaures, and successfully uploaded all my local geocaches to it from my Mac (GPX pocket queries converted to the Magellan GS format via GPSBabel). It works beautifully. I have never used a handheld GPS before this, as I have done all my geocaching with a PDA and bluetooth GPS receiver. I purchased the Magellan because I wanted something more rugged. This is something I definately can hand over to my 7 year old son and not be fearful that it's going to shatter if he drops it (can't say that about my dell axim pda). I wanted to compare the 210 with my existing GPS setup on the 2 caches. I handed my 7 year old son the 210 and I took my PDA and we went after the first cache. The first one was about 10 feet inside a tree line near a wide open field. Both units were pretty much dead on accurate. The second cache was located about 100 feet inside a heavily wooded forest. Both units bounced around a bit, but they both held signal well. The 210 actually got us closer to the cache than my PDA GPS, which had us about 30 feet further NW of it. I don't think it's enough of a difference to say that the 210 is superior, but I was very happy with it so far. Especially considering my PDA's bluetooth GPS receiver is a SiRF III based unit that is attached to the top of my backpack, so it should be getting slightly better reception at all times... In summary-- I think you will be happy, I know I am. I think this is a fine unit for geocaching.