Help with PQ, please

[+peasemold]

Help, please.

I don't doubt it's something I'm not doing correctly, but when I downloaded a PQ for my area I've found that many caches are not included - some very close to home.

From such thin info, can anyone point out what I did wrong/what I should have done to have all caches included?

[Keystone]

What were the search parameters for your pocket query?

 

For example, if you construct a query that returns far more than the maximum result size (1000 caches), odd results can be expected. "Give me every cache within 100 km" is not an effective PQ design if there are 10,000 caches within 100 km.

[+peasemold]

The Query was for 500 caches, I think. I checked Trad,Multi-cache and Letterbox hybrid,Any container, caches That I haven't found,Are Available to All Users and Is Enabled.I didn't specify Difficulty or Terrain and set My Location as the origin of the search.

Your point about Within 100 km may be the problem - I set Within 100 miles (oops).

If I repeat the Query setting it for 30 miles, won't that lead to downloading a load of duplicates? Will my GPSr reject the dupes?

Edited December 28, 2014 by peasemold

[+peasemold]

Ah.

"Remove the original PQ".

Would I be right in thinking I would do that with the GPSr connected to my PC? Can you tell me what I'd be looking for in the files, please?

[+Pharisee]

If your query is set for 500 caches, that's the MAXIMUM number of caches that it will return. If you set your query to return caches within a 30 mile radius and there are only, say, 250 that match your criteria within that raduis then your PQ will only return 250 caches. It won't return them twice just to make the total up to 500.

[Keystone]

To solve your problem, you should either (1) reduce the radius of your query to a distance that returns 999 or fewer caches, or (2) split up your queries to cover a larger desired radius, separating them by placement date. For example, using a radius of 100 miles, your first PQ (which you could name "Home Area 01" might cover the caches placed from May 2000 through March 2006.

 

The issue with multiple queries is you would then need to combine them. Many do this using GSAK. You can load the combined GPX onto your device, or each query separately, depending on what GPS or cellphone you are using.

 

Most users will tell you that it's easier and less confusing if you delete "old" data from your GPS and then reload "new" data. You thus avoid things like searching for a cache that was archived a month ago.

[+peasemold]

OK; the consensus seems to point at removing the old PQ and setting a new, smaller, Query. I'm going out now; I may be some time . . . . .

 

Thanks for all your help, gents.

[+Bear and Ragged]

The Query was for 500 caches, I think.

I checked: Trad, Multi-cache and Letterbox hybrid,

Any container,

caches That I haven't found,

Are Available to All Users

and Is Enabled.

I didn't specify Difficulty or Terrain and set My Location as the origin of the search.

 

 

Available to ALL users EXCLUDES Premium Member Only caches.

Often with PQs the best option is to select as little as possible!

 

TIP.

DON'T select Day to Run, and run the PQ.

Check the search page results.

Are they what you expect? If not, re-edit and select/unselect the options.

 

If they are what you want, edit and select Day to Run, and run.

 

If the results are not what you were expecting, it saves a wasted PQ.