Pocket queries, Waypoints end long description.

[+Britmetdeern]

I just became a full member and am happy to support the site in this way.

 

However, I had the impression that the downloaded GPX/Pocket queries files would contain ALL the waypoints in a format that my Pocket PC could automatically use. i.e. that I would not have to key in another waypoint!

 

QUOTE: Hand-entering geocache coordinates is tedious, and you run the risk of developing repetitive motion injuries if you hunt more than a few caches in a day. With a Pocket Query you can download up to 500 specifically defined geocache waypoints directly to your GPS in a flash!

END QUOTE from the Premium member subscribe page.

 

I now discover that if the waypoints are only in the 'Long Description' then I still have to enter these points by hand.

 

I have looked at GSAK etc etc and have not found a way to get these points out of the text.

 

I also know that this is not the case with all caches.

 

Have I missed something?

 

I am using a MIO P350 pda which has a build in GPS, so I only have one device, with GPS Tuner.

 

Is there any tool, GSAK addin/macro which can analyse the GPX file and extract ALL the waypoint information?

[+Markwell]

The pocket queries send the GPX file by e-mail. Previewing the results and clicking "download" in 20-cache-batches gets you the LOC files.

 

Click a day of the week to generate the PQ and get the FULL GPX by e-mail.

[Keystone]

If the cache owner has used the "Additional Waypoints" tool to enter their coordinates for parking, trailheads, etc., then these come to you with your pocket query e-mail in a separate file. You'll need to download both files.

 

If the cache owner did not use the "Additional Waypoints" tool, and simply provided key waypoint information in text form as part of the long description, then your beef is with the cache owner for not making it easy by taking advantage of the site tools.

[+Britmetdeern]

Markwell and Keystone thanks for your replies, they confirm what I have found in the last few days.

 

Yes I know about the Addition Waypoints and indeed it would be perfect if all, non criptic Waypoints, were so recorded.

 

I have a small beef with the site giving the impression that you don't need to enter waypoints by hand if you get the GPX file.

 

Aside from that, is there no 'extract' macro/program to get this out of the long description?

[Keystone]

I don't agree that it's the site's problem if a cache owner doesn't make use of the Additional Waypoints tool. You will still get 500 waypoints per pocket query file. Ignoring bogus puzzle waypoints, that's 500 out of 500 waypoints that you don't need to key in manually. Additional Waypoints are icing on the cake. They were added just a couple of years ago.

 

I believe there's a GSAK macro which will extract coordinates from the cache description text and transform them into what GSAK calls "Child" waypoints. Check the forums at GSAK.net for details.

[+OReviewer]

Yes I know about the Addition Waypoints and indeed it would be perfect if all, non criptic Waypoints, were so recorded.

They are if the owner put them in as additional waypoints. Many older caches have owners who haven't taken the time to go to their old caches and add them. It would be great if they did. I know I get frustrated just like you when I wish I had a parking coord, know there was one in the description but it wasn't made as an additional waypoint.

 

I have a small beef with the site giving the impression that you don't need to enter waypoints by hand if you get the GPX file.

What gave you that impression? I'm curious, I'm not judging.

 

Aside from that, is there no 'extract' macro/program to get this out of the long description?

In GSAK, Tools|Grab Coordinates will grab them out of the text and make them additional waypoints I believe.

[+Isonzo Karst]

Yes, the GSAK grab coordinates macro pre-dates the waypoints tool n this site. It works quite well.

[+Britmetdeern]

OReviewer,

 

http://www.geocaching.com/subscribe/

 

QUOTE: Hand-entering geocache coordinates is tedious, and you run the risk of developing repetitive motion injuries if you hunt more than a few caches in a day. With a Pocket Query you can download up to 500 specifically defined geocache waypoints directly to your GPS in a flash!

END QUOTE from the Premium member subscribe page.

 

Ok I should have said that I do mostly Multi-caches. I like to walk, so just going to a given cache location is not my normal style. Therefore I want all the waypoint locations.

 

The Grab in GSAK seems to be what I am looking for.

 

Ok Time for bed, we are off to Italy in the morning, via some caches in Germany and Austria I hope...

 

Thanks for all the replies.

[+Markwell]

Hand-entering geocache coordinates is tedious, and you run the risk of developing repetitive motion injuries if you hunt more than a few caches in a day. With a Pocket Query you can download up to 500 specifically defined geocache waypoints directly to your GPS in a flash!

 

It doesn't say that you won't have to enter in multi-stage points, just "geocache waypoints".

 

In fact, very few multi-cache owners put additional waypoints on for their caches as they want you to go from point A to get the coordinates for point B, etc. I do have one around here that has all of the additional waypoints available. But I've not seen many others like this. In my case, there's a padlock on the cache. If owners don't have this in place what would prevent seekers from just going to the coordinates of the box?

 

I guess I'm just not seeing the beef.