+g3geoblazers Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 One half of the team is using a mobile broadband hookup with a laptop in his truck-yes, he's an IT guy. It's great for when we're out hunting together and we can do some record runs. Unfortunately, it doesn't help me when we are apart! I'm looking into getting at least a new / used PDA so I can save some $$$ on all the ink I'm using (and my teacher wife is complaining about) So any suggestions from the peanut gallery as to which ones work best out there in the field would be great. Thanks- g3geoblazers Quote Link to comment
+pwcorg Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I use a garmin 3600. I do the normal paperless stuff, but I also import cache locations as addresses so I can see them on the "big map" and use the nivigation feature to get close. Quote Link to comment
PCFrog Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) I started with a Palm IIIe just to see if I liked the paperless cache idea to start. I was hooked fast. So, I recently bought a PalmOne Tungsten E2. I also use a Lowrance Ifinder PHD for my GPSr. Once on the road I currently do not use wireless. Edited December 9, 2005 by pcfrog Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I have a Palm M500. It is adequate for all my caching needs and if anything happens to it, I can replace it for less than $40.00. Quote Link to comment
+jackratt Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I thought about buying the Garmin 3600 but I use an old Palm V that was tossed in a box at work. Along with GSAK and Cachemate it's all I need. The only downside is trying to hold two things while crashing through the woods. Quote Link to comment
+Team Flashncache Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) "Peanut Gallery"?!?!?! LOL I use a Palm IIIxe with Cachemate. Lots of folks will tell you that you should use GSAK to run the conversions as well; but Cachemate comes with a converter (CMConvert) that works perfectly well. I have a feeling I'm gonna get flamed over saying this, but what the heck - my opinion... <edit> hands got ahead of brain... Edited December 9, 2005 by Team Flashncache Quote Link to comment
+Blucruz Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I bought a palm zire31 for $60.00 on ebay and loaded it with cachemate. I'll never go back! I also have a Dell laptop with Wifi & GSAK so I can load the pda & gps on the go. Quote Link to comment
+Googling Hrpty Hrrs Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I use an iPAQ hx2795 with GPX Sonar and Mapopolis. I also have a Treo 650 with Cachemate at the ready, but I haven't had to use it in a while. Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I was using an m505, then I upgraded to a TE. Quote Link to comment
The_Brownies Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) Ipaq 3635 Pocket PC with GPXview. Haven't tried mapopolis yet but it sounds interresting. Edited December 9, 2005 by The_Brownies Quote Link to comment
+nicolo Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 My old Clie SJ33, a good geocaching unit. Quote Link to comment
+Bluesman63 Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 PalmIIIxe with Cache Mate. I use the Cache Mate converter to get the GPX file in to the pda. Havn't tried the GSAK converter yet. Quote Link to comment
+The Source Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm TX Cachemate GSAK J Quote Link to comment
+cudlecub Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) I started with the Tungsten E but now use the Palm TX both with cachemate. I would say both of those nits are overkill for what you would need to get going paperless. A fellow cacher has the zire 31 and I would highly suggest it for it's lower cost, battery life and speed of operation. Edited December 9, 2005 by Geo-Deputy Quote Link to comment
+TotemLake Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I started with the Palm M130, but quickly tired of the limited memory and the conversion hassles. I purchased an IPaq 4355 and the difference was night and day. Yes, you will pay more for a PPC over a Palm, but the ease of use is also part of the purchase. Conversion issues are not there. It's drag and drop without having to go through a converter on most things, and on the fly conversion during drag and drop on other things. With GSAK on the PC and GPXSonar on the PPC, manipulating data and exporting to a gpx file to put onto the storage card is at its easiest. With it being wireless, I can order up a customized GPS from the website, download it as e-mail to my PPC, save the zip file on the PPC, and either extract the GPX file or use it straight from the zip file with the GPXSonar. So, you can either save the bucks, and spend more time fiddling the data to get onto a Palm, or you can spend the bucks and spend more time on the cache hunt. YMWV and there will be those that say using the Palm is quite easy and that they've had no problems with it. I've had more than my share of issues with the Palm format beyond the geocaching world. IMHO, until you use a PPC, there is no comparison. Quote Link to comment
+N8OFP - Del Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm T3 Cachemate GSAK Quote Link to comment
+clan_Barron Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm IIIxe. Cheap, easy to use and fits in the pocket of my BDUs when I'm roaming around in the woods. Quote Link to comment
+FlygURL Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Cassiopeia E125 loaded with iSilo to transfer/read the HTML files from GSAK. While it is old, by todays standards, it was cheap. I like it. Quote Link to comment
+One of the Texas Vikings Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) Got my Garmin Vista and my Ipaq 2215 in an otter case, which is waterproof and crush resistant. GSAK GPXsonar MS streets Edited December 10, 2005 by One of the Texas Vikings Quote Link to comment
+BBWolf+3Pigs Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 GPS60 GSAK Cachemate Palm Z22 Delorme USA Street Atlas Handheld (for finding my way around towns while on business travel. And caching in those cities, of course) So far this combo has worked pretty well for me locally. I take it on the road to Hawaii in January. Quote Link to comment
+kd7rvh Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Dell Axim x50v with a bluetooth adapter on my GPSMAP-60CS. Works well for wardriving too. Quote Link to comment
+Rich the Bushwhacker Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I've used 2 different Palm PDA's. In my opinion, any Palm coupled with cachemate and cmconvert will work a heck of a lot better than paper. I found the M505 in a hard case more durable but the Zire 31 lighter and faster. The M505 has a better screen for outdoor use though. Palm M505 with Cachemate - Works great, holds over 2000 caches in memory, virtually unlimited when using a SD expansion card. The processor is a bit slow, working with over 1000 or so in one database can be cumbersome. Used ones are all several years old, and you may need to replace the battery. Palm Zire 31 with Cachemate - Holds more caches in memory than I need. Battery will last about 2 weeks of normal caching use. Quote Link to comment
rynd Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I use a Palm Zire 31 and Cachemate. Works grreat. Quote Link to comment
+VegasCacheHounds Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I was using a PalmIIIc and GSAK, and loved it. However, this Palm is getting old, and the batteries don't hold a charge, so I'm back to paper caching, at the moment. Yes, I could replace the batteries. Again. But I don't want to just yet. See, my Garmin Etrex Legend has partial bit the dust lately, I managed to put a big crack down the display, and now the display only half works. Yes, I could replace the screen, but as both my GPSr and my Palm Pilot have problems, I'm attempting to talk Mrs VCH into getting me a Garmin 3600 to replace both for Christmas. Until then I'll deal with the partially functioning GPSr and paper At least the half of the screen that quit isn't the part where the coords are displayed! Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm M500. Got it new so it wasn't cheap, but now you can find them on Ebay for $30. I have a hard aluminum Rhinoskin case to save it from the bump and bruises. The large dent in the case bears witness to its effectiveness. The Palm is still fine. Quote Link to comment
+RockyRaab Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 You can get as fancy (for which read EXPENSIVE) as you like, but in truth, and PDA you can find on eBay for $40 or so will be perfect for caching. I went paperless a few months ago. Bought an IBM C500 (identical to Palm M500) for $40, got a hard case/USB cable/stylus/screen protector package deal at Big Lots for $15, and then loaded GSAK and Cachemate. It worked so well that I also put some other business software on the PDA and now use it on the road for all my expense tracking, sales and such. Whoda thunk it. Total investment - under $100, and all of it is reusable without added cost except the $40 PDA. Not bad. Quote Link to comment
+Maingray Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Tungsten T. Quite beat up, but still works very well. Used a Palm for about 8 years now, for far more than just geocaching (obviously ) .Lacking a bit in the power department now, time for a new one soon! Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Dell Axim 3 - nice little compact unit. Protected by waterproof case. Quote Link to comment
+whitecrow Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 (edited) M505 w/ cachemate. I also use it w/ Mapopolis maps for deliverys. Also have a Palm VIIx, but it eats batteries. I have a cig. lighter pwr cord for the 505. Edited December 9, 2005 by whitecrow Quote Link to comment
+Bootlegger Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 GPSmap60CS with Garmin MetroGuide North America v7 GSAK Cachemate Palm TX I use the "smart" name varible in GSAK. I find it more meaningful that the waypoint name. The Map60cs has 56mb of storage. 8 county area around home and 500 caches requires only around half of the memory. These are large maps too, Dallas-Ft Worth. Quote Link to comment
+g3geoblazers Posted December 9, 2005 Author Share Posted December 9, 2005 Wow! what a quick response from everyone- Thanks so much for the input- checking ebay now. Of coarse the other member of the team is still laughing (right now as a matter of fact) because of his setup but what ya gonna do. Maybee I'll show him a new cache and leave him lost in the woods somewhere! Thanks again -everyone! g3 Quote Link to comment
+CraigInCT Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I use a palm. Well It is paperless Quote Link to comment
+Pablo Mac Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I use a supposedly non-Mac compatible Sony Clie' with my Mac. Quote Link to comment
+Teamhawaii1981 & blueicyrose Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm Tungsten E Love it! I've gotta get me a hard case pretty soon though. Quote Link to comment
Mustcache Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 Palm M130 and Cachemate. Quote Link to comment
+NomadVW Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 GSAK Cachemate Palm TX Pathaway for mapping Wifiwhere for LEGAL wifi finding. Quote Link to comment
+Team Cotati Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 m500 off of e-bay, really cheap like me but a fine unit nonetheless and an otterbox 3600 case. The case cost more than the unit but since it will fit more than 99% of the pda's out there and it has a lifetime warranty, it was a no brainer. The only problem might be iffin I was to drop it into really deep and cold water, I'd have to think real hard about going in after it. ;-) No bumps, no bruises and no moisture even though I have dropped it several times in water up to 4' deep. In one instance the water had rocks on the bottom so there was an opportunity for it to get broken. No damage at all. A great little unit. I think that it might even withstand a nuclear explosion so long as I was at least 10miles more or less from ground zero. I might not survive but it will be good for someone who does. Quote Link to comment
+benjamin921 Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Just upgraded from a m130 to a TX. 60CS TX GSAK Cachemate Quote Link to comment
+ExpeditionExplorers Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Handspring Treo 90 Cachemate Quote Link to comment
+Semper Questio Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 I was using a PalmIIIxe for work and play for several years until it started acting flaky. I replaced it with a Palm Tungsten E. For caching software it's GSAK and Cachemate. Quote Link to comment
+Clan X-Man Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Sony Clie NX70 w built in camera Cachemate Grinder Gear Case Quote Link to comment
+PhotoDuck Posted December 10, 2005 Share Posted December 10, 2005 Treo 650, Cachemate Aluminum case Quote Link to comment
+lcjhnsn Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Palm T5 here with Holux236 Bluetooth GPSr and GeoNiche software for the paperless caching thing. Also use Mapopolis for roadway navigation and enter Cache names and coordiantes as GeoMarks in the address book so they show up on Mapopolis maps. Quote Link to comment
+ZingerHead Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Palm m130 - next to impossible to see the screen in bright sunlight unless you turn it just so, so the sun reflects back through and backlights the text on the screen. Despite its flaws, it is still much much better than dragging a pile of paper printouts on cache trips. And it doesn't get soggy in the rain . I use GPXSpinner and Plucker, just because they still work just fine. I have GSAK, but haven't taken the time to make the switch. Quote Link to comment
+team lagonda Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 use a basic garmin yellow an love it,see no reason yet to change.. Quote Link to comment
+Jhwk Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Palm M515 GSAK Cachemate m8 Quote Link to comment
+dougsmiley Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Handspring visor edge, gsak, cachemate, plucker & sunrise for all my paperless needs. I print maps though because I can't stand looking at them on that tiny screen. Quote Link to comment
+Team Cotati Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 Palm m500. Quote Link to comment
+Bandit & Magna Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 I went with the Palm Z22. $99 new pretty much everywhere. My son tells me Office Depot sells the different varieties of cases for them. I have not been there to check that out. Paperless is the only way to go - especially if you have a paid for account and can get the GPS file. It loads everything you see on the web page except for the pictures. CacheMate is an awesome program. Best $8 I ever spent. Quote Link to comment
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