View Full Version : Ideas for 1st timer GPS



bmeserve
11-19-2007, 02:01 PM
Hey everyone! I'm very new to this sport and I am looking at different GPS units and how they work. I already have the ones that I want to attempt around my house area. I'm hoping to snatch up one on Friday during Black Friday if I can find one on sale....

What ones do you find would be good for a newbie? I'm pretty computer/technical savvy so I could figure just about anything out. I take it from what I read you have a computer program that hooks up to the GPS unit and that is where you enter the Coordinates of the cache? Sorry if I sound really quite naive because well I am! ha-ha I have a computer (obviously as I'm writing this) so that wouldn't be an issue.

I looked and I didn't really see this exact question around the forumns anywhere...if someone has a used one i'd be open to that as well for the right price. I'm not brand specific even though some of you I see are so that's not really an issue for me either - at least till I get one!

Anyways thanks in advance for any help!

Brenda :o

WhereRWe?
11-19-2007, 03:30 PM
Hi, Brenda, and welcome!

Here's a recent thread (http://www.geocachingmaine.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2710) that discussed your very question. Don't know how much help it will be, but it's a start. LOL!

And probably the most popular program for managing geocaches is GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife). Do a search in the forums on GSAK and you'll find many discussions.

firefighterjake
11-19-2007, 04:21 PM
Hey everyone! I'm very new to this sport and I am looking at different GPS units and how they work. I already have the ones that I want to attempt around my house area. I'm hoping to snatch up one on Friday during Black Friday if I can find one on sale....

What ones do you find would be good for a newbie? I'm pretty computer/technical savvy so I could figure just about anything out. I take it from what I read you have a computer program that hooks up to the GPS unit and that is where you enter the Coordinates of the cache? Sorry if I sound really quite naive because well I am! ha-ha I have a computer (obviously as I'm writing this) so that wouldn't be an issue.

I looked and I didn't really see this exact question around the forumns anywhere...if someone has a used one i'd be open to that as well for the right price. I'm not brand specific even though some of you I see are so that's not really an issue for me either - at least till I get one!

Anyways thanks in advance for any help!

Brenda :o

Well first off, welcome to geocachingmaine.org Brenda . . . we're always happy to "see" a new face.

As Bruce/WhereRWe mentioned I think there was a thread or two with a similiar theme . . . however if the thread that Bruce added does not answer your questions ask away.

To answer one of your first questions . . . you do need a computer . . . but only to access the internet and geocaching.com to get the coordinates for the cache. While some folks may elect to hook directly to the computer and download the cache coords (which many GPSreceivers can do) others may opt to just get the info from the web pages and manually input it into the GPSr.

Beginning cachers often start out going to geocaching.com, plugging in a zip code and finding local cache information and then manually inputting the coords into their GPSr . . . or they'll write down the cache name, coords and clues on a notebook. Eventually, if the geocaching bug snags you as it does some folks, you'll want to upgrade to a PDA (such as a Palm) which can download all the cache info for a specific area (i.e. all of Maine) and update that information every week, day, month, etc.

So . . . in summation to your question . . . no, you do not necessarily need a computer to hook up to your GPSr.

And so now we come back to your original question . . . what GPSr to buy and what should you be looking for in terms of features. Honestly, there are a few different types of GPSrs out there. First and foremost, you will want a hand-held unit and not one of these car-mounted GPSrs which seem to be all the rage . . . because many of these caches are located in the woods (with the exception of some LPCs and GRCs -- that's geo-speak for Lamp Post Caches and Guard Rail Caches -- which you can access almost without getting out of your car -- just ask Hiram357 -- we tried to do just that in a parking lot in Auburn last winter.)

After that it comes down to manufacturer and while there are a few manufacturers out there, for most folks it comes down to the great Ford vs. Chevy debate . . . or in this case, Garmin vs. Magellan (or is it Magellan vs. Garmin.) There are pros and cons to both manufacturers and folks on both sides will vehemently support their manufacturer of choice while simultaneously degrading the other manufacturer . . . but that's just because they are jealous of my Magellan. ;) :D

All kidding aside, both companies tend to produce some good GPSr units. Garmins have a lot more users and have a well deserved reputation for fantastic customer service and reliability (we believe one of our cachers -- Hiram357 is in fact a field tester for them as he has dunked his Garmin in a snowbank, attempted to drown it in a river and has dropped it more times than he has toes (he's from Ohio which explains the 14 toes ;) :D ).

Magellans on the otherhand have fewer users, but the units seem to be just as tough and tend to offer more bang for the buck when you buy a "bundled package" including maps, cords, mounts, etc. Magellans also however have a past reputation for poor customer service . . . something I have never needed to check out since my Magellans have worked flawlessly . . . it is also worth noting that Magellan was also bought out by another company a few months back.

Whichever manufacturer you choose there are some basic things you would most likely want in a GPSr . . . but a lot of it is subjective. For example, I'm very much a visual-learner. Because of that I like my GPSrs to have mapping abilities and the ability to upload more detailed maps (the base maps included with GPSrs that have mapping ability are usually not very good). I also like color screens while using my GPSr in the car or on the snowmobile or ATV . . . this said, mapping ability and color screens are not crucial to geocaching . . . you can purchase a GPSr very cheaply without color or maps and find caches just as easily as the high winder fancy models.

OK, I'm tired from all of this typing . . . hopefully this answered some of your questions . . . and maybe some other folks will chime in now with some more advice.

al'Thor
11-19-2007, 04:38 PM
Well I was orginaly going to add something, but I think Firefighterjake has said it all.

I would only repeat that you do not need to spend a lot of money.....cheaper ones work just as well as the more expensive ones. Try to find a gpsr with mapping software included. It is much cheaper this way and it comes in handy.

darterkitfox
11-19-2007, 04:59 PM
Well I don't know that the cheaper ones work as good as the more expensive as I have a cheaper one and couldn't find 3 of Gob-lers caches this weekend that everyone else seems to have.
_________________________________________________
Disallusioned former correction officer.

al'Thor
11-19-2007, 05:05 PM
I've had good luck with mine, although I am still a "rookie" and do not have much to compare it to. I spent about $175ish on my Magellen Explorist 210 Bundle Pack. I guess it may be closer to a middle of the road one then cheaper. My point is just that you do not need to spend a lot of money.

WhereRWe?
11-19-2007, 06:40 PM
Well I don't know that the cheaper ones work as good as the more expensive as I have a cheaper one and couldn't find 3 of Gob-lers caches this weekend that everyone else seems to have.


Sheesh! We have a "top-of-the-line" Garmin 60csx, but we have trouble finding caches sometimes anyway! LOL! :p :p

pjpreb
11-19-2007, 07:11 PM
Welcome Brenda :) A great place to start is a geo event - lots of folks there that can help you out and even help you find a cache or two. The upcoming geo events are listed on the home page of this web site


Well I don't know that the cheaper ones work as good as the more expensive as I have a cheaper one and couldn't find 3 of Gob-lers caches this weekend that everyone else seems to have.

Gobler's hides can be pretty tricky. His coordinates have always been spot on though (in our experience). Lucky for us he's pretty generous with the hints :D :rolleyes:

WhereRWe?
11-19-2007, 07:51 PM
Welcome Brenda :) A great place to start is a geo event - lots of folks there that can help you out and even help you find a cache or two. The upcoming geo events are listed on the home page of this web site


Don't think there are any events hosted by GeocachingMaine.org members in the near future, but RULOST2? and I plan on hosting our 4th annual Winslow Winter Weekend Waypoint Warrior Wingding (WWWWWW4) in late February. :D :D

firefighterjake
11-20-2007, 09:16 AM
Well I don't know that the cheaper ones work as good as the more expensive as I have a cheaper one and couldn't find 3 of Gob-lers caches this weekend that everyone else seems to have.
_________________________________________________
Disallusioned former correction officer.

Not everyone . . . I keep going down to Auburn and I keep DNFing some of his caches . . . I also have a knack for always getting lost in that city for some reason as well.:D

firefighterjake
11-20-2007, 09:18 AM
I've had good luck with mine, although I am still a "rookie" and do not have much to compare it to. I spent about $175ish on my Magellen Explorist 210 Bundle Pack. I guess it may be closer to a middle of the road one then cheaper. My point is just that you do not need to spend a lot of money.

Hmmm . . . that's a good deal. I bought my 210 (just the unit) for $150 at Circuit City about a year or so ago and at the time I thought it was a pretty good deal with the mapping ability and the internal memory (enough to load up all of Maine). What did you get with the package?

bmeserve
11-20-2007, 11:20 AM
Wow thanks everyone! That was awesome! Some of you put a lot of thought into your responses I see...thank you! It's snowing out at the moment down here and I was just thinking how does this work in winter? I imagine it's more difficult. I have been looking on ebay this morning and have found a few around 60-70 dollars but I'm always leery on getting used stuff especially electronic through ebay.

What about blackberry's and the like. I am looking at trading up my cell phone for one of those...does anyone have any luck using those for this and how would that work? Perhaps it's not even possible. I'm still researching but your comments have definitly helped me in a direction!

Brenda ;)

firefighterjake
11-20-2007, 02:59 PM
Wow thanks everyone! That was awesome! Some of you put a lot of thought into your responses I see...thank you! It's snowing out at the moment down here and I was just thinking how does this work in winter? I imagine it's more difficult. I have been looking on ebay this morning and have found a few around 60-70 dollars but I'm always leery on getting used stuff especially electronic through ebay.

What about blackberry's and the like. I am looking at trading up my cell phone for one of those...does anyone have any luck using those for this and how would that work? Perhaps it's not even possible. I'm still researching but your comments have definitly helped me in a direction!

Brenda ;)

Wintertime typically results in a slow down in geocaching for most folks . . . although there are some die-hards . . . and in a snow-less or near snow-less winter the caching activity is increased (since what else are you going to do if you can't snowmobile, ski or snowshoe?) I personally don't relish digging through the snow (I have enough problems finding caches without them being covered in snow), but I have gone out on caches that are rated for winter (you'll see the rating on the gc.com cache page -- these winter-rated caches typically are hidden in trees or areas where you don't have to dig through three feet of snow and ice.)

I assume you mentioned Blackberries for use as a PDA and not a GPSr. I don't have much experience with Blackberries to make much of a recommendation as to whether they are any good or not. It seems that most folks use Palms for the geocaching software . . . I personally have a Palm TX which I like a lot . . . and I use it for a lot more than just geocaching.

al'Thor
11-20-2007, 04:42 PM
Hmmm . . . that's a good deal. I bought my 210 (just the unit) for $150 at Circuit City about a year or so ago and at the time I thought it was a pretty good deal with the mapping ability and the internal memory (enough to load up all of Maine). What did you get with the package?

Along with the GPSr came: power supply for the car, computer cable, carry case, and MapSend Topo 3D software. I ordered it online from Dick's this spring. It was on sale, but I do not remember what the MSRP was.

team moxiepup
11-20-2007, 10:57 PM
You sure are brave to go out shopping on black friday!!:eek:

FYI there is a cache at the mall.
Where is your mother ?? 2 (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=5d4b6d2d-cae7-424c-b304-e3b6f20f3e81) by Doug26 (GCNR0P) it is a multi and you need to gather info in the mall to get the final coords.

Good Luck!!

bmeserve
11-21-2007, 09:14 AM
I saw that one!!! I got kind of excited ... maybe i'll try to do it without a gps unit hehe My phone will tell me the coordinates of where I am but that's it so maybe i'll walk around till the coordinates match! Everyone would be so busy they wouldn't even notice me!

I always love black friday ... usually by 6am i'm tired and ready to go home and go back to bed but there is a bunch of us that always get together as a girls day and make a morning of it. We all have our lists so we plan our stores accordingly and sometimes have to split up if some need something at a different store! I'll be all done this week though except for the stuff I'm making so I get to relax and enjoy the month of December :)

Thanks for all the tips on what to get and i'm going to try and hit up the meeting on the 28th in Westbrook if I'm able...kind of intimidating but i'm up for meeting new people! I'm going to beat the record of number of caches in a year (I think a new one was just set?) although I can't seem to find the actual number....I love having a challenge!

I was looking into Benchmarks and I can get a bunch of those under my belt asap because I was looking at them last night and know where a bunch are (or used to be)!

Looking forward to meeting all of you!

Also as a seperate question I notice on GC.com when looking up caches in the area there are series (101 dalmations, piano keys, etc...) is there a single web page where all these are located so I can get the information for them all? or do I just need to come across them individually listed till I get them all?


You sure are brave to go out shopping on black friday!!:eek:

FYI there is a cache at the mall.
Where is your mother ?? 2 (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=5d4b6d2d-cae7-424c-b304-e3b6f20f3e81) by Doug26 (GCNR0P) it is a multi and you need to gather info in the mall to get the final coords.

Good Luck!!

Haffy
11-21-2007, 05:43 PM
If you become a premium member of GC .com which is $30..00 yearly you will then have the option of creating what they call Pocket Queries. This is a way for you to get any combination of caches emailed to you on a daily basis ,up to 5 a day and then when you have those you can then either use GSAK to download to your GPS or even have both GSAK and Cachmate which you can then use on a PDA which will give you just about everything that is on the cache page at your disposal. This is what they call paperless caching. There is a good tutorial on paperless caching here :http://www.ggaonline.org/resources/paperless_caching/paperless_caching.html

hollora
11-21-2007, 05:48 PM
BRDad may be able to tell you about number of caches in a year - as he keeps stats. I know EMSDanel did 1000 caches his first year. That is an impressive number.

Benchmarks are fun and if they counted for finds a lot of folks could grab some incredible numbers.

It is always fun to meet new cachers. Everyone can learn something from one another both new and old.

As for the series - some folks have made bookmarks for these. I find bookmarks helpful in doing Pocket Queries - as well as tracking where I have been.

Happy Caching and Happy Thanksgiving!

brdad
11-21-2007, 07:55 PM
BRDad may be able to tell you about number of caches in a year - as he keeps stats.

I do like to keep records of Maine caches and the placement of those caches. But I am not so intense on individual cacher stats. 100 finds for me may be as easy (or hard) as 10 for the next guy. That and cache ratings and difficulty skew the whole number game too much for me.

But people can play as they want. I think the nat'l records for finds in a year would be tough to beat unless a person went outside of New England.