Lanceloet Posted March 26, 2004 Posted March 26, 2004 Hey everyone, I have been geo-caching for about a year now and love it, so does my son. He is 4 years old and has Autism, he loves to run around outside and he loves yellow. I have an ST map that we use to geocache but every time we are in a store with GPSr's that are yellow, he wants it and it's a fight to leave. My question is, if anyone has a broken yellow GPSr (it has to be yellow) that they would be willing to send me? I'm hoping that just carrying a yellow one around (even if it doesn't work) while we cache will be enough to keep him calm. I'm in the Army so I can't afford another one for now. I would be willing to pay for shipping if it's not too much. Thanks everyone, Lanceloet Quote
+gnbrotz Posted March 27, 2004 Posted March 27, 2004 I'm not sure if what I have is what you are looking for, but just in case, I'll offer. A couple years ago I was in a similar situation with a young son who loved caching with me (and holding the gps), but I wasn't ready to give him charge of a working unit. I posted on the forums, and received a very generous offer from "GizmoDave". He offered to custom make a non-working facsimile of a yellow etrex for my son to use. You can see the details of Dave's process on his web site. The offer came with two conditions: 1) When Noah outgrew the toy GPS, Dad had to give it to someone in the same situation he was in. 2) When someone asks for a hand doing something, he has to help...No questions asked. I have thought of the second condition often, when posting a reply, or making direct contact with someone to offer my advice or opinion. Dave put much time and effort into a very simple request, and even though years have passed, I have not forgotten. My son is now 7, and beginning to learn the basics of a real yellow etrex. When I saw this post, I knew the time had come to fulfill condition #1. This unit does show some wear, but is virtually indestructible, and I feel sure it has much good use left in it for future generations. It includes a second string (attaches where a lanyard would go) and the tool to remove the small hex screws so the screen can be "changed". Lanceloet, if you're interested, please contact me directly to arrange shipping at my expense. I offer it gladly and pass the same conditions I received with it on to you. Quote
SBPhishy Posted March 27, 2004 Posted March 27, 2004 I just wanted to add that that fake GPS looks cool! I'm glad this is all working out for you guys. Quote
Lanceloet Posted March 27, 2004 Author Posted March 27, 2004 (edited) Greg thank you so much! My son is very excited! I sent you a PM. I am speechless! Thank you. Thanks to Dave also for such an awesome piece of work! Edited March 27, 2004 by Lanceloet Quote
skipperandthecastaways Posted March 27, 2004 Posted March 27, 2004 My first response to anything in forums I 'm guilt of lurking, but I had to say something. This is the greatest thing that I have read in the forums in a long time, no complaining, no arguing, no sarcasim. The conditions of use are wonderfully thought out and gives a ongoing value to the project. I just need to let Dave and Greg know that this is a wonderful thing you have done. You are great examples of what compassion and giving are about . I vote you HEROS of the Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give Thanks Everyday skipperandthecastaways Quote
+Explicit Dank Posted March 27, 2004 Posted March 27, 2004 (edited) Its not yellow, but if anyone wants it, I have a broken Eagle Expedition2. It doesn't turn on at all. Not sure whats wrong with it. It was given to me by family out of state, (they never told me what it was) and said it could be fixed for 70. I said send it, thinking to get it fixed. I got it and found out I can get one working for under 50. So it just sits here. It has a carrying case. and if I can find them, instructions (although they wouldn't be of use because its broken. Oh yeah, its free. And I can pay for shipping in the US. Edited March 27, 2004 by Explicit Dank Quote
+Mastifflover Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 I just also wanted to say that this is one of the nicest threads that I have read here in a while. Lanceloet I hope your son enjoys it. Quote
ornryactor Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 gnbrotz, that's awesome. This is one of the coolest threads I've ever read, and it's so neat to see people doing stuff like this for each other. Lanceloet, best wishes to your son, and I hope he enjoys his new "GPSr". Explicit Dank, I sent you a PM. Quote
+fly46 Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 No joke, I'm almost crying with this post. This is the sweetest thing I've heard in a long time. Make Love, Not War! Quote
+TresOkies Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 I remember that thread well from when I started caching in '01. I hate to say it, but back in it's infancy, the geocaching forums were full of unselfish helpful people like GizmoDave. Kinda like the internet pre-AOL or our society in general. The inevitable influx of whiners, clubhouse lawyers, and scam artists wears you down to the point where you wonder why you participate. Then, you read this thread again and you remember that most people are alright and some are actually wonderful. Dave, I hope you and your son have a great time together. -E Quote
Lanceloet Posted March 29, 2004 Author Posted March 29, 2004 (edited) Greg, We got it today. Thank you! "For Braiden, treasure, YELLOW, WOW, awesome" are pretty much his exact words. Thank you. David and Braiden Edited March 29, 2004 by Lanceloet Quote
+Explicit Dank Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Sorry to not post this sooner, but I have given the Eagle to CoolClay (I thinks his online name). If I run across another broken one, I'll put it one here also. Explicit Dank Quote
+Puffy Tacos Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Greg & SuperDave, Thank you so much. Braiden was so happy! We are heading out the door to go caching right now. He can't wait any longer to use "His Treasure Hunter!" When you have a child with autism every little bit helps and you have helped a ton! Thanks again! Guenevre(Braiden's mom) Quote
+gnbrotz Posted March 29, 2004 Posted March 29, 2004 Glad to see it being put to use again. I'm really surprised how fast it got there! Happy caching. Quote
+Gizmotech Posted March 30, 2004 Posted March 30, 2004 Guenevre,Braiden, and Lanceloet. I'm glad this is working out. You work at a computers and machines for ages. No one seems to care if what you are doing is going to make a difference. After a while you begin to think the same thing. Thanks for appreciating what Greg and Noah have done. It makes what I do a little more gratifying. Gizmodave AKA Gizmotech Quote
+Ladycacher Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 How can I get a "broken" (one of the toys) yellow Gps? My three year old desperatly needs something. I have legend, working on getting a Yellow Etrex for my oldest son. But my youngest needs something that looks like ours, and I won't have to spend alot of money on. I just bought our first house and I have NO extra money to be buying all new GPS's. I couldn't afford mine but I wanted to find something fun for our family to do. Anyway, Thanks! Quote
+Explicit Dank Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 Weirdest thing... the Eagle gps I sent CoolClay worked. Hmmm, go figure. Guess it didn't like me Quote
+logger&trail Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 Ladycacher, We bought a kids orienteering kit from our friendly local Walmart, it had a fake GPSr and a compass. The neat thing is the GPSr had a working digital clock and timer. We gave it to a friend of ours young son. He had a great time with it because he became the official caching "timekeeper" So you might want to check this option out. I think the cost was about $12 US If I remember correctly it was in the kids toy section. Hope this helps, Good luck with your quest.. Happy caching! Logger Quote
+Team Flashncache Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 I just wanted to chime in here as well. This has GOT to be the nicest thing I've read in the forums for a long time. I'm glad I'm involved in a hobby with such big-hearted folks, it almost makes me want to forget all of the sniping and b*tching that go on here on a daily basis. You have even given me hope for the human race. (And THAT'S saying something!) Quote
4x4van Posted April 2, 2004 Posted April 2, 2004 (edited) I have to echo the sentiments expressed here, awesome! For those of you who agree, I highly recommend renting a movie called, "Pay it Forward". It fits very nicely into the essence of what is happening here, and I challenge anyone to watch it without at least a few heartfelt tears, both happy tears and sad. We should all "pay it forward"!!! Edited April 2, 2004 by 4x4van Quote
RobFL Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 I just wish to add my 2c worth on this... This has got to be the best group of people that I have seen in a LONG time! This is what life is truely all about! You all made my day - heck...you made the whole week! Happy cashing - RobFL Quote
+quills Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 What a great thread. It's so nice to see that there are still good people out there. Thanks for this thread. Quote
+Ladycacher Posted April 3, 2004 Posted April 3, 2004 I am looking for that kit from walmart, do you know what it was called? THanks Ladycacher Quote
+greyhounder Posted April 4, 2004 Posted April 4, 2004 Awesome thread! There are so many great people on here and they continue to floor me with the ways they outdo themselves on a regular basis! This thread actually brought a tear to my eye! Bec Quote
+Wander Lost Posted April 8, 2004 Posted April 8, 2004 (edited) I was inspired by this story. Wasn't sure what kit you were talking about at Wal-Mart but I found one called an Outdoor communication Kit. It has a pair of walkie-talkies in it that look kinda like a Rino. I peeled off the morse code sticker and then made the compass sticker from a screen shot of the Garmin GPSMAP 60c. I have a two year old that loves to go caching. My husband and I each have our own GPSr and so does his big brother. The other day he was asking 'Where's my GPS???' I gave this to him today and he is thrilled. He want's to go caching right away. Here is a picture of the finished product. Edited April 8, 2004 by Wander Lost Quote
Dino Hunters Posted April 12, 2004 Posted April 12, 2004 Just wanted to add an idea for others interested. The store where I bought my GPSr had a display of all the models, all of which were simply gutted shells. They did not work at all, but were the actual plastic shells of the models. I wonder if these might be available from the store after a model is no longer carried by the store. Just a thought - great thread btw. Quote
+Explicit Dank Posted April 12, 2004 Posted April 12, 2004 I contacted Garmin to see if there was a way to buy empty gps cases, or broken ones, but they said they don't keep broken ones (that are beyond fixin)... and didn't respond about the cases... Quote
ayeyen Posted April 13, 2004 Posted April 13, 2004 I just read a book called "The mysterious incident of the dog in the night-time" and it's about a child with autism and I realize how hard it must be. I didn't read thogoughly, but did you eventually find a yellow GPS-looking object? Good luck! Quote
+gnbrotz Posted April 13, 2004 Posted April 13, 2004 ...did you eventually find a yellow GPS-looking object? Umm....Did you read this entire thread?? Quote
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