+EraSeek Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) My vehicle is now a "Chirp" enabled travel bug. If you are within 30' of my car with Chirp capable and enabled GPS for around half a minute, you will see the necessary TB info pop up on your screen to discover it. Towtrkdug has also listed the area's first Chirp waypoint cache near Lake Ballinger. Something new and fun to try out. Edited October 22, 2010 by EraSeek Quote Link to comment
+hydnsek Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 I had no idea what "Chirp" was, but googling turned up this Chirp explanation. Aha. Sounds pretty cool! Quote Link to comment
+robd0gg Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) My vehicle is now a "Chirp" enabled travel bug. If you are within 30' of my car with Chirp capable and enabled GPS for around half a minute, you will see the necessary TB info pop up on your screen to discover it. Towtrkdug has also listed the area's first Chirp waypoint cache near Lake Ballinger. Something new and fun to try out. this is pretty cool.. but how are you dealing with the directional nature of them? e.g. they can only be detected if there is clear line of site between the transmitter and the GPSr.. and will likely be blocked by your vehicle depending on the approach. Did you test hiding it in different locations? and would you mind sharing where/how you chose to position it? also, they are not weather proof, and since they won't work inside of a container, how did you address that? personally, I think this type of application makes more sense then a stationary cache, which to me, kind of gives away one of the cool things about geocaching, searching for, and making the FIND.. if it evolves to just following a beacon, that sorta changes the whole game for me. Personally, I am glad Groundspeak is taking it slow, and not creating a whole new cache type. Edited October 22, 2010 by robdogg Quote Link to comment
jholly Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) <snip> also, they are not weather proof, and since they won't work inside of a container, how did you address that? <snip> The Garmin blurb claims they are water proof. I would imagine that even here in the Pacific Northwet that would qualify as weather proof. As for not working in a container, I would imagine fastened to a window would be fine. Edited October 22, 2010 by jholly Quote Link to comment
+B+L Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 As for not working in a container, I would imagine fastened to a window would be fine. Someone tested one placed inside an ammo can and they claim that it worked perfectly fine. Perhaps Garmin is just being overly cautious. Quote Link to comment
+robd0gg Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 <snip> also, they are not weather proof, and since they won't work inside of a container, how did you address that? <snip> The Garmin blurb claims they are water proof. I would imagine that even here in the Pacific Northwet that would qualify as weather proof. As for not working in a container, I would imagine fastened to a window would be fine. yeah, probably would do OK in the wet, but what I said about not working in a container, I meant metal so hiding one in one of those magnetic key containers is probably out Quote Link to comment
Team Misguided Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 As for not working in a container, I would imagine fastened to a window would be fine. Someone tested one placed inside an ammo can and they claim that it worked perfectly fine. Perhaps Garmin is just being overly cautious. I haven't looked into these too much but my thinking would be they would be a cool way to give an extra hint to finding the cache once you got to the cache site. For those people (and you know who you are) who don't like giving hints on the cache page, a chirp could be added to the continer with a hint to the final location. Quote Link to comment
+vds Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 My vehicle is now a "Chirp" enabled travel bug. If you are within 30' of my car with Chirp capable and enabled GPS for around half a minute, you will see the necessary TB info pop up on your screen to discover. Now THAT is a creative use of the chirp. Since it's reportedly not something supposed to go into metal how did you mount it? Pictures? What does the chirp data say to the discoverer? Quote Link to comment
+klossner Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 they would be a cool way to give an extra hint to finding the cacheJust so long as it's not the only hint. Most of us don't have new-gen Garmin GPSrs and can't receive the chirp signal. Quote Link to comment
+EraSeek Posted October 23, 2010 Author Share Posted October 23, 2010 (edited) I have a Honda 2003 CRV (cache recovery vehicle). Lots of window area in the back. I have it mounted right next to the window (back, drivers side). I have no problem picking it up as I approach the car. GPS Fix mounted one inside an ammo can and got a signal as I recall. Yes waterproof. They have a seal on the battery compartment lid. I'm also mounting a bug sticker on my car for those who are not compatable. Photos later. The chirp gives the bug number (its name) and says Eraseek's Vehicle Travel Bug (chirp enabled). Edited October 23, 2010 by EraSeek Quote Link to comment
+t4e Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 they would be a cool way to give an extra hint to finding the cacheJust so long as it's not the only hint. Most of us don't have new-gen Garmin GPSrs and can't receive the chirp signal. darn, no app for chirp? Quote Link to comment
+Laserman Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I'm curious, does the GPS need to be in a mode that is seeking the chirp transmitter? Or is it a passive thing that if you have your GPS on and happen to wander into the chirp zone it will let you know? Forgive me if this was answered above but it is late at night and I didn't readily see the answer. Quote Link to comment
+Highland Horde Posted October 23, 2010 Share Posted October 23, 2010 I'm curious, does the GPS need to be in a mode that is seeking the chirp transmitter? Or is it a passive thing that if you have your GPS on and happen to wander into the chirp zone it will let you know? Forgive me if this was answered above but it is late at night and I didn't readily see the answer. you need to enable the option in the menus but after its enabled i think thats it. Quote Link to comment
+EraSeek Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 You need to have a newer Garmin like an Oregon. You need to have the latest update. You need to go to Setting>Geocaching> and turn on the chirp search option, and from there it stays on unless you ever decide to turn it off. From there you do nothing. It will automatically pick up a nearby Chirp, and display the info. Quote Link to comment
+vds Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 (edited) You need to have a newer Garmin like an Oregon. You need to have the latest update. You need to go to Setting>Geocaching> and turn on the chirp search option, and from there it stays on unless you ever decide to turn it off. From there you do nothing. It will automatically pick up a nearby Chirp, and display the info. Man, GC1EM93 really needs one of these puppies added to it :-) I was going to grab one and either do the car TB thing or even make a keyring out of it but fortunately I realized that was unwise as with only an Oregon 200 there is no way for me to program it. Doh ! There were a few at REI Bellingham near WWU yesterday for folks up there. There's an interesting technical review HERE from a long distance runner. Seems like it is 'possible' to have an external app developed to talk to the device someday. For instance, Garmin sells a ANT+ USB stick already. Wonder if they'll see that they have an opportunity for a nice integrated product base covering the fitness and caching communities.... Edited October 25, 2010 by vds Quote Link to comment
+klossner Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Seems like it is 'possible' to have an external app developed to talk to the device someday. Here's an explanation of why that's not possible.For instance, Garmin sells a ANT+ USB stick already.It only works in a USB host port -- the kind in your PC. It cannot be made to operate in a USB device port. Quote Link to comment
+klossner Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 (edited) [Duplicate post deleted] Edited October 25, 2010 by klossner Quote Link to comment
+B+L Posted October 25, 2010 Share Posted October 25, 2010 Seems like it is 'possible' to have an external app developed to talk to the device someday. Here's an explanation of why that's not possible. It might not have been possible when your citation was published. But HTC provides customized phones to their cycling team which use ANT+ to log position, speed, cadence, pulse, etc and upload it. Current Droid/Droid X phones and iPhones have ANT capable hardware (minus the necessary firmware update and/or blessing from Mr. Jobs). Someday is getting closer. Quote Link to comment
+ZeroHecksGiven Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 jailbreak baby Quote Link to comment
+Jayman11 Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 These things are amazing. We just received them at our shop and I am amazed at how small they are! I love the idea you have of putting it in your vehicle. I may have to do the same, it would be great parking at events. Quote Link to comment
+jellis Posted October 27, 2010 Share Posted October 27, 2010 This is mine GC2E8RQ. The first in Northern California. Quote Link to comment
+EraSeek Posted October 31, 2010 Author Share Posted October 31, 2010 Nobody's found me yet. (chirp enabled vehicle travel bug) Quote Link to comment
+ogeoISplash Posted November 24, 2010 Share Posted November 24, 2010 My Chirp enabled cache is out - The first in Idaho. Rocks of Doom Quote Link to comment
+ATXTracker Posted November 25, 2010 Share Posted November 25, 2010 Seems like it is 'possible' to have an external app developed to talk to the device someday. Here's an explanation of why that's not possible.For instance, Garmin sells a ANT+ USB stick already.It only works in a USB host port -- the kind in your PC. It cannot be made to operate in a USB device port. This is somewhat inaccurate. It would be possible with an external iPhone dongle. Please take a look at some of the other threads. You can even vote for iphone support over in the iphone forum: http://feedback.geocaching.com/forums/7527...e-app?ref=title Quote Link to comment
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