Palm Pilot Questions

[+WorldOfPets]

hi i was wondering what would i need to get to use my sony desktop software to transfer all the information from caches to my palm so i dont have to carry around paper any more any one out there do this if so what do you use ?

[+The Jester]

1. GSAK to collect, sort, filter and other ways massage the data to what you want (on PC). $20

2. CacheMate to view said massaged data on the PDA. $8

3. Hot sync program for the actual transfer of data.

[+Lil Devil]

1. Watcher to collect, sort and filter the data. Free.

2. Spinner to massage the data. $13.30 but usable for Free if you want to ignore the pleas.

3. Plucker to view said massaged data on the PDA. Free.

4. Hot sync program for the actual transfer of data.

[+WorldOfPets]

1. Watcher to collect, sort and filter the data. Free.

2. Spinner to massage the data. $13.30 but usable for Free if you want to ignore the pleas.

3. Plucker to view said massaged data on the PDA. Free.

4. Hot sync program for the actual transfer of data.

watcher ? where to i find that i found the other 2 things

[+gaelcachers]

You can get by with just Cachemate, and hot sync cable. Run the pocket query, save on your hardrive, unzip and load into the Cachemate converter, convert the waypoints, save the converted file, and then hot sync the saved file to your Palm and Cachemate.

 

However, I'm a convert to GSAK. It unzips, and converts, loads the waypoints into your GPS (all of them, or only ones you select) and then you can update Cachemate via a Hotsync.

 

But you can manage with only Cachemate if you want. I did, for almost a year.

[+WizCreations]

Here is the link for Watcher:

Watcher 0.2.42

 

Here is a list of programs:

Geocaching Related Applications

Edited January 15, 2006 by Wiz Creations

[+Thrak]

I use Spinner and Plucker. I get the data through Pocket Queries (premium member feature on geocaching.com). Spinner is free (has some "witty" nags on the pages - not a real problem) or you can register it for $13 (I did because it's so useful). Plucker is free.

 

I'm very happy with the combo for my Palm. Works great and I get the cache page (listing, hint, first five logs, etc.) on my Palm.

[+bblhed]

I personaly use CacheMate from Smittyware. I got it just before it went up to $8, but would totaly pay the $8 for it. IMO it is worth the money.

 

I use the converter that came with CacheMate to load the files onto the palm.

 

Along with CacheMate I have also have a cable to hook my GPSr to my palm so I can find close by caches from GPS with CacheMate.

 

To load the caches into the GPSr I use Easy GPS.

 

I did use GSAK (Geocaching Swis Army Knife) for a wile, but on one of the updates it stoped working on my computer. GSAK can be set up really nice, but there is a learning curve with it.

 

Remember, these are only oppinions of people that use things that they like, and were easily. Your actual milage may vary.

 

I would also like to seguest that unless you have access to a vacuume oven you should hit E-bay and buy a cheep palm (or 2) that you only use for caching. Even then you should always keep your palm in an actual "dry bag". You just have to trust me on this. Read the logs by bblhed here if you need further proof that you need to keep your palm in a Dry Bag, zip lock bags don't cut it.

[+sbell111]

I have Cachemate on my TE, but I also have Plucker. Comparing the two, I prefer Plucker by a long shot. I use Spinner and Sunrise Desktop on my PC to get the cache pages in the correct form and I also use Cache Log Book on my pda to record all my cache hunts.

 

It works very well for me.

[+briansnat]

The easiest method:

 

1. Cachemate (using its own CMConvert)

2. Hotsync

[+WorldOfPets]

The easiest method:

 

1. Cachemate (using its own CMConvert)

2. Hotsync

thanks all ...

briansnat..... when i used that method it would give me the caches description which is the main thing i am looking to use my palm any idea why its not giving the caches descriptions?

[+briansnat]

The easiest method:

 

1. Cachemate (using its own CMConvert)

2. Hotsync

thanks all ...

briansnat..... when i used that method it would give me the caches description which is the main thing i am looking to use my palm any idea why its not giving the caches descriptions?

Are you using GPX files?

[+WorldOfPets]

yeah i think i got it now i needed to check all the boxes this is exactly what i was looking for alot easier than copy and pasting into memo thanks every one!

[+WorldOfPets]

another quick question since my copy of cache mate isnt registered i can only import upto 10 files now my question is if i buy a registration for cachemate can i upload as many as i want or is there still a limit on how many you can have ?

[+gaelcachers]

With my registered Cachemate, I currently have 950 caches, including page descriptions, hints, and 5 recent logs, on my Palm Zire 31. I've still got about 7 M of memory left, and that's taking into account the rest of the applications I have.

[ATMouse]

Whooooo-wheeee!

 

Finally! I got my PQ in my Palm!!!!! Between Packman5 and this thread, I FINALLY got it done!

 

Thank you, all!

Edited January 15, 2006 by ATMouse

[+Lizooki]

Cachemate and easyGPS.

I can load 2 palms and 2 GPSr's in 10-15 minutes.......my Palm are old -n-slow.

Gives you all you need.

 

As stated Cachemate is $8 for the unfettered version....well worth it. EasyGPS is free.

 

 

Matt

[+JDandDD]

I use GSAK and Cachemate. Cachemate has an add-on program cachenav that will take NMEA input from a GPS and direct you to the cache. Works great with my bluetooth Gps.

 

JDandDD

[+Team Cotati]

My favorite is strawberry.

[+Miragee]

I am not a "power user" of GSAK, but I created a little tutorial detailing my most rudimentary use of GSAK.

 

It has a few screenshots of the steps I take after I have opened a new Pocket Query in order to filter the data and get the waypoints into my GPSr and then into Cachemate on my Palm M500.

 

Cachemate is the best $8.00 I've ever spent on a program and $20.00 for GSAK is a real bargain . . . there are probably $20.00 worth of functions it can perform that I still haven't figured out . . .

[+WalruZ]

GSAK and Cachemate.

 

I also use Mapopolis for mapping. I find that maps on the palm are easier to manipulate and deal with than maps on, say, a legend. If your palm has the oomph to run the program then I recommend it.

[+Team Cotati]

I personaly use CacheMate from Smittyware. I got it just before it went up to $8, but would totaly pay the $8 for it. IMO it is worth the money.

 

I use the converter that came with CacheMate to load the files onto the palm.

 

Along with CacheMate I have also have a cable to hook my GPSr to my palm so I can find close by caches from GPS with CacheMate.

 

To load the caches into the GPSr I use Easy GPS.

 

I did use GSAK (Geocaching Swis Army Knife) for a wile, but on one of the updates it stoped working on my computer. GSAK can be set up really nice, but there is a learning curve with it.

 

Remember, these are only oppinions of people that use things that they like, and were easily. Your actual milage may vary.

 

I would also like to seguest that unless you have access to a vacuume oven you should hit E-bay and buy a cheep palm (or 2) that you only use for caching. Even then you should always keep your palm in an actual "dry bag". You just have to trust me on this. Read the logs by bblhed here if you need further proof that you need to keep your palm in a Dry Bag, zip lock bags don't cut it.

Strange. My GPSr points to close by caches aka geocaching.com waypoints all by itself, no Palm required. And I found 9 of 9 tries paperless this past weekend and right now my Palm has zero caches loaded.

Edited January 17, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+The Jester]

I use the converter that came with CacheMate to load the files onto the palm.

 

Along with CacheMate I have also have a cable to hook my GPSr to my palm so I can find close by caches from GPS with CacheMate.

 

Strange. My GPSr points to close by caches aka geocaching.com waypoints all by itself, no Palm required. And I found 9 of 9 tries paperless this past weekend and right now my Palm has zero caches loaded.

I can carry a lot more caches on my palm than on my GPSr. When you are outside the range of the waypoints on the GPSr, you can use CacheMate (connected to the GPSr) to find nearby caches. Also the palm tells me what type of cache it is, by GPSr doesn't.

[+Team Cotati]

I use the converter that came with CacheMate to load the files onto the palm.

 

Along with CacheMate I have also have a cable to hook my GPSr to my palm so I can find close by caches from GPS with CacheMate.

 

Strange. My GPSr points to close by caches aka geocaching.com waypoints all by itself, no Palm required. And I found 9 of 9 tries paperless this past weekend and right now my Palm has zero caches loaded.

I can carry a lot more caches on my palm than on my GPSr. When you are outside the range of the waypoints on the GPSr, you can use CacheMate (connected to the GPSr) to find nearby caches. Also the palm tells me what type of cache it is, by GPSr doesn't.

How many caches can your GPSr accomodate? My GPSr doesn't tell me the type of cache either.

Edited January 17, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+Miragee]

If you use GSAK, you can get the "Smart Names."

 

I use the code in GSAK to tell me the first six letters of the cache name plus the Size, Type, Difficulty, and the Terrain.

 

At a glance, I know what I am looking for and sometimes -- to my detriment -- don't even need to look at the Palm. (We walked an extra half a mile one time because we didn't read the description that told us where to turn to find the trail. )

 

This is the code I use:

 

%smart=6 %con1%typ1%Dif1%Ter1

[+The Jester]

I use the converter that came with CacheMate to load the files onto the palm.

 

Along with CacheMate I have also have a cable to hook my GPSr to my palm so I can find close by caches from GPS with CacheMate.

 

Strange. My GPSr points to close by caches aka geocaching.com waypoints all by itself, no Palm required. And I found 9 of 9 tries paperless this past weekend and right now my Palm has zero caches loaded.

I can carry a lot more caches on my palm than on my GPSr. When you are outside the range of the waypoints on the GPSr, you can use CacheMate (connected to the GPSr) to find nearby caches. Also the palm tells me what type of cache it is, by GPSr doesn't.

How many caches can your GPSr accomodate? My GPSr doesn't tell me the type of cache either.

GPSr = 500, PDA = 1200+

 

500 closest unfound caches to home is within 17 miles. If I travel beyond that... Of course, I don't nomally have 500 loaded on the GPSr (how many would be stale before I found them) - I load them as I need them.

 

-=-

 

Smart names just don't seem to thrill me much. Packing too much info in those few spaces, then trying to figure out/count letters to see which is which. I'm going to look at the PDA anyways, so why fight it.