SpongeRob

Has anyone had success in talking with property owners of large areas of land (Farmers etc) and been able to secure rights to geocaching? I've been considering it but was not sure if anyone else has had success with it. I'd like to put together a night cache, but the forest preserves all close at night. Campgrounds seem "Commercial" to me so I was considering asking some of the farmers in my area if they might be interested in supporting a cache in their area. Anyone else been successful with this? -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I personally use the following. Large Caches I use snap lock top containers at wal-mart for like $2. Holds a lot of stuff Smaller caches I try to find screw top containers. Dollar stores carry great containers for see through caches. I like screw tops because they seem to seal better and stay on better when the cache get's stuffed. Spaghetti containers work good too. These pasta containers can fit in really narrow places. Great for log and tree hollows. Pill bottles for micros. I finally found a use for my monopril bottles! I try to stay away from "Tin". It rusts. I wouldnt mind using ammo boxes except they do tend to be expensive. Also people "Freak" when they see them and they don't know what they are. They are by far the most durable. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Latest version allows you to save the HTML page as well. Enjoy -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I created some software to help print the geocaching.com log files. Allows those of you who download .GPX files (pocket queries) to be able to easily view and print pages from those .GPX files. Give it a try. http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/glp.shtml -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I just put the illinois map online. note there is only one preserve in there so far. I'm currently working on Wing Park Golf course so that should be up in a day or so in the same illinois map. If I receive contributions in the next few days i'll add them as well. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

As promised a how-to guide that makes it somewhat simple is now on my site. As well as an open map database that I'm going to try to maintain. You can visit it at http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/custom.shtml -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

As promised in another thread I put a simple guide on how to create custom Mapsource files. In infact finally got enough time to put two different things together. The first is a HOW-TO guide to create your own Mapsource maps. I've tested the process and have written my own guide on how to do it. The page describes all the links to software etc. This is not for the timid, however you can certainly create your own maps. The Guide can be found at http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/custom.shtml You'll need to download three software pacakages and then create the map file itself. All things considered I'm betting garmin uses far more than 3 software packages to create their cartography. Ok, That being the first part of what I did. I'm also going to host an Open Map Project on my site as well. If/When you become able to create these map files I will be happy to combine them into regions and place them online for everyone to download. This will allow you to download a Illinois map of trails and preserves not available from Garmin Cartography. More details are available on the website at http://www.keenpeople.com/geocaching/openmap.shtml. Enjoy! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I would say just give garmin a call. I'm not sure it would work. Mapsource had a patch for the USB version, but I don't think they have a paralell port version. Serial & Paralell ports differ quite a bit in overall communications so it may be necessary to have more than just a pin adapting plug. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

My Apology, I misread and I recind the previous Post.... -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

You can get it for $199 at amazon.com with the $50 rebate. Etrex Legend @ Amazon.Com -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I have a pair of legends. I purchased the second one just recently. Here's a quick rundown from a Legend Owner. Pros: * Small, Lightweight * You can usually use cell phone accessories with it (carrying case, etc). * High res screen (compare number of pixels when comparing screen size) I was not able to find a similar based unit with an equal size and resloution. * Waterproof to IPX7 * WAAS Support, bluchart compatable. * Good battery life. (Whole day of operation on 2 AA) Cons: * Have history of rubber band problems (there is a fix for this in the threads here). * I find the interface to be in some need of work. Searching waypoints is Great but cumbersome sometimes. Not sure it's a Con, it's just my preference. * I have also noticed satalite loss when hanging around my neck. It's more of a nusiance than a problem though. Lock is reestablished in a few seconds and I'm never in that much of a hurry. I like the unit overall. For the features and money I really couldnt find something better. It's a great GPS for geocaching and day to day use. I plan on using it this summer for golf (how far are we from the pin? ) and hope to see some great performance from it. On another note with the mapsource software and some rather innovative 3rd party software you can create your own maps and download them into the GPS. - Rob -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I've searched the threads here regarding WAAS and here is my experience only.... I've gone out at night when GPS signals are said to be best. I've noticed little difference in WAAS vs. NON-WAAS. What I've noticed is that when you turn WAAS off you get quicker response from the GPS. In my area (suburb of Chicago, IL) I don't see much difference in WAAS vs. NON-WAAS. YMMV (your mileage may vary). I'm sure in remote locations where WAAS is helpful you'll end up more accurate. I've decided to leave WAAS off and let those extra standard satalite signals come in without waas. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I to wanted to have custom maps. I know that I want to use my GPS this year to map out my golf course so I can know reasonably how far away I am from hazards, etc. Now, so far I've seen nothing available for golf course maps (is there a profit in that? of course not - Pun intended). So I wanted to see if I could plot one myself. GPS Mapper is actually really easy to use, the documentaion though is very difficult to understand. After about 4 hours I was able to get a map created and in mapsource and into my eTrex Legend. You'll actually need 2 utilities GPSMapper and GPSMap Edit. Both programs can be found through the GPSMapper site (look to previous post). I'm going to throw up some simple instructions on my website after I get a few minutes to write them up. My hope is that more people will be creating custom maps. This software really is great once you figure out how to use it all. My Advice is DONT GIVE UP. Once you do figure it out you'll be able to create maps quite easily. Hopefully after a day or so you can find instructions on my website at geocaching.keenpeople.com. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Does somone possibly have a copy of the old PCX5 utility from garmin? I'd like to do some experimenting and really need to take a look at this program. Thanks -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I tried GPSBabel and for what it does it's great. It's awesome for bulk processing of waypoint files in any number of formats. What I wanted though was a way to click "OPEN" from the .LOC files and .GPX files and automatically convert them and load them into Mapsource. This utility when setup with a file association to GPX and LOC files will import automatically right into mapsource the same way you can do it with EASY GPS. The other features on here is that they will combine files togehter when downloading from geocaching.com. GPSBabel is great for conversions, where as this utility is quick, sweet and painless importing into mapsource. On a side note, I did not experience and file name limitations when importing PCX into mapsource. I'm running 4.11 and 4.12 of mapsource without that limitation. Perhaps there's and upgrade issue or filesystem issue. Thanks. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

For those of you who have tried this, how is it working out for you? I've only heard comments that have been posted here. If there are improvments/etc that can be made, please let me know. Thanks! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I've got a few SpongeRob's SpongeRob Hitchikers -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Put this into a contact lens and I'm sold! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I just put out the latest full version release. It now can automatically import it into a new copy of Mapsource. This is experimental but it works fine under Win2K and WinXP so far. Your Milage May Vary. Latest copy can be found at GPI Web Site -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

I should bill Garmin for not supporting it in their product. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Ok, I really got sick of using EasyGPS as the go-between for Mapsource. I lost the Descriptions and have to use 2 software products to do the same thing. NOT ANYMORE I sat down and wrote a utility to convert .LOC (directly from geocaching.com) to a PCX5 format (Garmin Mapsource Importable) .wpt file. It's also command line driven so a change to your file associations and the software will create .wpt files automatically in the directory of your choice. Software is free, and in beta currently. All comments/welcome. GPI Utility Site Enjoy Mapsource Users! -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Hows the battery life on the radio? My legend gets about 6-10 hours MAX on two AA batteries. I'm concerned that a 2 watt GMRS radio attached to it and having only 4.5 volts for all the electronics would cause you to seriously eat batteries on it. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Ok,I just gotta ask this. If vibration is the issue, how could a software upgrade in the firmware fix it? bTurnOffWhenVibrated=False ??? -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

Thanks, those are great ideas. If you don't mind I'll act upon those. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers

It's not a matter of comparason. It's a matter of expectations not being met. You expect to buy a car with 4 wheels. When you find out they don't hold air past 500 miles you tend to be a tad dissapointed. -- SpongeRob rwmech@keenpeople.com www.keenpeople.com WPWU826 Cache'n Retrievers