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T F T C

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Posts posted by T F T C

  1. I use the eXplorist 500. FOR ME, it works great. I haven't had to deal with Customer Service because everything is working fine.

     

    The lack of a large internal memory is no issue because you can use SD cards with the unit for storing maps and geocaches.

     

    My accuracy seems to be on par with other units.

     

    It will take AAA's, but doesn't come with the much wiser choice, the Li-Ion rechargable battery. This you must purchase separately (see other threads for cheap alternatives).

     

    It will autoroute for you if you purchase and install the proper software.

     

    It has a Geocaching setting, but I don't like it. hah I just use my Treo to go paperless.

  2. Thanks. I have downloaded Google Earth and it is working fine. Not sure why I had a problem the last time I tried.

     

    But I still have a question about Geocalc.

     

    When I downloaded it for my PC, I needed only to double click on it to activate. I used the link provided above to download a MAC version but I don't understand how to activate it.

     

    Sounds like you're new to Macs. Welcome. Downloading and installing an application on a Mac is a little different than on PC's, as you've found out.

     

    If the file is a zip file, then double click on the icon to unzip the file.

     

    Applications on Macs are usually found in disk images, or .dmg files. Double click on this .dmg file and you will find the application itself, probably some Read First document, etc. Now, just drag the application icon to the Applications folder (or wherever else you'd like to save the program to). To clean up you can drop the .dmg file in the trash and eject the disk image.

     

    Unless you're working on Windows on an Intel machine (or via Virtual PC), you won't be able to open .exe files. Those are not supported by OS X.

  3. Yeah, using normal batteries in the unit doesn't last long. If you want to keep using batteries, purchase a bunch of rechargeables and carry some with you. Make sure to keep the light on the lowest setting to squeeze more power out of the batteries, and try to maintain the best reception you can - searching for satellites takes up a lot of juice.

     

    But you'll probably want to spend a couple of bucks to purchase a rechargeable Li-ION battery. These last 16+ hours, in my case. You can purchase the battery either from Magellan, or pick up an equivalent off of Ebay for a few bucks. Search for other threads in this same "GPS Units and Software" thread for exact models.

  4. GeoJournal is a great app and a demo is available, but it's not free. I have a web page that outlines free alternatives that work well between my Mac and my eXplorist.

     

    chimbisimo.googlepages.com

     

    EDIT: I should expound on why GeoJournal is nice. It's not just a "file converter/mover" but also a journal and planner for your geocache outings.

     

    EDIT x2: I should also point out that I'm not saying that the eXplorist is the best unit to use with Macs. But it works in my case, and I happen to like my eXplorist. Would I buy another one? Undecided.

  5. Hello, new to this geocaching thing. I am looking into purchasing a handheld GPS device and was wondering which ones (if any) are supported under the Mac OS X platform.

     

    I have a new Garmin Nuvi 660 that I use in my car and it supports OS X. Are there any Garmin handhelds that will do the same?

     

    Thank ya - Thank ya!

     

    Regards,

    Jason :ph34r:

     

    I use a Magellan eXplorist 500 LE with GeoJournal (www.geojournal.net).

  6. GeoJournal does not support moving geocaches from your GPS to your computer. In my case, even if GJ COULD do it I still wouldn't use it (now, if I could update my GJ database by importing my Cachemate database from my phone to my computer, THAT would be something else).

     

    Do you do this to update the list of "found" geocaches on your computer? Please explain; this sounds interesting.

    I'm amazed. :) Transferring waypoints back-and-forth is such a part of my routine that it never occurred to me that a waypoint manager wouldn't do that. I grab waypoints off the GPSr for:

     

    1. Routine maintenance to clean up waypoints no longer needed on the GPSr (much easier to do it in a manager than on the receiver).

     

    2. Caches I have just placed, including all the averaged readings, stages, parking, etc.

     

    3. Multi-stage caches I have done or am in the process of doing.

     

    4. Notable locations I have waymarked for future reference, such as potential cache locations, trails, campsites, friend's houses, etc.

     

    The one thing I don't do is use it to update a list of "found" geocaches. I rely on queries and memory for that. I'm not a super high-volume cacher but I use my GPS receivers frequently and expect a waypoint manager to do the basics: transfer, organize and edit waypoints.

     

    Very intriguing. What does your normal routine - pre- and post- hunt - consist of? Those are some great ideas.

  7. Looks like a promising waypoint manager but the first thing I tried to do (after setting preferences) was download waypoints from my GPSr. I couldn't see how to do it and the manual says nothing. I must be overlooking something as this is a basic capability.

     

    GeoJournal does not support moving geocaches from your GPS to your computer. In my case, even if GJ COULD do it I still wouldn't use it (now, if I could update my GJ database by importing my Cachemate database from my phone to my computer, THAT would be something else).

     

    Do you do this to update the list of "found" geocaches on your computer? Please explain; this sounds interesting.

  8. If you're just going to run Windows off your Mac, might as well not even get the Mac.

     

    But in terms of solutions to geocaching and interfacing your GPS unit to your Mac and Geocaching.com, you have several options. The best method in my opinion is GeoJournal http://www.geoingenuity.com/main/?page_id=6.

     

    For other options, take a peek at my site http://chimbisimo.googlepages.com

  9. I also would like to be able to drag and drop multiple GPX or LOC files into GeoJournal. When I try that now it only accepts one at a time.

     

    A good workaround that you can use until true drag-n-drop is adopted is using the "Open with" dialog in the contextual menu. Highlight all the files you want to import into GeoJournal, then control-click and choose "GeoJournal" from the "Open With..." option.

  10. What must be fixed/added:

    • the waypoint name must be part of the list view ("GCxxxx") to allow search and sorting by waypoint names
    Or even better, the ability to access a wide variety of columns and create your own view, a la iTunes. This has been suggested.
     

    when exporting to a GPS receiver the way points should also labeled by GCxxxx waypoint names to avoid a cluttered map view. If some people prefer shortnames then this should be an option but not the default value
    You're crazy if you prefer the codes. I find it's much more annoying to look up waypoint codes in Cachemate than it is to look up names. But the ability to choose either/or has been suggested. I also suggested the ability to choose whether to append notes or not - on my eXplorist, I have a limit of 250 POI's with notes, or 500 w/o notes.
     

    the same holds for the cachemate export. Currently the "Name" and "Wpt" field both contain the name of the cache. Wpt must be the GCxxxx labels

     

    I'm still able to switch from Name to Wpt sort, and back. Are you not able to?

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