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GeoSheep Update: This weekend Nate became the first Geosheep to depart the U.S. Additionally, Susan, after a slow start has now made her way nearly 200 miles from her starting point. Emily, the most traveled Sheep at over 2100 miles is now in Connecticut looking for a ride East. Wallyis reportedly on his way to Reno. Larry

By Model -------- Magellan 315: 30 - 9.9% (no change) Garmin eTrex Vista: 30 - 9.9% (+4 units) Garmin eTrex Legend: 28 - 9.2% (+4 units) Garmin III+: 26 - 8.6% Garmin eTrex: 26 - 8.6% Magellan 330: 21 - 6.9% (+2 units) Garmin GPSMAP 76: 20 - 6.6% Garmin 12: 16 - 5.2% Lawrance Globalmap 100: 14 - 4.6% Garmin eTrex Venture: 13 - 4.3% (+2 units) Garmin eMap: 11 - 3.6% Garmin 12XL: 6 Garmin 12MAP: 5 Garmin eTrex Summit: 5 Eagle Explorer: 4 Garmin III: 4 Eagle Accunavsport: 3 Garmin II+: 3 Garmin V: 2 Magellan 2000XL: 2 Magellan for HandSpring: 2 Magellan for Palm: 2 Magellan 410: 2 Magellan 320: 2 Magellan 310: 2 Lawrance Globalmap 12: 2 Magellan Tracker: 2 (+2 units) Garmin II: 1 Garmin 48: 1 Garmin 45XL: 1 Garmin III Pilot: 1 Garmin GPS 76: 1 Garmin GPSMAP 176: 1 Garmin eTrex Mariner: 1 Magellan 330m: 1 Magellan 300: 1 Magellan 2000: 1 Magellan Blazer 12: 1 Lawrance Globalmap 200: 1 Lawrance Globalmap 212: 1 Eagle Map Guide Pro: 1 GeoDiscovery Geode: 1 Apelco/Raytheon GPS11: 1 Silva Multi Navigator: 1 Magellan Trail Blazer XL: 1 Magellan 3000: 1 Trimble PSN-10: 1 By Brand -------- Garmin: 202 - 66.8% (16 new units) Magellan: 71 - 23.5% (6 new units) Lawrence: 18 - 5.9% Eagle: 8 - 2.6% Apelco/Raytheon: 1 - Silva: 1 - Trimble: 1 - (1 new unit) Total -------- 302 GPSR units Not much change from last time, expect things to change radically once the new Meridians come out and people remember to come back and count their Garmin Vs. I did percentages just for fun for the units with a significant number of owners (+10 in this case). I also marked where the change in the number of units was if two or more units were added to the count. These are all new totals as of 8 October 2001. ------------------ -Iron Chef _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ agefive.com/geocache/ ~ Fe-26 Lets Drive Fast and Eat Cheese! [This message has been edited by Iron Chef (edited 08 October 2001).]

quote:Originally posted by CaptHawke:...Most multi-caches will move you along from point to point by giving you co-ordinates in WGS84. Most maps are in NAD27 or UTM. There can be a 200 meter difference if you use your NAD27 map with a WGS84 co-ordinate. Anyone who has entered co-ordinates improperly into his GPSr can tell you of the frustration this leads to. And you wouldn't want to try doing the conversion manually in the field... I would agree that doing conversions in the field would be a pain. I used to have a HP 48GX graphing calculator that would do the conversions for me though if I needed it too. Too bad I sold it before getting involved in geocaching. As it stands right now, I always carry a calc with me out into the field in case there is some random multi-cache part to it that involves anything more than basic math. My TI-89 has helped me with a few successful finds and I now consider it standard geocaching equipment. ------------------ -Iron Chef _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ agefive.com/geocache/ ~ Fe-26 Lets Drive Fast and Eat Cheese!

Just to expand on Outforthehunt's reference to 'the harder to find caches': Most multi-caches will move you along from point to point by giving you co-ordinates in WGS84. Most maps are in NAD27 or UTM. There can be a 200 meter difference if you use your NAD27 map with a WGS84 co-ordinate. Anyone who has entered co-ordinates improperly into his GPSr can tell you of the frustration this leads to. And you wouldn't want to try doing the conversion manually in the field. I would expect that going after a multi-cache (and 7 0f the 12 caches within 20 miles of my home are multi-caches) would be next to impossible without a GPSr. Cephas Hawke Bedford NH

I had one where I only got within about 200 metres with the GPS before it gave up due to tree cover. Then I found it from the clues.

ated. "Wonderful" I mused as we trundled into the undergrowth. The Hasta La Vista eventually told me I was standing right on top of the pod. Wunderbaar. Time to use... The Force. Mistake number one: Using the Force on an empty stomach. Mistake number two: Turning off your GPS under tree cover. Needless to say, I was not strong with the Force. We beat through the bushes and delved into shrubs and generally kicked around through all the woodsy pine needles for about 30 minutes. "Searched for two hours before returning to the car for printed clues..." another entry stated. So we squatted, back at the trail so the Hasta could re-acquire, and proceeded to decrypt a somewhat lengthy but very helpful, YEA VITAL set of clues. Using the hints, we got into the vicinity, a straight in from the trail then turn right and go forward a bit. This simplicity will factor into the story momentarily. We kicked around looking for what the clues told us to look for. I was taking a closer look at the bole of a tree when JC14 exclaims, "I found it!" Her second one! Now we're "tied". Not that I'm keeping track. The cache was cleverly hidden. With a perfect lock and 5 ft. acuracy, we probably wouldn't have been able to find it. But find it she did. We took some and left some and hid the booty away with as much care and dastardly deceipt as it was originally sequestered and left. Or so we thought. Using what little horse sense I have we headed back towards where I thought the trail was. we had simply went in and turned right after all. But non of it looked "right". The horizon didn't indicate the usual thinning of trees towards a trail and, for some reason, the bushes didn't look "familiar". "Great," I thought. "I've gotten us lost 200 ft. from a trail in a tiny park somewhere in suburbia. Remember rule 2? Gps was off (having been disengaged when we found the cache) and trying to acquire in dense foliage is, well... you know. There's nothing quite like the sense of panic no matter how unreasonable it may be. The bottom line was, if we walked in the absolutely worst direction, we would come to a road in an hours or two and have to follow it back to the car. Still, the idea that you don't know quite where you are is thrilling and un-nerving. Having a GPS with you that is, for the moment, completely useless, adds a peculiar flavor to the situation. But once again, JC14 comes through. We go back to the cache. Re-trace a bit and find a little sinkhole we had come across a few times before, and head in a straight line. A line that seems to parallel the one that yours truly had attempted before. And, sure enough, the trail. The GPS and the GF. Never leave the trailhead without them. But back to caching. We return to the Jeep and find that the day is still young. Another cache, about 6 miles away awaits us. I pull up to the guard shack at the State Park. We had heard that a permit may be nevessary to gain entry. Fables and fibs roiled through my mind. "Here for a hike?" the ranger asked. "Why, yes. Yes we are." $5 and $5 minutes later we were heading down the primrose path. Or the horse mound path. Apparently, the horses around here had puh-lentee of fiber in their diets! The gps indicates a good spot to go off trail and log entries stated that the cache wasn't too hard to find and not too far from the trail. Before I can say, "I think we're really near", the GF chirps, "Found it." The luck, huh? I guess the generalization is true. The one without the unit finds the cache. The stash was thinned so we left what extras we could, signed the log and headed out, feeling triumphant at yet another double-bag excursion. But now, the ugly reality rears its head. What if we run out? What if no more caches are placed locally? If we place a few of our own will that spur a small proliferation? Will we have to sell our earthly possesion for a winnebago and a dream, relegated to a life of perpetual geocaching going from state to state? Country to country? What if? Whatif?! But there are still caches to be had and miles to go before we get to that point. But when we do... well... I hear Pennsylvania's nice. =) E2 http://www.geocities.com/echoguy_2000/calvingeocache.jpg

ated. "Wonderful" I mused as we trundled into the undergrowth. The Hasta La Vista eventually told me I was standing right on top of the pod. Wunderbaar. Time to use... The Force. Mistake number one: Using the Force on an empty stomach. Mistake number two: Turning off your GPS under tree cover. Needless to say, I was not strong with the Force. We beat through the bushes and delved into shrubs and generally kicked around through all the woodsy pine needles for about 30 minutes. "Searched for two hours before returning to the car for printed clues..." another entry stated. So we squatted, back at the trail so the Hasta could re-acquire, and proceeded to decrypt a somewhat lengthy but very helpful, YEA VITAL set of clues. Using the hints, we got into the vicinity, a straight in from the trail then turn right and go forward a bit. This simplicity will factor into the story momentarily. We kicked around looking for what the clues told us to look for. I was taking a closer look at the bole of a tree when JC14 exclaims, "I found it!" Her second one! Now we're "tied". Not that I'm keeping track. The cache was cleverly hidden. With a perfect lock and 5 ft. acuracy, we probably wouldn't have been able to find it. But find it she did. We took some and left some and hid the booty away with as much care and dastardly deceipt as it was originally sequestered and left. Or so we thought. Using what little horse sense I have we headed back towards where I thought the trail was. we had simply went in and turned right after all. But non of it looked "right". The horizon didn't indicate the usual thinning of trees towards a trail and, for some reason, the bushes didn't look "familiar". "Great," I thought. "I've gotten us lost 200 ft. from a trail in a tiny park somewhere in suburbia. Remember rule 2? Gps was off (having been disengaged when we found the cache) and trying to acquire in dense foliage is, well... you know. There's nothing quite like the sense of panic no matter how unreasonable it may be. The bottom line was, if we walked in the absolutely worst direction, we would come to a road in an hours or two and have to follow it back to the car. Still, the idea that you don't know quite where you are is thrilling and un-nerving. Having a GPS with you that is, for the moment, completely useless, adds a peculiar flavor to the situation. But once again, JC14 comes through. We go back to the cache. Re-trace a bit and find a little sinkhole we had come across a few times before, and head in a straight line. A line that seems to parallel the one that yours truly had attempted before. And, sure enough, the trail. The GPS and the GF. Never leave the trailhead without them. But back to caching. We return to the Jeep and find that the day is still young. Another cache, about 6 miles away awaits us. I pull up to the guard shack at the State Park. We had heard that a permit may be nevessary to gain entry. Fables and fibs roiled through my mind. "Here for a hike?" the ranger asked. "Why, yes. Yes we are." $5 and $5 minutes later we were heading down the primrose path. Or the horse mound path. Apparently, the horses around here had puh-lentee of fiber in their diets! The gps indicates a good spot to go off trail and log entries stated that the cache wasn't too hard to find and not too far from the trail. Before I can say, "I think we're really near", the GF chirps, "Found it." The luck, huh? I guess the generalization is true. The one without the unit finds the cache. The stash was thinned so we left what extras we could, signed the log and headed out, feeling triumphant at yet another double-bag excursion. But now, the ugly reality rears its head. What if we run out? What if no more caches are placed locally? If we place a few of our own will that spur a small proliferation? Will we have to sell our earthly possesion for a winnebago and a dream, relegated to a life of perpetual geocaching going from state to state? Country to country? What if? Whatif?! But there are still caches to be had and miles to go before we get to that point. But when we do... well... I hear Pennsylvania's nice. =) E2 http://www.geocities.com/echoguy_2000/calvingeocache.jpg

This message is primarily for Linda, but there may be others who also need to hear this reply. First of all, I have always thought that a person's reputation was one of the most valuable things he/she could possess. I would never do anything to endanger my reputation. For all cacher's information, I stopped approving caches September 1, 2001. With a teaching load that was very frustrating (leading to my early retirement) and an approval load of 200 per week (spread out among a half dozen approvers) it was just too much. So how did I get such a good start on these four caches Linda? I used a technique which is available to anyone who knows a lot about databases. I used this technique BEFORE I ever started doing cache approvals for Jeremy, and I will continue to use it now that I no longer do cache approvals. This is a technique available to anyone who cares to work, and search and learn about databases. I suspect there are other Sacto cachers who use the same technique. If I and the others don't share it, maybe it's because we have put forth the extra effort to learn how to do this. You could do the same. Any other questions Linda? I have one for you. I see you have 1 post. Kind of makes me wonder where YOU came from. Ron

Okay! Here we go. Assume an enhancement is needed/desired. Allow cachers to place the waypoint (GCxxxx) for the cache they liked most in their profile. They could update it when they found one they liked better. It would display right next to "xx Found". A visitor or newby could scan the details see log entries and look for common waypoints while they looked for 1/1 etc. A reccomendation from someone with 200 finds would have more gravity than one from someone with 6 finds. It would be just like saying "Check This Out!" No vote, no hurt feelings, no not making the team, no... well you know what I mean. Now do I get one of those cookies Jeremy is always giving out? - Sluggo (2000 miles from home)

falls into the "prosumer" category. Unfortunately, doesn't offer GPS hook-up, but plug in an IBM 1-Gig Microdrive, and the camera can store 2,900 pictures at 1024x678. Yes, 2,900! Of course, the 1-Gig Microdrive itself is $300, but that can be purchased later. - Chris (JeepCache) Good choice, Chris... I'm a big fan of Canon cameras and fell in love with the G2... When I can afford to replace my trusty old Olympus, it'll probably be with a G2. As for the Microdrive, I saw the smaller Microdrive (340M?) selling for under $200 online last week. Its not 1G, but it still pretty cool! I'n considering one for my iPaq. ...ron

falls into the "prosumer" category. Unfortunately, doesn't offer GPS hook-up, but plug in an IBM 1-Gig Microdrive, and the camera can store 2,900 pictures at 1024x678. Yes, 2,900! Of course, the 1-Gig Microdrive itself is $300, but that can be purchased later. - Chris (JeepCache) Good choice, Chris... I'm a big fan of Canon cameras and fell in love with the G2... When I can afford to replace my trusty old Olympus, it'll probably be with a G2. As for the Microdrive, I saw the smaller Microdrive (340M?) selling for under $200 online last week. Its not 1G, but it still pretty cool! I'n considering one for my iPaq. ...ron

During the week, there does not appear to be a bcaklog. I've consistantly had caches approved in 15 minutes. On the weekend, it appears that they do not get approved till Monday. The typical queue I've seen over a weekend is 200 caches waiting. Personally, this does not bother me, but if geocaching ever needed/desired more approvers, I'd like to know what the qualifications/requirements were...

at I can work. If your moving it will display the direction of travel but if your stopped, it's direction of travel is not accurrate. Also I was wanting something less than $200. Hope this helps. Thank you.

GPS satellites in space broadcast on a frequency at a very very weak signal. You carry a GPS unit that uses 2 AA batteries and receive signals from 3 of these (at least) to triangulate your position. Surprisingly enough, in some situations, your accuracy may fluctuate between 20 feet and 200. When my key doesn't work in the door of my house, I rationalize that perhaps it isn't pushed in all the way. I don't speculate that all my locks have been changed. All we ask is that some research is done before some odd rumor is posted to the site. Jeremy

A couple, actually-- ? How much memory do the Mapsource CDs take up on a device? I use the Map 76 which has 8 MB of memory-- would a topo map of CA use up all that space? How big are the files? ? Do the maps in memory slow down performance at all on the devices? Do they process more slowly? ? Do topo or street maps take up more memory? Thanks-- I'm moderately interested in these CD-ROMS, but maaann!! $100?? $200?? Seems rather expensive!! Are they worth it?

Quoting from "Bulletin Board for Public Affairs" http://www.wsmr.army.mil/paopage/Pages/bull.htm quote:7. White Sands Missile Range Area GPS Testing Schedule -- times are Mountain Time The U.S. Air Force is conducting tests on White Sands Missile Range which may impact ground and airborne Global Positioning System(GPS) users in the immediate surrounding areas. The program consists of creating an area of GPS interference on White Sands to test the navigational systems of various military aircraft and ground vehicles. GPS frequencies will be transmitted at power levels of up to 200 watts. Transmissions will occur at 1575.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz. Anyone using a GPS ground receiver within 30 miles of the White Sands boundary or within 300 nautical miles for airborne or high-altitude receivers is advised that satellite signals may not be reliable or may be interrupted during test periods. A calendar with the specifics follows this paragraph. Figured I'd see if anyone thinks they might be impacted by this (not that it impacts my caching, since Baton Rouge is a bit farther away).

i think you may have experienced poor lock on the sattellites or SA. SA is selective availability. its an intentional error that is put in by the U.S. gov. SA was turned off not too long ago but being that we are in war times they may have turned it on for some reason. i have noticed the same thing.. you get within 10 feet and a little while later you get a 100 or 200 foot accuracy at best. dont lose hope. its no biggy.

bx tale i used to drive a straight truck from cincy to jfk and surrounding burroughs once a week by my recollection i cant recall ever getting up to the speed limit much less exceeding it i spent hours once looking for a place in brooklyn on lindner i found it about midnight turned out to be a 3 story walk up with a buzz in the lady who was getting the delivery advised me to come back about 6am so i looked for a safe place to sleep well i ended up in sheepshead in a parking lot of a motel returning i decided to use belt pkwy big mistake i was at the speed limit but over the height limit when i got pulled over on flatbush exit that one shortcut cost me hours and 200 dols i follow all rules of the road in the city its not worth the hassle

Well, I stumbled upon your world of hitech hide and seek. After hiking down to a beautiful dry ravine, we noticed a series of carved "cliff dwellings" chopped into the face of a canyon about 200 feet away from the end of the trail...curious, and amazed, we headed over to them, and discovered your cool fun. The guest book had been signed as recently as yesterday, and all items appeared in good order. I took some really great photos of the caves, and I'll try to get them posted somewhere. Great idea, it brought a beautiful hike into the age of communication. Rock on, ------------------ -boots

Excellent, I can do a placename database, no problem. I meant a user selectable range, i.e. the user can select 10/20/100/200 miles/km etc. This may even be able to be added to your website. What platform would you host it on? Cheers Adam

Excellent, I can do a placename database, no problem. I meant a user selectable range, i.e. the user can select 10/20/100/200 miles/km etc. This may even be able to be added to your website. What platform would you host it on? Cheers Adam

itself was very nice. It would've been better had it not rained for most of the morning resulting in puddles and skeeters and had we more time to be leisurely about it. Nonetheless, it reinforced for me the fact that we all have to get out in the woods more. To be a part of the Earth and not (to be cheesy) apart from the Earth. The trails meander and wind through woods, a mix of pines and basic deciduous flora. It was all pretty enjoyable and somewhat primeval. The recent rains had given everything a loamy smell. We neared the site. The trail lead to a nice little fishing pond replete with a tiny waterfall and some very Huck-Finn-looking mini islets. The trail continued into what was, more or less, a swampy area though you fellas from Louisianna would scoff. As is my usual modus operandi we bypassed the supposed site by 200 feet and had to back track. We were so close. 30 feet away with a purported 30-35ft accuracy from the GPS. But light was fading. I started looking under logs, inside trees, up in branches. I felt like the Croc Hunter: "Look at this beeyooootiful asp! Isn't he gorgeous?! Hey, yer a grumpy little snake!" I found everything but the cache. Atlantis, Jimmy Hoffa's body, you name it. Everything but what me and my GF sought. "Show me the cache, dammit!" But it was not to be. I was not strong with the Force today. And, as I mentioned, the light was fading. We backtracked and made like Carl Lewis and Jackie Joyner and triple-timed it back through the woods. We made it back without getting the Jeep locked in and were empty handed but we learned a valuable lesson: Hunt when you've got enough light, dammit! Personally, I think the cache may have gotten ransacked. Any ideas on how to verify this? E-mail the owner? Also, any of you ever go Hunting at night? Ah well, there's always next time. E2

As an afterthought, I posted your message to an off-road mailing list I belong to which has 200+ mostly Portland area offroaders who are also tech-heads. We're called the Oregon Bushhackers ("bush" for offroad, "hacker" as most of us work in high-tech and are tech-heads). I provided the email address ofg@kopb2.opb.org to reply to. Matt

Pote, I am not sure if you were asking this, but I would like to re-phrase your question to "What is the farthest anyone has traveled just to find a cache?" None of this "while I was on a business trip" stuff. Let's see who went the farthest with only one purpose for the trip in mind. My farthest intentional trip to a cache was about 200 miles round trip. Lou

A comment and a question about the Vista: Comment - the compass is a great feature, I really like having it as part of my GPS unit and wouldn't want a GPS without one. However, the compass is very touchy around large metallic objects - which is noted in the manual. It also goes crazy around anything that may be creating magnetic fields, (electric motors, computers, etc.) which is understandable. Don't plan on using the compass while driving, reliability in the car is poor at best. Question - on the map page, my Vista doesn't seem to show a proper 'accuracy circle'. When the unit is reading accuracy of say 20', the circle is still out at about 200' to 300'. Am I missing something here? No problems with click stick yet. Overall pleased with Vista and 2.20 update.