Geomate.jr Owners Report

[+Snoogans]

I did a search and I didn't find a thread where mention of geomate.jr didn't devolve into some angst or other and I didn't see any real reports from owners that were easily searchable soooo....

 

My wife went to REI and got me a Geomate.jr today. (Geocaching's first attempt at the hula hoop IMO.)

 

It will get a 2,500 mile road test across 9 states to GW7 and back the long way around in the next 10 days.

 

My first impression is pretty neutral. It's minimalistic, light as a feather, and not as intuitive as other devices, but I won't be testing it out on an actual cache until tomorrow.

 

It kept telling me to find open sky and I was standing in my front yard that has only 1 tree. Okay, that didn't impress me much but it was the first few minutes the device was ever turned on in my possession, so maybe it was just figuring out where it was.

 

Anyone else have one to report on?

Edited May 20, 2009 by Snoogans

[+Snoogans]

BTW- REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. No questions asked. That's about as low a risk as you can take for your $70.

 

If this thang doesn't perform, I'll be returning it when we get back...

[+BadAndy]

I think you'll be happy with your 'Mate.

 

I picked one up last weekend and gave it a good once over. I literally went into the REI parking lot, inserted a set of batteries and had an arrow pointing within about a minute. Range 350 feet.

 

On Sunday I took it to the mountains for some flyfishing and caching. I expected a few high terrain caches in the canyon but they were all easy enough to access. One was a quarter mile hike along a trail, the others just off the road along the river (and a hideakey on a historical marker in town).

 

The interface has a decent flow once you get used to it. When you turn it on it displays the 20 closest caches to you and you just follow the arrow. The list of 20 doesn't automatically update as you're driving along, but keeps the original 20 in order, meaning you have to turn it off and back on to reset the list. There may be another way to reset the list but I haven't found it yet.

 

I took it apart to see whats inside. Not much. A display, a small pcb and a patch antenna. I didn't recognize the layout of the update port, possibly a proprietary interface? I suppose we'll find out in June with the release of an update kit.

 

I'm thinking it could be modded into a slim wrist mounted (ala James Bond) geocache locator.

[+Snoogans]

I think you'll be happy with your 'Mate.

 

I picked one up last weekend and gave it a good once over. I literally went into the REI parking lot, inserted a set of batteries and had an arrow pointing within about a minute. Range 350 feet.

 

On Sunday I took it to the mountains for some flyfishing and caching. I expected a few high terrain caches in the canyon but they were all easy enough to access. One was a quarter mile hike along a trail, the others just off the road along the river (and a hideakey on a historical marker in town).

 

The interface has a decent flow once you get used to it. When you turn it on it displays the 20 closest caches to you and you just follow the arrow. The list of 20 doesn't automatically update as you're driving along, but keeps the original 20 in order, meaning you have to turn it off and back on to reset the list. There may be another way to reset the list but I haven't found it yet.

 

I took it apart to see whats inside. Not much. A display, a small pcb and a patch antenna. I didn't recognize the layout of the update port, possibly a proprietary interface? I suppose we'll find out in June with the release of an update kit.

 

I'm thinking it could be modded into a slim wrist mounted (ala James Bond) geocache locator.

 

Good to know. Especially the off & on to refresh.

 

I usually pick and choose caches carefully, but when I travel I'm opportunistic and any ol cache will do. This little device seemes to be just the ticket for when I want to grab a quickie on the go.

[+mrbort]

I really like that this seems to have an audience for not just those new to the hobby but also those who have been around the proverbial block a great deal of times.

 

I like the point that it's an interesting option for on the go, randomly wanting to cache, caching.

 

thanks

[+Snoogans]

I really like that this seems to have an audience for not just those new to the hobby but also those who have been around the proverbial block a great deal of times.

 

I like the point that it's an interesting option for on the go, randomly wanting to cache, caching.

 

thanks

 

I'm just lazy. Loading caches along a route is WORK!

[+hofy67]

 

I took it apart to see whats inside. Not much. A display, a small pcb and a patch antenna. I didn't recognize the layout of the update port, possibly a proprietary interface? I suppose we'll find out in June with the release of an update kit.

 

 

Any chance that we could get a picture of the guts? Including a pic of the update port?

 

Thanks

[GOF and Bacall]

Thanks for being the guinea pigs on this. Seems the only way we will get much in the way of answers to questions is through those who are trying the thing out.

 

Is there any feel yet as to what criteria was used to select the caches included in the database? Have any of you noticed any problems with the "freshness" of the database? How is the accuracy? How about the reception, good under cover? Has anyone using it seen any PMO caches included in the database? What kind of information has been included to explain the basics of geocaching? I think that covers the major questions that have been brought up.

 

Thanks again guys.

[Keystone]

I am moving this thread from the Geocaching Topics forum to the GPS and Technoloogy forum.

[knowschad]

 

I took it apart to see whats inside. Not much. A display, a small pcb and a patch antenna. I didn't recognize the layout of the update port, possibly a proprietary interface? I suppose we'll find out in June with the release of an update kit.

 

 

Any chance that we could get a picture of the guts? Including a pic of the update port?

 

Thanks

 

According to the Podcast interview that I linked to in the angsty thread, the update interface is indeed proprietary. The cable itself has some of the electronics rather than putting that into the units circuitry.

[+twolpert]

Is there any feel yet as to what criteria was used to select the caches included in the database?

I recall seeing some piece of marketing fodder which mentioned "250,000 of the easiest traditional caches" or words to that effect. To me, this means that they probably filtered on cache type and difficulty level. Obviously, you wouldn't want multis, puzzle caches, or anything else that requries access to the cache description -- or needs features that the unit lacks such as the ability to directly enter additional waypoints. I will be interesting to see how they handle the freshness issue.

[+BadAndy]

 

Is there any feel yet as to what criteria was used to select the caches included in the database?

 

Not really but they all had a string of regular finds and none were overly difficult.

 

 

Have any of you noticed any problems with the "freshness" of the database?

 

 

Nope.

 

 

How is the accuracy? How about the reception, good under cover?

 

Accuracy and reception is as good as my explorist 600. All the caches I found so far my 'Mate showed that I was within a few feet of the cache.

 

Has anyone using it seen any PMO caches included in the database?

 

I compared the list to my most recent pq and didn't see any PMO's. Some PMO's will eventually be on the list due to cachers switching existing caches over to PMO after the release of the Geomate.

 

What kind of information has been included to explain the basics of geocaching?

 

Again, there was a quickstart guide that prompts you to log into the web for more info. This question has been beaten down in the angsty thread already.

Edited May 20, 2009 by BadAndy

[GOF and Bacall]

Thanks Guys.

 

I was not trying to drag the angst over. I was attempting to get the answers to the most popular questions into a non angst thread. I hope it can help someone who wants answers without the insanity.

 

Keep us updated as you get more accustomed to the new toys.

[+Babsbaby]

This wee toy would have been just the ticket for the fly-drive holiday to America we took in 2005. I was limited to the 500 caches I could squeeze into my Etrex and I know there were so many others en route that we must have just driven straight past. One question - does it hold virtuals? I ask because that's what Las Vegas was stuffed with.

[ygo2slow]

I bought one tonight at a REI in Dallas, Texas. After putting the batteries in and turning it on, found a cache in a matter of minutes. Seems like a nice little unit, however there are a few things I'd like to see in the next model:

 

1) A backlit screen

2) digital compass

3) Description & Hint for caches

4) packaged with batteries

5) Perhaps a thicker (blue or green) Groundspeak logo lanyard

 

Paperless would be nice, but most likely too pricey. Overall the Geomate Jr. seems like a great little GPS for kids or people new to geocaching. I'm going to try it out over the memorial day weekend with Faceman5050 and see if it passes his test. =)

[+Snoogans]

BTW- REI has a 100% satisfaction guarantee. No questions asked. That's about as low a risk as you can take for your $70.

 

If this thang doesn't perform, I'll be returning it when we get back...

 

I'm KEEPING IT!

 

This little unit did EXACTLY what I bought it for. I loaded into my 60CSX only caches that appeared to be an easy off and on to the highway on the route I traveled. Several times we stopped at roadside rest stops that I hadn't loaded into my Garmin. Each time I came away with a find because this unit had the cache when I didn't.

 

I sat through the Apisphere presentation at GW7 and I hafta say that I am open minded to their approach and I eagerly await the update package when it's released late next month!

[+solo63137]

Question on this unit???

 

If it only shows the directional circle with an arrow of the direction of the find and no map, how do you get to the area to begain with???

 

On both of my GPSrs I can look at the streets to work my way there, then when I get ""Close Enough"" I hope out and walk to the find...

 

I was considereing buying two of these and keeping them updated for handing to my pals who normally cache with me, so they feel even more involved...

 

I was thinking of this as I don't see them spending the money on a full fledged GPSr right away.. I'm hoping this will ease them in...

 

I do all the logging @ the find and online, so both logs match and everyone is happy... Theoretically..

[+Prime Suspect]

Question on this unit???

 

If it only shows the directional circle with an arrow of the direction of the find and no map, how do you get to the area to begain with???

Same as everyone with a non-mapping GPS does, I suppose.

[+humboldt flier]

Question on this unit???

 

If it only shows the directional circle with an arrow of the direction of the find and no map, how do you get to the area to begain with???

Same as everyone with a non-mapping GPS does, I suppose.

[/quote " Just like the old days ... only better " REI and I have chatted and this will be a great supplement to the already overstocked stable. Cache on

[+humboldt flier]

Question on this unit???

 

If it only shows the directional circle with an arrow of the direction of the find and no map, how do you get to the area to begain with???

Same as everyone with a non-mapping GPS does, I suppose.

[/quote " Just like the old days ... only better " REI and I have chatted and this will be a great supplement to the already overstocked stable. Cache on

[+Snoogans]

I logged my 700th milestone find with my Geomate today.

 

I wouldn't have gotten that cache today without it. I just didn't have time to load caches for this leg of the trip.

[+gardengorilla]

I really like that this seems to have an audience for not just those new to the hobby but also those who have been around the proverbial block a great deal of times.

 

I like the point that it's an interesting option for on the go, randomly wanting to cache, caching.

 

thanks

 

ah, I wish I had time to just randomly get out and cache....It seems I always have a purpose other than caching...

[+humboldt flier]

For a limited time GPS'r units from REI are shipped without freight charges ... The GEOMATE Jr. qualifies!!!

 

But wait, it gets better. I ordered some backpacking gear and on a whim had the GEOMATE Jr. placed on the order. YEP the entire order shipped at no freight charge. Huge THANKS to REI

[NordicMan]

Wow sounds like the GeoMate Jr is building a fan club!

 

I'd just hope the "next model" would at least add the ability to key a coordinate into it,, so it could also be used for muti-caches & puzzle caches, plus I guess LOTS of other useful "non-geocaching" activities

[+Knight2000]

Does anyone know about the update costs?

[+Maingray]

I'll buy one for the reasons snoogans mentioned... great for a backup. I also spend much time trying to figure out rest stop / easy on/off caches for ones I'll never even likely even stop at.. "just in case the kids need a pee caches". This will (hopefully) circumvent that.

 

(good to see you at gw7 snoogans!)

[ygo2slow]

Does anyone know about the update costs?

 

I heard it was a cable and it will cost $20. Besides that, all you need is 2 AAA batteries and you're G2G, but remember this little unit shows you "as the crow flys" not turn by turn so you'll also need a nice pair of shoes!

[+Jeep4two]

I didn't see in the documentation a mention of whether the Geomate.jr has a high sensitivity receiver or not.

 

How is this unit performing in tree cover?

 

My initial look at this little guy made me think it would be very useful as an entry level unit. I never thought of it as way to have such a large database of caches at your fingertips.

[+humboldt flier]

Can't wait to get my hands on this new toy. Have been contemplating a nick name for it. Have been toying with: "Whim", "Drive By", "Park& Cache", "Simplex". However, a recent poster mentioned something about the kids having to go potty sooooooooooo. "The Kids Have To Pee ", and "Tinkle" are in the running. Anyone care to help name my new Geo Toy???????

[+humboldt flier]

Can't wait to get my hands on this new toy. Have been contemplating a nick name for it. Have been toying with: "Whim", "Drive By", "Park& Cache", "Simplex". However, a recent poster mentioned something about the kids having to go potty sooooooooooo. "The Kids Have To Pee ", and "Tinkle" are in the running. Anyone care to help name my new Geo Toy???????

[+QuesterMark]

I didn't see in the documentation a mention of whether the Geomate.jr has a high sensitivity receiver or not.

 

How is this unit performing in tree cover?

 

My initial look at this little guy made me think it would be very useful as an entry level unit. I never thought of it as way to have such a large database of caches at your fingertips.

 

Pretty sure it's got a SiRFStar III chipset. Similar to my Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx.

That's pretty "high-sensitivity".

 

http://reviews.cnet.com/gps/geomate-jr/450...7-33645600.html

[+Geomate.jr]

G'day All

 

Some of you may already know me from some other threads, but I thought I would jump on this one and introduce myself. My name's Warren, I work at Apisphere and I guess you can say the guy behind the Geomate.jr. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have and I'm looking forward to seeing more stories and feedback about the Geomate.jr!

 

I'm also very happy for anyone to contact me directly; warren@apisphere.com

 

Cheers

 

Warren

[+Jeep4two]

G'day All

 

Some of you may already know me from some other threads, but I thought I would jump on this one and introduce myself. My name's Warren, I work at Apisphere and I guess you can say the guy behind the Geomate.jr. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have and I'm looking forward to seeing more stories and feedback about the Geomate.jr!

 

I'm also very happy for anyone to contact me directly; warren@apisphere.com

 

Cheers

 

Warren

 

Welcome Tinkle, err, I mean Warren. . .

 

I think your company has a winner with this product. Wife and I were talking and we both think it may make a great backup GPSr. May be on the list in the near future.

 

Excellent product concept and as you can see from this thread it's appealing to an audience that I didn't initially expect.

[+BadAndy]

I gave my Geomate a pretty good workout over the long weekend. I took a couple friends to my old stomping grounds for some fishing, camping and Geocaching. Neither had ever been caching before and I spent a good part of the drive through Yellowstone explaining it to them. I had been bragging about my coolest new gps and as I was driving he was playing with it. As you may recall, there are no caches in national parks so we had to wait til we got to West Yellowstone to find a real cache. It didn't take him long to work it out. It was kinda funny (and nostalgic) watching them walk in arcs through the woods but by the time we finished the first cache he was hooked. We cached along the route to our campground at Warm River, finding about a dozen caches.

 

On the long drive back to Denver we took many rest stop cache breaks.

 

The best part was this afternoon when he returned from lunch. He had gone to REI and bought a Geomate of his own.

 

As for how the unit itself performed? Accuracy was pretty good, even considering the rain and dark cloud cover. Speaking of rain, it appears to be at least water resistant as it was soaked all day. My original batteries are still working fine after about 20 hours of use. After roughly 30 finds it has yet to lead me to a lame cache.

[+tzipora]

G'day All

 

Some of you may already know me from some other threads, but I thought I would jump on this one and introduce myself. My name's Warren, I work at Apisphere and I guess you can say the guy behind the Geomate.jr. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have and I'm looking forward to seeing more stories and feedback about the Geomate.jr!

 

I'm also very happy for anyone to contact me directly; warren@apisphere.com

 

Cheers

 

Warren

 

Are there Alaskan caches on the Geomate.jr?

[+Isonzo Karst]

How will the updates work? ie, will they totally over-write the existing database, to clear archived caches, and if so, will it NOT add back "found" caches?

 

Is it possible to mark a cache Found, then mark it Unfound - so it's still on the list for other cacher's use. Or does marking a cache found even remove it from the list?

[+Knight2000]

Does anyone know about the update costs?

 

I heard it was a cable and it will cost $20. Besides that, all you need is 2 AAA batteries and you're G2G, but remember this little unit shows you "as the crow flys" not turn by turn so you'll also need a nice pair of shoes!

Can Warren or anybody verify this? How often will they be available.

 

Plus there are other questions in this thread.

[+Geomate.jr]

Does anyone know about the update costs?

 

I heard it was a cable and it will cost $20. Besides that, all you need is 2 AAA batteries and you're G2G, but remember this little unit shows you "as the crow flys" not turn by turn so you'll also need a nice pair of shoes!

Can Warren or anybody verify this? How often will they be available.

 

Plus there are other questions in this thread.

 

Sorry guys, I'm back - I forgot what color the sky is and needed to step out and check...

 

The cost of the Update Kit will be $24.95 and it is a one time fee - no subscription, no service fees - just $24.95. There will be no restriction on quantity or frequency of updates and the lists will be refreshed every 24hrs. You will be able to use the Update Kit with multiple Geomate.jr's. You will be able to update the default list that the unit ships with or select from other lists including lists that have not been filtered on difficulty etc, and for other countries. There will also be a lot of other cool stuff, but I need to leave some surprises right?

[+Geomate.jr]

Does anyone know about the update costs?

 

I heard it was a cable and it will cost $20. Besides that, all you need is 2 AAA batteries and you're G2G, but remember this little unit shows you "as the crow flys" not turn by turn so you'll also need a nice pair of shoes!

Can Warren or anybody verify this? How often will they be available.

 

Plus there are other questions in this thread.

 

Sorry guys, I'm back - I forgot what color the sky is and needed to step out and check...

 

The cost of the Update Kit will be $24.95 and it is a one time fee - no subscription, no service fees - just $24.95. There will be no restriction on quantity or frequency of updates and the lists will be refreshed every 24hrs. You will be able to use the Update Kit with multiple Geomate.jr's. You will be able to update the default list that the unit ships with or select from other lists including lists that have not been filtered on difficulty etc, and for other countries. There will also be a lot of other cool stuff, but I need to leave some surprises right?

[+Maingray]

Cool beanz! I gotta to ask... will you be able to filter out your finds?

[+Geomate.jr]

 

Are there Alaskan caches on the Geomate.jr?

 

Yep. The Geomate.jr ships with about 250,000 geocache locations that cover all 50 states - Alaska and Hawaii included.

[+Geomate.jr]

Cool beanz! I gotta to ask... will you be able to filter out your finds?

 

Good question. No promises just yet, but we are working on a number of different possibilities, but let me ask you this. If we supported Pocket Queries, would that be helpful??

[NordicMan]

If the GeoMate Jr could have the ability to import Pocket Queries then you've got a SURE FIRE winner on your hands!!!

 

That would answer my "next question" most conveniently lol.. the question was, will the GeoMate Jr work in Canada?

Edited May 28, 2009 by NordicMan

[+Maingray]

I think the real appeal for this unit for established cachers is the perpetual ability to just carry the unit ... and not worry so much about generating caches along a route "just in case" the wife needs a pee "omg at the next gas station"... or on unscheduled stops. Snoogans is using it exactly how I would use it.

 

For this reason **I'd** be less worried about PQ support nor the ability to yank out my finds... but it would be nice to know that next time I'm on interstate 40 between Raleigh and, say, Asheville, on which i have found quite a few pee-stop caches already, that I'm not looking for the same cache again.

[+Geomate.jr]

How will the updates work? ie, will they totally over-write the existing database, to clear archived caches, and if so, will it NOT add back "found" caches?

 

Is it possible to mark a cache Found, then mark it Unfound - so it's still on the list for other cacher's use. Or does marking a cache found even remove it from the list?

 

I'm liking these questions - thanks guys.

 

When the device is updated, we completely replace the existing list with the new one to ensure only the latest and greatest are available. But we do implement some smarts to make sure that any geocache that has previously been marked as found remains 'found'.

 

At this point we don't actually remove the found cache or have the ability to change an individual geocache from found to unfound. Again, no promises, but we are looking at some options here to allow users to customize the Geomate.jr to suit their needs - after all, one size really does not fit all...

 

That said, you can clear your found list from the device if you want someone else to take it for a spin and mark their own found caches - no Update Kit needed...

[+Geomate.jr]

 

That would answer my "next question" most conveniently lol.. the question was, will the GeoMate Jr work in Canada?

 

At the moment we don't sell direct into Canada as I haven't quite finished my 'French for Dummies' book - but I'm working on it!!

 

With an Update Kit, you will be able to load a database for Canada. So if you managed to 'acquire' a Geomate.jr and an Update Kit, you're good to go!! I won't tell anyone...

[+Prime Suspect]

 

That would answer my "next question" most conveniently lol.. the question was, will the GeoMate Jr work in Canada?

 

At the moment we don't sell direct into Canada as I haven't quite finished my 'French for Dummies' book - but I'm working on it!!

 

With an Update Kit, you will be able to load a database for Canada. So if you managed to 'acquire' a Geomate.jr and an Update Kit, you're good to go!! I won't tell anyone...

Elsewhere you stated that "unfiltered" downloads of specific areas will be available. Is that unfiltered Traditional caches, or would it include other types (Multi-stage caches, and Puzzle caches, for example). If the latter, how would one get around the inability to input coordinates?

[+Geomate.jr]

 

Elsewhere you stated that "unfiltered" downloads of specific areas will be available. Is that unfiltered Traditional caches, or would it include other types (Multi-stage caches, and Puzzle caches, for example). If the latter, how would one get around the inability to input coordinates?

 

Ah, yes, sorry, traditional caches only.

[+hukilaulau]

G'day All

 

Some of you may already know me from some other threads, but I thought I would jump on this one and introduce myself. My name's Warren, I work at Apisphere and I guess you can say the guy behind the Geomate.jr. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone may have and I'm looking forward to seeing more stories and feedback about the Geomate.jr!

 

I'm also very happy for anyone to contact me directly; warren@apisphere.com

 

Cheers

 

Warren

Hey Warren! I'm worried about you, buddy Please! next time you "Step outside" grab a unit and find a couple of caches I want to know what YOU think!

I'm convinced, though... Wish I'd had one of these four years ago when I was traveling a lot. I'm still gonna get one though. The nearest REI is some distance away, but I'll sure put it to the test on the drive home!

[+Colonial Cats]

We ordered our Geomate.jr today through REI online. They still have free shipping for GPSrs. We like the idea of spontaneously looking for caches no matter where we are. Great concept!