+Patuxent Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I've been a Win Mobile Cachemate user for quite a while and was a happy customer. Now that I'm on the T-Mobile G1, I see that there are two potential replacements on the Android platform: Geocacher ($15) and Geodroid ($9.99, but free demo available). I've used GeoBeagle, but it just doesn't provide the database capabilities that Cachemate did. Geocacher and Geodroid do but not in quite the elegant fashion as Cachemate. Until an Android Cachemate is published, do you have an opinion on Geocacher vs. Geodroid? I've tried out both and haven't made up my mind yet. Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) The latest version of GeoBeagle (on our website at http://code.google.com/p/geobeagle/downloads/list) does store the caches in a sql database and has preliminary support for gpx importing and viewing of all the cache details. Also, GeoBeagle is not only free, it is open source (with the very liberal Apache License), so you can also help add features you think are needed . --Steve Edited February 25, 2009 by fafoofee Quote Link to comment
+WinnieThePoohNL Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 There's quite a bit of info on geocacher here: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=23358#post23358 I've been using geodroid demo (free, I can't get to paid apps yet unfortunately in Europe) but honestly, I don't think it's well programmed. It has a lot of trouble import gpx files larger then 6-700k (a 500 cache gpx pocket query is about 4-5 mb! and loaded perfectly fine in smartgpx for symbian I was using before), and it's really slow in loading nearby waypoints/geocaches from your list. I've used Geobeagle for multi's cause you can enter the coordinates by hand, much faster. I'm anxious to try geocacher, but since it's a paid app I can't, but from the screen shots it does look good. Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 I agree that Geodroid seems to be sluggish on loading apps. I tried Geocacher yesterday and the first issue I've come across is that it doesn't seem to retain loaded caches or your caches newly marked as found. Plus I get force close problems when I try to load multiple PQ files. I'll have to follow up with the developer on those issues. I'll check out GeoBeagle again. Quote Link to comment
+WinnieThePoohNL Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) The latest version of GeoBeagle (on our website at http://code.google.com/p/geobeagle/downloads/list) does store the caches in a sql database and has preliminary support for gpx importing and viewing of all the cache details. Also, GeoBeagle is not only free, it is open source (with the very liberal Apache License), so you can also help add features you think are needed . --Steve Nice! Looks like GeoBeagle might be the way to go for me, I'm a programmer (PHP, Java is about 10 years ago but I can try!) so I might even be able to contribute. Very nice work!! Edited February 26, 2009 by WinnieThePoohNL Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Does GeoBeagle support the importing of PQ files? I downloaded your latest version and can't figure out how to do it. Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Does GeoBeagle support the importing of PQ files? I downloaded your latest version and can't figure out how to do it. Yah, the UI is not that clear . Go to the cache list page by clicking on "...". Then click on menu, and select the one option to import /sdcard/caches.gpx. I plan to support importing from a directory as well as .zip file importing Real Soon Now. The 100 cache limit should be lifted in a version tomorrow morning-ish. HTH, Steve Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 There's quite a bit of info on geocacher here: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=23358#post23358 I've been using geodroid demo (free, I can't get to paid apps yet unfortunately in Europe) but honestly, I don't think it's well programmed. It has a lot of trouble import gpx files larger then 6-700k (a 500 cache gpx pocket query is about 4-5 mb! and loaded perfectly fine in smartgpx for symbian I was using before), and it's really slow in loading nearby waypoints/geocaches from your list. I've used Geobeagle for multi's cause you can enter the coordinates by hand, much faster. I'm anxious to try geocacher, but since it's a paid app I can't, but from the screen shots it does look good. Please try uploading your large gpx file in the latest version of GeoBeagle and let me know if there any problems. (Note that GeoBeagle can only import/sync one file, but this should be fixed shortly....) --Steve Quote Link to comment
+WinnieThePoohNL Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) There's quite a bit of info on geocacher here: http://androidforums.com/showthread.php?p=23358#post23358 I've been using geodroid demo (free, I can't get to paid apps yet unfortunately in Europe) but honestly, I don't think it's well programmed. It has a lot of trouble import gpx files larger then 6-700k (a 500 cache gpx pocket query is about 4-5 mb! and loaded perfectly fine in smartgpx for symbian I was using before), and it's really slow in loading nearby waypoints/geocaches from your list. I've used Geobeagle for multi's cause you can enter the coordinates by hand, much faster. I'm anxious to try geocacher, but since it's a paid app I can't, but from the screen shots it does look good. Please try uploading your large gpx file in the latest version of GeoBeagle and let me know if there any problems. (Note that GeoBeagle can only import/sync one file, but this should be fixed shortly....) --Steve I tried importing the 500 cache gpx file in 0.26 yesterday and it worked fine, no problems (except of course it only showed the last 100 imported), and then tried some 100 cache files, also no problems. It's showing the lists quickly sorted by distance from my location, perfect! One thing that would be nice is if you could see the type (traditional, multi, mystery) of cache in the list somehow, if only indicated by a letter. For inspiration, I suggest you look at SmartGPX, it's an app I used on the Nokia 9500, it had some very nice filtering options for listing caches. I could send you some screenshots if you like. Edited February 26, 2009 by WinnieThePoohNL Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 I'd be happy to look at screenshots; you can send them to geobeagleteam at gmail.com The very latest version (0.29), on the MarketPlace, removes the 100 cache limit :-). Steve Quote Link to comment
+RainHiker Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I love what GeoBeagle can do! Geodroid importing was bad, but seems fixed in one of the recent updates. I imported a 500 geocache pocket query without any trouble. Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 I love what GeoBeagle can do! Geodroid importing was bad, but seems fixed in one of the recent updates. I imported a 500 geocache pocket query without any trouble. My problem with GeoBeagle is that it requires you to rename your PQ file to caches.gpx to do the import. I think that is a needless hassle. It makes switching PQ files or loading more than one at a time problematic. Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Wait a few days. I'm working on an update that will suck in all the gpx files from a directory. Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 Wait a few days. I'm working on an update that will suck in all the gpx files from a directory. Can up have it import directly from the zip file without the user having to unzip the files first? That would be excellent. While I'm at it, here is another suggestion: How about the ability to SMS the find from within GeoBeagle to the gc.com fieldnotes? Quote Link to comment
+WinnieThePoohNL Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I love what GeoBeagle can do! Geodroid importing was bad, but seems fixed in one of the recent updates. I imported a 500 geocache pocket query without any trouble. Good to hear Geodroid's import is fixed. What I don't like about the updated version (of the demo, I don't have access to paid apps in Europe ) is that it doesn't seem to work until it has a GPS fix, so I can't use it at home.... Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Multiple gpx files is on the marketplace as of last night--I wasn't able to get unzipping done in time for this release--I will shoot for the next one. Does geocaching.com support SMS for fieldnotes? It looks like it's just text uploading from what I can see. Steve Wait a few days. I'm working on an update that will suck in all the gpx files from a directory. Can up have it import directly from the zip file without the user having to unzip the files first? That would be excellent. While I'm at it, here is another suggestion: How about the ability to SMS the find from within GeoBeagle to the gc.com fieldnotes? Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Does geocaching.com support SMS for fieldnotes? It looks like it's just text uploading from what I can see. Steve It does and its really cool. Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Oh, that's neat! And probably not very hard to support.... Quote Link to comment
stvanme Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 I must be dense or something because I just got a G1 went to the Market Place and did a search and couldn't find any of these apps. Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 I must be dense or something because I just got a G1 went to the Market Place and did a search and couldn't find any of these apps. This page has a web view of the apps available in the Android Marketplace. I did a search of geocaching and this is what I found. Using the barcode scanner app on your G1. Scan the square bar code image on each app page to load the marketplace page on your G1. Quote Link to comment
stvanme Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 (edited) Thanks, I didn't know about Cyrket. Lot easier than searching in the Market Place. Edited March 19, 2009 by stvanme Quote Link to comment
+knight007 Posted May 6, 2009 Share Posted May 6, 2009 In my mind there can be no question. Geobeagle is the best FREE app in the market. It works great and its the only program I use for geocaching. I wrote a full review with screenshots and a video at this link http://budurl.com/wc5u Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Oh, that's neat! And probably not very hard to support.... Okay, it wasn't that hard to support, but there were a few other things I had to get to first . The latest version of GeoBeagle on the Android Marketplace now supports logging via field notes, check it out and let me know what you think. Steve Quote Link to comment
+Patuxent Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) The latest version of GeoBeagle on the Android Marketplace now supports logging via field notes, check it out and let me know what you think. Steve I logged 5 founds and 3 DNFs this weekend all via GeoBeagle and its field notes feature. Very cool. (Well the DNFs weren't cool, but being able to it via GeoBeagle was.) Edited May 18, 2009 by Patuxent Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 I've been a Win Mobile Cachemate user for quite a while and was a happy customer.... With the introduction of CacheMate for Android this week you should be very happy. I know I am. It sets the bar much higher for geocaching apps on the G1. Quote Link to comment
+gulo Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Oh, that's neat! And probably not very hard to support.... The latest version of GeoBeagle on the Android Marketplace now supports logging via field notes, check it out and let me know what you think. Steve yeah I already used that feature, works great, thanks ! Quote Link to comment
+Cache Alchemy Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Okay I finally got a G1. I can't find geobeagle in the app market. I went to the webpage, downloaded the newest version, allowed it to install, but I don't see the icon. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment
+Purple-Penguin Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Okay I finally got a G1. I can't find geobeagle in the app market. I went to the webpage, downloaded the newest version, allowed it to install, but I don't see the icon. Any ideas? Go back to the market and download Barcode Scanner, it's a free app. After installing Barcade Scanner go to http://www.cyrket.com/ on your computer (Not on your phone) Do a search for geobeagle at cyrket and use the barcode scanner app to scan the QR code (the barcode looking thing). After it reads the barcode it will give you three options. Select the "open browser" option and it will take your phone straight to the market page to download the geobeagle app. You will also want to install Radar Here are some quick links to the apps for you GeoBeagle Radar If you need any more help, let me know and I'll help where I can. Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Okay I finally got a G1. I can't find geobeagle in the app market. I went to the webpage, downloaded the newest version, allowed it to install, but I don't see the icon. Any ideas? Go to the Market on your G1. Search for "geocaching" which should bring up several apps including GeoBeagle. Select the app and Install. Unlike the apps that have an integrated compass, GeoBeagle uses another app called Radar to show (poorly IMO) the distance and bearing. Search for "radar" in the Market and install. Have fun. Quote Link to comment
+Purple-Penguin Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) Unlike the apps that have an integrated compass, GeoBeagle uses another app called Radar to show (poorly IMO) the distance and bearing. Search for "radar" in the Market and install. Have fun. I personally love the Radar. It's probably the video gamer in me but the radar just seems more natural than an arrow pointing in a direction, I wish more GPS systems had this method as an option. If you play a lot of video games, especially FPS or flight games, then the Radar will most likely be second nature to you. Edited May 25, 2009 by Purple-Penguin Quote Link to comment
+Cache Alchemy Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 Okay I finally got a G1. I can't find geobeagle in the app market. I went to the webpage, downloaded the newest version, allowed it to install, but I don't see the icon. Any ideas? Go to the Market on your G1. Search for "geocaching" which should bring up several apps including GeoBeagle. Select the app and Install. Unlike the apps that have an integrated compass, GeoBeagle uses another app called Radar to show (poorly IMO) the distance and bearing. Search for "radar" in the Market and install. Have fun. I searched for geocaching and all I got was Orienteer and JOYity. I did the barcode scanner thing, and it won't focus on the screen. This may be because it is an old CRT monitor... and the scan lines get in the way. Quote Link to comment
+Mredria Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 I've been really pleased with geodroid because it updates regularly with things that users ask for. I tried geobeagle for awhile and it didn't feel very intuitive. Quote Link to comment
+Cache Alchemy Posted May 25, 2009 Share Posted May 25, 2009 (edited) I may have figured out why none of the main geocaching apps are showing. My firmware is still 1.0, not 1.1 or the new 1.5 cupcake version. Since I just got the phone perhaps it will take a while before T-Mobile pushes the update, and perhaps they'll just wait until they roll the 1.5 to me. Unless there is some # code to use to force it to download the 1.1 update at the very least. EDIT: Okay that was it for sure. I forced it to 1.5 and there were far more options in the Market. Edited May 25, 2009 by brianathomas Quote Link to comment
+TeamZebra Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Loving GeoBeagle but I do have a few suggestions/requests. First off, can we have the option of using feet/miles instead of meters/kilometers? And a way of searching the offline list would be awesome. Sometimes I have a specific cache in mind I want to find and it would be easier to search the list rather than have to search it online and import back to GeoBeagle (thus losing the details because it's only pulling the coords). Pretty please? But seriously, awesome job with the app. I have officially retired my Garmin because of GeoBeagle! Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I personally love the Radar. It's probably the video gamer in me but the radar just seems more natural than an arrow pointing in a direction, I wish more GPS systems had this method as an option. If you play a lot of video games, especially FPS or flight games, then the Radar will most likely be second nature to you. Interesting perspective. I don't play video games so I don't know the context in which a radar display is used but I would guess it is trying to simulate what people think a combat plane display looks like--the real one is far more complicated, of course. Or maybe it mimics the handheld gizmos that the movie actors clutch when the alien is coming for them in a cramped passageway. Despite the glamour of tracking targets with electronics, modern ground navigation is still basic map and compass. It uses file servers instead of paper maps and the GPS to give a more accurate location. We still talk in terms of position, distance and bearing (plus altitude in mountains). Those things have to be presented as clearly as possible. The traditional compass is hard to beat for clarity and ease of use when we are walking around in the field. I see that the recent GeoBeagle update has added a small radar on the main screen with a compass overlay. That helps but there is still the annoying pulsing of the radar "signal" and the display is far too small for accurate readings. Radar is a gimmick that may look cool but is a poor choice for a navigation tool. OTOH, radar may suit some geocachers who are more interested in the hunt than navigation techniques. They may never do caches with stages, offsets, projections and coordinate systems. Geocaching has become a game of choices. Quote Link to comment
+TeamZebra Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Woohoo! Thanks GeoBeagle Team. Just got the new update with the miles/ft option. Quote Link to comment
+TeamZebra Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 In my mind there can be no question. Geobeagle is the best FREE app in the market. It works great and its the only program I use for geocaching. I wrote a full review with screenshots and a video at this link http://budurl.com/wc5u That was YOUR video? Thanks a lot for that. I was in the market for both a new T-Mobile phone and a new GPSr and trying not to spend a fortune. I'd been watching the G1 with interest for a while and after watching your video bought one. Couldn't be happier. It's been a big step up from my old Garmin Legend (blue). PS: I'm the person who just sent you a tweet with a similar message. Quote Link to comment
+Cache Alchemy Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 There have been lots of updates to GeoBeagle lately. I can't see spending the money required to get some of the others when GeoBeagle does what I need so well for free. As the UI is cleaned up and other features added in, I think more and more people will stick with it. Quote Link to comment
+virtigex Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I'm using GeoBeagle, which works find except for downloading GPX files. After signing up for premier, I can locate a geocache, but when I click to download the GPX file, I end up with a "cache_details.aspx" file in my downloads instead of the GPX file that I want. Am I doing anything wrong here? I'm working around it by downloading the GPX file on the computer and copying it to the G1's SD card. There has to be a better way. Quote Link to comment
+fafoofee Posted July 5, 2009 Share Posted July 5, 2009 I'm using GeoBeagle, which works find except for downloading GPX files. After signing up for premier, I can locate a geocache, but when I click to download the GPX file, I end up with a "cache_details.aspx" file in my downloads instead of the GPX file that I want. Am I doing anything wrong here? I'm working around it by downloading the GPX file on the computer and copying it to the G1's SD card. There has to be a better way. A bug in Android's browser (http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=1780) makes it impossible to download gpx files directly from geocaching.com. You can mail yourself the pocket query and then download it from your mail, or, as you have discovered, use your computer to download to your gps. I personally have geocaching.com mail the pocket queries to me then use gmail in the browser to download the cache; that way I can do everything on my android phone. Quote Link to comment
+Raveheart Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 (edited) Hi! I'm using GeoBeagle on the new HTC Hero (similar with T-Mobile G2) and it easily finds the caches for me. I never ran into bigger problems but there are a few small things I discovered: - While importing a GPX file from SD-Card, I'm not allowed to do anything. When I try to put the application into the background, the import fails. It even fails when I turn the phone 90° and the screen changes to wide. In both cases the import process stops without an error message. - Injecting a cache into GeoBeagle by clicking on Google Maps doesn't work. If I do so, a blue rectangle appears around the link and nothing happens. (Well thats OK for me cause I always have GPX files for the region where I'm caching with me). - (Maybe this problem comes from Android, I don't know): When I want to edit the coordinates of a cache, always the alphabetic keyboard appears so I have to switch to numeric keyboard first. OK, this is really not a big thing but I'm always the slowest guy when we do big multi/mystery caches and someone discovered new coordinates. PS: I know my english is not the best Edited August 27, 2009 by Raveheart Quote Link to comment
+Sir Robin Posted September 10, 2009 Share Posted September 10, 2009 Cachemate is available for Android as well. http://www.smittyware.com/droid/cachemate/ Quote Link to comment
+HoggerJeff & the Piglets Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I'm in the process of switching from WM to an Android-based phone, and so far I have seen nothing that matches the functionality of GCz II. You have to love real-time access to GC.com and downloading the nearest caches based on your current location. I'm someone who caches on the spur-of-the-moment and really don't plan ahead by creating and downloading pq's. Sure wish we could get a port of GCz II to Android. The other way to go would be a port of the iPhone app. Anyone with the skills out there who can do this? (with appropriate permissions, of course!!!) Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I'm in the process of switching from WM to an Android-based phone, and so far I have seen nothing that matches the functionality of GCz II. You have to love real-time access to GC.com and downloading the nearest caches based on your current location. I'm someone who caches on the spur-of-the-moment and really don't plan ahead by creating and downloading pq's. Sure wish we could get a port of GCz II to Android. The other way to go would be a port of the iPhone app. What Android geocaching apps have you tried? I believe all of them (CacheMate, GeGeo, GeoBeagle, Geocacher, Geodroid) can do live searches based on your location. Of course, these are all web-based searches. Groudspeak will eventually release an Android app with direct database access. There are other apps in the works as well. CacheMate has by far the most functionality of any existing smartphone geocaching app. Quote Link to comment
josteinaj Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Groudspeak will eventually release an Android app with direct database access. Where did you hear that from? From what I've heard they don't care much about us Android-users... (In my opinion they should open up their database for everyone to use). Link? Quote Link to comment
v3rn Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I hope Groundspeak releases an Android app. I switched from my iPhone 3G to the new Motorola Droid, and the GC app is what I miss the most. GeoBeagle works, but it's clunky and ugly. I know functionality is much more important than looks, but they certainly help. The iPhone Geocaching app was intuitive, fast, and looked great. Every geocaching app I've tried on Android looks so amateurish. But it seems that's a problem with Android, because almost every Android app I've used has had a terrible interface. I'm just spoiled by the iPhone apps looking and working so great I guess. The thing I loved about my iPhone app is that it was quick and easy to use. I would go out hiking or out driving around with my girlfriend and just spur of the moment want to find a cache. So I'd pull my iPhone out, hit find nearby caches. Then it would bring up a list of all the caches near me. I would then have it show me on a map, where I could see which caches were near where I was headed on the hiking trail. Click that cache, and hit navigate to. I would also have access to the descriptions, logs, hints, etc. It made geocaching so easy and intuitive. I just really hope Groundspeak comes out with something soon. The developers they had make the iPhone app really knew what they were doing and did a great job. With all these new Android phones coming out, I'd be surprised if Groundspeak wasn't thinking about releasing an app. At some point Android phones will outnumber iPhones, so it only makes sense they would make an app. It's just a matter of when. Quote Link to comment
+bigeddy Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 Groudspeak will eventually release an Android app with direct database access. Where did you hear that from? From what I've heard they don't care much about us Android-users... (In my opinion they should open up their database for everyone to use). Link? From Jeremy Irish's Facebook page on 10/14/09: "Yes. We're working on an Android version." Of course, that could mean almost anything. They have been working on an updated Wherigo for a couple of years! Quote Link to comment
josteinaj Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 (edited) I guess the best we can do is for everyone to send a mail to Groundspeak, asking for either an application made by them or for them to open up their database for use by the community. - If they don't have the resources; let the open source community do it - If it's about the money; we'll pay for the app like we did in the app store, and we'll pay for the ability to query the database I really don't understand why Groundspeak are preventing their own users from using them... edit: @bigeddy: Oh, nice. Still, there's no harm in reminding Groundspeak that this is something we really really really want Edited November 10, 2009 by josteinaj Quote Link to comment
v3rn Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 What's the best email address to use so I can send them an email asking for an Android version? Quote Link to comment
josteinaj Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 (edited) I used contact@geocaching.com edit: in retrospect, there's also contact@Groundspeak.com which seems like a good target. You can choose yourself, they'll forward it to the right recipient anyway. Also, sending it to different adresses might make more people in Groundspeak Inc. aware of the issue. But choose only one of the adresses. Edited November 10, 2009 by josteinaj Quote Link to comment
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