SpongeRob

I gotta keep going with the same thing. I've not been stopped yet but when I do I've got to play the following card... Would I as a terrorist come out to the middle of nowhere (with my family in tow) with a GPS to blow up a Tree? I completely understand the heightened security but just about ANYTHING at this point could be considered suspicious. Somone on a walkie talking talking in a foreign language could be just as suspicious. I'd prefer that they work on getting the freaks out of the preserves who park in the lot looking for a "Good Time" instead of bothering somone just out on a hike. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Amen Brother! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I really agree that it depends on your area. I got the Metroguide. $99 at target. (ok so I overpaid a little) I'm not really impressed with Metroguide. I'm not going to be impressed with Topo either when I buy it. In my area topo maps are about usless I have yet to see any elevation data I can use. Lakes and other objects are about the most useful for me and they were included in metroguide. What I have been impressed with is the fact that with some software and some time you can make your own Maps. I've started doing this for golf courses, etc. There is also some freeware software like ExpertGPS that allows you to map out your own courses and such on topo maps so I've had little need for anything else. You can check out the custom garmin maps here. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Not sure I want a GPS in a phone. It's kind of like the camera in a phone. Cell phones seem to have a max life of 2 years. I know I expect more than 2 years out of my GPS, or I expect to sell it or trade it in. Having an extra $100 of electronics in something disposable doesnt exactly appeal to me. I guess I just come from the old school of use the right tool for the right job. Sure I might have more tools, but my digital camera, GPS and phone are not all disposable at the same time. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Easiest way to tell on the map page is look which way your pointer is pointing. On Track Up, you'll always be pointing up. In North up, you'll simply move in the direction in which you are moving relitive to North. I also believe in the upper corner the "North Arrow" will be pointing where north is. If it's pointing anywhere but up then you can't possibly be using North Up. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

quote: Now, with those numbers, why did I get skunked on those two caches this morning???? There is usually more to a cache than just the coordinates. Also, who said that the person hiding the cache had just as accurate readings? -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

To quote my comic book friend from the Simpsons. "Worst Episode Ever...". Nice "high tech" layout but I think I prefered the content of the posts to the look of the forum. Guess i'll just have to get used to it. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Ok, I'll bite Why? -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

And yet the Geeks Continue! SpongeROB (me), is yet another fan. What's great is that my kids love the fact that I turn spongebob on. I also have a SpongeRob The Geek travel bug. Long Live SpongeBob!!! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Wierd, I never have that problem of pixelation. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

If there are I'd sure like to know. I can't conceive how much work it must have been to put the existing set together. The thought of a more accurate one would seem to be cost prohibitive in creating. Granted the USGS has deep pockets but I can't imagine that deep. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I added some new Geocaching USA shirts. No matter if your for or against the war you can still show your patriotic side. (providing of course you have one or live in the USA). Please no comments for war/no war. If youre not interested just pass it by. http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/shirts.shtml -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I am what you call cheap. That's why I off my software via freeware. I also look for freeware. If it's free or I don't have to pay it's a bonus for me. I did buy mapsource. It's good, but I expected more for my $100. I was able to find out about creating custom maps for it. I also use my own utilities for importing geocaching.com waypoints into mapsource. I've augmentmented Mapsource to my needs with my own software. Works great. As for custom maps there is some great software out there as well. You can see what software I've found to be useful at http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/software.shtml. I'm always looking for something new to augment what I have. If somone has additions I'm always adding them to my website. Thanks! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

USAPhotoMaps is freeware available from http://www.jdmcox.com/ has maps comprable to ExpertGPS but free. Not nearly the fuctionality either but will get the job done for free. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Using Mapsource (Metroguide): I've found that many have names, some do not. Depends on the cartography source I suppose. I end up with "Fox River" and "Beverly Lake" but other things just say "water" or "lake". I think it really varies by size/popularity. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

quote: I'd like to make my own maps for local trails, but I can't seem to do this without the Mapsource software. Is there a way around this, or must I purchase one of the Mapsource CDs even though I really don't need the maps? You don't need mapsource unless you want to view them on your PC as well. There is a program called GPS Send on the GPSMapper website that allows you to also send it right to your GPS. You don't need mapsend, it just helps to manage all the information. - SpongeRob -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I think it's amusing how many people freak out over things in a preserve. I'm sure the terrorists are planning to attack us one tree at a time. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I ended up buying a Nikon 995 about a year ago. I've had it a year and I'll have it for years to come. Here's something to remember in buying any camera. The Lens is the most important part of the camera. I don't care what sort of imaging device you have the lens matters. Going with cheaper digital cameras that have bells and whistles such as video and sound capture dont mean SQUAT when it comes to photo quality. Another thing to remember is that more megapixels is not always better. Look at how the image is captured. What technology do they use and how close together are the color sensors. This is another big one in quality. Lastly, look at compression. Less compression is better quality. Look at their JPG compression modes. ZOOM the samples to 10-20x and see how much distorion there is. I've used my Nikon 995 as a replacement to my Nikon FG for day to day photos and I have enlarged many of them to 8x10. I have one hanging in my office and people can not believe it was with a digital camera. Quality is what makes a digital camera, if you go cheap or with bells and whistles you'll be disapointed if youre looking for a quality photo. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

If youre used to topo maps you can download USAPhoto maps and plot the waypoints you want. You can also create custom maps (helps you after the fact) for areas that you plan to travel. I got into this as I also found the mapsource maps very weak. More information can be found here. USAPhotoMaps (has both ariel and topo maps) - Rob -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Not sure you're going to like the result of what youre proposing. When I started geocaching I too wanted something more friendly than GCxxxx. After I re-named a few, went out to visit them and came back I went to log them and said: CACHEINT (hey wait, which cache IS this?!?!?). The GCxxxx filenames are uniquie so you don't run into that problem. What I do is print out the logs of each one in my area that I want to visit and palce them into a 3 ring binder. Serves two purposes. First the clues are there. Very helpful. The descriptions are there as well. Both of these are not available in just the waypoints. I wrote a small utility to be able to easily enter a waypoint and print the logs. Geocacing Log Printer. Hope this helps! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Ok, here's my input. Go with the mapping software. Here's why: I did research myself and found that with some software you can actually make your own maps for a Garmin GPS. I've currently put two maps online myself and plan to make more as time permits. I like the mapping GPS because large bodies of water can be seen in relation to a Cache many times. I was just out on a trail over the weeknd and there was a large body of water. The pointer said "Across the lake" but when I zoomed out on the map it showed I was on the right side of the lake, just had to go around a bend. The Open Map Project allows you to upload your own custom maps and download ones from others. The how to shows you how to create your own. Mapping is really worth the money and you can get so much more out of your GPS for an extra $50. Buy the legend... -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Geocache Log Printer and GPX to PCX5 interface are a couple of others I've written recently. You can see those at http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/software.shtml -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

USA Photo Maps is also some great software. It's free and allows you to plot waypoints. Like ExpertGPS it also uses the terraserver maps. It can be found at http://www.jdmcox.com/ You can also visit my website which has an ever growing list of software packages at geocaching.keenpeople.com -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I'm not sure I agree with unnecessary bushwacking. It makes sense that the poster would give a proper terrain rating, but I'm not sure that if the cache is rated correctly that you could say unnecessary bushwacking. I've hidden some caches where I expect few people to go. That includes some serious thorn areas and dense brush. I believe that's all part of the game. The coordinates are right on, but the terrain is a 3+. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

In Idaho it seems that it would be ok to post on private land. In addition the guidelines state: quote:There are always exceptions. If your cache fits within these areas, please explain in the description (or hints) of the cache. For example, if you are given permission to place a cache on private property, indicate it in the description. I'm intereted in hearing about people who have placed them on private property rather than those who think it should not be allowed. I'm sure for legality issues disclaimers in the cache such as (visit this at your own risk) could prevent big lawsuits ( or perhaps not) . It does seem that there are some laws aready out there regarding this issue (idaho for example). So has anyone posted any on private land? -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers