Resources
The basic game of geo-caching is just that. Basically you get the coordinates maybe a clue then go on your search.
On this page you might find some information that might enhance the game and some that even keep the game a tad more "green" such as paper-less caching. A few tips offered about hides with small containers such as the magnetic Nano and Bison tubes. If your new to geocaching and just got a new unit or maybe you have had a GPS unit for some time you might find some useful information about keeping you unit up to date. Read more about updates.
A new project has been custom maps for Gamin GPS units. The topographical maps available from Garmin are 1:100 hardly of any use in the back country. The custom maps we have been working on are 1:24. This is a on going project with new maps being worked on. Visit the map page to see which maps are available for download and complete instructions on how to place them on your Garmin via Map Source or (better method) 3rd party software.
New piece almost finished. POI. Most units will not store more than 500 way points but you can have 100's of "Points Of Interest" on you sd card. Check back for finished article.
And a quick comparison of the Garmin Vista cx to the Garmin 60 CSx, based on personal experience by us.
Before you start!
Congratulations you just received your brand new gps unit! You most likely just want to read the quick start then run out and grab some caches. DON"T! At least not yet.
The first thing you want to do it make sure your unit is up to date. Chances are your new unit was made several months before you received it. The manufactures are discovering errors and so forth with particular units constantly. These errors are both in the software and the firmware.
Garmin makes it very easy by having on its web site a "up dater" you can download to your computer. Not only is it a good idea to update the first time you use the unit but frequent checking will keep your unit running top notch. The Garmin update is located here.
Magellan, Lawrance, and Tom-Tom do not make it quite so easy to update. Possibly the best method to update these units is to use a search engine to look specifically for the unit you have not a general search
The compass
Before you dismiss the person who set the cache as being way off with the coordinates at a cache you can not find think about your own unit. When was the last time you re-calibrated your compass?
The Garmin 60 CSx recommends you re-calibrate the compass when: you change batteries, if you have moved more than one hundred miles or are experiencing a temperature change of more than 68 degrees.
When we first started caching not only did we need to get the coordinates on to the hand held we also needed to print out paper which carried the description of the cache and any clues. After the cache was found the paper was either tossed or recycled.
Enter paper less caching. Not only getting rid of the paper but also transferring the coordinates to the hand held unit. Since your reading this I will assume you already have a gps unit all you need now is a PDA and a premium membership on the geocaching.com site. True at geocaching.com you can send to your gps, but it only supports Garmin units. Not a sales pitch for them but there are many useful benefits by becoming a premium member.
But here we are only concentrating on paperless caching.
There are many good tools avail abel on the web, some free others for a small fee.
First some definitions are needed. Cache information is generally available in 3 formats:
- .GPX Format which premium members of Geocaching.com download via pocket queries or just the gpx file available on all cache page descriptions. Not only the coordinates of the cache one also has the description, hints, past logs.
- .KML Google Earth format.
- .LOC The basic format for cache information from the geocaching.com web site available to all members.
Now we need software to work with the files. As previously stated there are many. A complete list is available on the geoicaching.com web site. Here we are only going to work with two.
GSAK is a free to download program for windows only. If after 21 days you have not registered it ($25.00 via PayPal) you get nag screens which will drive you nuts. But $25.00 is a small price to pay for all of its features. Visit the features page, you'll be quite impressed.
CACHEMATE is free to download but again there are limits. In this case you can only have 10 data points at a time. $8.00 will rectify the problem.
Basic GSAK, sending to Palm and GPS unit:
After downloading the gpx files for the caches your interested in, (I load to a folder sitting on the desktop) with GSAK running select >file>Load /gpx/loc/zip..
Select the folder (if you saved the files in one) hint: maybe on your first few attempts do not check the box that says delete contents of folder click ok
After the screen goes through some flashes of various colors you will end up with a screen that informs you of what has just been loaded, click ok.
Filter the information, not needed the first time but each time you add more information. This is just the basic filter by date to send the the palm and gps the. Many filters are available. Select search> filter. In the dialog box select the tab labled Date, drop down to Date Created select on or after, select the appropriate date.
Your filtered data is displayed, now lets send it to the Palm.
Select > File> Export> Cachemate PDB.
The only thing you really need to worry about your first time is naming the output. Its the upper left dialog box. After you get going you can uncheck use defaults but the default is quite good. Select ok.
After you click ok, the dialog box will flash through several screens finishing with a note informing you of the number of way points it has exported to the palm quick install.
The quick install screen of your palm will then open up. It is a simple Hotsink at this point.
Send the data to the GPS unit.
Garmin & Magellan
Select> GPS>Send Way Points>
At this point if this is your first run you'll need to set up for your unit.
Second form left you'll see a button called GPSr set up. Clicking the box brings
up a dialog screen. A very important item at this point after you select
your brand is whether your using USB or parallel port. Refer back to your
owner's manual, but if your unit is fairly new it will most likely be USB.
After setting up for your unit click ok. Then simply click ok on the main screen
and poof all the way points are sent to the unit.
Lawrence and Magellan exploreist
After selecting GPS> the drop down provides a option for these units only.
Very basic and quick
All Caches:
- We ususally make sure the GPS has been turned on for at least 15 minutes before we mark the hide location
- AVERAGE! If you have a unit that will average DO. We average until we no longer are gaining ie. The acuraccy is no longer dropping. Often it is more than 50 iterations before we are not getting the plus or minus to drop any more.
Preparation
Film canister or Bison Tubes
- 1. It is a good idea to write the name or waypoint of your cache onto the container or at least the log. This allows them to be referenced back to an owner via the geocaching.com web site.
- 2. If you include pens or pencils maybe have a bright color so they do not get lost in the long grass if they are dropped!
- 3. Maybe have the micro logs rolled up with small elastic bands to give more space in film containers for other small objects.
- 4. Remember to check the grey top film container top is water-tight, check the lid is properly pushed down on all sides.
- 5. Try to hide a micro in a standing-up position and away from exposure to rain to prolong its life.
Preparation:
Magnetic Micro's
- 1. Avoid placing in areas where they may be brushed off by movement of people or animals
- 2. Do not place in areas where if they are dropped can become a hazard or cannot be retrieved, e.g. on the underside of a bridge.
- 3. For obvious reasons, do not carry your magnetic geocache near your credit cards.
Gps Comparisons: Garmin Vista Cx vs. Garmin 60 CSx
In July of 2007 we received a new hand held, a Garmin Vista CX. Not having dealt with any thing since the Magellan tracker of the late 90's units it was dazzling to see how far they had come.
First off was the decision of enabling WAAS, the manual give one the impression it may in fact create a negative effect.
