+ATLPup Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Hi there Another newbie question: geocaching.com has all these caches I can download, but they are all .loc files. When I download them to my PDA, there are virtually no info in them. I was reading and found that this is inherent in .loc files and that I need to get a .qpx file. Ok.. so where do I get these files? While I'm at it, what is an Ebook? Thanks Paul Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 Welcome to geocaching! GPX files contain all the information found on the cache page (except for maps), up to the last five log entries. However, they are only available through pocket queries, which is a feature for premium members. A membership costs $3 per month or $30 per year. Most of us start off by just printing out the cache page and either manually inputting waypoints or downloading a .loc file to our GPS. You can upgrade to premium membership later on if you find that you like geocaching (you will)! An eBook is one way of reading the pocket query files. Many, many users prefer other methods, using the GPX files. For those like yourself who use a PDA, one very popular method is to use the GPX Spinner and Plucker software to get the GPX files onto their PDA. Search for threads containing those terms or just browse the GPX units and Software forum, or ask more questions here. Quote Link to comment
GeoWorms Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 This page talks about the various software out there for managing the data in a user friendly way. I use EasyGPS--it's free and user friendly. Many people like Clayjar's software too, but I haven't tried it yet. This "Getting Started" forum is a good place to ask basic questions. The GPS Units and software forum is also a good resource for software specific questions. Now get out there and find some caches! Quote Link to comment
+Stunod Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 As Keystone said, Spinner & Plucker work great with GPX files on your PDA. CYBret created a nice tutorial on how to set it up...check it out HERE Quote Link to comment
+apollo08 Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 I am new also but this is what I have found out so far. GPS units can not use .loc files. If you have a GPS unit that is compatible with the program EasyGPS then you can view the .loc files in EasyGPS and then hotsync them to your GPS. My Garmin Ique3600 is not compatible with EasyGPS so I can not transfer info directly to my GPS. EasyGPS is a freebie from this site. You can download it and then be able to view the cache specifications on your PC. I wanted to be able to have the written descriptions along with the cache specifications so I became a premium member. This way you get a .prc file along with the .loc or .gpx files that you can view with Micropocket reader. This is a small program (again a freebie from this site) that when you hot sync (PDA) you can view the info in text format (ebook) on a PDA. .GPX files are very similiar to .loc files but contain more info with them. This info is used by other software applications. As far as EasyGPS goes you get no additional info whether you open a .loc or .gpx file. GPX files take up more harddrive space. Someone else who is more familiar with everything might be able to add some additional things. Quote Link to comment
+ATLPup Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 Apollo, I too have an ique 3600- AWESOME> I have two programs which easily upload the files to your ique and thus you can route/map to it. One is called cachemate. I think its a trial and then you pay later or until the trial is up... whatever/ This actually runs on your ique The other is one that someone from another msg board dedicated to the ique wrote. THis one you run on your pc (which converts it to a vcf file) then when you sync, it becomes a waypoint. The link for that msg board is: http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/forumdispl...?s=&forumid=108 Lets see the thread for that tool is: http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=27029 Hope this helps, Paul Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 My Garmin Ique3600 is not compatible with EasyGPS so I can not transfer info directly to my GPS. I'll hold off on buying an iQue until they fix that problem Quote Link to comment
+ATLPup Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 What problem? (seriously). I have had mine since aug and LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is awesome and works perfectly.. No issues at all Quote Link to comment
+ATLPup Posted November 21, 2003 Author Share Posted November 21, 2003 There are other programs to get .loc files into an ique. I have tried 2 and they both work very easily.. Links provided above. Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted November 21, 2003 Share Posted November 21, 2003 I use a Palm M130 now with my Etrex Venture. I'd rather have them both in one unit, hence my interest in the iQue. I use EasyGPS on my venture and would like to continue using it if I upgrade my GPS, but if there are other programs that do an equivalent job I'm not opposed to useing them. Quote Link to comment
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