What Data Fields are you using with your Garmin when hunting a geocache?

[+zeus661]

Just wondering which data fields everyone is using in their Garmins to hunt down geocaches?  Currently using a Gramin 67 and I have GPS Accuracy, Distance to Destination, Bearing, and Heading. 

 

Do you use Map or Compass in the main window?

 

How do you have your GPS setup? Just looking for a possible better way than what I am currently using.

[+arisoft]

I am not using Garmin but my favourite setup is map, distance to the cache and arrow that points to the cache direction.

[+HHL]

Nowadays, I'm using an Android app. When I used a Garmin some years ago my favourite screen was:

Map with geocaching dashboard or the Compass page.

 

 

 

Edited March 16 by HHL

[+RCH65]

We never use the compass—after all, we're not in the desert and have to follow the roads and paths... ;-)

We have these data fields enabled (on a GPSMAP 67):

- Current location (WGS84 coords)

- Activated target (Name)

- Altitude

- Distance to target

[+barefootjeff]

I use the geocaching dashboard on the map with it also showing the distance to the cache:

 

[+kunarion]

9 hours ago, zeus661 said:

Just wondering which data fields everyone is using in their Garmins to hunt down geocaches?  Currently using a Gramin 67 and I have GPS Accuracy, Distance to Destination, Bearing, and Heading. 

 

Do you use Map or Compass in the main window?

 

How do you have your GPS setup? Just looking for a possible better way than what I am currently using.

 

I have a Garmin Oregon 750t, which I think has similar options.

 

I have the map in my main window, but I've sometimes put the compass there instead.  Anyway,  I moved the Compass icon and Map, Geocaching, Where To, Mark Waypoint, and Activity Change onto the first page of the Menu, so I can switch quickly between Map and Compass.  I have Activity Change because I also have a "Geocaching Car" activity with all of its screens set up for driving to a cache with street routing.  But I use The Official App and Waze most for the car stuff now.  And I use The App for cache list organization, satellite maps and live data (when available).  I switch to the Garmin's Compass for the actual hunt.

 

My Main Menu has the Geocaching Dashboard (small compass and distance).  I have the same for the Map, but currently compacted that field (it's not shown).

 

My Compass dashboard has Small Data Fields with

Location of Destination (coords at the active Waypoint or cache),

Destination (name of waypoint or cache)

Distance to Next (to the cache or waypoint), and 

Time of Day (but I may change that one depending on specific caching requirements)

 

Destination and Location of Destination let me verify that I'm locked into the correct coords for waypoint or cache, and Destination shows me the specific name of it.  Otherwise, I tend to be led to the wrong one, due to accidental selection.

 

 

Edited March 16 by kunarion

[+kunarion]

6 hours ago, HHL said:

Nowadays, I'm using an Android app. When I used a Garmin some years ago my favourite screen was:

Map with geocaching dashboard or the Compass page.

 

 

 

 

After watching cache buddies with their Etrex, I selected that big, bold, uncluttered Compass screen for a while.  I can read it.  I like that!  

But somehow when I'm trying to manage a bunch of caches on a trip, I tend to have the wrong coords or waypoint or Geocache selected, so lately I have that information shown, too, which causes a tiny "Distance" field.

 

The "Geocaching Dashboard" is misleading.  It always points to a cache, even if you've actively selected a Waypoint (for example, you're seeking a Multi, heading to another Stage, and now that Dashboard points to some unrelated cache).  There are threads about it.  It's pretty cool anyway, so I have it in my main Menu.

 

Edited March 16 by kunarion

[+Goldenwattle]

With my eTrex 30 Garmin usually compass. I switch to a map occasionally, if there are paths, which there aren't always. If I want to see roads and paths, say in urban areas, I might dig out the phone. Mainly a GPS user though, as the GPS fits better in my hand and pocket. The phone won't safely fit in female silly jean pockets🤬.

 

5 hours ago, RCH65 said:

We never use the compass—after all, we're not in the desert and have to follow the roads and paths...

Last few times I have found caches, I have used public transport in combination with walking. If I am driving to an area to cache, I use a Tom Tom to get me to where I will park, before I begin walking, when I am then likely to use the compass. There may or may not be paths. Sometimes it's bush bashing. Map is good in cities, especially with kms to walk to the cache. Approaching GZ I would switch back to the compass. Map can be better in cities, but does not work so well here. Here was compass. You could so easily go off route here without it.

Edited March 17 by Goldenwattle

[+HHL]

8 hours ago, kunarion said:

The "Geocaching Dashboard" is misleading.  It always points to a cache, even if you've actively selected a Waypoint (for example, you're seeking a Multi, heading to another Stage, and now that Dashboard points to some unrelated cache).

Then quickly change to another dashboard. Could be done by setting the On/Off button to do so by a short single click. And, if you're in need to see more map area: Click the small triangle at the bottom of the dashboard: It immediately vanishes (and back again).

 

Hans

Edited March 17 by HHL

[+kunarion]

27 minutes ago, HHL said:

Then quickly change to another dashboard. Could be done by setting the On/Off button to do so by a short single click. And, if you're in need to see more map area: Click the small triangle at the bottom of the dashboard: It immediately vanishes (and back again).

 

Hans

 

That's what i do.  I have "Geocaching Dashboard" it on the Main Menu, just as a novelty.  Because it's a cool-looking dashboard not fully without merit. Plus I tap it to begin my search for nearby caches.

 

I haven't needed to slide the data fields down into the Map lately.  But for the purposes of this thread, I tried it and discovered the same four fields as in the Compass screen.  I will change that to "GPS Acccuracy" and some other less used gadgets into the Map screen. This thread gives me some ideas!

 

One thing my Garmin does is it randomly changes a setting (and not just the Dashboard).  Not often.  But I look and a data field or two has changed (I keep the Dashboad locked so they supposedly cannot change). Because of my  Garmin's mental illness, I also backup my Profiles when I think about it.  I'm thinking about it now... 

 

Edited March 17 by kunarion

[+JL_HSTRE]

12 hours ago, Goldenwattle said:

With my eTrex 30 Garmin usually compass. I switch to a map occasionally, if there are paths, which there aren't always.

 

I use the same device, but I'm the opposite. I use the map screen (with the cache info overlay including a small simple compass) and only switch to the full screen compass when I get close and am trying to pinpoint GZ.

 

Edited March 17 by JL_HSTRE

[+Goldenwattle]

3 minutes ago, JL_HSTRE said:

 

I use the same device, but I'm the opposite. I use the map screen (with the cache info overlay including a small simple compass) and only switch to the full screen compass when I get close and am trying to pinpoint GZ.

 

Depends somewhat where I am. In built up CBDs I would likely use the map...if a map exists. I was in Cambodia and Vietnam last month and the maps were useless. Same the previous year in Chile. (Neighbouring Argentine was okay re the map.) Only main highways; nothing else. No smaller roads and paths. I had to use the compass, as the map had me walking though open space, when I'm in the centre of the city, Wasn't safe there to use a phone. Phone snatchers, and the smaller GPS can be better hidden in my hand. In urban places here in Australia the maps are usually good. However I might switch to the phone in the CBD, because skyscrapers block satellites. At home here in Canberra, usually the compass. And in the bush, the compass. Unless walking on a well known path, in bushland you are walking in open space on the Garmin map, so the compass.

[+kunarion]

14 minutes ago, JL_HSTRE said:

 

I use the same device, but I'm the opposite. I use the map screen (with the cache info overlay including a small simple compass) and only switch to the full screen compass when I get close and am trying to pinpoint GZ.

 

 

Is it the Geocaching Dashboard (with D/T stars, etc.)?  That would be a pretty cool combo!  I don't have any particular dashboard in view, to allow the most Map space.  But I recently use The App most for maps anyway.

[+ecanderson]

Map view used until getting relatively close.  Then, here's how mine looks when I'm not in map view (you asked about 'data fields', so I assume you mean this screen):

 

Note in "Destination" I have the GC code (A70Q5 without the GC), the size (Micro, Small, etc), the D/T ratings using the 1A2B3C4D5 scale (A=1.5, B=2.5...) and the last 3 logs (F=Found, etc) as reminders.

 

 

Edited March 17 by ecanderson

[+cerberus1]

Still using a 60CSx...   Rare that I use map unless altitude has me off (GZ, but 30' up... or both sides of fork are close... 

I stick with the compass mostly.