Jollylolly

This has to be a record find for this thread... If not for this thread, perhaps a CITO record, yes?

Thanks Warren, I've taken you up on your offer. More to set the record straight, than to incur the wrath of anyone. You've got Mail Laurence

True, but did you get a 250K PQ from Amazon? The point is not about the use and technicalities of the Geomate Jr. Its about the "integritalities" of getting almost 30% of the registered caches, worldwide, included with the purchase... without any "buy in", or education. Hi again, Warren, I guess you got the short straw. I appreciate your stepping up to the plate, but your response did not really satisfy my concerns... How many have already been sold, (or at least packaged ready for shipment). A little late to be developing the material, I'd say. How about the ethics of working with the group (us, the cachers) who hide and maintain caches which enables the organization (GS) to make the Geomate Jr database possible. Doing it this way, I fear you'll run out of time, long before you run out of GeoMate Jr's to sell. Not forgetting the grannies and grandpas looking to buy that thing they heard about from the cousin that does that geo-sport thing for their techno grandkid with all the other tech toys. Are they going to remember all you told them, so they can pass the information on with the Geogift? Having a GPS, but needing to register with GS so I could use it to geocache, is what drove me to geocaching.com All said and done, I know the GeoMate Jr is here to stay. I just feel concerned about the integrity and longevity of a sport I have really got to enjoy. Thank you once again for your time. Good Luck

Hi Warren, It's been asked by a few folk. So to put it in my own words.... When I got my GPSr as a gift, I Googled what to do with it, and happened on Geocaching.com. While I could read the logs for the cache, the coordinates and details were a bunch of question marks. I had to open an account, by agreeing to the Groundspeak terms etc, in order to gain access to this information. In so doing, I had to acknowledge an understanding of the rules and ethos associated with the community. Caches which others had placed at their own expense, with the understanding it would be hunted by others involved in the sport were then made available to me. My concerns are not about Apisphere, or the Geomate Jr per se, but about the product which may/will be given by unknowing family members to folk (because of the excellent marketing) who have no understanding of how this community grew, and what the existing members do to make those tupperware boxes available for others. Trades, coins, travelbugs, the cache itself, how are these concepts being relayed to the end user when it's being given by well meaning family members.

That's the point, if they can't spring 30 bucks for a Premium Membership in order to answer the questions which will put an end to this thread so I can go caching, how did they get a 250K PQ as a regular member? Hey, sun's shining GONE CACHING !!!!

This can't be Apisphere. He/she/they haven't posted anything in the forums yet... but then regular members have to wait the mandatory 24 hours to access the forums. Immediate access is a privilege reserved for Premium Members.

Now this reply, I like! In the very few caches I have hidden, I have spent time and take pride in the description, the hint and the camouflage. If cachers want to tackle it as a group, that's fine. Everyone arrives at GZ together, all have the same advantage/disadvantage and tools, GPSr, description, hint etc. If they want to share the find, no problem. If they choose to "go it alone" see #2 above. How many logs have there been describing FTF races? Does this constitute a "group" in the OP context. Most FTF hounds will post the find... FTF making the claim, with the others just logging their disappointment, but a find nonetheless. What I don't like, however, is PAF, if I meant for finders to just walk up and expect a "gimme", I'd have hidden LPC's. . I enjoy DNF logs, not to be vindictive, or mean, but it gives me an indication of the condition of my cache, does it need maintenance, or have I got the D/T correct etc. I have contact info on my profile if needed. Don't P.A.F...... P.Me! As mentioned in the OP, changing the D/T for reasons other than "getting it right" is just not on, in my opinion at least.

And I was really hoping to do some caching, but any hope of that slipped away... British Columbia, Canada.

For me, and I think many others who have added to the pandemic nature of this thread, the issue is not about the trashing of caches, well not only about the trashing of caches, but about the potential lack of control over the up and coming geocaching community. Anyone ever bought a new computer? I did once, and had to register the software. Sure I could have gone ahead and bought a used one off eBay, with "active" software, and used it "illegally", but by registering it, TPTB assumed I had read the RULES (EULA), which, when I got my first one at least, I did. Now, I can access most any web site on the net (Unless there's a puzzle solution required to enter, or it has multiple steps to get there, or people have to have paid a membership to access it), go to all kinds of "socially unacceptable" sites, get up to all sorts of mischief, etc, but because I read the EULA, I am less likely to do those things. Why?... Because I know "about" the rules which explain the consequences, and I know I could have my internet access discontinued if I overstep the line. It's my guess those who have bought one of these units and posted in this thread, are seasoned cachers (BadAndy, nearing 1000 finds since 2003) who read the rules when they got their first GPS, probably carry copies of the "GeoCachers Creed" around with them, and go to GeoCaching events. At which, by the way, I don't think we'll be seeing any Noobie GeoMate users, because they won't have been preloaded so how will they get to meet said seasoned cachers? My bet is we won't be seeing any "new" GeoMate cachers joining in this discussion. Why? Because they won't have registered or read any EULA, or had to "buy in" to anything. Just having the new owners have to "enable" their new toys by registering, by just becoming a "regular" member means they will have to have said (at least) they read the "General rules". With modern technology costing less and less everyday, GeoMate Jr being a prime example. I don't believe it is too much to ask that these new GeoMate owners have to register and get these 250000 caches "enabled", so to speak. I think that would have a lot of us being less vociferous, and perhaps even wanting to get one ourselves. I'll hangup and listen to the response, Thank You!!

I'm in... Wasn't going to be, but I've just read through the whole thread, and pretty much agree with everything negative about the Geomate Jr. Not the unit itself, but the concept. (I couldn't have wasted all that time and not have my say)... I've been caching for just over 2 years now. A fair weather cacher to say the least, and am pretty proud of my 260 finds. My GPS holds 1000 + waypoints. That's about, let's see, 25% capacity. My PQ's are based on a 50KM radius from my home coords. I can update this daily if I so wish, and change filters and get PQ's for Australia, or Germany or wherever, if I so wish, I can even get caches along a route, if I so wish... because I'm a Premium Member and frequently log onto geocaching.com. I'm no geometrician (is that a word?), but my donut hole is at least 3 km big, and probably 80% of my finds have been within 50KM from home. Sure the odd New Cache comes up every week, but that is inevitable with my weekly PQ. I also have a PalmZirosaurus which allows me to decrypt the hint if I get to GZ and need a little nudge in the right direction. USA is about 4000KM wide and 2500KM high. With all the filters mentioned, I wonder about the spread and density of the "preloaded" caches. Why would I need 250,000 caches across USA??? Even at $69.99, that's a heck of a lot of money per cache find ! The marketing seems to be aimed at children, (well that's what the videos and pictures depict). "Here Junior, get up from the TV and go do some "cashing".... Mommy's busy." This GeoMate has an update available (to purchase, if you're still interested in this geocaching thing) in June 2009. So you'll get what? Another cache to do until the next update is available (to purchase, if you're still interested in this geocaching thing). Then...what ?? If this is being used as an "Entry Level" marketing tool to encourage new cachers to the community, it needs to be renamed to GeoDotCom because it just won't last. Fortunately, I'm not affected yet, and hopefully never will be... I'm in Canada, so we won't be seeing the Geomates because we can't use them here... Ahh Gee!

Oops Double clicked the "add" button.

OK, I'll admit to enjoying LPC's... but certain conditions apply. That is I need to be on a business trip, in a far away town, with limited time on my hands, and be in meetings all daylight hours. This is when I truly "enjoy" an LPC. They are often well lit, take little-to-no time to find and, call me a numbers guy if you like, but it allows me to notch a find somewhere beyond the edges of my donut. I have an LPC of my own, and as a number of posts in this thread allude to, I have tried to add a bit of humor and creativity. So when all you LPC critics come to Vancouver BC, give GC1F11Y a try. Jollylolly

You're never too old to have a happy childhood. When I was your age, I was also twenty. Twenty year olds lurking around rocks and trees in parks are "modern riff raff", just hanging around with nothing better to do. Now... 50+ year olds lurking around in parks... that could be cause for perceived concern amongst non-cachers!!!

It's all about the caching, eksê. Whether you cache for numbers, or hikes, or TB's... or whatever, just enjoy it, and let others enjoy it for what they get out of it. I'm telling everyone, so here goes. Today I got my 200th find, I also did 100 in 1 month, and in so doing, got my name up for 2 milestones in a month on our local British Columbia Geocaching Association webpage http://www.bcgeocaching.com/ (100 and 200) . If I'm guilty of something, who cares, I had fun, and am now satisfied. Lekkerbly!

Thanks for all the offers. The "couriers" arrive back in UK on Monday when I'll be asking which option would be the easiest for all concerned. (They've been in Italy for a few days!) My UK geography leaves a lot to be desired, so I'll have to leave it to the TB movers to get this surfer TB towards his goal. Please watch this space for details. Laurence

Hi Crispin, Haven't been too regular in the forums myself (takes up good caching time), but welcome. Thanks for your offer. I have sent you an e-mail Laurence

My wife is on vacation in UK, and has a TB I picked up in Vancouver BC. The owner would like the TB to visit surf beaches around the world. My wife has the TB with her, but no GPSr (that stayed with me so I could play while she's away). I would like for a cacher in the Kingsbridge area to contact me to make arrangements, either for my wife to drop off the TB herself, or to hand it over to someone willing to drop it off on our behalf. Thanks, in anticipation Jollylolly.

I'll start... I did a 7-7, 7-7-7, 77 At 7.07 pm on 07/07/07 I found my 77th cache. and proud of it !!! OK, I did have to sit around dodging a couple of muggles for about 20 minutes, but signed log at quoted time. Thanks for listening.

I once got heartburn from eating a McD BigXtra. I no longer support the company and am offended by McToys. Please don't leave them in any caches I may visit. Funny how this thread evolved into a religious roasting, one for another. What happened to the politics, global warming, save the whales etc? To each their own. Me, I'm a Christian, and proud of it. Jollylolly

Thanks for the replies. Klatch, loaded unzipped gpx file before spinning and that did the job, thanks. Webscouter, will be digesting your advise and instituting the suggestions shortly. Thanks again Jollylolly

Ah, Thanks Klatch. Now I can't wait to get home to give it a go. Jollylolly

Hi Klatch, Thanks for the response. ( I DID say I wasn't sure how to ask the question). I am able to do all the unzipping, and loading etc. My problem is in the Names/ID's of the caches that appear in my "search waypoint" screen on the GPSr. They aren't in the GC number format! Jollylolly

Not too sure how to ask this question, but I need some help. When I use Spinner with my PQ's, and then open the file in Mapsource (I have Canada Metro), the GC.com ID (GC****) is not shown. There is just an abbreviated name derived from the Title of the cache (not an actual example, but something like 'ATTHCRSSWLK' could be "At the Cross Walk"). As this is all I have to work with, I have been sending this info to my GPSr. Now the problem comes in when I try to use my PDA to get the details. I can't search the GC**** ID, because that information is not on my GPSr, and the filters on Plucker don't have the Abbreviated title option. I use Plucker on my Palm. Problem: I like walking and caching... Sitting and trying to figure out how to use new software is not my forte. I've tried, but am missing the point somewhere. Question: How do I get the GC***** ID into my PQ's so I can get them into MapSource and to my GPSr? I Have a Garmin Legend, Palm Zire 21. Use Spinner, Plucker, Mapsource, and have EasyGPS.

Adding to Motorcycle Mama's post, go to http://www.geocaching.com/seek/gmnearest.aspx Type "(town you'll be at), Sweden" in the search box, and play with the zoom and pan function to locate some caches.

I have a humble Legend and a Palm Zire 21. I followed the advise on Geocacher-u... Geocaching Without Paper I also use EasyGPS Easy GPS Being a premium member with access to PQ's is a must, IMO. Works for me, after all I can only do one cache at a time... and hey, it's all free. Good Luck Jollylolly